2 tone straight sided designed without handle.
Potter: Price / 11 / Bristol
Link to the Brewery History Society wiki page which includes a good image.
Thomas Baynton was born in Kilmersdon, Somerset (just South of Radstock) in about 1790, baptised at Holcombe, Somerset on 19 Dec. 1790, son of John Baynton of Whatley and Lydia Ashman of Kilmersdon. Thomas had a sister Lydia (1788-1845) and brothers James (1793-1870), John (1796-1829), William (1799-1858), Charles (1801-1894), Isaac (1803-1853) and Doctor Henry Ashman (1808-1823 actually baptised "Doctor", believe died age 14 in London).
On 16 Nov. 1824, John Baynton of Bristol, Thomas's brother, married Betsy Bennett, by license, in Codford St. Mary, Wilts. They had a daughter Martha Ann, born 1826, baptised on 20 May 1828, and a son William John, born 1829, baptised 16 August 1829, both at Codford St. Peter. Unfortunately John Baynton already died in Bedminster in 1829, age just 34, and was buried in Bedminster St. John on 9 May 1829. Thomas went on to marry his brother's widow Betsy Baynton at Dundry on 20 Sept. 1830. Thomas and Betsy had two sons baptised at Bedminster St. John on 10 July 1834, Thomas born 1831 and George born 1833. A daughter Lydia Ashman Baynton was born 6 March 1835 bapt. at St. John's on 10 Feb. 1841, and Jane Ashman Baynton, born 1838 but died age 2 on 23 January 1841, buried at St. John's on 28th Jan. It seems Lydia's baptism was prompted by the death of her infant sister. In 1841 Betsy's daughter Martha and son William are still living with the family at the brewery.
From the Bristol Mirror - Saturday 08 November 1828 page 3: (Discharge of insolvent debtor) "Thomas Swift was opposed by Messrs. Thomas, Charles, and Isaac Baynton. In April, 1827, the insolvent became an innkeeper in Limekiln-Lane; cost him 140l. to go into the house; he had no properly at the time, but he was entitled, under his father’s will, to the reversion of a freehold house on the Quay; his mother was in possession of that and other houses left her by his father for her life; his mother had borrowed some money on them from Mr. Castle, the distiller, who had the writings, which were deposited as a security for the money; the insolvent had nothing to do with the money, and never had possession of the deeds; he applied Mr. Castle, to lend him 140l., when he took the house; Mr. Castle agreed to do so, on Messrs. Baynton joining the insolvent in bills for the amount, payable by instalments; the insolvent paid 85l. of the money, out of the profits his of his business, and the remainder bad been paid Mr. Baynton; the insolvent had told Mr. Baynton that he could get the 140l., if he would join him in a bill; he said he would, and that was all that passed. The Commissioner asked, what was the nature of the opposition? Mr. Baynton said, the insolvent had represented that he was entitled to a house, and promised to bring him the deeds. On the Commissioner observing, “that was true,” Mr. Baynton said, “no; the insolvent had not the deeds, and could not have brought them.” The Commissioner said, “if Mr. Baynton had used ordinary caution, would have declined joining in the security, until he had received the deeds.” Mr. Baynton then proposed to withdraw the opposition; and the Commissioner remarked, that he should certainly have said that there was no imputation against the insolvent. He was ordered be discharged on giving the possession of the house, now in the occupation of his family, to the purchaser, Mr. Jones."
Coronation Road was built in 1821, its completion marking the coronation visit of William IV. On 10 April 1827 Thomas's brother Isaac Baynton, age 24, of Stroud Buildings, Coronation Road, Bedminster, married Ann Hanks of Westport St. Mary, Wilts. Ann died sadly on 26 June that same year age 21, having been married only 11 weeks, she was buried at St. John's on 2 July. According to the Bristol Mirror - Saturday 26 July 1828 page 3: "TO BE LET, and entered upon immediately, A Convenient DWELLING HOUSE, with Coach-House and Stable adjoining, situate and being No. 14, Wellington Place, near Stoke’s Croft. Also a handsome and convenient DWELLING HOUSE, situate on the Coronation Road, now in the occupation of Mr. Baynton, Maltster, and may be entered upon the 29th of September next. For Particulars, inquire of Mr. R. G. Zincraft, Spirit Merchant, Peter-Street, or at No. 17, Stoke’s Croft." Isaac moved to London after the death of his wife, where three Baynton brothers, William, Isaac and Charles, had a "Wiltshire Ale" Brewery at Belvedere Place, Bridge Road, Southwark (Robson's London Directory, 1835). Charles was already resident in London although he also had interests in a brewery at St. James Parade, Kingsdown, in 1836 (Nine Tree Hill end of Kingsdown Parade).
From The Gazette, 12 Feb. 1830 p.324: NOTICE is hereby given, that the Partnership lately subsisting between the undersigned, Thomas Baynton, Charles Baynton, and Isaac Baynton, as Common-Brewers and Maltsters, at Bedminster, in the County of Somerset, was on the 12th day of November last dissolved by mutual consent, as far as regards the said Isaac Baynton; and the public are hereby informed, that the business of Common-Brewers and Maltsters will be carried on from that, time under the firm of Thomas and Charles Baynton.—Dated the 6th day of February 1830.
From The Gazette, 3 Apr. 1832 p.748: NOTICE is hereby given, that the Partnership heretofore subisting between us the undersigned, Thomas Baynton and Charles Baynton, carrying on the business of Maltsters and Brewers, at the Parish of Bedminster, in the County of Somerset, is this day dissolved by mutual consent.— All debts due to and from the said Co-partnership are to be received and paid by the said Thomas Baynton, by whom the trade will in future be carried on.— Dated this 28th day of March 1832.
So it appears that it was from March 1832 that Thomas was on his own, and left to develop the brewery at the junction of Coronation Road and North Street within the Ashton Gate Turnpike. By 1832, according to the Bristol Poll books, Thomas was occupier of a House and Brewery near Ashton Turnpike.
On 4 May 1853 Thomas's remaining daughter Lydia married at Trinity Church, Bath, to Edwin Knight, of the Ashton Vale Colliery.
From the Bristol Mercury - Saturday 9 August 1856 page 8: Sudden Death.—On Saturday last as a man named Samuel Thorn, who has been for fifteen years the employ of Mr. Baynton, of the Ashton-gate Brewery, was getting a cask of beer into a beerhouse at Portishead-hill, he suddenly fell down and shortly afterwards expired. The deceased, who was forty-five years of age, was much respected by his employer, and has left a widow and seven children totally unprovided for. An inquest has since been held on the body and a verdict of "Died by the visitation of God" returned.
Thomas's death occurred on 11 May 1865 at Ashton Gate, aged 74. The sale of the properties followed:
BEDMINSTER,
BRISTOL.
VALUABLE FREEHOLD BREWERY, MALTHOUSES, PROPRIETOR'S DWELLING -HOUSE, with
extensive Garden, a PUBLIC-HOUSE, 34 DWELLING-HOUSES, and other Premises
adjoining.
MESSRS. SIDNEY SPROD & SON
will SELL by AUCTION (by direction of the Trustees of the Will of Mr.
Thomas Baynton, deceased), at the HOPE and ANCHOR INN, REDCLIFF-HILL,
Bristol. on TUESDAY, 8th August, 1865, at Five for Six o'clock in the
Evening, The ASHTON-GATE BREWERY, The RISING SUN PUBLIC-HOUSE, and The
DWELLING-HOUSES known as Baynton's-buildings, Situate respectively
near the Ashton Turnpike-road leading from Bedminster to Ashton.
Lot 1. The ASHTON-GATE BREWERY, consisting of Malthouses, Brewhouse,
Wheelhouse, Workshops, Storehouses, Counting-house, Stables, Cart and Gig
Houses, Sheds, Yards, Pond, Proprietor's Dwelling-house, with extensive
Garden, and Labourer's Cottage and Garden.
The Premises comprised in this Lot are all contiguous, and form a most
complete Property, where the late Proprietor many years since established
the Brewery, and continuously until his death successfully carried on the
Business of Brewer.
The Dwelling-house is replete with every convenience, the Garden stocked
with choice Fruit Trees in full bearing and there is a never-failing Well
of Spring Water on the Property.
N.B. The Goodwill of the Brewery will pass with this Lot.
Lots 2 to 18, will comprise the 34 DWELLING-HOUSES and other Premises
known as Baynton's Buildings.
Lot 19. The full-licensed and Old-established Road-side PUBLIC-HOUSE,
known as The Rising Sun, with the extensive Stables, Cart-house,
Sheds, Blacksmith's Shop, Covered Skittle Alley, and large Yard thereto
respectively belonging, adjoining Baynton's Buildings aforesaid, and in
the occupation of Mr. Pincott, at the very low yearly rent of £30. This
Lot comprises the first licensed Public-bouse in the city on the West of
England Turnpike Road, is very compact, and admirably adapted for an
extensive and economical business. There is an excellent well of spring
water on the premises.
All the above Properties are free from land tax, and are respectably
tenanted at low rents; and from their excellent situation, and contiguity
to the Ashton Vale Colliery and Iron Works, and other works and
manufactories, will doubtless continue to be fully occupied, and afford a
safe investment for capitalists. The Minerals under all the Lots will be
reserved.
For an Inspection of the Premises, apply to Mr. GEORGE WOOLF, Ashton Gate
Brewery; and for Plans and further particulars, to Mr. PHIPPEN, or Mr. H.
A. SALMON, Solicitors, the Guildhall, Bristol.
From the Western Daily Press -
Saturday 21 October 1865 page 1: "THE ASHTON GATE BREWERY COMPANY
(LIMITED).— INCORPORATED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF "THE COMPANIES' Act,
1862," on the 16th Day of October, 1865.— 'CAPITAL—£30,000, IN 1,500
SHARES OF EACH. FIRST ISSUE OF SHARES,— £1 per Share to be Paid on
Application, on Allotment, and on the 10th December next.
Further calls not to exceed £5 per Share, nor be made at less than three
months' interval between each call. It is not in contemplation to call up
more than £10 per Share.
Directors: EDWIN KNIGHT, Esq., Managing Director of the Ashton
Vale Iron Company (Limited). HENRY HARDWICK, Esq., The Grange,
Hewish, Congresbury, Somerset. J. R, BRAMBLE, Esq., Rhodyate House,
Congresbury. T. W. (Thomas Wall) HARDWICK, Esq.,
Lower Court, Long Ashton, Somerset. (With power to add to their number.)
Manager : Mr HUGH DEANE.
Bankers : Messrs. BAILLIE, CAVE, BAILLIE, EDWARDS, and CO., Bristol.
Solicitor and Secretary : W. R. RICHARDSON, St. Leonard's Chambers, 5,
Nicholas Street, Bristol.
Brokers : The MEMBERS the BRISTOL STOCK EXCHANGE.
Offices 5, NICHOLAS STREET, BRISTOL.
PROSPECTUS. Company has been incorporated for the purpose of Purchasing,
Working, and Managing the Brewery and Premises carried on by the late Mr
Thomas Baynton, at the Ashton Gate Brewery, Bedminster. This
old-established concern was carried on with great success by the late
Proprietor for upwards of 40 years previous to his decease, and it comes
into the possession the Company with all the advantages of a
well-established name and connection.
The Directors have already secured the Brewery and Goodwill, with the
Stock-in-Trade, Fixtures, &c, on very reasonable and satisfactory
terms. To retain the established connection, and ensure lucrative and
profitable business, the Directors also propose to purchase such Inns and
Public-houses of the late Mr. Baynton, and such other Inns, Public-houses,
and Property as they may from time to time deem necessary or desirable for
the extension and enlargement the Business of the Company. It must be
obvious that by these means a brisk and profitable Trade will at once be
established ; and, in addition to the large profits they confidently
expect to derive from their present and prospective but certain
connection, the Directors anticipate that the Property they will thus
acquire will alone pay a considerable Dividend.
Considering it desirable to retain the services of a person practically
acquainted with the Business purchased, the Directors have, on very
reasonable terms, engaged the experienced Brewer who for many years so
successfully managed the concern under the late Mr. Baynton. They have
also entered into an arrangement with a Gentleman of great experience and
ability to superintend and conduct the Business, under their direction and
supervision.
To save unnecessary expense, the Directors do not at present contemplate
adding to or altering the Premises in which the Business has been carried
on. It anticipated that £500 or £600 will place the Buildings in repair,
and cover the expenses of the erection of a new Engine. As the increase of
business renders it absolutely necessary the Premises will be gradually
and proportionately enlarged, but will not be done until such time as the
increasing business the Company absolutely demands more space.
Considering it undesirable raise any larger Capital than they at present
absolutely require, the directors have determined to make a first issue
800 Shares only, of which the greater number are already taken up.
As the Business taken to by the Company consists of an old,
well-established, and lucrative concern, the Directors
confidently anticipate a profit of £15 or £20 per cent, upon the paid-up
capital of the Company. No promotion money will be paid to any person or
persons connected with the undertaking. The purposes and objects for which
the Company has been incorporated are more fully set out the memorandum
and articles of association, copies which can be inspected at the offices
the Solicitor, who is instructed to give to intending investors every
information they may require..."
From 1872-1881, Thomas Wall Hardwick was a partner in the Lodway Brewery at Easton in Gordano.
By 1868 Hardwick & Co. also had stores
in Taunton, Carhampton and Dunster. In 1869 samples of ales were analysed
by Bristol School of Chemistry: "Bristol School of Chemistry, March 4,
1869. Messrs Hardwick and Co Limited, Ashton Gate Brewery, Gentlemen.—At
your request I have carefully analysed the samples of your "A. G." and
Bitter beers, which I selected randomly from your stock. I find them to be
sound, carefully brewed Beers, of good flavour and free from all
adulterants.
The "A. G." has considerable strength and body in proportion to its
moderate price, containing, as it does, nearly halt-a-pound of nutritive
saccharine extract to the gallon and 6½ per cent. of alcohol. The "Bitter"
is highly charged with the tonic aromatic principle of the Hop, and is
perfectly free from strychnia or other Chemical Bitter.
I was much pleased with the airy and cleanly appearance of your Brewery,
which is fitted with the most modern arrangements.
Its situation in a fine open country is far preferable to one exposed to
the noxious atmosphere of a crowded city."
By 1883 the company name reverted back to the Ashton Brewery Co. Ltd. The beer became "Sunrise Brand" likely from the Rising Sun pub which was part of the premises.
Herbert Rhys Harvey was born in Taunton, Somerset early in 1849, baptised in Dunster 22 Aug. 1850, son of accountant and later school mistress Sarah Elizabeth Harvey and mariner Robert Rogers Harvey. Herbert learned accountancy from his mother quite early. In the mid 1860s he moved to Bedminster with his mother and brother John, his father Robert having become a Captain in the Merchant Service, and was away a lot. At the formation of the Ashton Gate Brewery Company Limited in 1865 Herbert found employment as Accountant and Secretary at the new company. Herbert married his first wife Margaret Ann Young in Rosemarkie, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland, on 9 June 1875 and the couple produced seven children before Margaret died on 20 Oct 1904. Herbert married again to Marie Violet Pressick at Christchurch, Weston-super-Mare on 30 April 1910, two more sons resulted from this marriage. By the time Herbert died, at 7 Priory road Clifton, on 26 July 1925, he had become Managing Director of the brewery.
In the years after Herbert's death brewery
sales declined and eventually, in 1931, the brewery was absorbed by
Bristol Brewery Georges & Co. Ltd.
| Half Gallon Stoneware Flagon | |
| Printed:
ASHTON GATE BREWERY Co LD / Wine Merchants (in gothic script) /
BRISTOL. 2 tone straight sided designed without handle. Potter: Price / 11 / Bristol |
| 2 Gallon Stoneware Flagon |  |
| Impressed:
2 / ASHTON GATE BREWERY Co Limd / WINE MERCHANTS / BRISTOL.
2 tone straight sided. Potter: Price / Cx / Bristol |
| One Pint Beer Bottle |  |
| Embossed:
IMPERIAL (on shoulder) / ASHTON GATE BREWERY CO LD / BRISTOL
(in circle). . Glassworks: Unmarked - cork stoppered. Dark olive green glass. |
| Half Pint Beer Bottle |  |
| Embossed:
ASHTON GATE BREWERY CO LD / BRISTOL (in circle). . Glassworks: Unmarked - internal screw stoppered. Dark olive green glass. |
| Half Pint Beer Bottle |   |
| Embossed:
ASHTON GATE / (rising sun image) / SUNRISE BRAND / BREWERY / CO LD
/ BRISTOL . Glassworks: U. K. G. / H. - internal screw stoppered. Dark apple green glass. Fully machine made, mould seam through lip. |
| 2 Pint Beer Bottle |  |
| Embossed:
ASHTON GATE / (rising sun image) / SUNRISE BRAND / BREWERY / CO LD
/ BRISTOL Glassworks: Powell & Ricketts, Bristol (P & R, B) - internal screw stoppered. Dark olive green glass. straight sided lip. |
| 2 Pint Beer Bottle |  |
| Embossed:
ASHTON GATE / (rising sun image) / SUNRISE BRAND / BREWERY / CO LD
/ BRISTOL Glassworks: Powell & Ricketts, Bristol (P & R, B) - internal screw stoppered. Aqua glass. Photo at Wilts. & Glos. club meet. |
| 1 Pint Beer Bottle |  |
| Embossed:
ASHTON GATE / (rising sun image) / SUNRISE BRAND / BREWERY / CO LD
/ BRISTOL Glassworks: Powell & Ricketts, Bristol (P & R, B) - internal screw stoppered. Dark olive green glass. Classic Powell & Ricketts style pint beer. |
| Half Pint Beer Bottle |  |
| Embossed:
THIS BOTTLE IS THE PROPERTY OF (in arch) / (rising sun image) /
SUNRISE BRAND / THE / ASHTON GATE / BREWERY CO LD / BRISTOL Glassworks: Powell & Ricketts, Bristol (P & R, B) - internal screw stoppered. Dark olive green glass. Straight sided lip. |
| Half Pint Beer Bottle |  |
| Embossed:
THIS BOTTLE IS THE PROPERTY OF (in arch) / (rising sun image) /
SUNRISE BRAND / THE / ASHTON GATE / BREWERY CO LD / BRISTOL Glassworks: Powell & Ricketts, Bristol (P & R, B) - internal screw stoppered. Dark olive green glass. Classic Powell & Ricketts style half pint beer. |