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ROADS AND STREETS

PRINCES STREET, DEVONPORT

Updated:  15 April 2011 

 
Location of Princes Street, Devonport

Princes Street, Devonport, was to the north of and parallel with Fore Street, and ran north-eastwards from the King Street to High Street.

Origin of the name, Princes Street

Although spelt as "Princess Street" by many sources it was in fact Princes' Street, named, so Whitfeld claims, because the Royal princes (Prince William Henry and his brothers) lodged there in the 18th century.  [1]

Princes Street, Devonport, is incorrectly named Princess Street on this map.

 

History of Princes Street, Devonport

Benjamin Donn's plan of Dock clearly shows the proper name of Princes Street.  [2]

There were two lodging houses listed in Princes Street in 1812, one run by a Mr Drake.  [3]

In May 1863 a Mr Emmett, proprietor of an oil store in Princes Street went into his cellar carrying a lighted candle.  The flame came into contact with the vapour of the oil and there was a terrific explosion.  The adjoining Commercial Rooms, erected by Mr Thomas Husband, disappeared forever and Mr Emmett's powdered remains were dug out of the ruins later.  [1]

Princes Street, Devonport, 1765.

 

Some Views of Princes Street, Devonport

Photographs to follow.

 

A

B

   

Occupants of Princes Street, Devonport


Sources:

[1]  Whitfeld. Henry Francis, "Plymouth and Devonport: In Times of War and Peace", E Chapple, Plymouth, and Hiorns & Miller, Devonport, Second Edition, 1900.

[2]  Donn, Benjamin, "A Map of the County of Devon 1765", facsimile, Devon and Cornwall Record Society and the University of Exeter, Exeter, 1965.

[3]  "The Picture of Plymouth", Rees and Curtis, Plymouth, 1812.

©  Brian Moseley, Plymouth, UK

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