D. S. Oliver - Olivers (1913) Ltd.

Wholesale and Retail Wine and Spirit Merchants


David Stodhart Oliver was born on 20 January 1822, baptised 22 April at St. Leonards, Shoreditch, son of Thomas Richard Oliver, a grocer of Kingsland Road, Hackney, and his wife Barbara Stodhart. There were a few brothers and sisters baptised at the same time: Thomas, b. 19 Sept. 1815; Mary, b. 2 Jan. 1817 and William Lemon, b. 15 Jan. 1820. In 1841 he was working for the Strange family, grocers of Houndsditch, St. Botolph's, London. The family had connections with the Lemon family of Bath.

David was already a Wine Merchant in Temple Street when he married Henrietta, daughter of Richard Parker Lemon, also a Wine Merchant of Bath, by license at the Parish of Lyncombe and Widcombe, Bath, on 6 June 1850. It was about this year that he started his business at 1 Temple street, Counterslip. He also had business interests elsewhere with his father-in-law's company.

Daughter Edith Mary Oliver was born 1851, and son Marmaduke Travers Oliver was born 1855. Marmaduke went on to become a Wine Merchant in his father's business from around 1883. The below advertisement is from Wright's Directory, 1874.

D. S. Oliver

From the Gazette, 25 May 1858: "NOTICE is hereby given, that the Partnership subsisting between Richard Parker Lemon, of the city of Bath, Wine Merchant, deceased, and the undersigned, Robert Barter, Charles Sheppard, John Bell Dunn, David Stodhart Oliver, William Henry Buckland, James Cadman, and William Davis, carrying on business as Iron-masters and Coal Miners, and also as Drapers, Grocers, Ironmongers, and General-shop Keepers, at Maesteg, in the county of Glamorgan, and elsewhere, under the style or firm of R. P. Lemon and Company, was, on the 19th day of  October, 1857, dissolved by mutual consent, so far as regards the said James Cadman.—Dated this I9th day of February, 1858."

From the Bristol Daily Post - Wednesday 15 February 1860 page 3: "A petition for adjudication of bankruptcy was filed by Mr. H. A. Salmon on behalf of David Stodhart Oliver, who was described as trading in the city of Bristol as a wine and spirit merchant, on his separate account, and also of Maeateg Ueha, or Ycha, in the parish of Llangonoyd, Glamorganshire, carrying on business there in partnership with Robert Barter, Charles Sheppard, John Hill Dunn, William Henry Buckland, Thomas Plummer Dunn, and William Davis, under the title or firm of "R. P. Lemon and Company," as irommasters, coal miners, drapers, grocers, ironmongers, and general shopkeepers. His Honour, having satisfied himself as to the sufficiency of the estate, made the adjudication. Mr. Acraman was appointed official assignee; Mr. Henry Turner, messenger; and the 27th of February was fixed for the choice of assignees." With the assignation of this business David was able to carry on trading in his wine business.

The license for the High-street wine vaults was transferred to David from Thomas Morgan on 11 Oct. 1866 after David had taken the property on lease.

From the Western Daily Press - Friday 31 August 1877 page 8: "Marriages—HOBBS-OLIVER— August 30, at St. Mary's, Tyndall's Park, by the Rev. Edward Addenbrooke, Vicar of Smethwick, George John Hobbs, of Bristol, solicitor, to Edith Mary, only daughter David Stodhart Oliver, of Tyndall's Park, Clifton.

A sad tragedy affected the family in May 1890 with the suicide of David's only son Marmaduke. From the  Bristol Mercury - Wednesday 28 May 1890 page 8: "SAD SUICIDE IN CLIFTON. Yesterday, the city coroner, Mr Warbrough, held an inquest at Arundel house, Tyndalls Park road, into the death of Marmaduke Oliver, who died by his own hand on Monday night.
In opening the inquiry, the Coroner said that there was no doubt as to Mr Oiver's having committed suicide, but what the jury would have to determine would be the state of his mind at the time of death. There had been a marked change noticeable in his manner during the last few days, and everything pointed to insanity as the cause of the lamentable act.
Mr Edward S. Smith said that he lived in the next house to the deceased, and had known him for many years. He was 35 years of age, and was a wine merchant, being in the business of his father, Mr. D. S. Oliver. He was customarily cheerful in disposition, but lately witness had observed that great depression had come over him. About 10 o'clock on Monday night witness, hearing shrieks, went into Arundel house. On entering the bedroom of the deceased he found the latter with a large razor-wound in his throat, and lying in a pool of blood. On feeling the pulse he found life to be extinct.
Fanny Taylor, one of the servants of the house, stated that she had seen a gradual change in the late Mr. Oliver's manner during the last few days. He appeared depressed, and spoke little. Hearing screams witness went into his bedroom on Monday night where she found the deceased standing with a wound in his throat. He sank into a chair an died almost immediately. One of the family had entered the room before witness arrived.
Supt. Cain said that he lived in the neighbourhood and knew the deceased well. Witness saw him on Saturday last in the street, when they saluted each other, and there seemed to be a change in Mr. Oliver's manner and bearing. He was called in after the ocurrence, and took charge of the case.
The Coroner said that as the deceased was in no financial difficulties or anything of the sort it was hard to find a reason for his committing suicide. During the last few days from being of a cheerful disposition become depressed and melancholy, without any assignable cause. It would appear that he was suddenly seized with an uncontrollable desire to get rid of his life, and, as they had heard, his attempt was only too successful. There could be no doubt that the act was committed in a fit of temporary insanity. A verdict was returned to that effect."

Not long afterwards David Stodhart Oliver of Arundel House, Tyndalls Park, Bristol, died 13 May 1891 at his home. From the Clifton Society - Thursday 21 May 1891, page 8: "Mr. David Stodhart Oliver, who for nearly forty years was a well-known wine and spirit merchant in the city, and who died last week at his residence, Arundel House, Tyndall's Park. He was a well-known lover of animals, and his death took place at the age of 69. The body was buried on Saturday in Arno's Vale Cemetery, the mourners being as follow :—Mr. Geo. J. Hobbs (son-in-law), Mr. Richard Lemon, Mr. Arthur Lemon (nephews), Dr. Slater, Mr. S. Smith, Mr. Hy. Gardner, and Mr. Patch ; Mr. Kepple and Mr. Calcott (clerks) ; Mr. Davis, of Bridgend, an old friend, followed these in his private carriage. The Rev. E. S. Wilshere read the funeral service." David left a legacy of the David Stodhart Oliver scholarship at the University of Bristol faculty of medicine.

David's widow Henrietta died at 50, Tyndall's Park Road, on 20 November, 1905.

From the Western Daily Press - Wednesday 15 June 1892 page 6: "The Subscription list will be opened today of Oliver's, Limited, which will have a share capital of £25,000, divided into 10,000 £6 per cent, cumulative preference shares of £1 each and 15,000 ordinary shares of £1 each. The present issue consists of 7,500 preference shares and 10,000 ordinary shares. This company formed for the acquisition of the fully licensed freehold premises, situate in High Street and Victoria Street, Bristol; also the fully licensed leasehold premises, 1 and 2, Temple Street, Bristol, with the warehouse, stores, stables, sheds. &c., running from Victoria Street through to Temple Street, where a large and lucrative trade has for many years been carried on by the late Messrs D. S. Oliver and Son. It is estimated that 10 per cent. can he paid on the ordinary shares, leaving a balance of £6. Further details will be found in the prospectus. The list will close at the latest on Monday next. It is stated that only a limited number of shares remain, the majority having been applied for already."

From the London Gazette, 6 August 1912: "OLIVERS Limited: NOTICE is hereby given, pursuant to section 188 of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908, that a Meeting of the creditors of the above named Company will be held at the Grand Hotel, Broad-street, Bristol, on Thursday, the 8th day of August, 1912, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.—Dated this 29th day of July, 1912.  EDWIN CALCUTT, Liquidator." It was decided that the company could not, by reason of its liabilities, continue its business. The liquidation allowed the company to regroup as Olivers (1913) Limited.

In the early years of the 20th century Olivers were very much involved in beer bottling as well as the wine and spirit trade. In 1923 they were proprietors of "Ye Olde White Hart" in Park Row, formerly known as "The American Bar" which had been refurbished in the style of an old English inn..

From the London Gazette, 3 January 1964: "OLIVERS (1913) LIMITED. At an Extraordinary General Meeting of the above-named Company  duly convened and held at 137 High Street, Burton-on-Trent, on the 23rd day of December 1963,  the following Special Resolution was duly passed: "That the Company be wound up voluntarily and that  Sir William Carrington of Whinney, Smith & Whinney, 4B Frederick's Place, Old Jewry, London E.C.2, be and he is hereby appointed Liquidator for the purpose of such winding-up." Dated this 23rd day of  December 1963.                            R. D. R. Bateman, Chairman."

2 Gallon Stoneware Flagon Oliver1.jpgOliver2.jpg
Impressed:  5027 / D S OLIVER / BRISTOL



Potter:  Hawley / Bristol / 2

2 Gallon Stoneware Flagon Oliver3.jpgOliver4.jpg
Printed:  OLIVERS (1913) LIMITED / WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS / BRISTOL / 2

X14 on shoulder.

Potter:  Not Marked.

½ Pint Beer Bottle Oliver5.jpg
Embossed in oval front panel: COURAGE / TRADE MARK (Lion head image) / OLIVERS / LIMITED / BRISTOL



Glassworks:  P. & R. B. on base (Powell & Ricketts, Bristol)

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