John Oliver

Grocer & Wine & Spirit Merchant, City & County Stores
Bath Barade and Redland.


John Oliver was born in Calstone, Wiltshire, registered in Calne in 1845, baptised at Calstone Wellington, son of Richard, a shoemaker, and later a journeyman paper-maker at the mill, and Anne Oliver of Calstone. John's parents were wealthy enough to send him to school, but by 1851 he was assistant to William Field, a grocer at 7 Bath Street, St. Thomas, Bristol (next to the Talbot Hotel).

On the 22nd Aug. 1869, at Highbury Chapel, by the Rev. D. Thomas. Mr John Oliver, of 20, Temple Street, to Sarah, only daughter of Josiah Bond, formerly of 16, Temple Street both of Bristol. By 1871 John was a grocer's shopman living at 12 Hampton Terrace, Bedminster with wife Sarah and new daughter Sarah Bond Oliver aged 5 months. Sarah was followed by son John Oliver in 1877, William Bond Oliver in 1882 and daughter Ada Louisa in 1884. Unfortunately daughter Sarah died in 1878 aged 7.

By 1881 John has become a master grocer, living at Riverside House next to the Turnpike Inn on the Bath Road. From around 1879 he had his own shop at 4 & 5 Bath Parade. He opened his next shop at 167 Whiteladies Road in 1886.

From the Bristol Mercury - Saturday 04 September 1886 page 4: "Licensing Notices. TO ONE of the OVERSEERS of that part of the Parish of WESTBURY-UPON-TRYM which is in the City and County of Bristol, and to the Super-intendent of Police of the District, I, JOHN OLIVER, Grocer and Provision Dealer, now residing at Nos. 4 and 5, in Bath Parade in the parish of St. Mary Redcliff, 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 22nd day of September next ensuing, for a LICENSE to hold an Excise License, to Sell by Retail Bottled Beer, Cider, and Perry, to be consumed off the premises, at a house and shop, situate at No. 167, in Whiteladies' Road, in the said part of the said Parish of Westbury-upon-Trym, which is in the said City and County, which premises I am the owner thereof, and which premises are now unoccupied, but intended to be used as a Grocer's Shop, and are of the annual value of £88. Given under my hand this 24th day of August, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eighty-six.  JOHN OLIVER." The following year John applied for a similar license with the addition of Bottled British Wine.

John Oliver of Bath-parade, Bath Bridge and of Frostan House, 13 Oakland Road, Redland, both in Bristol, grocer and tea dealer, died 30 May 1910 at Frostan House. His widow Sarah continued to run the business, with her remaining children, eventually dying in 1929 age 88.

From the Western Daily Press - Wednesday 28 April 1948 page 2: "FUNERAL OF MR W. B. OLIVER The funeral of Mr William Bond Oliver took place Canford Cemetery. Mr Oliver, who passed away suddenly at his residence, 17, Russell Road, Redland, was the last surviving member of the well-known Arm of John Oliver, grocers, etc., of 167, Whiteladies Road, and and 5, Bath Parade. He was a member of the Moira Lodge of Freemasons. The first part of the service was held at St. Alban's Church, conducted by the vicar, the Rev. N. Miller. Mr R. L. Keenes was at the organ. The mourners were: Mrs E. B. Oliver (widow), Mr Kenneth Oliver (son). Miss Ada Oliver (sister). Miss Marie Higson, Mr Binning (brother-in-law). Mrs Binning. Mrs E. Doddrell, Mrs H. Mountain and Mrs J. Oliver (sisters-in-law); Mr D. Doddrell, Mr C. Mountain (nephews); Miss B Oliver (niece), Mrs P. Mountain (mother-in-law). Misses M. and F. Mountain (sisters-in-law). The staff was represented Messrs Norman, Hiron Howell, Horne, Griffie and Clark, Miss W. Grey, Miss Barton, Mrs Wright, Mrs Whale, M. Grey and Mr Garland. Tho Grocers' Association was represented by Messrs Ferris, Parsons, Pont and Raines, and Mr E. F. Gillet (president). Mr A. Bendall,W. M., represented the Moira Lodge Freemasons..."

4 Pint (Quart) Stoneware flagon J.Oliver1.jpgJ.Oliver2.jpg
Impressed:  JOHN OLIVER / 167 Whiteladies Road / REDLAND

4 on shoulder.


Potter:  Price 19 Bristol

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