Dry goods stores were common in 19th century Chatham.

King Street and the core area streets were host to several of them.

Most of what they sold were yard goods as “ready made” clothing was not yet vogue and mothers made most of the family apparel.

The dry goods stores sold items that did not require post retail manufacture, and these items included gloves, hats and some coats.

Most other items, such as pants, shirting, etc. required home sewing and most houses had a foot pedal operated sewing machine for that intent.

One of Chatham’s late 19th century dry goods merchants was to be Thomas McCrossan, who was born in Scotland on March 4, 1834.

I am not sure when he came to Chatham as the directory information regarding him is disjointed. He is not mentioned in the 1864........

© Sarnia Observer