A Family Thread – Working at Musgrove’s Drapers in 1871

In my last post, I described how Kendal bustled with trades and shops in 1829. By 1871, the town was still thriving — and that’s when one of my own relatives appears in the records.

My 1st cousin 4 times removed was working at Musgrove’s draper shop, a name that might still ring bells for some. The building later became part of what many will know as Beales — a well-known department store in Kendal.

Drapers were important in towns like Kendal, selling fabric, garments, and household textiles. Shops like Musgrove’s would have been busy places, serving everyone from working families to wealthier households looking for the latest fabrics or dressmaking supplies. It’s lovely to think that my cousin might have helped customers choose cloth for a new dress, or stocked shelves with fine linens.

Knowing this small detail makes the past feel closer. My family wasn’t just in Kendal — they were working, contributing, and living right in the heart of it. And perhaps your ancestors were shopping there too?

Kendal, Yard 59, Stramongate 1914 - Credit to Francis Frith Collection