Goss & Ditchett, Knill family, Land View Brewery (and Pack Horse), Lawrence Hill.
Knill & Peachey, Knill & Auty, P. R. Auty & Co.
Lion Brewery and Mineral Water Manufacturer, Redfield, Bristol.


LAND VIEW BREWERY

James Knill was born in 1793 in Braunton, Devon, baptised 10 February, son of James Knill and wife Margaret. A James Knill married Martha Parsons at Temple church, Bristol on 7 April 1823, not sure if this is our James Knill..

From the Bristol Mirror - Saturday 13 August 1825 page 2: "FREE PUBLIC-HOUSE. To be let with Immediate Possession, that well-accustomed PUBLIC-HOUSE, the PACK HORSE, Lawrence Hill; with Good Brewbouse, Arched Cellars, Stable, Yard, Pigsties, Garden, &c. The present proprietor going to reside in another part of the country. N.B. These Premises are exempt from City Taxes.For Particulars, apply on the premises, or to Mr Brinkworth, appraiser, Oldland Hall, near Hanham."

William Knill—James and Jane Knill's son William was born in Bristol in 1829, likely at the Jolly Skinners beer house, Wade Street, he was baptised at St. Philip & Jacob on 4 October.

From the London Gazette - 21 October 1836 page 1848: "NOTICE is hereby given; that the Partnership heretofore subsisting between us the undersigned, Thomas Luscombe Goss and Tipton Brain Ditchett, of Lawrence-Hill, in the Borough and County of the City of Bristol, Maltsters, Brewers, Hop-Dealers, Retail Venders of Beer, and Dealers in British and Foreign Spirits, was this day dissolved by mutual consent: As witness our hands this 20th day of October 1836..Thomas Luscombe Goss. Tipton Brain Ditchett."

Tipton Braine Ditchett was born in Bristol about 1811, son of tobacconist Samuel Ditchett, he was apprenticed to ironmonger John Robertson on 3 October 1826. He married Fanny Ness at Aldridge, Staffordshire, on 13 June 1841, in the 1841 census he is listed as a book keeper in Wolverhampton. By 1851 he is a clerk to a Hop Merchant in Deptford St. Paul, Kent. He died in 1858, buried at St. Giles, Camberwell, Surrey on 1 January 1859, he was living at Croom's Hill Grove, Greenwich, at the time. There is an interesting case where a Tipton Ditchett makes a statement at the Old Bailey regarding the theft of some hops: Theft of hops case.

Thomas Luscombe Goss, maltster, brewer and widower, was born about 1792 in Totnes, Devon, baptised 30 September, son of John and Sarah Goss. In 1832 he was living at Cave Street, St. Paul's, Bristol. Thomas was licensee of the Pack-horse, Lawrence Hill, from around 1834-1837,  He had married Phillippa Langman of Launceston, Cornwall, at St. Philip & Jacob on 26 November 1835, Tipton Brain Ditchett was a witness. Thomas's former wife Harriet had died in 1834 age 26, and was buried at Holy Trinity, St. Philip's on 29 October 1834. Thomas had married Harriet, second daughter of Mr. Webb of the Seven Stars hotel, Totnes, Devon, at Totnes on Weds. 3 November 1830. A Thomas Luscombe Goss, who must be a relative, aged about 30, was transported to Tasmania for 10 years for larceny from a drapers in 1846. Our Thomas became Master of the New Windsor Workhouse, S.W. London, by 1840, and later Master of the Union Workhouse in Shipton-upon-Stour, Warwickshire (c. 1841-1851), he then became a grocer and later retired to Albert Place, Wolverhampton by 1861, he died here the following year.

From the Bristol Mercury - Saturday 26 August 1837 page 3: "TO BE LET, WITH IMMEDIATE POSSESSION, ALL those ELIGIBLE PREMISES, situate at Lawrence-hill, in the City of Bristol, known by the name of LAND VIEW BREWERY, consisting of a good substaintial Dwelling-house and Garden, Brewhouse, Cellarage, Brewing Plant, &c., capable of turning out from 40 to 50 Barrels per week. The Stabling and Yard room of an extensive description. The Malthouse attached to the Premises is well built, and can wet 110 Bushels. Adjoining the Premises is that well-frequented and long-established Public-house, known by the sign of the Pack Horse, which, from its contiguity to the Cotton Manufactory (now building), the Great Western, and Coalpit-Heath Railroads, presents advantages of no ordinary description. An early application at the premises is requested, the present proprietor being about to enter another Line in London, (if by letter, post-paid)."

From the Bristol Mercury - Saturday 14 October 1837 page 2: "TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, ?? By RIDDLE & DEW, On THURSDAY next, October 19th, 1837, at One o'clock precisely, THE STOCK and PLANT of the LAND VIEW BREWERY, LAWRENCE HILL, lately in the occupation of Mr. T. B. DITCHETT. The Plant, which is nearly new, comprises a 300 gallon copper furnace, two copper pumps, mashing-tub and under-back, kive tub, two coolers, five new working pieces, a quantity of lead pipe and brass cocks, several store pieces, sixty firkins and kilderkins, eighty barrels and twelve hogsheads, 700 gallons stale ale, 500 gallons beer, waggon and pair of trucks, two sets of harness, and two saddles and bridles, two pockets hops, 200 sacks, a four-motion beer engine, nine ditto spirit machine. Also, the Household Furniture, comprising tent and four-post bedsteads and furniture, feather and millpuff' beds and bedding, mahogany loo and Pembroke tables, Carpets and rugs, fenders and fire-irons, and a variety of kitchen requisites."

In Matthew's 1836 directory, James Knill is landlord of the Jolly Skinners pub in Wade Street, Bristol. He had been here since at least 1829 (baptism records) Goss & Ditchett were still at the Land View Brewery in 1836. By the 1841 census James was a publican at Lawrence Hill and in Pigot's 1842 directory he is listed at the Pack-horse, Lawrence Hill. It is likely he became the landlord and brewer of the Pack Horse after the sale referred to above.

In Pigot's 1844 directory of Bristol, James Knill is a licensed victualler at the Pack-Horse, Lawrence Hill.

From the Bristol Mercury - Saturday 14 February 1857 page 5: "JAMES KNILL, grateful for the kind patronage so long bestowed upon him as MALTSTER and BREWER, begs respectfully to inform his Friends and the Public that he has relinquished the BREWING PORTION of the the Business in favour of his SON, Mr. WM. KNILL, on whose behalf he solicits a continuance of their commands.
LAND-VIEW BREWERY, LAWRENCE-HILL, in Bristol, Feb. 1, 1857.
WILLIAM KNILL, in taking to the BREWING BUSINESS carried on for many years by his Father, Mr. JAMES KNILL, at the Land-View Brewery, Lawrence-hill, begs most respectfully to solicit a continuance of the support so liberally bestowed on his Predecessor, and assures them and the Public generally that all Orders with which he may be favoured shall at all times receive his immediate attention. LAND-VIEW BREWERY, Bristol, Feb. 1, 1857."

James Knill retained the Maltings part of the business.

William Knill married Julia Emma Barnett, daughter of George Barnett of Clifton on 6 August 1857 at Holy Trinity, St. Philip's, Bristol.

From the Western Daily Press - Tuesday 16 July 1861 page 2: "TO LET, BEERHOUSE, centrally situated, doing good trade. Satisfactory reasons can be given for the present proprietor leaving—For particulars apply to Mr W. Knill, Land View Brewery, Lawrence Hill."  Later that year Elizabeth Alway was licensee of the Pack Horse, she was bankrupt by 1863.

Henry Augustus Knill was likely born early in 1862, in Brighton, Sussex, baptised 25 February that year at Holy Trinity, St. Philips, son of maltster William Knill and wife Julia Emma Barnett. In 1871 the family were living at the Queen's Arms Hotel, livery and bait stables, Portland Road, South Norwood, Surrey, where William Knill was licensed victualler. The following year he took on a Job and Fly business late of W. H. Netting. He was here until 1874 when the hotel was taken by G. Bourne, Wine & Spirit Merchant. By 1881 young Henry was a clerk at the Bristol Steam Navigation Co. and living at Westbury-upon-Trym.

From the London Gazette - 15 November 1867 page 6099: "Notice is hereby given that the following is a copy of an entry made in the book kept by the Chief Registrar of the Court of Bankruptcy for the Registration of Trust Deeds for the benefit of Creditors. Composition and Inspectorship Deeds executed by a Debtor, as required by the Bankruptcy Act, 1861, secs. 187, 192, 194, 196, and 198:—
Number- 27,505.
Title of Deed, whether Deed of Assignment, Composition, or Inspectorship—Assignment.
Date of Deed—1st November, 1867.
Date of execution by Debtor— 1st November, 1867.
Name and description of the Debtor, as in the Deed—William Knill, of Lawrence-hill, in the city of Bristol, Brewer.
The names and descriptions of the Trustees or other parties to the Deed, not including 'the. Creditors—1 Frederick Henry Ball, of the same city, Maltster (trustee).
A short statement of the nature of the Deed—-Assignment of all the debtor's estate and effects to the trustee, to be administered for the Benefit of his creditors, as in bankruptcy; and a release by the creditors.
When left for Registration—13th November, 1867, at three o'clock."

William was described elsewhere in the Gazette as "late of Stapleton Road, and Bury House, parish of Wick and Abson, Gloucestershire, brewer". In the 1861 census the family were living at Moorfields.


LION BREWERY

Henry Augustus Knill had married Bridget Moore Casey, daughter of Daniel Joseph Casey, cattle salesman, at Holy Cross, Victoria Street, Bristol, on 29 October 1885. Bridget was living at Lower Knowle Farm, St. John's Lane, Bristol, at the time. Bridget (otherwise "Bride") had four children with Henry: Edward Philip b. 29 May 1886; Agnes Claire, b. 25 Feb. 1888; Reginald Lawrence, b. 3 August 1890 and Cecil George Frederick b. 9 January 1892. The couple divorced in 1904 on the grounds that Bridget had moved to Brooklyn, New York, and lived with a man named William Andrews as man and wife. Henry married again to Helen Sarah Sophia Pritchard Rogers (widow) of The Royal Hotel, Bristol, at All Soul's, St. Marylebone, London on 29 June 1905. Helen died in Bristol in 1911 aged 53. Henry married yet again to Alice Sophia Salmon on 15 June 1914 at Tytherton Lucas, Wilts. He was living at Weston-super-Mare at this time. Henry died on 26 November 1935 at Tamworth Grange Park, Henleaze, Bristol. Son Edward Philip was an executor of his estate. Henry was a Commrcial Clerk at the time of his first marriage in 1885.

From the London Gazette - 24 November 1893 page 6918: "NOTICE is hereby given, that the Partnership heretofore subsisting between us the undersigned, Henry Augustus Knill and Henry Peachey, carrying on business as Brewers, at the Lion Brewery, Lawrence Hill, in the city of Bristol, under the firm of Knill and Peachey, has this day been dissolved by mutual consent.—As witness our hands this 18th day of November, 1893. HENRY AUGUSTUS KNILL. H. PEACHEY."

In May 1893, in consequence of Henry Peachey planning to leave the brewery, Henry Knill engaged a London brewery agent to find a new partner, he was also planning to leave the firm at some point to pursue a family concern. The agent was called Thomas Joseph Seaman. As Seaman took rather too long in this affair, Knill engaged a new agent, John Downing, brewer's agent of Bristol (at about half the rate), who placed newspaper advertisements. Percy Auty saw one of these adverts in a Manchester paper and responded. Unfortunately Knill had not terminated the contract with Seaman who was also in touch with Auty, and he wanted his commission, which he won in court in 1894. Meanwhile Percy Auty had paid Henry Knill a total of over £800 for a half share in the business.

Henry Peachey—I have been unable to find out much for certain about brewer Henry Peachey other than he was said to be 30 years old in 1891, his birthplace in the census looks like "Cicester" but may more likely be Gl'cester or Chichester, he was living in lodgings so the census was likely filled in by somebody other than himself.

Henry Peachey may have been the son of Edmund Peachey, solicitor and gentleman landowner of Chichester, Sussex, and wife Salome Goodrich. Baptised 9 May 1867 in Chichester and educated at St. John's college, Hurstpierpoint, Sussex. His father Edmund died in 1890 and Henry was one of the executors of the estate, which may have meant Henry had some funding behind him for a business venture.

Percy Richard Auty was born in London on 25 June 1866 son of Richard Hatt Auty and wife Angelina Elizabeth Pentney Richard and Angelina married on Tues. 28 January 1862 at the Congregational Chapel, Peterborough. Angelina was the eldest daughter of Mr. William Pentney of Peterborough. Richard Hatt Auty was a director of Samuel Allsopp & Sons brewery, Burton-on-Trent, having been given a seat on the board at the retirement of Messrs Poyser and Grinlin in July 1889. He had held a responsible position as brewery manager in the company for some time prior to his appointment. (Worcester Journal - 3 August 1889). Richard was also a Town Councillor for Burton-on-Trent. Allsopps at the time were the second largest brewery in the country. The family were living in Staffordshire in the 1871-1901 census, but had moved to Bristol after 1905 when he retired, likely when Percy was in difficulties. In 1911 the family was at 97 Somerville Road, Bishopston, Bristol. Richard's obituary from 1916 explains in more detail:

From the Staffordshire Advertiser - Saturday 5 February 1916 page 7: "BURTON-ON-TRENT— The late Mr. R. H. Auty.—Mr. R. H. Auty, formerly of Burton-on-Trent, has passed away Bristol at the age of 77. The deceased, who came to Burton in 1865 was head of the forwarding department for Messrs. Allsopp and Sons, and in 1889 was appointed a director, a post he held until 1902, and retired three years later. He was a member the staff who was presented to King Edward, when, as Prince of Wales, he visited the brewery as the guest of the 2nd Baron Hindlip. He was a public-spirited man, a Conservative in politics, and for some years ran a weekly paper. "The Burton Standard.” He was one of the original members the Town Council, upon which he served for 20 years as representative of the Burton Ward. He is perhaps best remembered in that respect as taking part in the memorable conflict over the consecration or dedication of the cemetery, a point which as leader, he got settled by one vote in favour of consecration, after the Council had sat into the early hours of the morning on one occasion."

Richard died on 27 January 1916, and wife Angelina followed shortly afterwards on 27 April the same year, both at 1 Glebe Road, St. George. They both left what was left of their estate to Arthur William Auty, Mineral Water Manufacturer.

From the London Gazette - 29 September 1896 page 5397: "NOTICE is hereby given that the Partnership heretofore subsisting between us the undersigned Henry Augustus Knill and Percy Richard Auty carrying on business as Brewers at the Lion Brewery, Lawrence Hill in the city of Bristol under the style or firm of Knill and Auty has been dissolved by mutual consent as and from the 1st day of July 1896. All debts due to and owing by the said late firm will be received and paid by the said Percy Richard Auty who will continue to carry on the said business at the above address under the style of Auty and Co.—Dated this 24th day of September 1896. H. A. KNILL. P. B. AUTY."

Percy married Louisa Ellen Vaughan Sheppard, daughter of Henry Sheppard deceased, at Christ Church, St. Phlip's Bristol, on 16 August 1898.

From the Bristol Mercury - Monday 4 September 1899 page 4: "Licensing notice. One of the OVERSEERS of the POOR Of the Parish of BRISTOL, in the City and County of Bristol, and to the Superintendent of Police of the District. I, PERCY RICHARD AUTY, Common Brewer, now residing at 381, Stapleton Road, in the Parish of Bristol, in the said City and County of Bristol, do hereby give Notice that it is my intention to apply, at an adjournment of the General Annual Licensing Meeting, to be holden in and for the said City and County on the 27th day of September next, for a LICENSE to hold an Excise License to Sell by Retail Beer in pursuance of the Act 26 and 27 Vict., cap. 33, sec. 1, to be consumed off the premises at a house and premises situate at the corner of Verrier Road and Church Road, Redfield, Saint George, in the said City and County, of which premises I am the owner, and which said premises are now void, and are of the annual value of £50 and upwards. . . Given under my hand this 31st day of August, 1899. P. R. AUTY."

From the Western Daily Press - Thursday 7 March 1907 page 7: "A BREWER'S FAILURE. Percy Richard Auty. brewer, of St. George. Bristol.—Mr Fairfax Spofforth appeared for the debtor. The statement of affairs showed; Gross liabilities, £3.057 16s 8d; expected to rank. £1,231 8s 3d: deficiency, £20 18s 2d. The Official Receiver’s observations were; “The debtor, who is 40 years of age, states that he began business as a brewer the above address in the year 1899 with a capital of about £l,000. The partly secured creditors are bankers, who hold, so far as the estate is concerned, a policy on the debtor's life to the value of £15. The bank is otherwise secured by the guarantee of the debtor's brother to the extent of £200. The debtor does not consider that he is insolvent. He states that he only filed his petition to prevent his mortgagees, who had issued a writ, proceeding to execution. The debtor has kept fair books of account, the rough balance sheet to 31st December, showing a surplus over £1,000. It will be observed, however, that the debtor's account of his losses commences with excess of assets over liabilities a year ago of £700 only. With a view of preserving the goodwill and an off-licence, which is attached the brewery, Mr Josiah Herbert, of the Exchange, Bristol, was appointed, at the request some of the largest creditors, special manager to carry on the concern pending the appointment of a trustee. Mr A. S. Cavill was appointed trustee, with committee of inspection."

Percy's wife Louisa died 17 April 1905 age 32.

Percy lived at 1 Glebe Road St. George in 1907. His parents had moved there too before their deaths.

Shortly afterwards the brewery was advertised for sale as a going concern.

From the Western Daily Press - Saturday 25 January 1908 page 9: "BRISTOL BANKRUPTCY COURT. YESTERDAY.—Before his Honour Judge Austin, APPLICATION FOR DISCHARGE. Percy Richard Auty, formerly of the Lion Brewery, Redfield, brewer. —Mr Fairfax applied for the debtor’s discharge. The Official Receiver (Mr F. L. Clark) reported that the debtor filed his petition in February, 1907. and Mr A. S. Cavell was appointed trustee. A first dividend of 2s in the £ had been paid, and another 2s or 2s 3d was probable. The debtor filed his petition prevent mortgagees, who had issued a writ, from proceeding to execution, and attributed his insolvency to forced realisation during a period of depression. The debtor said he was now managing the brewery for his father. He was granted immediate discharge."

Percy married again in 1910 to Elizabeth Isabelle PrattBy 1911 Percy and his family were living at St. Francis Cottage, Holy Well, Wotton-under-Edge,

At the Bristol Licensing Sessions of 1 February 1915, Percy did not renew the Off-license of the Lion Brewery.

Percy and family had departed the U.K. aboard the "Canada" from Liverpool on 5 April 1913, arriving at Portland, Maine on 14 April 1913 bound for Toronto, Canada..

Percy died in Toronto, Canada, on 10 July 1957  and is buried in Park Lawn Cemetery, Toronto.

Arthur William Auty continued the Mineral Water Manufactory that had been attached to the brewery. Arthur was Percy's younger brother, born in Burton-on-Trent in 1871, he was a Mineral Water Manufacturer when his father ran the Lion Brewery and Percy was manager, and this is what was the Redfield Mineral Water Co. which was sold to T. M. Biddle in 1915. Arthur died 17 October 1927 in Wembly.

Return to Town Index