The Pegler family traded as jewellers and watchmakers in Southampton from 1794 when Daniel Pegler opened a watchmakers business at 138 High Street. The 1811 street directory lists Nathaniel Pegler as watchmaker and gunmaker at 151 High Street, opposite the Star Hotel. Alfred Pegler inherited the business in 1849 and the 1851 street directory lists him as a ‘goldsmith, silversmith, jeweller, watch and clock manufacturer, engraver and hair worker’. He also operated a foreign coin exchange on the premises. A business card engraved by Philip Brannon (image below) shows an example of Pegler's work for George Laishley, mayor of Southampton in 1848/1849. The same card unfolds to reveal 205 miniature views of Southampton, also engraved by Brannon.
Pegler’s son ran the firm until his death in 1921 after which the firm became known as Pegler and Wyatt. After destruction of the Above Bar Street premises during the Blitz the firm amalgamated with W. L. Parkhouse, whose Above Bar premises had also been destroyed, to form the firm of Parkhouse and Wyatt. W. L. Parkhouse had opened a jewellers shop at the corner of Above Bar and Hanover Buildings in 1893 (moving later to 96 Above Bar Street) and had become a fierce rival of Pegler and Wyatt.
Navigation
Browse A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y-Z
Get Involved
If you wish to
- suggest additional information for this entry
- suggest amendments to this entry
- offer your own research
- make a comment
then fill in the form on the Contact page.