The business of Francis Meade & Co, wholesale and retail grocers, drapers and outfitters, and Cheddar cheese merchants, was founded in 1780 by Joseph Stuckey, whose family came from Muchelney. After Joseph’s death in 1818 it passed to his nephew Joseph, who ran the business in partnership with Samuel Stuckey and Francis Meade (senior). It was known as Stuckey & Meade. When Joseph retired his share passed to Francis Meade, who had been his assistant for some time, and the business carried on as Stuckey & Meade. Francis Meade (junior) was born in Langport in June 1843 and joined the family firm in 1866, becoming sole proprietor in 1874. The business then traded under the name Francis Meade & Co.
Francis Meade (1843-1929), from Somerset leaders, published in 1907.
His biography begins: “In the commercial circles of Langport, and throughout the business world of the county, the name of Mr Francis Meade is respected and well known.”
The 1911 census records that Francis Meade & Co had 24 boarders staying on their premises, of whom 20 were shop workers. However, the company went bankrupt later in 1911, and Francis Meade moved to Devon, where he lived until his death in 1929. The business was continued, presumably by Francis’s sons, under the name Meade Bros Ltd. In 1928 The County Stores took over the grocery part of Meade Bros, although the rest of Meade Bros remained in business until the end of 1934, when it too was taken over by the County Stores.
The business occupied large premises in Cheapside, opposite Bank Chambers.
Click on an image below to enlarge it and see the caption
Confusingly, when advertising in the Langport & Somerton Herald, Francis Meade & Co had been using the name ‘Langport Stores’ since at least 1898. The business now known as The Langport Stores was founded by H C Norton. He did not start using the name ‘Langport Stores’ until 1938. You can read the full story of its history here.