William Crabtree, 1610-1644

Additional text from "Manchester Online" website


Painting of Crabtree Observing the Transit

Crabtree, a Manchester Grammar old boy, lived in Higher Broughton. 
He worked as a cloth merchant, while pursuing astronomy in his spare time.


The location from where Crabtree is thought to have observed the Transit of Venus

In 1981, a blue plaque was put up on a garden wall in Scarr Wheel - an unadopted road in Higher Broughton.
 It is from here where Crabtree is thought to have observed the transit.


Commemorative Plaque

About 100 years ago there was a road in the area that used to be called
Crabtree Croft - it is thought it was in the vicinity of what is now Priory Grove.

There is also a suggestion that Crabtree viewed it from his home, which may
have been Ivy cottage, which still stands in Lower Broughton Road

A local Salford Brewery also celebrates "local boy" Crabtree


The "regular" Crabtree beer


Transit was a dry hopped version of Crabtree
 produced as a one-off for the week of the transit.


Crabtree Summer Recipe

Return to Total Transit Experience home page


Author: Andrew J White
Copyright © 2004 Andrew J White