A Dynasty of Coachmen
JOHN PARR (1785–1859) is first recorded as living at Bevois Mount in 1814 as a coachman living in one of the estate lodges. John and his wife Ann had five children whilst living on the estate: Ann (b. 1814), John (b. 1815), Hannah (b. 1820), Samuel (b. 1823), Elizabeth (b. 1825). All their children were baptised at St Mary’s church, Southampton.
In 1840 Bevois Mount estate was put up for sale on the death of its owner Sophia Hulton (great, great, great, great grandmother of David Cameron P.M.). As an estate coachman with 30 years experience he set up Parr & Son c. 1843, just prior to the estates successful sale in 1844. The family moved to Winchester Street, Bedford Place as fly proprietors.
One of John Parr senior’s grandchildren continued in the coaching business. James (1848–1913) trained in London as a coach builder. He returned to Southampton, to commence his own coach building establishment the ‘Avenue Carriage Manufactory’ in London Road. He was an inventor who patented many coach improvements and designs including the ‘Bedford’ coach, a horse drawn funeral carriage. This ornate carriage was used at many notable funerals in Southampton. James retired in 1905 selling his business. This was probably due to the steady decline in horse drawn carriages after the introduction of trams to Southampton in 1879 followed by their electrification in 1900. Although his son had worked in the family company he chose a career as an insurance agent.
– FB
© Bevois Mount History 2013–2015
© Bevois Mount History 2013–2015