Freshwater Bay |  Isle of Wight | T: 01983 752036
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    • Earliest Days
    • The Start of the Post Office
    • Late Victorian Hey Day
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      • Letters to Orchards circa 1916
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    • William Orchard, Founder
    • William Thomas Orchard
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      • Memoirs of William Orchard, sub-postmaster
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  • 1865
    • Shopping in 1865 >
      • What was that for?
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Earliest Days
1865

Originally a branch of Misslebrook and Weston, grocers, based in Newport, the premises were owned by a Mr Way and were rented to William Orchard from 1865 for an annual rent of £50. Originally Mr Way had Alexander House built as a private residence  around 1845.
Picture
Architects plans from 1862 showing the shop, bake-house and stables.
Picture
Cover of the conditions of sale document for Alexander House.
The next era

1867

In 1867 William Orchard had the opportunity to buy the business outright when it was put up for auction. The auction was held at Murrow's Hotel, Freshwater Bay, now known as the Albion Hotel.

William Orchard was the successful bidder and with the help of his son, William Thomas, now 23 years old, he started to expand the business which was then known as "Orchard and Son".


Picture
Fragment of an original poster advertising the auction sale.
Read the full text of the poster
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