‘One of the yards which the sun seldom enters’ – extract from the 1909 ‘Old Stockton’ slide show by Michael Heavisides. Photograph from the Heavisides Collection 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
‘One of the yards which the sun seldom enters’ – extract from the 1909 ‘Old Stockton’ slide show by Michael Heavisides. Photograph from the Heavisides Collection
My Grandmother aged 15 and a sister aged 13 lived at no 9 Clarence court in 1901. They lived with an aunt , her daughter and grandson. From census no mention of a male living in the house at the time. The aunt and her daughter were charwomen, so wondered if they worked in the William iv as this was next door.
My Great Grandfather lived in 3 Clarence Court according to the 1911 census. The address was shown as 3 Clarence Court, High Street, Stockton. I wonder who the man in the photograph is?
Direct quote from my Grandmother’s life story. She lived between 1919 and 2001, and was born at no. 4 Clarence Court. ‘I was born at 4 Clarence Court, Stockton-on-Tees, the home of my grandfather Alfred Jackson. Clarence Court was entered via a narrow passageway from Stockton High Street: The Vane Arms Public House was to the right of the entrance and my grandfather’s shop to the left. He was a master hairdresser and owned this shop for many years. The court itself consisted of some half a dozen little terraced cottages with a cobbled area in front. Opposite number 4 there was one cold water tap to serve the whole row of houses and further down there was a line of dry toilets. The river Tees flowed past the end of the terrace. Inside, each cottage consisted of one living room and a pantry downstairs and one large bedroom and clothes cupboard upstairs. The cottage had been rented by my grandfather for many years’.
In fact my Great Great Grandfather died at the address of 2, Clarence Court, Stockton in 1886, having been the Stockton Town Crier. If anyone has any further information or photographs then I would be interested!
William Symmonds, Town Crier, was also my great great great grandfather. I have a lot of information on him, his father and grandfather including their war service if you would like it. The thing I would love is a photograph of him.
Hi David,
It has been a long time to reply but if you are still on this thread then yes I would like more information. I think William’s father was Ralph but that is mostly all I know.
Dave.
My great great grandfather lived at 2 Clarence Court according to 1881 and 1891 census, but with family only. Interested to know source of your info? Perhaps our family moved on after the death of your g.g.grandfather!
This photograph appears twice on Picture Stockton, titled Black Lion Yard? on id=2893, but Clarence Court on id=3364. A commentator on id=2893 identified the image as Clarence Court in 1909 from the Heavisides Collection. The brass sign on the left of the photo reads Frederick Byers Watson, Solicitor, although I cannot decipher the bottom half. Between 1899 and 1913 Frederick Byers Watson operated from 66A High Street (adjoining 67), and both properties formed the left side of the High Street entrance to Clarence Court. Frederick Byers Watson was Mayor of Stockton between 1907 and 1908, a councillor for the Exchange Ward, and a Superintendent Registrar of Stockton. He was also a clerk of Stockton Guardians. The William the Fourth Inn and Hotel at 69 High Street was to the right of the photo. The cottages of Clarence Court can be seen through the archway, followed by the side facing house 8 Clarence Court (by the women and child) with the adjoining house 9 Clarence Court behind 8. The cottages were numbered from 7 (next to house 8) up to 1, with the low numbers likely concealed behind the High Street buildings on the left of the photo. Short alleyways ran between 1 and 2, also 7 and 8 Clarence Court, with basic domestic services, eg washing, likely confined to the right side of the Court. Stockton Council’s Health Office at Finkle Street surveyed Clarence Court around June 1934. This resulted in Stockton Council obtaining a clearance order for 2-9 Clarence Court on 1 August 1934, proposing demolition on health grounds. This order was confirmed on 22 Feb 1935 by Mr. R.B. Cross, the Assistant Secretary of State for Housing. According to the clearance order 2-9 Clarence Court were owned (or reputed to be owned) by the trustees of the late Mr. Robert Nix during 1934/1935. The residents had 12 months to vacate the properties. The houses and nearly all of the cottages do not appear on the detailed 1950 O.S. map of the High Street, so presumably they were demolished.
Re-Peter Braney comments: Clarence Court was located on the riverside of Stockton High Street, one of the alleyways running down to the river, near to the Royal Hotel. You mention No.2, which interests me as my ancestors lived at No.2 at the 1881 and 1891 census!
THE AREA YOU ARE REFERRING TO IS ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE AS YOU APPROACH PORTACK FROM MARITIME ROAD. CLARENCE ROW WAS OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE CRICKETERS ARMS PUBLIC HOUSE AND RANG ALONG FACING THE STONE WALL OF THE RAILWAY THAT RAN INTO THE STEEL WORKS.I THINK THESE HOUSES WERE COMPULSORY PURCHASED DUE TO THE STANDARD OF THEM AND MAY HAVE BEEN DEMOLISHED DURING THE LATE 50s/EARLY 60s. I HAVE NO RECOLLECTION OF A CLARENCE COURT.
I”ve recently carried out an Ancestry search for the Kilvington family in Stockton, and discovered they lived in Clarence Row (possibly adjacent to Clarence Crt?) at one stage. I researched that this group of houses lay on, or about, where the St Annes Ind Estate is now, close to where the railway track ran. There is still a vehicle access lane called Clarence St (?) thereabouts. I”m informed that many of these properties were purchased, and demolished, as the local foundry “works” expanded. The Ordnance Survey “Old maps” site allows you to fully peruse 19th C maps of S”ton (or anywhere) before purchase, so that may help.
I have relatives who lived at 2 Clarence Court at the time of their marriage, 17 June 1891. Can you tell me where it was situated as I cannot find it on modern online maps. Will I be able to download a copy of the photograph to add to my Ancestry website? If yes, how do I go about it and what acknowledgement is required?