Help wanted (Page 3) :-

Every now and then I get emails from people who would like further information on specific questions they have about Bristol. I've got an extensive set of references but obviously these can't cover absolutely everything about or everyone who's ever lived in Bristol. Besides which, some aren't indexed properly and although I pretty well know most of the contents I'll sometimes miss information. Set out below are some items I would like to know more about.

I know some people are worried about giving their email addresses to all and sundry, so here is how I protect your privacy. I won't post your surnames or email addresses here, but, unless you specifically ask me not to, I will post your replies on these pages. I will also forward your replies to whoever asked the original question, this WILL include your email address, unless you specifically ask me to withhold it. If anyone asks me to provide your email address I will forward their message to you and reply to them saying that I've passed the message on. It is then up to you to reply to them or not.

You can email me at . Where the writers have no objection to people contacting them directly I've included their email address under the article. We'll be grateful for any any information at all on these subjects.

Nelson Street :-

Original query from Suzanne :-

Suzanne is doing a bit of research and is trying to find out what stood in Nelson Street in 1842 and did it have any Dutch connections?

Reply from Ray :-

I can't find much out about this myself. The only things I've come across is that a Diocesan School was founded there in 1831. UWE The Redland Papers. I also came across a photograph in Reece Winstone's "Bristol in the 1880's. This shows Nelson Street looking towards Broadmead on 9th March 1889, the day of the Bristol Flood.

Nelson Street - 9th March 1889

On the right is Duck Lane - now Fairfax Street. The buildings on the left are where the Bridewell Police station is now.

New Cut :-

Original query from my mate Will, Totterdown, Bristol :-

On these pages you'll find the New Cut mentioned numerous times. Although I know who designed it and when it was built, Will wants to know some of the more social history about it. We'd like to know how many men were employed in its construction, how they lived, how they did the work and what happened to them after it was finished.

Newfoundland, Bristol's Hope, John Guy and  William Colston:-

Original query from Fred :-

Fred is the Membership Secretary of the Old Colstonian Society, for past pupils of Colstons School, Stapleton, Bristol, founded by Edward Colston. He was contacted by the Cupids Cove (Cupers Cove) Historical Society who are researching details of the voyage of John Guy in 1610, to settle in Newfoundland.

Reply from Ray :-

From "Merchants and Merchandise in Seventeenth Century Bristol" by Patrick McGrath (Bristol Record Society publication Volume XIX, 1955)

William Colston was Edward's father

William colston was one of the people implicated when Robert Yeamans and George Bowcher tried to open the City to Prince Rupert during the civil War. Whatever happened, William was made councillor in 1643. He was actually a bit more than that, he was Sheriff (1643 - 1644), Warden of the Merchant Venturers (1643 - 1644), Alderman (1662 - 1664)

On 10th May 1636, William Colston was in court "for not causinge a grate to bee sett before his seller dore beinge dangerous."

On 19th April 1637, William Colston's daughter, Margarett, married another merchant, William Hobson.

On 10th March 1658, 5 tons of "Province oyle" was captured from one of William's ships by the Spanish.

The "Zannt" carried 90 ferkins of butter belonging to William to Cadiz.

William Colston died on 21st November 1681, aged 73.

The earliest mention of John Guy, appears in the 1609 will of John Fowens. John Guy received 20 shillings of gold and "as much fine blacke Clothe as will make ... a gowne."

Patrick McGrath also wrote "The Merchant Venturers of Bristol" (Society of Merchant Venturers, 1975)

It seems the Merchant Venturers didn't officially unertake or sponsor voyages of discovery, colonization or exploration. McGrath says this (page 85) "It [The Merchant Venturers Society] does not seem to have to have given any official backing to two of its members, Thomas Hopkins and Tomas Aldworth, when they were appointed by the Mayor [of Bristol] in 1606 to confer with the inhabitants of Bristol about the development of Virginia, not to the plantation which another member, John Guy, made in Newfoundland. The Society's first "Book of Charters" records that in 1617-1618 "Divers particular merchantes of this Society Did sett Forwardes the plantacion of a porcion of land in the Country of Newfoundland called Bristolles Hope", but the Society itself was not involved."

This is from page 531. "In 1909, it [the Society] received a letter from the Lord Mayor stating that the Historical Society of Newfoundland was raising a subscription in order to erect a memorial to John Guy. The Lord Mayor was proposing to inform "the Colonists" that the city would contribute £50 and he invited the Society to make a donation. It was agreed to give £100, provided the whole amount was collected before the end of 1910."

I've also got a copy of "The Annals of Bristol in the Seventeenth Century" by John Latimer (William George's Sons, 1900)

In April 1606, James I authorized the foundation of two colonies in Virginia. A subscription to the scheme in Bristol was raised and the Mayor, Thomas James, promised £13 6s 8d annually for 5 years, as did John Guy who was sheriff.

"The reports made by Martin Pring and other explorers as to the climate and resources of North America aroused a strong desire in Bristol and other ports to promote colonization. In February, 1609, an application was made to the Privy Council for leave to found a plantation in Newfoundland, in a district uninhabited by Christians, the promoters being a number of merchants in London and Bristol. The King in the following year granted a patent to the Earl of Northampton, Sir Francis Bacon, and a great many others (the Bristol beneficiaries included Matthew Haviland, Thomas Aldworth, William Lewes, John Guy, Richard Holworthy, John Langton, Humphry Hooke, Philip Guy, William Meredith, Adrian Jennings, and John Doughty), establishing an incorporation styled the "Company of Adventurers and Planters of London and Bristol for the colony or plantation of Newfoundland in the southern and eastern parts."

John Guy, an eminent local merchant, was appointed the first governor of this body, and his heart was thoroughly in the enterprise. Three ships having been equipped, the governor, with his brother, Philip Guy, his brother-in-law, William Colston, and thirty-nine emigrants of both sexes, embarked, a store of live cattle, goats, poultry, etc., was put on board, and the vessels left Bristol early in May, 1610, arriving at their destination in twenty-three days, when a landing was made at a little landlocked harbour called Cupids. The emigrants forthwith began the erection of dwellings, storehouses, wharves, and a fort defended by a stockade, while Guy built himself a mansion, called Sea Forest House. Guy returned to Bristol in the autumn of 1611, leaving his brother deputy-governor, but sailed again for the island in the following year, accompanied by a clergyman and several more emigrants. After his final return to England, William Colston was deputy-governor in 1613-14. The settlement, however, was not a permanent success. By his will, dated in February, 1626, Mr. Guy left his Sea Forest estate to his four sons, then under age, but the historians of Newfoundland have found no record of the colony after 1628."

William Colston lived in Wine Street, Bristol from his marriage to his death, a period of 50 years.

I've also got a copy of "Bristol Past and Present" (3 volumes) by J. F. Nicholls and John Taylor (Arrowsmith, 1881) Volume 1 contains...

"Mr. John Guy deserves honourable mention on account of his enterprising spirit. He twice represented the city in Parliament, in 1620 and 1623.

"In a MS. penes me," says Barrett, "one Mr. Guy, in 1609, took out a number of persons of both sexes, designing to form a settlement all the winter in Newfoundland. He was a member of the common council of Bristol, and mayor in 1618. He procured a charter and license of the king (James) for his intended plantation, having some rich merchants of London, as well as Bristol, joined with him for the better and more effectual prosecuting of the scheme. Many of this city did advance money towards it; and so Mr. Guy, with some other young merchants, being fitted out with more men and all necessaries, took shipping here for Newfoundland, to make a trial of the place by staying there all the winter."

In Stow's Chronicle, continued by E. Howes, at 943, we have a very particular relation of this voyage —"After the patent was obtained, and several noblemen, gentlemen and citizens being thereby made a body corporate by the name of the treasurer and company of adventurers and planters of the cities of London and Bristol, for the colony and plantation of Newfoundland, in the southern and eastern parts, lying between the degrees 52 and 46, the company sent ships with men, women, and all necessaries thither, and ordained Maister John Guy, a citizen of Bristol, a man very industrious and of good experience, to be their general in this plantation, who planted a colony of men and women in the island of Newfoundland (which was first discovered by Sebastian Cabot, and ever since yearly frequented by the English in fishing time); with them, also, they, for their use to increase there, transported hennes, ducks, pigeons, conies, goats, kine, and other live creatures, all which did very well there. This General Guy stayed there with the colony both winter and summer, whose natures and conditions in general agreed very well with the soil and clyme. In this plantation there were sent none hut men of civill lyfe, and of some honest trade or profession, by which course they lived and prospered the better. Since the date of their charter (8 James I., 2nd May, 1610) they have sent yearly supplies thither unto the year 1614, Master John Slaney, Esq., being their first treasurer."

"1611. Mr. John Guy, with a preacher and several men and women, returned to Newfoundland to his son."

Peacock Family :-

Original query from Jeff :-

Jeff is researching the Peacock family tree. He used to live at 37, Bell Hill which was next door to Billy Grays wet fish shop & various members of his family lived at other houses on the same road. Jeff is also interested in other roads in the area such as Belle Vue Terrace & Milsoms Barton. The family grave in Weslyan Church in Kingswood is now behind barriers ready for development and Jeff is having a difficult time even getting access to this let alone finding any information about the members of the family buried there.

Pickford Family :-

Original query from Denise :-

Denise is researching the Pickford family and saw the article on this page entitled "Frampton, Jones and Bowyer Families". In that I said that Jedediah Pickford was one of those accused of customs fraud in November 1691. Denise says that he was born in Macclesfield, Cheshire. She would be very interested in anything else anyone can tell her about the Pickfords in Bristol.

If you have any information we'd be grateful if you could email me at brisray@yahoo.co.uk or Denise directly.

Police :-

Original query from Steve :-

I believe New Bridewell police station was built in 1928, but was the main city police station before it in the same place? Also I'm trying to get to grips with the structure of rank back in the 20's, was there such a thing as CID?

Reply from Ray :-

I'd have thought that something like this would be easy to find, but it isn't. One online source of information is the Railway Police Forces site. This says the GWR force had CID and detectives at least in 1939. The history page of the Avon and Somerset Police is very sparse. I did however discover that many police records can be found in Kingsweston House in Napier Miles Road and the Bristol Public Records Office. The booklet by Roderick Walters. "The Establishment of the Bristol Police Force" and published by the Bristol Branch of the Historical Association, unfortunately, doesn't contain much that is useful to Steve as the period it covers ends in 1850.

Addendum by Ray :-

I've been doing some more research, this comes from "Bristol's History", by Charles Wells and Reece Winstone (Reece Winstone, 1966) There was a centuries old passageway in the vicinity of Wine Street and Mary-le-Port Street known as Guard House Passage. This was ordered closed by the City Council in April 1880. This passage seems to have been quite ancient as it was formerly known as Swan Lane in the time of William Wyrcestre (or Worcester) who died in 1482. It is unknown when the Guard House was built at the Wine Street end, but the "Main Guard" was billeted there during the Civil War (1642-3). This was the building that Boucher and Yeamans (or Yeomans) planned to capture before they were caught and hanged (See Bristol - 1650 Onwards). In 1681 it was owned by Robert Yate, who may be related to William Yate who was elected Mayor in 1596 and who owned the Gateway in Guard House Passage. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the Guard House was used as a lock-up for those guilty of breaching the peace or theft. When the police were reorganized in 1836, the building became the central police station. In 1844 a new station was built in Bridewell Street. As Steve says, this station lasted until 1928 when the new station was built. Time hadn't finished with the Guard House yet though. When the City Council closed Guard House Passage in 1880, they allowed the Guard House to be rebuilt by Jones & Co. as 56 and 57 Wine Street and used as a shop.

This is what the Guard House looked like.
(from "Bristol As It Was 1879-1874", Reece Winstone, 1968, plate 18)

The Guard House Doorway - 1881
In 1571, it was the entrance to William Yate's (Mayor of Bristol, 1796) mansion
In 1805, it was the Guard House
Between 1836 and 1844 it was the first police station
In 1881, during rebuilding by Jones & Co., the doorway was moved to Bishopston
(where this photograph was taken)
From 1908 onwards it has been in the care of the City Museum and Art Gallery.
(from "Bristol in the 1880's", Reece Winstone, 1978, plate 27)

You'll notice some discrepancy in the dates for when the Guard House was rebuilt and the doorway removed. In "Bristol As It Was 1879-1874" the photograph does not show the doorway, but according to Wells and "Bristol in the 1880's", it wasn't removed until sometime around 1880.

Popes of Bristol :-

Original query from Robert :-

Has anyone any information about Richard Pope of Bristol who was a soap maker? He had five sons, John, Thomas, William, Richard Jr., and Nathanial. He was born about 1590 and died in back in Bristol around 1652.

I've been able to find a little about this family. John Pope was the son of Michael Pope, soapmaker, to whom he was apprenticed in 1630. He became a burgess in 1637. He was Sheriff in 1653-1654 and became a Merchant Venturer in 1657. He declined the office of Mayor in 1663. He died 11th February 1667. John Pope was an eighth part owner of a ship called the Endeavour of about 200 tons.

Between 1654 and 1694, a John and Michael Pope imported 6,550 hogsheads of Muscovado and white sugar. This was more than any other importer. A hogshead was a unit of volume and could hold 63 gallons.

Richard Pope seems to have been involved in the tobacco business around 1679.

Reply from Susan :-

Susan is doing her own research into Elizabeth Ham, who was born in 1783 and whose mother, Elizabeth Pope lived in Brislington. I've put Robert and Susan in contact with each other, hopefully they'll have information beneficial to both.

Post Codes :-

Original query from Alan :-

Alan writes, "my main question would be what year (about ) did they bring in postal codes in Bristol?"

Reply from Ray :-

The numbering of postal districts (Knowle as BS4, Bedminster as B3 and so on) was first proposed by the Royal Mail in 1931, and was put into effect the following year. The post codes as we know them today, BS3 4JZ for example, was introduced in the 1960's and was complete by 1974. (source http://www.royalmailgroup.com/heritage/english/downloads/research/Infosheet_4.pdf)

POW Camps :-

Original query from Irene :-

Irene wants to know about the location of the WWII POW camp in Ashton Gate.

Reply from Ray :-

There were several camps in and around Bristol. There was the one at Ashton Gate, then there were others at Wapley, Yate and another at Winterbourne (or was this the same one?) I too would like information on these camps as well as from other periods.

Reply from Kathleen :-

In February 2008, I was delighted to receive the following email from Kathleen...

I lived in Bower Road, Ashton from 1937 until 1956 and well remember the number of POW and Polish camps in the district. The Polish camp was near Ashton Drive - my friend and I used to walk by it on the way to Pit Ponds where we fished for tadpoles. The Germans were often seen in the neighbourhood walking around in their distinctive POW uniforms. Some of the neighbours befriended them which caused a lot of bad feeling, as they were encouraged to try and sell small wooden toys they had made in the camp. I remember one time two of them leaned on our front gate looking at my little sister playing and my mother rushed out and took her into the house. I recall towards the end of the war the German speakers in my class at school were taken to a hall in Bedminster to entertain German prisoners by singing German carols , and taking around refreshments. I still remember being surprised while we were singing "O Tannenbaum" a group of them joined hands and started singing rather loudly what I later realised was the Red Flag.

Americans had been stationed in the Bond Houses in Winterstoke Road, Ashton Gate, and when they had gone back the buildings were used to house POWs.

This information now also appears on the Blitz pages.

Ma Pugsley, the Civil War and a well :-

Original query from Angel, Bristol :-

Angel is a local filmmaker and is very interested to find out more about Old Ma Pugsley and the well she is associated with.

She writes, "I gather from an excerpt of "A Kingsdown Collection" by one Penelope Mellor (which I cannot find on your bibliography,) that a water Board official by the name of F. C. Jones found the remains of a reservoir well in Kingsdown after the Blitz and he wrote about it in his account of Dame Pugsley in "The Glory that was Bristol" (which is on your list).

I would be grateful for any pointers towards facts about Spring Hill, Old Ma Pugsley, her husband or the battle he died in in 1645 which was called the Siege of Prior's Hill Fort.

Reply from Ray :-

Because of Angle's query I've written a page about Ma Pugsley. If you've any information to add we'd like to hear from you.

Purdown :-

Original query from Faye :-

Purdown is in danger of redevelopment. Faye is trying to co-ordinate a campaign to save Purdown from development and would like to collate as much information about this area as possible. She'd like to know the areas history and what organisations exist in the area with an interest in keeping the area green.

Roach's :-

Original query from Dave :-

Dave writes, "My Grandfather by the family name Roach lived in Hotwells, Bristol and died in July 1963. He was well know in the area as being a scavenger and he used to walk the river at low tide and pick up various objects discarded by merchant vessels and was up the river. He also used to have the sole rights to fish for Salmon which he would send his daughter (Mary Roach died in 2002. My grandmother preferred to be called Bo Bo for some unknown reason) to the hotels selling them. He was often called upon to retrieve the bodies from the river Avon (often the suicides from the Clifton suspension bridge) as he knew the currents and where to look, he was once called upon to retrieve a very noble woman believed to be from one of the aristocracy families or even royalty living in the Bristol area that committed suicide from the bridge. It was believed that the search had taken place for around a week before they asked his advice, then they were able to recover the body in a few hours of searching. I should also point out being the type of man he was that in most cases the bodies were discovered on the Avon side of the river as they paid him 2 crowns instead of the Somerset side that only paid 1 crown per body. In their time the Roach family had a very strong presence in the Area and my grandfather having a larger than life character, my aunt is still living in one of the houses virtually underneath the Clifton suspension bridge, My grandmother lived in one of the 3-4 story house in Hotwells itself (just past the flyover and at the back of the pub (White horse, I think now). Anyways getting back to the original story it is said that when the BBC abandoned the Cliff Railway my grandfather brought the rights to it, he also purchased the old steam tunnel on the other side of the river which is now practically collapsed and blocked at both ends. There has always been rumors that these tunnels were storage for all the ‘junk' he collected and if his 2 garden shed located at the rear of his Hotwells property indicated then there would be a wealth of historical or even valuable stuff in these locations.

At one time he also purchased the many house boats located near the docks but like most of the things this family have done over the years it became a head ache as the Bristol council decided to stop the practice of house boat living by increasing the taxes to high levels, forcing most of the house boats to leave or be destroyed.

I didn't get a chance to meet my Granddad he sadly died 2 years before I was born and the day coincided with my brother's birth. There are still a few Roach families in the area, My aunty being Marion Roach a semi famous dress designer who incidentally now owns the property my grandfather used to own in Hotwells.

I would like to know if anyone has any further information about my grandfather, his life and if he still has the rights or ownership on the old railway tunnel, I am pretty sure the old Cliff railway now has other owners, but it would be nice to find out how much of this story is true and more to the point how well remembered he was!!

Robinsons of Bristol :-

Original query from Bob :-

We are researching the History of Bags and baggers and ran across an article on the Robinsons of Bristol. We can find nothing on Mr Foster Robinson, Paper Sacks Limited and Sir Malcolm Steward, Chairman of the Associated Portland Cement Manufacturers and the Fife paper Mills at Markinch. If you know more details on these and have any pictures of them or their operation, particularly cement or other bagging operations we would be most grateful.

Also, I recall, in Bristol, there was a Carbon Black manufacturing operation, now a part of Columbian Chemicals (Phelps Dodge). I am certain that this local bag manufacturer and bag filling machine supplier would have provided for this plant as well. It was originally a Phillips Petroleum Carbon Black plant.

Additional query from Bryan :-

I was apprenticed at Strachan & Henshaw the old Whitehall works in Chalks road and started there in 1947. I mention this because they were part of the ES and A Robinson Group and made envelope and bag making machines etc. Part of my apprenticeship was spent at the Fishponds Wax Paper works and another part ay Colodense and the Cardboard Box factory in Bedminster West Street. I wonder of there are any other of the apprentices still around the Bristol area?

Reply from Ray :-

There is a book that if you're interested in the Robinson family and factories you really must search out. This is "Robinsons of Bristol 1844 - 1944" by Bernard Darwin and published in 1945. From what Bob said I think he's already got a copy of this book.

I've got a copy of the book, unfortunately, it has no pictures of the bagging operations and no reference at all to the Carbon Black companies.

It does however have some details of Mr Foster Robinson, in fact he became a director in 1910. Around that time he went to America to introduce a new satchel bag that Robinson's had developed. Around 1930 he was in America again. This time getting American bag manufacturers interested in a process where a cellophane pane could be inserted into a bag. These were very popular until bags made entirely from cellophane came onto the market and the process was bought to Britain and the Malago, Bedminster, Bristol factory.

The story of the cement sack is also given in some detail. Adelmer M. Bates was a Chicago based commercial traveller had an idea for packing salt into paper bags that had a valve in them. The idea couldn't work for salt, but it did for cement. In 1906 cloth, valved bags were introduced into America packing cement for Chams Cement Company. In 1908 the cloth was replaced by a single wall paper bag. In 1924, Mr Foster Robinson met Mr Bates. The two discussed making a 4 ply paper cement sack. Mr Robinson persuaded the LeHigh Portland Cement Company to order the new sacks. Later, Sir Malcolm Stewart, chairman of the Associated Portland Cement Manufacturer's also agreed to try the new bags. The Paper Sacks Ltd. then moved to Keynsham. In 1930 it moved to the "home of cement", Northfleet. Another factory was set up at Fife Paper Mills in Markinch and later another in Port Elizabeth in South Africa.

There is also a brief article in "Bristol &Co." by Helen Reid (Redcliffe Press, 1987) This gives a very brief history of the company, especially of Elisha, who seems to have been quite a character. She does say however, that Robinsons merged with the John Dickinson's in 1966, thus creating the huge DRG group of companies.

I would be most surprised if the history of this company hasn't been archived somewhere. John Dickinson has a website at http://www.johndickinson.eu.com/. It may be worth emailing the company at one of the contact addresses given on their site.

In another book, "The Merchant Venturers of Bristol" by Patrick McGrath (Society of Merchant Venturers of Bristol, 1975) it says that Mr. Foster Gotch Robinson was Senior Warden in 1942 and Master of the Society from 1943 to 1945. He was also heavily involved in the Society's policy of  acquiring agricultural land, as he said "as a measure of prudence to guard against possible inflation." By 1951 the Society had land valued at around £1.5 million. (Page 518) In 1946 he presented the Society with the saddle cloth and trappings used by Queen Elizabeth I during her visit to Bristol in 1574. (Page 464)

The St Mary Redcliffe site says that he helped re-establish the Canynge Society in 1927, when the church needed restoration.

He was also a keen cricketer. The following comes from the CricInfo site...

He was born on 19th September 1880 at Sneyd Park, Clifton, Bristol and died on 31st October 1967, at Eastwood Manor, East Harptree, Somerset. He played for both London County (1900) and Gloucestershire (1903-1923) as a right hand batter and wicket keeper.

Wisden obituary
Sir Foster Gotch Robinson, who died on October 31, aged 87, captained Gloucestershire from 1919 to 1923, his best season being that of 1920, when he scored 798 runs, including two centuries, average 25.74. He later became a vice-president for the county. A capital wicketkeeper, he was in the Clifton XI from 1895 to 1900, but did not get a Blue at Oxford. For ten years from 1912 he captained Clifton C.C. A member of the Jockey Club, he was a well-known owner-breeder.
Wisden Cricketers' Almanack

The Wikipedia site tells more of his interest in horses. In 1964, his horse Homeward Bound won the Epsom Oaks. It was ridden by Greville Starkey and trained by John Oxley. It finished the race in a time of 2.49.36 and came in at 100-7.

St. Andrews :-

Original query from John, St. Andrews, Bristol :-

Ashley Court Villas, which I am told was built on the site of the old Mansion House. This was owned (possibly built) by a Sir Humphrey Hooke and was demolished in 1835 apparently after a fire. A lot of the stone was recycled to build 5 four storey houses. There is a communal garden in front of the Houses with two huge pillars with Lions on top. These were the original Gates posts of the old house and have dates carved into them dating from 1746. (this may be fake of course, but it must have taken some time to carve it into stone!) Is there any information that you could give me re the mansion house?

St. Annes :-

Original query from Josephine :-

A bit of an unusual request from Josephine. She writes, "I am un-happy, and ill at ease when I am over that way, I can't wait to get out of the place, and I would just like to know what went on over there in past years."

Reply from Ray :-

Ken Taylor has a book, " Brislington Ghosts and Legends" that contains the legend of St. Anne's well. The site is a medieval shrine and holy well.

St. George :-

Original query from Dan :-

Dan would like to know something of the history of St. George, especially the mines and the old tin church near St. Aidens.

St. Nicholas Church :-

Original query from Vernon Denford, Gladysdale, Victoria, Australia :-

I was born (1938) in Princess St, Bedminster (now demolished) later lived in Mendip Rd and first marriage years in the Chessels before migrating to Australia. Bedminster primary school, a short stint at St Mary Redcliffe Secondary, formative years at Bristol Tech (building).

In the late 40s early fifties I was in the choir at St Nicholas church (do you know about the relocation of the cemetery in High St and now (or then in the 40s & 50s) the skeleton remains were in the cellar under High St accessible from a door behind the altar in the St Nicholas' Crypt) We had lots of fun secretly scaring the junior members of the choir by taking them into the crypt behind the altar. Rows and rows of skulls on steel shelving and reputably the stone coffin of a very young girl.  The vicar was the Rev. John Stancomb but I can't remember the name of the organist choir master. Does anyone remember his name? We would get paid every three months, at the rate of 2 shilling and 6 pence a month and a shilling for a wedding.

If anyone has any information on St. Nicholas Church we'd be grateful if you could contact me at brisray@yahoo.co.uk If you prefer to email Vernon directly his email address is denford@foxall.com.au

Reply from Bob :-

I was intrigued to read the description of the skulls and bones in the crypt of St. Nicholas Church. I too have seen these remains and when I relate the facts to others, I can see that they regard the whole affair as a bit of a tall story.

The skulls are numbered with large copperplate numbers. I was told that when Baldwin Street was built in Victorian times, the contents of the tombs disturbed, were re-allocated in the crypt and the details noted. There must be a book somewhere recording the names against the numbers on the skulls, unless it was destroyed in the blitz.

Another intriguing fact is that the skulls have a large hole on the top of the cranium. There are two schools of thought regarding this. One is that the spirit was released in this way, the other and probably more likely is that in an age when people were often buried alive due to wrong diagnosis, it was a surefire way of assuring that they were in fact deceased.

For those interested in dentistry, the teeth and especially the lower molars are interesting. Apart from an almost complete lack of decay, the teeth are ground flat due to either sandstone from the grinding wheel contaminating the flour and subsequently the bread, or that the poor devoured every scrap of meat they were fortunate enough to obtain, bones and all.

St. Peter's Hospital :-

Original query from Karen :-

Karen is trying to find the records of the old hospital, workhouse and insane asylum.

Built in 1402 as a house this magnificent building was at various times, a sugar refinery, mint, school, workhouse, lunatic asylum and offices. It was destroyed during the Blitz on Sunday, 24th November, 1940.

Saville Cottage, Clifton and the Paul Family :-

Original query from Fiona :-

I'm tracing my family tree and am interested in any info on the Paul family who were wine merchants in Clifton Bristol. They lived at Saville cottage. Can any one tell me any thing about Saville cottage.

Reply from Ray :-

The only thing I've been able to find about Saville cottage is from Pigot's Directory of 1830 which says that it was used by Joseph Emmett Norton who was a Wine & Spirit Merchant.

Sayers - Father Murdered by Son :-

Original query from Andrea :-

Andrea sent this intriguing email - I am looking for information on a murder that happened in 1937. It happened in Cabot Street, Saint Paul's. A Mr. George Sayers was killed by his son Mr. Frederick Sayers. They are supposed to be related to me, but I can't find any reports of this crime.

Richard Burke Sedwick & Anna Vaughan :-

Original query from Christel :-

Christel is looking for information on the daguerreotypist and ambrotypist Richard Burke Sedwick from Bristol. Born in 1828, he died in 1860 aged 32. He may have worked for a time in St. Thomas. His mother's name was Anna Vaughan. When he died his inventory shows a lot of photographic material, among it two cameras obscuras, portraits and frames.

Slave Captains :-

Original query from Mick :-

Mick writes, "I'm trying to find out some information on slave trader captains. One of my ancestors called Banyard used to sail to Africa and the West Indies." James Banyard was married to a Elizabeth Hawkins.

My Reply :-

This information is harder to come by than the names of the ship owners and their agents. The agents were the people responsible for outfitting the ships, making the arrangements for the supply and selling of slaves and so on. Here's a list of agents, 1698 - 1807, that comes from the booklet "The Bristol Slave Traders" by David Richardson (Bristol Branch of the Historical Association, 1985)

The list above is of the agents, most of whom seemed to have invested in the voyages. Many of the major merchants are not on the list, people like Edward Colston, the Pinney family and so on. The list does however, contain the names of some captains who became investors themselves. This includes people like John Anderson, John Chilcott, John Fowler, David Hamilton, James McTaggart and Edmund Saunders. Even the usually excellent Latimer's Annals only gives generalities such as "the captain of Princess of Orange" but doesn't give his name.

John Albert Ernest Smith :-

Original query from Erica, Bristol :-

Erica writes, "My Grandfather, John Albert Ernest Smith was born in Bristol and was a Master Tailor working from home at 1 Bruton Place, Clifton (used to be called Park House) situated next door to the Pro-Cathedral. He served in WW1 even though he had been exempt from service due to his trade. My grandmother, Eliza Matilda Smith nee Rolph, was born in Cardiff. They married in June 1900. One of the family memories concerning my grandfather was that he was the tailor to the Lord Mayor of Bristol, Herbert Ashman, and also to the famous W. G. Grace.

I have copies of some old photographs, which we cannot identify. One is of a bellboy at the Clifton Hotel. So if anyone can help us identify this, it could help us identify another unnamed photograph of a WW1 soldier and his family."

Spiller :-

Original query from Jason and Sarah :-

Jason and Sarah are doing some family research and are looking for information on either James or Eliza Spiller. They were both born in Taunton Somerset around 1835 and Eliza was born Warren. They are very baffled by the fact that they are both registered in the GRO Death indexes for Bristol 1882. On the record they have it shows death as being in Barton Regis but they lived Grovesnor Place in 1881. We know that this must be right as we have a copy of the 1891 Census sheet which shows one of their daughters in Mullers Orphanage aged 14. James and Eliza are both registered as dead in March of 1882 so they must have died either together or very close together but we are not sure which and are trying to unravel the mystery.

My Reply :-

Perhaps you mean Grosvenor Place rather than Grovesnor Place? Barton Regis could be used instead of Clifton in Bristol. This sometimes confuses people. Historically, Bristol was divided into three Registration Districts. These were Bristol, Bedminster and Clifton or Barton Regis. Clifton and Barton Regis were different names for the same district. This district was called Clifton from 1837 to 1875 and then became Barton Regis from 1875 to 1898. In 1899 onwards, all three districts came under the Registration district of Bristol . This information came from the Quaker Friars page of the Bristol & Avon Family History Society site. The page also contains information on the Bristol Register Office which may be of use to you.

I first thought of one of the cholera epidemics, but the dates are wrong. The main epidemics in Britain in general and Bristol in particular were in 1831–2, 1848–9, 1853–4 and 1865–6 (from Scenta)

Other than that, perhaps some of the genealogical sites listed on my Links page may be able to help you.

Stickland Fry :-

Original query from Graham, Canada :-

My great grandfather was buried there in August 1915, but wondered if there was a website to look up information on individuals buried there. I'm not sure whether he had a tomb stone or what the records show as far as who his parents were. His name was John William Stickland Fry and his wife was Emma Fry (nee Worner or Warner). Emma is buried here in Canada. John was born in 1855 or thereabouts.

My Reply :-

So far as I know there isn't a website to look up the records of Arno's Vale Cemetery. But, there is a website run by the Friends of Arnos Vale Cemetery that may be able to help.

Strachan & Henshaw :-

Original query from Bryan :-

I was apprenticed at Strachan & Henshaw the old Whitehall works in Chalks road and started there in 1947. I mention this because they were part of the ES and A Robinson Group and made envelope and bag making machines etc. Part of my apprenticeship was spent at the Fishponds Wax Paper works and another part ay Colodense and the Cardboard Box factory in Bedminster West Street. I wonder of there are any other of the apprentices still around the Bristol area?

My Reply :-

For anyone interested in the history of this company the following appears in "Bristol & Co." by Helen Reid (Redcliffe Press, 1987, ISBN 0-948265-61-2)

Strachan & Henshaw - Women Munition Workers during WWI
The shifts were arranged so the women never met the male employees.

Strachan and Henshaw, founded in 1879 by Robert Price Strachan, an Irishman, and George Henshaw, started in the shadow of the E.S. and A. Robinson factory, which probably explains why right from the beginning, the firm was interested in paper-bag making machines. Both men were apprentices of Hodge, an engineer in Thomas Street and builder of the satchel bag-making machine for Robinsons.

The pair started in a converted house in Long Row, off Victoria Street, making appliances connected with the paper bag and printing trades, and also became efficient general engineers. In 1890 they moved to Lewin's Mead; they needed the space because the old house was so crowded that machinery parts had to be assembled in the street. About this time they developed a rotary stereo printing machine capable of printing paper bags during the process of manufacture, and these machines made them an international reputation: they sold them in Russia, Scandinavia, Italy, Rumania, France, Turkey and Australia.

Strachan and Henshaw also got the contract to install power and power distribution for the great Bristol Industrial Exhibition in St. Augustine's Parade in 1893, and in the 1890s they also got involved in work for the new electric tramways system being set up in the city. This resulted in another contract for tramways work, in South America.

In 1904 the firm moved to its present site at Whitehall, and developed some new lines in goods hoists, water pumps and electric transporters. Then came the war and normal production virtually ceased, because the company became a munitions factory, making shells and gun parts. Girls were taken on for the first time ever, and great care was taken to stagger their shifts with the men's, so that the two sexes never met.

Early in 1920, E.S. and A. Robinson acquired the whole business, and Strachan followed Henshaw into retirement. The new owners stimulated research into more sophisticated colour-printing paper-bag machines, and, just before the Second World War, the firm had great hopes of selling in Russia - they had even printed a catalogue in Russian (by the Thirties, their catalogues were always tri-lingual) - but the Russians never saw them. Other memories of the Thirties include a spirited black horse which pulled the delivery cart, men working by the light of naked gas flames, and a ship's bell that signalled breaks, met with cries of "Smoko!".

But in 1940, once again, the firm went over to war work, which included the development of equipment for field survey units, gun carriages, and launching rigs; they made submarine-detecting apparatus and torpedo parts, fuse machines, anti-aircraft shells, and trench mortar bombs. During the war the firm also made a giant railway-truck tipper, 120 feet tall and so large that neighbours living in Whitehall feared that enemy pilots would use it as a target. The firm had to charter a plane to fly over and take aerial photographs to make sure it was invisible.

Girls had not been allowed to work in the plant between the wars, but they came back again in 1940, and even worked night shifts - once again staggered for propriety's sake! In 1958, the old Central Engineering Works in Lewin's Mead was closed after 68 years; in 1968 came the Queen's Award for Industry, and in 1979 the firm celebrated its centenary with a big day out at Dodington, with a bumper garden party, bands and a centenary mug.

Thrissell Street Chapel (Easton) :-

Original query from Helen, Australia :-

I am trying to find a little more information about my mother's days growing up in Bristol. I can find no reference to the "Thrissel Street Chapel" ( I have her hymn book from 1929) and is it possible to access records from the Hannah More Girls School that I believe she attended, possibly around the same time.

My Reply :-

Although Helen used Thrissel I think the correct spelling is Thrissell, which is in Easton. According to Pigot's Directory for 1830 there was a Thrissel Street, a couple of maltsters named Richard Hooper and Richard Norris lived there in that year. The Living Easton site says that Thrissell Street was named after Edward Thrissell a 19th century rope-maker and that between 1826 and 1846, 70 houses built were built there. Dr. W. G. Grace, M.R.C.S., L.R.C., the famous cricketer had his surgery in Thrissell Lodge. Later he and his wife, Agnes, moved next door to Thrissell House, where they remained until around 1896. These were demolished sometime after 1972 and Easton Leisure Centre built there around 1990. Paul Taylor's site say's that the Creese family also lived in Thrissell Street in the 1890's. Bristol's Lost Pubs says that the Neptune there was in 1847, run by W. Baker and in 1848/49 by William Pearce. Some of the inhabitants of Thrissell Street in 1851 are given in the WESSEX-PLUS-L Archives.

The ChurchCrawler site says that the Baptist church was designed by Henry Crisp in 1854. It has long since been demolished, and now even the exact site is uncertain, but is again thought to be where the Leisure Centre is now. According to John Silas Merritt's "A Complete History of Old King Street Baptist Church, Bristol" the Baptist Itinerant Society was formed in 1824 under Mr. Thomas Robert's immediate auspices, along with "the assistance of the energy and zeal of the churches at Broadmead, Counterslip, and Thrissell Street."

There are many sites that mention Hannah More and her school. The first was opened in 1758 at 6 Trinity Street, College Green but many others followed.

Troopers Hill

Original query from Susan :-

Susan is a member of the Friends of Troopers Hill and is looking for more information on the area. You really should look at their website, it's a marvellous piece of work.

My Reply :-

Given the importance the area played in Bristol's industrial history I'm surprised that I can find so little about the area. What little I did manage to find I've put on my Troopers Hill page. One site I did find in my searches was entitled "A History of Tar Distillation at Crews Hole, Bristol"

Vine House, Bedminster :-

Original query from B Tadghighi :-

Does anyone know the history of Vine House, Clifton Street, Bedminster?

Wards of Bristol

Original query from Valerie :-

Valerie is researching her family tree and emailed me that "My great great grand father was Arthur Hawkins Ward who was Warden of St Raphael's College from 1889 and Vicar from 1893-97. The Library at Clifton had a fair bit of information on him. He founded The Sisters of Charity and died at The Warden's Lodge, Knowle on the 23rd of October 1908. He was buried at the Arno's Vale Cemetery and I have a photograph of his grave.

However, I believe he was buried along with his mother Maria Gertrude Ward who died around 1881 (she appears in the 1881 census - aged 85) but no mention is made on the photograph of the gravestone I have. Neither am I able to trace the date of her death and wondered if there would be any mention in the cemetery records and how I go about obtaining this."

Valerie would also be very interested in contacting any DEVIS or MARTIN from Bristol. Agnes Margaret Ward married Harry Francois Devis in Bristol in 1892 and had several children. One daughter Margaret Mary Devis married Owen Sidney Martin in 1919 and had a son Arthur. The other Arthur Devis married Hilda Victoria Larking in Fulham in 1922 and two of their children were Anthony F Devis (1924) and Geoffrey N Devis (1925)

Reply from Barb :-

Barb writes that Maria Gertrude Ward's tombstone is beside that of her son in Arno's Vale Cemetery. She was born 7th December 1795, and died 8th September 1886. There is also a Mary Emily Irene Ward born 28th November 1864, died 2nd February 1938.

Barb Drummond is the author of "The New Eden" - the first book about Arno's Vale Cemetery.

Barb has informed me that the cemetery records are in various places. Books of remembrance are at the Evening Post offices. The records of burials are still thought to be at the cemetery and some other records are at the Record Office which is still in dispute with the owner of Arno's Vale.

"Wassfink of ee den, wass fink of ee" :-

Original query from Eric :-

Eric remembers a song from the 1950's called "Wassfink of ee den, wass fink of ee". The nearest I can think of is "Don't Tell I, Tell 'e" by Adge Cutler and the Wurzels, but this wasn't released until 1968.

Reply from Zider Ed :-

Zider Ed writes the website Scrumpy and Western , everything you needed to know about West Country musicians. He writes, "I've also been trying to find out about this song. I heard Adge Cutler mention it and I've been trying to find out more info ever since, without success. Adge mentioned 3 songs "Wassfink Of 'Ee, Den", "Thee Bissn't Gonna Get'n Out Of I" and "Thee's Better Keep Thee Eye On 'Ee". As you can tell from the titles, they be all in Bristle. I believe they were written and sung by a bloke called Len "Uke" Thomas - I assume from his nickname that he used to play the ukulele, but I haven't been able to find out anything about him. I guess he would have been around in the 50s or 60s but no idea when exactly. I asked Fred Wedlock and he knew the name but wasn't able to throw any light on it. It'd be good to find out if anyone has the words and/or music for the songs, or if Len ever recorded any of 'em. Another possible clue (but it could be a red herring) is that Adge wrote the song "Ferry To Glastonbury" with a bloke called Colin Thomas. Could he be connected with Len "Uke" Thomas."

I've added a short piece about Len "Uke" Thomas on the Virtute et Industrial page.

Water Street, St. Paul's

Original query from Terry :-

My grandmother, Lilian Sandle, was born at No 3 Water Street, St. Paul's, Bristol, in 1892. Her parents were Joseph Sandle, a 'sewn boot maker', and Priscilla Sandle, formerly Malpas. (details are from Lilian's birth certificate) The 1901 census returns a list of addresses for Water Street, but no No 3! Numbers run from 8c to 40 with a few numbers missing. I assume the street must have been gradually redeveloped over a few years. Can you shed any light on what happened to Water Street, where it was located and what is there now?

Reply from Carole :-

Carole writes, "There are two Lily/ Lilly Sandle's in the 1901 census. Lilly is 9 and parents were Joseph and Elizabeth. Lily is 12 and her parents were Charles and Clara."

If anyone has any information on the Sandle's or Water Street we'd be grateful if you could contact me at brisray@yahoo.co.uk or you can contact Terry directly at terry4911@tiscali.co.uk

James Wheeler

Original query from Glenys :-

Glenys is looking for information about her grandfather, James Wheeler, born around 1844. He was a glassblower and is said to have worked in a glass bottle factory. As his wife was an Irish lady, Glenys wonders if he was also Irish and brought over to work in Bristol. He and 5 others were later sent up North to help set up another factory. By 1868 he was back in Bristol, in Brickyard, where his family were born. His son also a glassblower moved approx. 1895 to Newport, South Wales he worked in the bottle factory.

Does any one know about the factory in Bristol? A list of the workers ? Addresses etc..?

Whitehall, Vine Cottage and the Old Georgians :-

Original query from Nikki :-

My father is looking for old photographs, documents or maps relating to the area of Whitehall. (A small area among Easton, Redfield and St. George.) Any information regarding a 'Vine Cottage' and possible other buildings in the area (like the history of the Old Georgians) would also be appreciated. If anyone can help, it would be of great interest to my father.

Additional query from Becky :-

My husband and I own the Kings Head public house on Whitehall Road and we have been trying to find out the history of the pub and the surrounding area. We have been told that the pub was once three cottages but can find no record of this. We have spent weeks on the internet and looking through records but can't seem to find anything at all. Apparently there were coal mines just up the road and The Old Georgians and the Packers field at the side of us are really well known. It would be wonderful to hear from someone who can throw some light on this and if anyone has any old photographs we would love to see them.

Bert Williams and the Norman Family :-

Original query from Carol, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada :-

I'm hoping that someone may have some information on the photography studio, Bert Williams in Old Market. I have a photo from WW1 of my great and great grandfather, both William Norman and from Bristol. I think Bert Williams was related to my Norman family. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Reply from Ray :-

From Victorian and Edwardian Photographs, it seems as if Bert opened his photographic studio in 1916 at 7 Old Market Street. The last entry in the directories was in 1921.

Carol has been looking on other sites for this information, you can find more on the Beehive site

If anyone has any information on Bert Williams or the Norman family we'd be grateful if you could contact me at brisray@yahoo.co.uk or you can contact Carol directly at carol.a@quickclic.net

Edwin James Wiltshire  :-

Original query from Geoff :-

Geoff is looking for information about his Great Great Grandfather. Edwin James Wiltshire was born in Fishponds in 1864, and became a mason and Master builder. He worked on various building projects around Bristol including the Kingswood Clock Tower and Two Mile Hill school.

He owned his own haulage company later in life and did very well out of this. It had some connection to Stevens coaches on Soundwell road. Wiltshire Place, a small street in Soundwell was named after him, there has also been talk that he owned the lot!

He died on 8th February 1929 but there is no record of his burial place but he may have been buried at Two Mile Hill church (St Michaels).

As a side note Geoff mentions that his Great Grandfather, when he was young, used to play cricket with W.G. Grace in Downend.

Edwin James Wiltshire is the older man in front of this group

If anyone has any information on Edwin James Wiltshire we'd be grateful if you could contact me at brisray@yahoo.co.uk If you prefer to email Geoff directly, his email address is geoffwiltshire@hotmail.com

Wine Street  :-

Original query from Heather :-

Heather writes, "I am undertaking some research about Poets from Bristol. I wonder if anyone can point me in the direction of maybe maps or photos that show the exact spot at which 9 Wine Street was situated, and in the same street, the pub called "The Plume of Feathers".

Reply from Ray :-

9 Wine Street was the birthplace of Robert Southey. The building no longer exists as it was either bombed during WWII or demolished shortly after during the rebuilding of the area. The site is now marked by a plaque on the building that stands on the spot. There is an image of it on the About Bristol site.

As for the Plume of Feathers, I've no idea where this was. There is some information about the place on the Bristol's Lost Pubs site.

Withywood :-

Original query from Amanda :-

Amanda would like to know some of the history of Withywood, especially in the monastery that used to be in the Withywood school area. Amanda would also like to know about any WWI bombing attacks on Bristol.

Yeamans or Yeomans:

Original query from Arch :-

Arch is doing some family history research and is looking for information on Robert Yeamans, John Yeamans and also that of Edmund Yeamans or Yeomans.

Reply from Ray :-

Everything I know about the Yeamans now appears on the page I wrote because of Arch's query.

This page created 28th December 2004, last modified 25th April 2008