114: Kaliko
This large white building occupied by part of Shepherd & Woodward (No. 113, left) and Kaliko (No. 114, right) was entirely rebuilt between 1932 and 1934, but some of the original features, such as two seventeenth-century fireplaces, remain. No. 113 together with No. 114 form a Grade II listed building (ref. 1485/335).
The house on the site of Nos. 113/114 was owned by a draper called John Bowell in the middle of the seventeenth century, and a chemical laboratory was built behind the premises. Anthony Wood wrote:
"About the beginning of 1663 Mr Sthael (the noted chemist) removed his school or elaboratory to a draper’s house called John Bowell, afterwards mayor of the citie of Oxon, situat and being in the parish of Allsaints, commonly called Allhallowes. He built his elaboratory in an old hall or refectory in the backside (for the house itself had been an ancient hostle)."
John Bowell paid Hearth Tax for six hearths at this house, the first in All Saints parish, in 1665, and poll tax records show him there in 1667. He was elected Mayor of Oxford in 1680. His "farthing token" of 1657 is shown below (picture kindly supplied by Peter Bowell) .
Left: Obverse of coin.
The text in the centre reads "IB 1657", and "IOHN BOWELL MERCER" is inscribed around the edge.
Right: Reverse of coin.
There is a sugar loaf (John Bowell’s emblem) in the centre, and "SVGAR LOFE IN OXFORD" is inscribed around the outside.
At the time of the 1851 census, auctioneer and valuer Charles A. Green lived in the house that used to stand on this site with his wife and daughter and a general servant: he is described as employing six men and one apprentice. An annuitant, Dorothy Elder, and her spinster daughter also lived in the same building.
In 1861 the house was occupied by Henry Wood, a Professor of Drawing, and his wife and seven children.
| Occupiers of 114 High Street Grey background = former building on this site, now demolished | |
| 1839 | Thomas Medwin Grocer & Tea Dealer Henry W. Angelo Fencing master |
| By 1851–1853+ | Charles A. Green Auctioneer & appraiser |
| 1866–1871 | Mrs
C. Wood Fancy repository Henry Thomas Wood Professor of dancing |
| 1875–1876 | William John Richards Wine & spirit merchant |
| 1882–1918 | Eli Buckingham Umbrella & sunshade manufacturer |
| 1919–1931 | Edward Richard Greening Antique furniture dealer |
| 1932–1939 | Thomas Pritchard Fancy goods dealer (later Ironmonger) |
| 1941–1949 | Foster & Co. Tailors, hosiers & robe makers |
| 1952–1976+ | Hector
Powe Ltd Tailors |
| By 1998–present | Kaliko Ladies’ fashion |