Item 104 - Charles Hawkins to Witham Weld & Co: Invoice for sale of properties in Walsingham

1981: Property report for Council of Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham

Charles Hawkins, land agent for the Pratts at Ryston, first established an estate agency in Downham Market in 1869. By 1875 he had merged his business with that of an old-established King's Lynn estate agent, Robinson Cruso (Cruso and Son), the new firm, Cruso and Hawkins having offices in both Downham Market and King's Lynn. In 1883 Hawkins established his own estate agency at premises in the Tuesday Market Place, King's Lynn. He also retained the office in his home town of Downham Market. By 1904 his son, Launcelot Goulder Hawkins, had joined the office at Downham Market and by 1908 the business was known as Charles Hawkins and Sons. Charles himself died soon afterwards but his sons and in particular Launcelot continued the business. Launcelot became (like his father before him) a local magistrate and also continued to operate as land agent to individual estates. In 1922 the firm were land agents for the estates at Oxborough, Caldecote, Boughton, Hockwold, Feltwell, Bagthorpe, Fincham and Stradsett.

The firm continued to operate in both Downham Market and at the Bank Chambers, Tuesday Market Place, King's Lynn throughout the 20th century until it was purchased by the owners of the Black Horse Agencies (retaining the name of Charles Hawkins).