Arthur Audcent was a native of France, born on 2nd June 1838 in Bordeaux, full name Louis Arthur Henri Felix Audcent, he appeared in Bristol around 1867, on 23rd June 1874 he married Mademoiselle Hélène Marie Blanche Pinot de Moira, second daughter of Count Henri Pinot de Moira, then of Taunton, at St. George's Catholic Church, Taunton, by the Very Rev. Canon Mitchell.
    Arthur had a case of wine arrive aboard the Perthshire Lassie from Bordeaux on 29th Jan. 1869 and a further 2 cases the following May aboard the Calypso. By the following year his imports has increased dramatically, one shipping contained 1 head, 2 casks and 36 cases of wine. During this period Arthur was a Professor of French and Spanish at Prior Park College, Bath and was also offering private lessons in Bath in 1871. His new shop at "Maison Francaise", 45 Baldwin Street, opened on Thursday, 1st May 1873 as Specialite en Cognacs, selling brandy in French Bottles, Imperial Quarts, and Gallons, and very old brandy at 6/- and 19/- a bottle. "Monsieur A. Audcent is in partnership with producers of brandy, and can therefore supply the very best qualities at the lowest possible prices". It seems that in order to maintain this quality Arthur was frequently importing cases of samples.
    Son Louis Felix Henri Audcent was born at Chambord Cottage in Keynsham on 7th June 1875. Daughter Hélène Marie Louise Audcent was born at Keynsham on 2nd January 1877. Daughter Pauline Maria Margarita Audcent was born at their home, Berkeley Villa, St. Andrews, Bristol, on 11th June 1878.
    Unfortunately Arthur's success was short-lived. His wife, Hélène Marie Blanche died at Berkeley Villa on 14th June 1879 aged just 27. At some point shortly afterwards Arthur received head injuries from a railway accident. On 22nd Feb. 1881 Arthur was admitted as a private patient at the Bristol Lunatic Asylum, Stapleton. He died there on 20th March that same year, at the time, his home was 12 Ruysdael Place, Triangle South, Clifton and the newspapers announced he had died there and it is possible he died at home. The children were raised by their aunts and grandparents. More information can be found on the family website here Biography: Louis 'Arthur' Henri Felix AUDCENT (1838-1881) which includes a photo.