Olivers Yard, a shortcut between North Street and Girling Street, still exists today. It is connected with the Oliver family of Sudbury. John and William Oliver came to Sudbury from London in 1766 to open a shop in the Market Place as upholsterers, cabinet makers, appraisers and auctioneers, also buying and selling second-hand furniture. Their business prospered. On May 28th, 1800, William’s son, known as William, jun., became a freeman of Sudbury. In the same year, he married Miss Baker from Halstead and his father, William, handed over to him his cabinet making and upholstery business, and the two continued their auctioneering and an agency for the Royal Exchange Assurance Office as William Oliver and Son.

Admissions to the Freedom of the Borough of Sudbury in the early 19th century

The Olive family

Olive, Isaac, of Grosvenor Square, London, servant, admitted July 2nd, 1802, borough only, by birth

Olive, James, of London, newsman, son of John, woolcomber, admitted June 18th, 1818, borough only, by birth

Olive, John, millwright, admitted October 27th, 1806, borough only, by birth

Olive, Samuel, labourer, admitted July 2nd, 1802, borough only, by birth

The Oliver family

Oliver, Charles, singleman, admitted July 2nd, 1802, borough and commons, by birth

Oliver, William, jun., upholsterer, admitted May 28th, 1800, borough and commons, by birth

The Orbell family

Orbell, John, miller, admitted July 19th, 1821, borough and commons, by purchase, 30 guineas

The Osborn family

Osborn, James, fellmonger, son of James, tanner, admitted May 26th, 1857

The Osborne family

Osborne, James, of Braintree, tanner, son of John, blacksmith, dec’d, admitted June 12th, 1826, borough only, by birth

The Outing family

Outing, Abraham, a Private in the West Suffolk Militia, admitted October 28th, 1806, borough and commons, by birth

Outing, Abraham, chimney sweep, son of James, dec’d, admitted May 29th, 1843

Outing, Edward, labourer, son of Edward, labourer, admitted March 4th, 1820, borough and commons, by birth

Outing, Edward, silkweaver, son of John, admitted July 28th, 1838

Outing, James, silkweaver, son of John, silkweaver, admitted June 17th, 1818, borough and commons, by birth

Outing, James, of Norwich, weaver, son of John, silkweaver, admitted June 18th, 1818, borough only, by birth

Outing, John, weaver, son of John junior, admitted October 2nd, 1812, borough only, by birth

Outing, John, miller, of Cross Street, admitted August 3rd, 1866

Outing, Joseph, silkweaver, admitted August 25th, 1837, borough only, by birth

Outing, Joseph, labourer, son of William, dec’d, bellringer, admitted May 26th, 1857

Outing, Philip, of Melford Road, weaver, admitted May 3rd, 1867

Outing, Samuel, labourer, son of Samuel, weaver, admitted June 18th, 1818, borough and commons, by birth

Outing, Thomas, assistant to silk winders, son of William, dec’d, bellringer, admitted May 26th, 1857

Outing, William, clockmaker, son of Samuel, labourer, admitted June 12th, 1826, borough and commons, by birth

Outing, Willie, of Southend-on-Sea, restaurant keeper, son of John Boon Outing, formerly of this Borough, baker, admitted August 2nd, 1898

The Oxley family

Oxley, Edward, chemist, admitted June 8th, 1810, borough and commons, by purchase

Oxley, John Ransome, druggist, son of Edward Oxley, admitted July 29th, 1839

Oxley, Ransome, of Market Hill, chemist, son of John Ransome Oxley, chemist, admitted August 3rd, 1883