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History of James E Davis and Sons, seed merchants

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As a child I didn't realise our business had history and that Dad was the fourth generation Davis to work in the business, alongside his mother. I always thought James E Davis was Dad's father who died when Dad was young. It was a huge surprise to discover James Ebeneezer, who named the business, was in fact Dad's great grandfather. Janet believes the business was started in 1841.

I recall playing in all three levels - the underground basement, the shop floor and the upstairs where there was Dad's office, the kitchen where Grandma made us milky coffee, the bathroom with a bench that was higher than me, and a couple other store-rooms.

When Janet & Harold married the upstairs was converted into a flat for the new couple and Jill spent her first months there. After Granny Banning died Grandma moved into the flat and let Janet & Harold live in her house at 37 Overhill Drive, Patcham. When Janet & Harold purchased their own house in Rottingdean in 1959 Grandma returned to her home and the upstairs became offices and work rooms.

Jill (nee Davis)

https://www.geni.com/projects/History-of-James-E-Davis-and-Sons-seed-merchants/media/34461 shows more history.

It's a shame there are no photos of the family business at 112 London Road.