Newsletter - Issue 7

SALTASH CHEMISTS

The first reference to a dealer in drugs and medicines in Saltash appears to be in 1830, when it is recorded that Joseph Down, grocer, draper and druggist, and Thomas Tasker, grocer and druggist, were in business in the town. Thomas Tasker was also an overseer for the parish apprentices and a leading member of the then comparatively young Methodist church. His headstone was one of those removed from the old Wesleyan burial ground in Fore Street to St. Stephen's churchyard in 1959 to make way for the Tamar Bridge workings.

By 1844, both of these gentlemen had ceased to trade and only one person, listed as "chymist and druggist" appears, a man named Robert Foster. These early pharmacists did not seem to last in business for very long, because by 1852, Robert Foster had disappeared from the scene and one John Byerlee, chemist and druggist is listed, and by 1856 he had given way to Thomas Wigginton.

Some continuity arrives in 1862 when Alfred Kelly, druggist and grocer, appears, being succeeded in 1873 by Mrs. Susan Kelly, probably his widow. We know that their premises were at 49 Fore Street (old numbering) which later became the first home of the Saltash Working Men's Club. Today in roughly the same position are the offices of Messrs. Gribble, Booth & Taylor. Also in 1873 is the first mention of a series of chemists at 35 Fore Street (old numbering), the shop immediately above that of Mr. Elliott, opposite Church House. William Ham Mathew, who also became the borough treasurer, operated there until the end of the century, followed by G.D. Roberts up until the outbreak of the Great War, and then W.G. Day, to be finally succeeded by W.J. Francis after World War II. The long occupation by pharmacists of this address finally came to an end in the 1960's, almost a century after it started.

Meanwhile, from around 1906 until the Great War, Just three doors away at 38 Fore Street, C.A. Pratt, chemist and druggist provided the competition.

In the 1920's a Mr. Alexander opened a drug store at 107 Fore Street (old numbering) now number 19. In 1927 the premises were acquired by C.E. Underhill & Sons Limited, a Callington firm of chemists, and that business still flourishes today. After World War II, the firm opened another branch at 139 Callington Road, Saltash.

In more recent years the Co-operative Society had a chemists department at 103 Fore Street; Messrs. Allen had their shop where Regal Fabrics are today, later transferring to Brunel Pharmacy, and the latter and Messrs. Underhill are the two current providers of our pharmaceutical needs.

Saltash Heritage, 17 Lower Fore Street, Saltash, Cornwall, PL12 6JQ --- Tel: 01752 848466 --- Email: info@saltash-heritage.org.uk --- Registered Charity No. 297525