Shannon and Sons, Fore Street.
Hugh Shannon was born in Ireland, his wife Louisa was from Plymouth. From census
information [1] the couple appear to have lived in both London and Newcastle during
the early days of their marriage. In October 1866 Hugh took employment with Davey,
Outfitters, at Fore Street, Devonport - he stayed with
Davey for eleven years. He left the employment of Davey around October 1877 and
opened his own firm of outfitters,
in the same street. As a result Davey took him to court for breach of contract (that
he set up in the same trade within five miles, contrary to the terms of his employment
contract).[2] The court found in favour of Shannon, and the company he founded continued
in business in Fore Street for the next 40 years and more.
By 1888 Hugh is joined by his son Alfred with the company renamed Shannon Hugh &
Son, and by the close of the 19th century it was documented in the plural - as Shannon H. & Sons.
Following WWI Alfred, Hugh's eldest son, had opened additional
premises at 86 Fore Street. The image is an enlarged section from an early 20th century postcard of Fore Street, the sign
shows the name Alfred Shannon.
Directory References
1873.Three Towns Directory. (Devonport Centre Alphabetical section) Shannon Hugh, 69 Chapel Street.
1888. Commercial Directory. Shannon Hugh & Son, Tailors etc, 21 Fore Street
1895. Eyres Post Office directory. Shannon Hugh & Son, Tailors etc, 21 Fore Street.
1896. P,D & S, Three Towns Directory, (Commercial Residents) T. Shannon Hugh & Son, Tailors etc, 21 Fore Street
1919. Kelly’s Directory, (street directory section) 21 Fore street, Shannon H. and Sons, Naval & Military outfitters. Plus, in the same directory
there is at 86 Fore Street, Shannon Alfred, naval outfitter.
1881 Census
In 1881 [1], the Shannon household lived at 22 Fore Street and comprised the following persons...
| Hugh Shannon |
head age 42 Born Ireland |
| Louisa M Shannon |
wife age 33 Born Plymouth |
| Elizabeth Shannon |
daughter age 17 Born London, Middlesex, |
| Maryann B Shannon |
daughter age 15 Born Newcastle, Northumberland, England |
| Alfred H Shannon |
Son age 12 Scholar born Devonport |
| Sylvia B Shannon |
daughter age 10 born Devonport |
| Hugh W Shannon |
son age 9 born Devonport |
| Reginald W Shannon |
son age 7 born Devonport |
| Leonoria L Shannon |
daughter age 3 born Devonport |
| Samuel S H Shannon |
son age 1 born Devonport |
| Ellen Angwin |
servant age 22 born Penzance, Cornwall, England |
1903 Billhead
The image below is a scan of an original and attractive 1903 billhead for H. SHANNON & SONS,
NAVAL, MILITARY and GENERAL OUTFITERS, 21, FORE ST. DEVONPORT. Note the royal-like crest; although... the words "By Appointment" are not on the document, so it cannot be assumed the crest was officially sanctioned.
The receipt, paid and signed with thanks, was issued to W. G. EDWARDS Esq. R.N.E. College,
for various items of uniform and alterations to clothing etc.
Products
The company retailed outfits for both Naval and Civilian persons. While several items
were probably made on the premises, given the size of the building it's likely
that many items were also sourced from manufacturers, with the name of Shannon either inserted, etched-on or sewn-in
prior to retail. Naval and Military goods by this company are now collectors items and offered at various auction houses. Below follows information on
some of these collectors' items.
(
Please Note:
I have recorded facts such as the seller, date, price achieved etc., but the 'description'
of each item was that as provided by the seller at the time -
these are not descriptions provided by www.DevonportOnline.)
Sword.
Sold by 'Taylors Auction Rooms' on 17 Dec 2005.
Described as: Royal Navy Midshipman's sword with etched blade in lether and brass scabbard by Shannon & Sons, Devonport, with sword knot, circa 1900.
Sword.
Offered at auction by Bonham - Sale 11687, Arms & Militaria, 2 Aug 2005
Sold for £210 plus Premium and tax = £247
Described as: A Royal Naval midshipman's sword 80cm fullered blade by
Shannon & Sons, Devonport, etched with scrolls, a crowned fouled anchor and the
Royal Arms, regulation brass hilt with rounded pommel, wire bound fishskin grip,
contained in its engraved brass mounted leather scabbard, complete with knot and
sword belt.
Sword Belt.
Sold on Ebay February 2007 for £39.00
Described as: A Royal Navy Officer's Sword Belt. The short leather
hanging strap is missing, although the long strap and fittings are present. The
belt was made by "Shannon & Sons, 21 Fore Street, Devonport", and this is stamped
on the inside of the belt. The buckle carries a crowned (Queen Victoria
Crown) fouled anchor within a laurel wreath, The gilding is worn, but otherwise
sound. The leather is worn in several places but otherwise in pretty good condition
for its age.
Bicorn Hat.
Sold on Ebay September 2007 for £126.00
Described as: A Royal Navy Officers black bicorn hat by Shannon & Son
Devonport, part of satin front rosette missing, small moth nips to sweat band, slight
wear to edge otherwise good order in metal tin named to "R.W. Thorn R.N."
Epaulettes.
Sold by Ebay Jan 2010 for £39.89
Described as: A pair of Royal Navy Officers full dress rank boards, large silver fouled anchor
on gold board with
gold wire edges, gilt King's crown buttons. Reverse stamped 'H Shannon & Sons, RN Outfitters,
21 Fore St, Devonport'. Has both brass lever
fasteners on reverse stamped left right. Beautiful quality and heavy.
Captains hat and tin.
Sold by Ebay June 2014 for £3xxxxxx
Described as: photos courtesy of
Lipszyc's nautical collection
Starting bid: US $99.00 (Approximately £59.51)
Ebay April 2014
Genuine Antique late 1800's SHANNON & SONS DEVON PORT naval captain's hat + case
“Vintage used Condition Some dings , dents , scratches as pictured”
Genuine Antique late 1800's SHANNON & SONS DEVON PORT naval captain's hat
Weight 1.6 Kg (3.5 Pounds)
HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE GENUINE ANTIQUE. SHANNON & SONS DEVONPORT naval captain's hat
Any NAUTICAL collector will appreciate this super rare hat!
This magnificent item is nothing less than amazing
A piece of naval history
Made at the middle - late 1800's
Made of animal skin - believe its a cow skin.
Made in England
Beautiful engravings in the inside of the hat - as seen in the pictures
Comes with its original red metal case
Update 2014
I received a lovely letter in May this year from Jillian Strang (nee Shannon), who
wrote ...
"As a Shannon, great-granddaughter of Hugh and granddaughter of Alfred Shannon I am naturally
interested in the Shannons of Fore Street and would like to add to your account
of the family.. Louisa Shannon was Hugh's second wife - the three eldest children
including my grandfather were from his first marriage. Alfred joined the family
firm, but later, in about 1895, after an argument, set up on his own at 86 Fore
Street. The firm made naval uniforms, and, according to my father, had an extensive
workshop behind the store employing a cutter and a number of seamstresses and pressers.
At the time of World War l, there were two separate Shannon businesses in Fore Street.
My grandparents, Alfred and Florence Shannon had four children - their only daughter,
Gwendolyn, was to marry Clifford, later Sir Clifford Tozer, who became Lord Mayor
of Plymouth. When my grandfather died in 1919, the business was wound up. My grandmother
lived until the 1950s."
Jillian Strang, nee Shannon
A Wonderful photo of Hugh's son, Alfred Shannon, contributed by his grand-daughter Jillian Strang.
References:
[1] England and Wales Census, 1881. The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
FHL microfilm 1341531. PRO RG 11/2206 / 7 folio, p. 7
( URL https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X3KV-H43 )
Accessed 27 Sept 2012
[2] Case heard by the High Court of Justice, Exchequer Division, Davey v. Shannon.
Edmund H. Bennett. - in the American Law Register (1852-1891) Vol. 27, No. 9, New Series Volume 18 (Sep., 1879), pp. 554-561
Published by: The University of Pennsylvania Law Review.
( URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3304242. )
Accessed Sept 2012
(page added November 2012, updated August 2013 and July 2014)