By making reference to extractions from various Brighton directories from 1820-1920 a snapshot
of Trangmar residences, occupations and businesses can be gained.

It seems that Trangmar business successes occurred not only in Brighton but also in Australia, also
they appear to originate from the same family at Upper Beeding, William Trangmar and Susan Tanner
were married there on the 15^th October 1776 and had five children, William (1778), Mary (1781),
James 1783), John Tanner (1786) and Anthony (1789).

In the Baxter’s directory of 1822 William is a Milkman living at 7, West Street, he is also listed here
in the 1824 and 1832 editions, in the Kelly’s of 1845 he is now listed as a Dairyman at 37, Russell Street.

Also in the Baxters directory of 1822 it gives Messrs J & J Trangmar being grocers at 8 Boyces Street,
it is the same in the 1824 edition. Using the information from the directories I believe this to be James
and John Tanner although J.T. is not used in the initials, by the 1832 edition James and John (T?) have
separate enterprises, John (T?) is still using the Boyces Street premises.

No 8
Boyces Street 2003

Confirmation that it was John Tanner appears to come from the Sussex Express of the 29^th April 1884
titled “Death of the oldest native inhabitant of Brighton” in which it states, “The death of Mrs Trangmar
(mother of Mr W.G. Trangmar of the Queens Road) who died at her residence in Russell Square on
Tuesday at the great age of 92 is interesting as she being we believe the oldest native resident of Brighton
Mrs Trangmar was the widow of Mr John Tanner Trangmar, Grocer who over 50 years since was in
business in Boyces Street, (then a trading centre of the town) and subsequently in North Street.
The deceased lady was born in Brighton Place in 1792 when the “Pretty Fisher Village” was in the full
tide of its “Golden era” of early prosperity though it contained but 1200 houses and some 5000 inhabitants
(about one twentieth of the number now).” Mrs Trangmars maiden name was Sawyer and she married
John Tanner at St Nicholas Church Brighton on the 21^st August 1822.

Although John Tanner, appears to be bankrupt by 1840 as some papers are listed as being at the Public
Record Office, he appears at 148, North Street as a Grocer in 1845, by 1850 the same property is listed
under his sons William George and John’s names now a Grocers and Tea Dealers.

By 1865 the business has moved to 96, Queens Road as William George and Co Grocers, in what seems
a change of direction in 1875 but in the same premises it is listed as Trangmar and Co Accountants,
Auctioneers, Appraisers and House Agents. In the Pages 1885 it is just listed as Trangmar and Co with
the last found reference coming from the Pages of 1900 as Trangmar and Wilshin Auctioneers, still at 96
Queens Road and now on the telephone (322).

James now appears as a Grocer in the 1832 Baxters at 80, Western Road, by the Kellys of 1845 he has
moved to number 70 of the same road, there is no further mention of him after that, six of James children
emigrated to Australia where another successful business was established by his eldest son James in
Portland, Victoria, this again continued through further generations of Trangmars.

Examples of stationary from
J.W.Trangmar & Co
Coleraine, Victoria, Australia.



Anthony appears as a Grocer, firstly in Baxters 1824 at 27, Queens Street, by 1832 he is listed at 30,
London Road, moving to 114, London Road in 1845 and is still there in 1850.

His son Tanner appears as a Signwriter and Grainer of 51, London Road in the 1875 and Windsor
Street in the 1885 edition of Pages directory. In turn Tanners two sons are shown in Pages for 1900,
the eldest Victor Edwin follows in his fathers trade as a Signwriter at 44, Cheapside. In the 1910
through to the 1930 versions he is recorded as a Decorator at 52, Park Terrace Cresent, he is still
there in 1938 but no occupation is given, by 1947 the occupant is given just as Mrs Trangmar, Victor
Edwin being born in 1861 no doubt had passed away. As well as his occupational skills with the brush
he was also a well-known Brighton artist.

Tanners other son Herbert Edward like his brother first appears in the Pages directory of 1900, he is a
Solicitor and Commissioner of Oaths at 132, Church Road moving to number 73 of the same road by
1910 complete with Hove 8934 as his phone number, the Pikes edition of 1930 shows him still there in
the same profession. A picture from the Hove Gazette and Brighton and County Graphic of July 13^th
1907 shows Herbert Edward as a Councillor, it appears he was representing Medina Ward in Brighton
etween 1904 and 1914.


Councillor H.E.Trangmar

From the Hove Gazette and Brighton and County Graphic 13^th July 1907


Herbert Edward Trangmar headed paper & signature

There is further work to be done on this research subject, this includes obtaining copies of the documents
relating to John Tanners bankruptcy (P.R.O. References B3/5085/86/87/88) and searching for any early
information regarding Upper Beeding, although this is before census returns that commence in 1841.