Inspired by the photographic wizardry of Keith Jones and his collection of Liverpool Then & Now images, here is my take on the recent and popular BBC series A House Through Time. Some of these families’ histories are described in more detail elsewhere on this site, but here I’ve presented simple timelines based on the contents of census records and directories and on information sent to me by family descendants.
In the timelines the distinction between ‘Cowkeeper’ and ‘Dairyman’ is arbitrary in that although at one time directories listed these two occupations separately, latterly they just lumped together all sellers of milk under the heading of ‘Dairymen’, whether or not they were producing their own milk by keeping cows. This reflects the historical trend of cowkeepers gradually switching from the practice of keeping and milking their own cows, to that of buying-in bottled, treated and refrigerated milk for sale to the public.
The term ‘Milkhouse’ was originally used to describe a property in which milk was both produced and sold and in which the family lived. It was usually located adjacent to a ‘Cowhouse’ or ‘shippon’ in which the cows were kept. A ‘Milkhouse’ was different from a ‘Milk Shop’ in that the latter did not produce its own milk but rather sold milk brought in from elsewhere. Eventually, as the practice of keeping cows in the city diminished, the terms Milkhouse and Milk Shop were dropped, leaving the more generic and ubiquitous term ‘Dairy’ to describe any property from which milk was sold.
With the help of Alan Passmore, I've included the earliest and latest dates found so far for each occupant. Clearly, it's a work in progress as there are still gaps to be filled. So, if you have any additional information please do drop me a line.
In the timelines the distinction between ‘Cowkeeper’ and ‘Dairyman’ is arbitrary in that although at one time directories listed these two occupations separately, latterly they just lumped together all sellers of milk under the heading of ‘Dairymen’, whether or not they were producing their own milk by keeping cows. This reflects the historical trend of cowkeepers gradually switching from the practice of keeping and milking their own cows, to that of buying-in bottled, treated and refrigerated milk for sale to the public.
The term ‘Milkhouse’ was originally used to describe a property in which milk was both produced and sold and in which the family lived. It was usually located adjacent to a ‘Cowhouse’ or ‘shippon’ in which the cows were kept. A ‘Milkhouse’ was different from a ‘Milk Shop’ in that the latter did not produce its own milk but rather sold milk brought in from elsewhere. Eventually, as the practice of keeping cows in the city diminished, the terms Milkhouse and Milk Shop were dropped, leaving the more generic and ubiquitous term ‘Dairy’ to describe any property from which milk was sold.
With the help of Alan Passmore, I've included the earliest and latest dates found so far for each occupant. Clearly, it's a work in progress as there are still gaps to be filled. So, if you have any additional information please do drop me a line.
Aintree Dairy, 4 Aintree Road (235 Worcester Road)
1903 (family history) – established by Jabez Breaks
1919 (directory) – Jabez Breaks, Cowkeeper
1920 (directory) – Charles Henry Green, Dairyman
1939 (register) – Chas. Hy. Green, Dairyman
1949 (directory) – Chas. Mathew Green, Dairyman
1974 (directory) – C.M. Green, Dairymen
1919 (directory) – Jabez Breaks, Cowkeeper
1920 (directory) – Charles Henry Green, Dairyman
1939 (register) – Chas. Hy. Green, Dairyman
1949 (directory) – Chas. Mathew Green, Dairyman
1974 (directory) – C.M. Green, Dairymen
Anfield Dairy, 2-4 Townsend Lane
1881 (census) – John Smith, Cowkeeper
1890 (directory) – Robert Harper, Cowkeeper
1896 (directory) – Thomas Stockdale, Cowkeeper
1900 (directory) – William Clarkson, Cowkeeper
1902 (directory) – William Clarkson, Cowkeeper
1905 (directory) – John Gillespie, Cowkeeper
1906 (directory) – John Gillespie, Cowkeeper
1910 (directory) – Nicholas Harrison, Dairyman
1914 (directory) – Nicholas Harrison, Dairyman
1890 (directory) – Robert Harper, Cowkeeper
1896 (directory) – Thomas Stockdale, Cowkeeper
1900 (directory) – William Clarkson, Cowkeeper
1902 (directory) – William Clarkson, Cowkeeper
1905 (directory) – John Gillespie, Cowkeeper
1906 (directory) – John Gillespie, Cowkeeper
1910 (directory) – Nicholas Harrison, Dairyman
1914 (directory) – Nicholas Harrison, Dairyman
Ashfield Dairy, 6 Ashfield Road, Aigburth
1926 (directory) – Cox & Son, Dairymen
1938 (directory) – Cox & Son, Dairymen
1955 (directory) – F E Cox & Son, Dairymen
1964 (directory) – F E Cox & Son, Dairymen
1938 (directory) – Cox & Son, Dairymen
1955 (directory) – F E Cox & Son, Dairymen
1964 (directory) – F E Cox & Son, Dairymen
‘Batty’s Dairy’, 128-130 Macdonald Street, Wavertree
1905 (directory) – George Batty, Dairyman (128)
1918 (directory) – George Batty, Dairyman (128)
1918 (directory) – Rd. Batty & Son, Dairyman (130)
1920 (directory) – Thomas William Greenwood, Dairyman
1926 (directory) – Thomas William Greenwood, Dairyman
1938 (directory) – Jn. Dinsdale, Dairyman
1955 (directory) – John Dinsdale, Dairyman
1918 (directory) – George Batty, Dairyman (128)
1918 (directory) – Rd. Batty & Son, Dairyman (130)
1920 (directory) – Thomas William Greenwood, Dairyman
1926 (directory) – Thomas William Greenwood, Dairyman
1938 (directory) – Jn. Dinsdale, Dairyman
1955 (directory) – John Dinsdale, Dairyman
Briardale Dairy, 2 Briardale Road
1914 (directory) – Stanley Foster, Cowkeeper
1920 (directory) – Stanley Foster, Cowkeeper
1925 (directory) – Richard Wilson, Dairyman
1943 (directory) – Rd. Wilson, Dairyman
1949 (directory) – Thos. Coulthwaite, Dairyman
1970 (directory) – Thos. Coulthwaite, Dairyman
1920 (directory) – Stanley Foster, Cowkeeper
1925 (directory) – Richard Wilson, Dairyman
1943 (directory) – Rd. Wilson, Dairyman
1949 (directory) – Thos. Coulthwaite, Dairyman
1970 (directory) – Thos. Coulthwaite, Dairyman
Carisbrooke Dairy, 134 Carisbrooke Road
1901 (directory) – Edward Mason, Cowkeeper
1905 (directory) – Edward Mason, Cowkeeper
1908 (family history) – business passes to Edward Mason jnr.
1911 (census) – Edward Mason, Cowkeeper
1926 (directory) – Edward Mason, Dairyman
1934 (family history) – sold to George Bargh
1938 (directory) – George Bargh, Dairyman
1949 (directory) – George Bargh, Dairyman
1958 (directory) – J A Addison, Dairyman
1966 (directory) – J A Addison, Shopkeeper
1905 (directory) – Edward Mason, Cowkeeper
1908 (family history) – business passes to Edward Mason jnr.
1911 (census) – Edward Mason, Cowkeeper
1926 (directory) – Edward Mason, Dairyman
1934 (family history) – sold to George Bargh
1938 (directory) – George Bargh, Dairyman
1949 (directory) – George Bargh, Dairyman
1958 (directory) – J A Addison, Dairyman
1966 (directory) – J A Addison, Shopkeeper
Chesnut Grove Dairy, 52 Chestnut Grove
1901 (census) – Rowland Harper, Cowkeeper
1905 (directory) – Rowland Harper, Cowkeeper
1910 (directory) – Fawcett Harper, Cowkeeper [nephew of Rowland Harper]
1934 (directory) – Fawcett Harper, Cowkeeper
1938 (directory) – John Fawcett Harper, Dairyman [son of Fawcett Harper]
1943 (directory) – Thos. Ellis, Dairyman
1966 (directory) – Thos. Ellis, Dairyman
1905 (directory) – Rowland Harper, Cowkeeper
1910 (directory) – Fawcett Harper, Cowkeeper [nephew of Rowland Harper]
1934 (directory) – Fawcett Harper, Cowkeeper
1938 (directory) – John Fawcett Harper, Dairyman [son of Fawcett Harper]
1943 (directory) – Thos. Ellis, Dairyman
1966 (directory) – Thos. Ellis, Dairyman
Cumberland dairy, 2 mcBride Street, Garston
1900 (directory) – Alfred Jackson, Cowkeeper
1905 (directory) – Miles Wilson, Cowkeeper
1911 (census) – Thomas James Mason, Farmer and Cowkeeper
1914 (directory) – Thomas James Mason, Cowkeeper
1918 (directory) – William Thompson, Cowkeeper
1919 (directory) – William Thompson, Cowkeeper
1926 (directory) – Mark Rhodes, Dairyman
1946 (directory) – Mark Rhodes, Dairyman
1955 (directory) – Mrs. Charlotte Rhodes, Dairyman
1964 (directory) – William Tallon, Dairyman
1974 (directory) – William Tallon, Dairy
1905 (directory) – Miles Wilson, Cowkeeper
1911 (census) – Thomas James Mason, Farmer and Cowkeeper
1914 (directory) – Thomas James Mason, Cowkeeper
1918 (directory) – William Thompson, Cowkeeper
1919 (directory) – William Thompson, Cowkeeper
1926 (directory) – Mark Rhodes, Dairyman
1946 (directory) – Mark Rhodes, Dairyman
1955 (directory) – Mrs. Charlotte Rhodes, Dairyman
1964 (directory) – William Tallon, Dairyman
1974 (directory) – William Tallon, Dairy
Glebe Farm Dairy, 72 Walton Village
1876 (directory) – Matthias Clarkson, Cowkeeper
1906 (directory) – Matthias Clarkson, Cowkeeper
1910 (directory) – William Greenbank, Cowkeeper
1920 (directory) – Albert Backhouse, Cowkeeper
1925 (directory) – George Bargh, Dairyman
1929 (directory) – George Bargh, Dairyman
1906 (directory) – Matthias Clarkson, Cowkeeper
1910 (directory) – William Greenbank, Cowkeeper
1920 (directory) – Albert Backhouse, Cowkeeper
1925 (directory) – George Bargh, Dairyman
1929 (directory) – George Bargh, Dairyman
Greenside Dairy, 1 Newcombe Street
1894 (directory) – George Steel & Son, Cowkeeper
1900 (directory) – Fawcett Nelson, Cowkeeper
1901 (census) – Fawcett Nelson, Cowkeeper
1905 (directory) – Mrs Arabella Butler, Cowkeeper
1914 (directory) – James Henry Cummins, Dairyman
1920 (directory) – James Henry Cummins, Dairyman
1926 (directory) – Mrs Mable Matthews, Dairyman
1933 (directory) – Thomas Matthews, Cowkeeper
1938 (directory) – Christopher Fawcett Swinbank, Dairyman
1946 (directory) – Newcombe Street Dairies Ltd.
1955 (directory) – George A Potts, Dairyman
1960 (directory) – G Lewis, Dairyman
1964 (directory) – G Lewis, Dairyman
1974 (directory) – Newcombe Dairies
1900 (directory) – Fawcett Nelson, Cowkeeper
1901 (census) – Fawcett Nelson, Cowkeeper
1905 (directory) – Mrs Arabella Butler, Cowkeeper
1914 (directory) – James Henry Cummins, Dairyman
1920 (directory) – James Henry Cummins, Dairyman
1926 (directory) – Mrs Mable Matthews, Dairyman
1933 (directory) – Thomas Matthews, Cowkeeper
1938 (directory) – Christopher Fawcett Swinbank, Dairyman
1946 (directory) – Newcombe Street Dairies Ltd.
1955 (directory) – George A Potts, Dairyman
1960 (directory) – G Lewis, Dairyman
1964 (directory) – G Lewis, Dairyman
1974 (directory) – Newcombe Dairies
'Harper’s Dairy', 2 Vicar Road
1876 (directory) – Joseph Hedgcock, Cowkeeper
1882 (directory) – Richard Winn, Cowkeeper
1890 (directory) – Jane Woods, Cowkeeper
1894 (directory) – James Cookson, Cowkeeper
1896 (directory) – Richard Holdings, Cowkeeper
1900 (directory) – Richard Swinbank, Cowkeeper
1901 (census) – Richard Swinbank, Cowkeeper
1905 (directory) – William Metcalfe, Cowkeeper
1934 (directory) – William Metcalfe, Cowkeeper
1938 (directory) – Thos. Andrew Harper, Dairyman [son-in-law of William Metcalfe]
1974 (directory) – Thos. Andrew Harper, Dairyman
1882 (directory) – Richard Winn, Cowkeeper
1890 (directory) – Jane Woods, Cowkeeper
1894 (directory) – James Cookson, Cowkeeper
1896 (directory) – Richard Holdings, Cowkeeper
1900 (directory) – Richard Swinbank, Cowkeeper
1901 (census) – Richard Swinbank, Cowkeeper
1905 (directory) – William Metcalfe, Cowkeeper
1934 (directory) – William Metcalfe, Cowkeeper
1938 (directory) – Thos. Andrew Harper, Dairyman [son-in-law of William Metcalfe]
1974 (directory) – Thos. Andrew Harper, Dairyman
'Haygarth's dairy', 31 harper road
1900 (directory) – Margaret Metcalfe, Dairyman
1900 (directory) – George Haygarth, Cowkeeper
1934 (directory) – George Haygarth, Dairyman
1938 (directory) – Wm. Haygarth, Dairyman (son of George Haygarth)
1939 (register) – William Haygarth, Dairy Farmer
1900 (directory) – George Haygarth, Cowkeeper
1934 (directory) – George Haygarth, Dairyman
1938 (directory) – Wm. Haygarth, Dairyman (son of George Haygarth)
1939 (register) – William Haygarth, Dairy Farmer
Knowsley Dairy, 235 Knowsley Road (1 Hornby Boulevard)
1901 (family history) – established by Robert Wolfenden, Cowkeeper
1926 (directory) – Robert Wolfenden, Dairyman
1933 (directory) – S. Wolfenden, Dairyman [son of Robert Wolfenden]
1964 (directory) – Sydney Wolfenden, Dairymen
1926 (directory) – Robert Wolfenden, Dairyman
1933 (directory) – S. Wolfenden, Dairyman [son of Robert Wolfenden]
1964 (directory) – Sydney Wolfenden, Dairymen
Newsham dairy, 1 hampson street
1881 (census) – John Brown, Dairy Manager
1894 (directory) – William Jackson, Cowkeeper
1900 (directory) – Robert Bousfield, Cowkeeper
1911 (census) – Joseph Fallowfield, Cowkeeper
1918 (directory) – Simon Hunter Pratt, Dairyman
1926 (directory) – Chas. Hampson, Dairyman
1938 (directory) – Rd. Swinbank, Dairyman
1894 (directory) – William Jackson, Cowkeeper
1900 (directory) – Robert Bousfield, Cowkeeper
1911 (census) – Joseph Fallowfield, Cowkeeper
1918 (directory) – Simon Hunter Pratt, Dairyman
1926 (directory) – Chas. Hampson, Dairyman
1938 (directory) – Rd. Swinbank, Dairyman
North park dairy, 47 linacre lane
1911 (census) – Robert Owen Jones, Milk Dealer
1926 (directory) – Robert Owen Jones, Dairyman
1938 (directory) – Jas. Dugdale, Dairyman
1941 (family history) – destroyed in May Blitz
1926 (directory) – Robert Owen Jones, Dairyman
1938 (directory) – Jas. Dugdale, Dairyman
1941 (family history) – destroyed in May Blitz
Rockhouse Dairy, 39 Lower Breck Road
1882 (directory) – Matthew Braithwaite, Cowkeeper
1886 (directory) – Matthew Braithwaite, Cowkeeper
1890 (directory) – James Wrathall, Cowkeeper
1891 (directory) – James Wrathall, Cowkeeper
1896 (directory) – John Harper, Cowkeeper
1900 (directory) – John J Close, Cowkeeper
1906 (directory) – John J. Close, Cowkeeper
1908 (directory) – Thomas Price, Cowkeeper
1910 (directory) – James Bowman, Cowkeeper
1911 (census) – James Bowman, Cowkeeper & Dairyman
1914 (directory) – Thomas & Simon Metcalfe, Cowkeepers
1919 (directory) – Simon Metcalfe, Cowkeeper
1920 (directory) – Simon Metcalfe, Dairyman
1925 (directory) – Edward Hall, Cowkeeper
1926 (directory) – Edward Hall, Dairyman
1933 (directory) – Edmund Harper, Dairyman
1941 (directory) – Edmund Harper, Dairyman
1943 (directory) – William A. Metcalfe, Dairyman
1967 (directory) – William Alfred Metcalfe, Dairyman
1886 (directory) – Matthew Braithwaite, Cowkeeper
1890 (directory) – James Wrathall, Cowkeeper
1891 (directory) – James Wrathall, Cowkeeper
1896 (directory) – John Harper, Cowkeeper
1900 (directory) – John J Close, Cowkeeper
1906 (directory) – John J. Close, Cowkeeper
1908 (directory) – Thomas Price, Cowkeeper
1910 (directory) – James Bowman, Cowkeeper
1911 (census) – James Bowman, Cowkeeper & Dairyman
1914 (directory) – Thomas & Simon Metcalfe, Cowkeepers
1919 (directory) – Simon Metcalfe, Cowkeeper
1920 (directory) – Simon Metcalfe, Dairyman
1925 (directory) – Edward Hall, Cowkeeper
1926 (directory) – Edward Hall, Dairyman
1933 (directory) – Edmund Harper, Dairyman
1941 (directory) – Edmund Harper, Dairyman
1943 (directory) – William A. Metcalfe, Dairyman
1967 (directory) – William Alfred Metcalfe, Dairyman
Sheil Park Dairy, 177 Boaler Street
1905 (directory) – Richard Cowley, Bread and Flour Dealer (No. 177)
[1905 (directory) – Robert H Lambert, Milk Dealer (No. 165)]
1911 (census) – John Alec Lambert, Cowkeeper [nephew of Robert H Lambert]
1926 (directory) – Robert H Lambert, Dairyman
1933 (directory) – Frank Lambert, Milk Dealer
1938 (directory) – R H Lambert & Sons, Dairyman
1955 (directory) – Frank Lambert, Dairyman
1960 (directory) – J Swift, Dairyman
1974 (directory) – J Swift, Dairy
[1905 (directory) – Robert H Lambert, Milk Dealer (No. 165)]
1911 (census) – John Alec Lambert, Cowkeeper [nephew of Robert H Lambert]
1926 (directory) – Robert H Lambert, Dairyman
1933 (directory) – Frank Lambert, Milk Dealer
1938 (directory) – R H Lambert & Sons, Dairyman
1955 (directory) – Frank Lambert, Dairyman
1960 (directory) – J Swift, Dairyman
1974 (directory) – J Swift, Dairy
walton dairy, 45 elm road
1894 (directory) – Edward Sadler, Cowkeeper
1900 (directory) – James Parr, Cowkeeper
1911 (census) – Job Gadie, Cowkeeper
1926 (directory) – Job Gadie, Dairyman
1938 (directory) – Geo. Thos. Thompson, Dairyman
1900 (directory) – James Parr, Cowkeeper
1911 (census) – Job Gadie, Cowkeeper
1926 (directory) – Job Gadie, Dairyman
1938 (directory) – Geo. Thos. Thompson, Dairyman
Wellington Dairy - 37 Wellington Street
1881 (census) – uninhabited
1891 (census) – Joshua Burrow, Cowkeeper
1895 (directory) – Joshua Burrow, Cowkeeper
1900 (directory) – Anthony Joy, Cowkeeper
1926 (directory) – Anthony Joy, Cowkeeper
1934 (directory) – A Joy & Sons, Dairyman
1974 (directory) – A Joy & Sons, Dairy
1891 (census) – Joshua Burrow, Cowkeeper
1895 (directory) – Joshua Burrow, Cowkeeper
1900 (directory) – Anthony Joy, Cowkeeper
1926 (directory) – Anthony Joy, Cowkeeper
1934 (directory) – A Joy & Sons, Dairyman
1974 (directory) – A Joy & Sons, Dairy