Bristol Directories

[baytree1970]

I'm looking for entries in trade directories for the years 1806-1814 for Thomas Wright, cabinet maker, who was apparently listed in Milk St in 1806-1809, then in Bath Street in 1813 and 1814.

I believe Mathew's Bristol Directory ran annually from 1805, so maybe that's where it's from?

If anyone can help I'd be grateful. Thanks.

[AlanBoyd]

Saturday 12 August 1815: Bristol Mirror

TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION
At the Cabinet Warehouse of Mr. T. WRIGHT, No. 19, Milk-Street, Bristol, on Wednesday, the 23rd of August, 1815, (unless in the mean time disposed of by private contract, of which due notice will be given,)

Lot 1 – A piece of GARDEN GROUND containing in breadth about 35 feet, and in depth 220 feet.

Lot 2. – Another Piece of GARDEN GROUND, containing about the same breadth and depth.

The Premises are freehold, and very eligible for building on, being pleasantly situated at Rennison's Bath, near the Magdalen, in the out-parish of St. Paul, in the county of Gloucester; are free from ground rent, and the land-tax hath been redeemed. – There is a large quantity of stones, and a well of spring water on lot 2.

Lot 3. – A LEASE of Workshops, several Rooms, and a Yard, No. 102, Temple-Street, Bristol.
These Premises are held for the remainder of a Term of 6 years certain, and afterwards for a Term of 30 years determinable on the deaths of two lives.

Also, to be Sold on the same Day, and at the same Place,
Part of the CABINET STOCK in TRADE of the said THOMAS WRIGHT, consisting of mahogany tables, drawers, brass-nailed chairs, bedsteads 1000 feet of prime Honduras and Spanish veneers, quantities of plank and board, dry seasoned beech, rose wood, &c. &c.

N. B. The Sale of the Stock will begin at 11 o'clock in the forenoon, and of the Ground and Lease at 2 o'clock in the alternoon.

>>For a view of the Premises, apply to Mr. WRIGHT; and to treat by private contract fur the Ground and Lease, apply either to him, or Mr. HENRY DAVIS, Solicitor, Bristol.

[baytree1970]

Thanks Alan. Just need the lookups from the Trade Directories now to cross reference with this advert.

 

[AlanBoyd]

I can only find Matthews's New History of Bristol or Complete Guide and Bristol Directory for the Year 1793-4, which is obviously a little early, but it does list these, perhaps relatives?:

William Wright, cabinet-maker, Glocester-lane
Henry Wright, cabinet-maker, 10, Bath Street

[KGarrad]

University of Leicester, Special Collections is the usual "Go to" place for historical directories.
https://specialcollections.le.ac.uk/digital/collection/p16445coll4

However, for Gloucestershire, the earliest directory is 1840s

[MollyC]

The size of the Garden Grounds is interesting.  The width looks like 2 poles or perches, nominally
16 1/2 feet, but with wide regional variations.  The length is 1/3 of a furlong, part of a nominal open field strip.

Many places were previously believed to be "planned" towns or villages, but recent thinking is they were laid out on existing strips in different ownerships.  Therefore they were accidentally planned by the strips originally laid out in late Anglo-Saxon times.

[ShaunJ]

For context:

https://bifmo.furniturehistorysociety.org/entry/wright-thomas-1806-17

[AlanBoyd]

For context:

https://bifmo.furniturehistorysociety.org/entry/wright-thomas-1806-17

That's a useful resource!

Based on the information there, it seems that Thomas Wright is known to have been at 18 Milk Street 1806-1809, then took over from Henry Wright at 10 Bath Street, then returned to 19 Milk Street around 1816.

I'm ot sure where the selling up by T Wright at 19 Milk Street in 1815 fits in with that chronology.

[ShaunJ]

I'm ot sure where the selling up by T Wright at 19 Milk Street in 1815 fits in with that chronology.

There was always a bit of a time lag in published directories. The information may have been gathered a year or more earlier.