Page 7 - Humphries Shoe Shop

Humphries Redditch Heritage

Humphries Boot & Shoe Makers & Retailers

Humphries Shoe Shop, Evesham Street

Walter Humphries was born in 1837 in Redditch, Worcestershire to parents William Humphries
and Betsy. He married Emma Wilkes/Wilks in 1865 in the Bromsgrove district. On the 1881
census Walter aged 43, was a Boot Maker and married to Emma and they had 5 children and
lived at 15 Evesham Street. In the 1884 and 1888 Kelly’s Directory Walter was classed as Walter
Humphries and Son, Shoemakers, 15 Evesham Street, Redditch. By the 1891 census Walter
Humphries had become a Pastor of the Congregational Church in Balsham, Cambridgeshire.
Walter died in 1916 and his wife Emma in 1931 in Cambridgeshire.

It was then Walter and Emma’s son William Humphries born in 1867 who then became known as
the Boot Maker at 15 Evesham Street. By the 1908 Kelly’s Directory William Humphries Boot and
Shoe Maker had moved to 39 Evesham Street. Over the years the shop moved to 45 Evesham
Street. When Evesham Street was demolished to make way for the Kingfisher centre Humphries
moved into the centre and still trades today. In 2012 Humphries shoe shop celebrated 150 years
of trading. William died in 1956 and his wife Susan in 1953.

Walter Humphries

Walter Humphries aged 3 lived with his parents William aged 30, Needle M., Betsy aged 35,
sisters Ann aged 6, Elizabeth aged 4, Ellen aged 2 and a 10 day old baby without a name.
They lived in Beoley Lane, Redditch.

Walter lived with his parents Will aged 42, Needlemaker scourer, Betsy aged 49,
Needlemaker Straightener, Ann aged 16, Needlemaker Straightener, in Edward Street.
Walter was a Needle Scourer, Elizabeth aged 14, Needlemaker Straightener, Walter was
aged 13, Needlemaker scourer, Ellen aged 12, scholar, William aged 9, scholar. They also
had a newphew and niece staying with them.

Walter aged 23, Needle Straightener, lived with his widowed mother Betsy aged 59, Needle
Straightener and brother William (19) who was a Boot maker (but on later census became
a Wesleyan Minister in Newton all Saints, Lancashire). They lived in Peakman Street.

Walter Humphries married Emma Wilkes /Wilks in 1865 in the Bromsgrove District.

Walter Humphries aged 33, Boot and Shoe Dealer lived in Evesham Street. He had his wife
Emma. aged 32 plus 2 children, William aged 3, scholar and Ellen aged 1. Also living with
them was Walter’s widowed mother Betsy aged 69 and 1 servant.

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