This ghost sign was painted on side wall of John Booker's shop (click here to see a photo). Born in 1853, John first worked as an assistant at a grocer's in Hadlow Down. By 1881 though, he had become a master grocer and draper in Jarvis Brook, next to Crowborough train station. By the early 20th century he was also working as a sub-postmaster. To run his shop, he employed his daughter Grace as grocer's clerk, as well as six live-in servants. He lived there until his death in 1933. Grace then inherited the property and she may have kept the shop open for several more years.
It seems that during the two decades of the 20th century, the shop in Crowborough Cross, which is mentioned on this sign, was run in partnership with Mr Filtness (there is a photo of Booker & Filtness's shop here). John Booker also owned a general shop on Queens Road but it may have opened after this sign was painted, hence its absence here.
J. Booker
Family
Grocer & Draper
Branches
Crowboro Cross & Jarvis Brook
Location: Crowborough Hill, Crowborough
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