Broster's Directory & Guide Of Chester 1781

Broster's Directory & Guide of Chester, 1781

Your Essential Window into Georgian Chester

Imagine the cobbled streets of Chester echoing with the cry of the town crier, the clatter of horse-drawn carriages, and the lively chatter from the famous Rows. Now, you can walk those streets yourself, not as a tourist, but as a resident of 1781.

Broster's Directory & Guide is more than a book; it's a time capsule. This meticulously reproduced facsimile of an incredibly rare original offers an unparalleled snapshot of life in Chester at the height of the Georgian era. It’s the ultimate primary source for anyone who wants to understand the city's commercial, social, and architectural fabric on the eve of the Industrial Revolution.

Within these pages, you will:

Meet the Merchants: Browse a comprehensive alphabetical directory of the city's traders and professionals, from apothecaries and bakers to wheelwrights and wig-makers.
Identify the Influential: Discover the names and residences of the gentry, clergy, city officials, and members of the corporation who shaped Chester's destiny.
Navigate the City: Find a guide to Chester's principal public buildings, including the Cathedral, Castle, and ancient city walls, all described as they stood over 240 years ago.
Travel and Trade: Uncover practical details on the coach services to London and other major towns, postal schedules, and market days that were the lifeblood of the city's economy.
Glimpse the Past: Be fascinated by authentic period advertisements, promoting everything from miracle cures and fashionable clothing to the latest imported goods.
Who is this for?

The Genealogist: Trace your Chester ancestors and uncover their occupations and addresses.
The Historian: An invaluable resource for academic research into 18th-century urban life.
The Local Enthusiast: See your city through the eyes of its Georgian residents and deepen your connection to its heritage