Seven Dials, London WC2 and the Lazari

The name "Seven Dials" describes the area around the junction of 7 streets, laid out in the late 1690's by Thomas Neale. Plans were submitted to Sir Christopher Wren, Surveyor-General in 1692,and the rest of the development was carried out by individual builders over the next 15 years. (see Link)

"By the middle of the 18th century, the area had 'declined' to the extent that 39 night-watchmen were needed to keep the peace. By the early 19th century the area became famous, together with St. Giles to the north, as the most notorious rookery in London.

Shaftesbury Avenue was cut through along the north-west side of Seven Dials in 1889 as a combined work of traffic improvement and slum clearance. The Woodyard Brewery closed in 1905 and its old premises were converted into box, fruit and vegetable warehouses serving Covent Garden Market.

Covent Garden Market moved out in the 1970s, which led to many changes of ownership and uses and dereliction. Seven Dials was declared a Conservation Area in 1974 and since the mid-1970s much restoration has been carried out within the parameters of the former GLC Covent Garden Action Area Plan, one aim of which was to safeguard and improve the existing physical character and fabric of the area. The reconstruction of the Sundial Pillar is a symbol of the regeneration of this area." [Thanks to www.sevendials.com]

(Extract from 25" 1894 London Map)

The Lazarus Family lived and worked in the Seven Dials District of London for two generations, starting (as far as we know) with John Lazarus [a Master Veal Butcher - see 1851 Census, the father of Morris Lazarus], who lived at 13 West Street, above his Butcher shop, with his wife Sarah (née Solomons) and their 7 children:

Ralph, Lewis, Samuel, Clara, Morris, Mary & Judah.

Morris took over the butcher's shop at 13 West Street, Seven Dials. In 1871, Morris was registered as working at 3 West Street, in partnership with his brother Samuel, who kept the shop, when Morris & family moved to Newington Butts, near Elephant & Castle, Surrey in 1878.

[Morris' brother Samuel continued at 3 West Street until 1891, after which the shop relocated to 6 West Street. Samuel retired or gave up the shop in 1900.]

As yet I have been unable to trace any of the descendants of Morris' siblings... I would be glad of any help!]

[Map © maps.google.com]