Potter: C & J R Price / manufacturers / Bristol
An image of the Saracen's Head can be found on the Bristol Archives website here
From the Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 8 September 1774 page 1: Saracen's Head, without Temple Gate, Bristol, JOHN MARTIN, late Waiter at the White-Lion in Bath, begs leave to inform the nobility, gentry, and others, that he has taken the above old-accustomed and commodious Inn, which he has genteelly fitted up for the reception of those who please to honour him with their commands, who may depend on his utmost endeavours to oblige, and that he will study to merit their favours by providing the best of every article on the niost reasonable terms. Neat wines, &c, &c— Also saddle horses to lett ; and horses taken in at livery, with the best hay and corn, and the most careful attendance.
From the Bristol Mercury - Saturday 8 December 1855 page 8:
"SARACEN'S HEAD HOTEL, TEMPLE-GATE, BRISTOL. HENRY H. GILES, having
entered upon this old-established and well-known Hotel, which is ADJACENT
TO THE RAILWAY TERMINI, respectfully Informs his Friends and the Public
generally that no effort shall be spared upon his part to render it in
every way worthy of their patronage. The Wines, &c., will be found of
the first quaility; and every attention has been paid to add to the
cleanliness and comfort of the sleeping apartments. Lock-up Stables and
Coach-houses, and an, experienced Ostler."
Henry Horatio Giles was born at sea. His Father Henry Giles, of Carlisle, was Coxwain aboard H.M.S. Bellerophon, enlisted in 1796 age 24. Unusually it seems that his wife Eleanor Jennings was also aboard the ship despite the usual rule of not allowing women aboard and young Henry Horatio was born at sea 3 days after the battle. The battle took place between 1-3 August 1798, although Henry's baptism record at St. Thomas, Portsmouth, gives his birth as 14 Feb. 1799 and his baptism date as 20 Jul 1800.
From the Hampshire Telegraph - Saturday 14 April 1860 page 4: "DEATH OF "OLD NELLY."—At Portsea, on the 7th instant, at the green old age of nearly four-score years and ten, died Nelly Giles, one of the few surviving witnesses of those great naval events which immediately preceeded the close of the last centuiry and contributed in so important a degree to secure the forty-years' peace. Nelly was a heroine in her way. She was on board H.M.S. Bellerophon, Captain Henry d'Estene Darby, at the battle of the Nile, and in all the subsequent engagements which added to Lord Nelson's already immortal fame. Although on board that vessel the battle raged so furiously that 48 men were killed and 148 wounded, Nelly's life was spared, to administer succour to the wounded and the dying. Three days after the battle Nelly gave birth to a son. Lord Nelson took much interest in her, as did also Lady Hamilton, and as to his lordship, Nelly delighted to speaking in his praise, and to narrate the reminiscences of his as well as her own career. The government were not un-mindful of her services, but, in consideration of her great attention to the sick and wounded, and her useful assistance to the surgeons during and subsequent to the battle, awarded her a gratuity, for life, of 17l. per annum."
In 1819 Henry had a son Oscar John Jennings Giles born in Denmark, by Sophia Louisa Wilhelmina Schunemann of Hanover.
On 1 July 1837 Henry left a partnership with Charles Lockyer in Bath as Hauliers and Coal Merchants.
By 1847 Henry is a commercial traveller, living as man and wife with his future wife Charlotte who bears his subsequent children. By 1851 she and the children are living in Bristol, whilst Henry is butler to Edward Hobson Esq. of Stoke Park, Stoke Gifford.
On 30 October 1861 Henry married finally to Charlotte Lofts Law, the mother of his children, at St. James Church, Bath.
Henry died on 14 Feb. 1871
From the Western Daily Press - Saturday 7 October 1882 page 1: SALE OF BREWING PLANT, SARACEN'S HEAD, TEMPLE GATE, BRISTOL. MESSRS GEORGE S. TRICKS & CO. are instructed to SELL by AUCTION, on the TUESDAY, October 10th. 1882. the whole the BREWING PLANT at the above named Hotel (the Proprietor having discontinued Brewing on the Premises), Consisting of two 600 and six 300 gallon Store Pieces, Coolers, Kive Tub, Working Rounds, Underback, Copper Wort-Pump, Lead Piping, Force Pump, India-rubber Hose, Malt Mill, Hopper, and sundries, the whole which in excellent condition. On view the Morning of Sale. The Sale will commence Twelve o'clock precisely.
From the Bristol Mercury - Thursday 25 November 1886 page 6: Transfer of Licenses, Weds 22 Nov. at the Police Court, Bristol the license for the Saracen's Head was transferred from Charlotte Loft Giles to Susan Wichenden.
From the Bristol Mercury - Thursday 17 January 1889 page 6: At the Bristol Police Court the previous day the license of the Saracen's Head was transferred from Susan Wichenden to George Henry Wadley.
From the Western Daily Press - Saturday 22 September 1888 page 5: "The Saracen's Head. —We understand that this noted hostelry at Temple Gate, which dates back nearly three centuries, is shortly to swept away or partially swept away to make room for street improvements. Some two years ago the property was purchased by the city in connection with the improvements of Redcliff Mead Lane, and arrangement having been come to with the tenant, the city will at early period take possession the premises, part of which have to be demolished to allow for the widening of the thoroughfare referred to. The stock-in-trade &c. is announced to be sold next week by Messrs Alexander. Daniel, Sells, and Co. The Saracen's Head one of the hostelries that was "confirmed and authorised" in Bristol the third year of James I. Pryce, in his "History of Bristol" after speaking of the Red Lion in Redcliff Street as having been established 1606, adds The Saracen's Head, Temple Gate, is an hostelry the same date, and not improbably was ages before. Whilst its sign was intended refer the hated Moslem who trampled Land of the Cross; the George Inn opposite was established in rivalry to remind the passenger of the invader of the Saracen, personified by St. George, the champion England." The City of Bristol paid £4,500 for the inn.
From the Bristol Mercury - Thursday 26 June 1890 page 3: At the Bristol Police Court the previous day the license of the Saracen's Head was transferred from G. H. Wadley to Robert Warren.
From the Bristol Mercury - Thursday 5 February 1891 page 6: At the Bristol Licensing Court the previous day, the license for the Saracen's Head was transferred from Robert Warren to Elizabeth Cleal.
From the Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 05 May 1892 page 8: The site of the old Saracen's Head, Temple-gate, Bristol, has been sold to Messrs. Mardon, Son and Hall, who intend erect upon it large building.
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H H GILES / Saracen's Head / Temple Gate / Bristol Potter: C & J R Price / manufacturers / Bristol |