T. Overbury

Wine and Spirit Merchant



Thomas Parker Overbury was the son of Joseph Overbury and Hester Parker, born in 1828 he was baptised in Horfield on 13 April that year. In 1851 he was a shopman to a grocer named Henry Basten at 22 Old Market Street, he learnt the grocer's trade and was a grocer himself in 1861 living with his wife and family at 3 Clarence Road, St. Philip & Jacob. He had married Elizabeth Naish on 12 June 1853 at Bristol Holy Trinity Church, St. Philip's. He was a churchwarden of Holy Trinity in 1864 and elected a guardian of the poor on 1 March 1886 having gained experience of the post in his previous parish. In the Western Daily Press on 19 Oct 1866 appeared the following advertisement:

STONE'S
WINE,SPIRIT, ALE & PORTER VAULTS,
"MITRE"
FROG LANE, BOTTOM OF PARK STREET.
Conveniently situated for Excursionists,Visitors. &c.
REFRESHMENTS ALWAYS READY
_______
GARTON'S
CELEBRATED PRIZE MEDAL ALES,
On Draught and in Bottles.
Orders received and Ales supplied direct from the Brewery

Thomas was still a grocer in Clarence Road on the 1871 census but by 1874 he can be found at the Mitre on Park Street. The license of the Mitre had transferred on 21 Feb 1865 from William B. Turner to Moses Stone. On 3 July 1871 the buildings in that area were about to be pulled down for street improvements and the materials were auctioned, including the premises occupied by Moses Stone. The new Park Street viaduct had opened on 4 April 1871 to much fanfare and a certain amount of criticism. Parts of the building must have survived the alterations because Moses Stone is still recorded there in Wright's 1874 directory although Mr. Overbury had moved in to the "Mitre Hotel" by the beginning of January 1874.

Although by 1877 Thomas Parker Overbury has taken on the Sceptre Hotel between Welsh Back and Baldwin Street, his wife Elizabeth can still be found running the Mitre Hotel as late as 7 Nov 1891 where she has made her last contribution to the Bristol Hospital for Sick Children and Women "on leaving" (Bristol Mercury - Saturday 7 November 1891 p.8).

Thomas died on 27 Jan 1911 at his home at 107 Hampton Road, Redland.


1 Gallon Flagon Overbury1.jpg
Impressed:  T. OVERBURY / Wine & Spirit Merchant / PARK STREET

Potter:Price + Bristol

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