02/10/2026
An update to ‘The Shop and its Shopkeepers in Llandeilo’
Following further research, I believe the information on page 42 might not be correct.
I believe that John Roberts occupied one of the premises at the bottom of King Street, likely number 1 or 1A (currently Alchemy Clinic (1) or Eve’s Toy Shop (1A))
This is based on its positioning in the 1851 and 1861 census records.
This also ties in better with the reference in the ‘Diary of Thomas Jenkins’ (3rd April 1848):
“Commenced fitting up a draper’s shop for Mr J Roberts at the house on the churchyard corner”
I believe that whilst John Roberts occupied these premises it was called Cambrian House. This corresponds to the advert in “Llandeilo: present and past” by W. Samuel in 1868 which states:
John Roberts, Cambrian House
“By the autumn, J. R. will have removed to his new and extensive premises, situate at the upper end of the Carmarthen-street, facing the Vicarage”
I believe that it's likely that after John Roberts (my Great, Great Grandfather) moved to Carmarthen Street, a new draper moved into his premises on King Street. This draper was called John Roderick and called the premises Ivy House. This draper is mentioned as Ivy House in the 1871 census. So whilst I think the premises my relative occupied on King Street became Ivy House, I don’t think it was called this whilst he was there. By 1891 I believe John Roderick moved his business and the name Ivy House to 7 King Street (currently Ivy House Gallery). It’s quite possible that after John Roderick moved premises, that another draper moved into the lower down King Street premises and renamed it Bradford House. His name was J R Evans - ironically another John Roderick!
On page 43 I wrote that William Lewis was born at Ivy House. Checking the birth certificate, this isn’t correct, it is listed as Broad Street, Llandillo (Broad Street later went on to be renamed King Street).
Another addition is that I came across a receipt of my Great Aunt shows that after my Great Grandfather W. L. Roberts retired from Cambrian House (around 1912) that it became another draper, Thomas Edwards.
