Potter:Unmarked.
John Kent of Bristol was born Barton under Needwood, Staffordshire around March 1790. He was baptised on 21 March 1790 at Barton under Needwood, son of John Kent and Judith Smith. John and Judith had married in Elford on 18 Oct. 1781.
John Kent attended the Veterinary College,
London: Aris's Birmingham Gazette - Monday 16 August 1813 reports,
"J. Kent, Veterinary Surgeon, having duly attended the Lectures at the
Veterinary College, in London, and given satisfactory Evidence of his
Abilities and Qualification to practice the Veterinary Art, before a
public examining Committee of Medical Gentlemen. most respectfully offers
his Services to the Nobility, Gentry and Farmers of Stratford-upon-Avon,
and Places adjacent.
He humby solicits their Patronage, being conscious that the End he has in
View is to render himself useful to Society, and to administer Relief to
that most valuable Animal, the Horse. - Those who favour him with their
Patronage may depend upon his unremitting Attention in the Fulfilment of
his Professional Engagements.
Applications (personal or by Letter) to him, Chapel Street,
Stratford-upon-Avon, will be strictly attended to.
Stratford-upon-Avon, August 5, 1813."
From the Bristol Mirror - Saturday 26
October 1822, p.3, J. KENT, VETERINARY SURGEON (A Member of the Veterinary
College, London, and late of Stratford on Avon) BEGS leave to offer his
services to the Inhabitants of the City of Bristol and its vicinity,
humbly soliciting a share of their favours, and hoping, by unremitting
attention to his professional engagements, to administer relief to that
valuable animal, the HORSE, and to merit the patronage of those who honour
him with their commands.
Application to him, personally, or by letter, at No. 46, College Street,
Bristol, will meet with immediate attention.
October 23d, 1822.
John was a wine merchant and veterinary surgeon at 4 Unity Street, Bristol. (Census 1841/51/61) and according to Bristol directories was landlord of the Kent Arms on Frogmore Street, Bristol 1839-1858. John Kent has an advertisement for horses for sale in the Bristol Mirror - Saturday 15 October 1825 p.2.
A court case regarding a horse "HORSE CAUSE" (Nisbett versus Kent) was tried at Bristol Summer Assizes, 21 Aug. 1828, and Kent published his account of the case, in which he was defendant, in 1829, sold by Hurst, Chance & Co., St. Paul's Churchyard, London, and W. Bulgin, Corn Street, Bristol, price 1s 6d. The case, which John won, was brought because a horse died after John treated it using a lancet to bleed it, it seems the 26 page booklet was published out of prudence in order to defend John's reputation as a vet.
John's first wife Mary died on 8 Dec. 1831 after a 13 month long illness, she was 49. Mary was buried at St. Augustine the Less on. He married again to Mary Anne Phillips on 23 April 1833 at St. Augustine the Less.
In the Western Daily Press - Thursday, 3 July 1862 p.2, the following advertisement appears: TO BE DISPOSED OF (in consequence of ill health) an Old-established Wholesale and Retail WINE and SPIRIT BUSINESS, in a respectable neighbourhood in Bristol. An early entrance if desired - Apply to JOHN KENT, Frogmore Street. By 1869 Kent's buildings, as they were known, were occupied by J. Berrey's shoeing forge.
Unfortunately John did not live long after
the sale of his business. The probate record states: John Kent formerly of
Unity Street but late of 9 Park Street, both in the Parish of St.
Augustine in the City of Bristol, Wine Merchant and Veterinary Surgeon,
deceased, who died 28 December 1862 at 9 Park Street aforesaid, was proved
at Bristol by the oath of Mary Anne Kent, of Dowry Square in the Parish of
Clifton in the City and County of Bristol, Widow, the Relict the sole
Executrix.
| 2 Gallon Saltglaze Flagon | |
| Impressed: KENT /
BRISTOL Potter:Unmarked. |