Oxford History: The High

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No. 136 was built in the twentieth century in the neo-Georgian style. It was in the parish of All Saints until that church closed in 1971, and since then it has been in the parish of St Michael-at-the-Northgate Church. The building is currently owned by Savill's.

Former house on this site

At the time of the 1772 Survey of Oxford, the former house on this site was occupied by “Mr Paniotey”, who was the university fencing master Panayoty Ballachey, who was born in Greece and died at the age of 84 on 10 March 1793.

By 1837 the house and shop here were occupied by the tailor Adin Williams. On 4 November 1837 Jackson's Oxford Journal advertised a forthcoming sale of “a very desirable dwelling house, with an excellent front Shop, situate in the High-street, Oxford, in the occupation of Mr. Adin Williams, mercer, &c.”

Adin Williams continued to occupy the premises, but at the time of the 1841 census the tailor Francis Jennings lived here with a number of other people.

The 1851 census shows part of the former house on this site occupied by the mercer's assistant Adin Williams junior, who was described as the head of the household despite being only 16; his father Adin Williams senior, who owned the tailor's shop downstairs, now lived in Summertown. A 25-year-old assistant and a servant lived with him. The second part of this house was occupied by Miss Frances Green (57), and the third by Miss Catherine Parker (62) and her servant.

At the time of the 1861 census Adin Williams junior (26) and his brother the solicitor George St Swithin Williams (24), described as sons of the householder, lived here with their cousin Annie Williams and two servants. A traveller called Benjamin Haugh (39) and his wife Mary Ann, who was a singer, lived in another part of the house with their young son.

At the time of the 1871 census the lodging-house keeper Sarah Simmons lived upstairs with her servant.

Adin Williams senior died at this house on 11 October 1876. His executors wasted no time in disposing of his property, and an auction of his surplus stock and furniture to be held on the premises was advertised thus in Jackson's Oxford Journal of 18 November 1876:

126 HIGH STREET, OXFORD,
To Clothiers, Mercers, Furniture Dealers, and Householders.
Important sale of SURPLUS STOCK-IN-TRADE, consisting of 19 yards of black Angola, 108 yards fancy ditto and Tweeds, 20 short lengths doeskin Angolas, 30 fancy waistcoat pieces, 63 yards shirting, 24 white and coloured shirts, mackintoshes, scarlet jerseys, 74 hats and caps, 55 dozen linen collars, gloves, hat bands, and studs, 300 scarves, ties and bows, University gowns and hoods, morning cloaks, quantity of ready-made clothing, &c.
The HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE comprises mahogany dining and telescope tables, excellent mahogany sideboards, very handsome walnut dwarf bookcase, mahogany ditto, walnut settees in green damask, hand made mahogany chiffonière bookcase, ditto easy chairs in marone, reps, and leather, mahogany cornice poles, crimson and damask curtains, iron French, half-tester, and other bedsteads, palliasses, wool and flock mattresses, bolsters and pillows, blankets, feather beds, chests of drawers in mahogany, walnut, and oak, dressing tables, Cyclopean glasses, Turkey, Kidderminster, and other carpets and rugs (nearly new), kitchen utensils, and other miscellaneous effects.

In about 1880 the tailor Hugh James Allen moved into these premises, and the 1881 census shows him living over his shop with his wife Catherine and his brother John Clarence Allen, described as a tailor's assistant, plus a general servant. He was still here at the time of the 1891 census with his wife Catherine and five children, plus their five children. He and Catherine were still here with four of their children in the 1901 census, By the time of the 1911 census he was a widower, living in the twelve rooms with his daughter Katherine, who kept house for him, and a servant.

The 1921 census shows the local government chief clerk Norman P. Castle (37) living in two rooms over the tobacconist shop downstairs with his wife Marjorie.