Hannah White and Sons
| Formerly | John White and Sons, Hannah White and Son, Messrs White and Sons |
|---|---|
| Industry | publisher, bookseller, book-binder, printer, library, reading room, stationer |
| Founded | 1809 in Carmarthen, Wales |
| Defunct | 1861 |
| Fate | Sold at auction |
| Headquarters | 50 King Street, Carmarthen |
Hannah White and Sons was a publisher, bookseller and library at 50 King Street in Carmarthen, South Wales, between 1809 and 1861.[1]
History
John White and his wife Hannah moved to Carmarthen in 1803 from Somerset. John White was a schoolmaster, founding a school on Priory Street, Carmarthen. He then relocated to the Writing, Commercial and Mathematical School on King Street, Carmarthen.[2][3]
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John White and Sons (1809–1818)
In 1809, John White founded a book publisher called "John White and Sons".[1]
The same year the printing office of J. White and Sons, Carmarthen, printed a second edition of John White's teaching manual called The Teacher’s Ease and The Scholar’s Help, which was originally published in 1796.[2]
In 1815, a reading room and library was added to the printing office.[4][5]
John White died in 1818, leaving Hannah and their eight children.[2]
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Hannah White and Sons (1818–1861)
After her husband's death, Hannah White began trading under the name "Hannah White and Sons".[2][6] The business also sold stationery, perfume and toys.[5]
Two of John and Hannah's sons, George and Isaac, became partners in the business.[2][3]
After Hannah's death in 1861, George and Isaac retired, and the business was sold at auction.[2]
Legacy
The Carmarthen Civic Society put up a blue plaque commemorating Hannah White and Sons on the site of the former premises.[6]
References
- 1 2 Rees, Eiluned (1987). Libri Walliae: a catalogue of Welsh books and books printed in Wales 1546-1820. Aberystwyth: National Library of Wales. ISBN 978-0-907158-19-6.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "HANNAH WHITE , PUBLISHER, PRINTER & BOOKSELLER 1781 -1861. – St David's Cemetery, Carmarthen". Retrieved 2026-06-07.
- 1 2 Randall, A. B. Vernon Jones, E. (ed.). "Betsey Thompson Comes to Carmarthen". The Carmarthenshire Historian. 18. Dyfed Rural Council: 27.
- ↑ "White, Hannah". British Book Trade Index Archive. Grub Street Project. Retrieved 2026-06-07.
- 1 2 "South Wales". Pigot & Co. Directory. 1844. pp. 24–25.
- 1 2 "Carmarthen Town Blue Plaque Trail" (PDF). Carmarthen Civic Society – via Discover Carmarthenshire.