Rogers Brewery

A detailed description of the Jacob Street Brewery may be found in Vol. 2. of Alfred Barnard's 1889 work "The Noted Breweries of Great Britain and Ireland" pp.310-330 available as pdf file from www.askaboutireland.ie with numerous engravings.

William John Rogers was born on 27 October 1829 in Castle Green, Bristol, baptised 22 November 1829 at St. Nicholas, son of John Rogers, then landlord of the Cat & Wheel, Castle Green, and his wife Elizabeth Achim who married at St. Nicholas on 9 December 1828.

John Rogers appears on the 1841 census with son William as a Wine Merchant in Old Market Street. By 1849 he is listed as a Brewer.

From the Bristol Mercury - Saturday 03 August 1844 page 8: "ODD FELLOWS. - On Wednesday evening, July 24, a lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Manchester Unity, was opened by P. G. M. John Perkins, at the house of Mr. John Rogers, Carpenters' Arms, Old Market-street, Bristol. Mr. J. Rogers is, and has been for some time, a member of the Loyal Great Western Lodge, and great credit is due to him for the liberal spirit Shown in the fitting-up of a room suitable for the members and friends to hold their meetings..."

From the London Gazette - 15 September 1857, page 3132: "WHEREAS a Petition of John Rogers, at present and from the 16th of June last past residing at No. 5, Thomas-street, Stoke's Croft, in the district of the united parishes of Saint James and Saint Paul, in the city and county of Bristol, out of business and employment, and for ten years and upwards, previously thereto, residing at No. 90, Old Market-street, in the parish of Saint Philip and Jacob, in the city and county of Bristol aforesaid, and carrying on business there as a Wine and Spirit Merchant, Licensed Victualler, and Dealer in Tobacco, an insolvent debtor, having been filed in the County Court of Gloucestershire, at Bristol, and an interim order for protection from process having been given to the said John Rogers, under the provisions of the Statutes in that case made and provided, the said John Rogers is hereby required, to appear before the said Court, on the 21st day of October next, at half past ten in the forenoon, for his first examination touching his debts, estate, and effects, and to be further dealt with according to the provisions of the said Statutes; and the choice of the creditors' assignees is to take place at the time so appointed. All persons indebted to the said John Rogers, or that have any of his effects, are not to pay or deliver the same but to Sir J. K. Haberfield, Mr. Barley, and Mr. Gibbs, Registrars of the said Court, at the office of the said Court, Broad-street, Bristol, the Official Assignees of the estate and effects of the said insolvent."

By 1852 William is running the brewery at Jacob Street, Bristol. From the Bristol Mercury - Saturday 5 July 1856 page 8, after 4 years or so of trading:

JACOB-STREET BREWERY,
BRISTOL.
WILLIAM JOHN ROGERS,
In presenting his best thanks for the liberal support afforded
him since his commencement at the above Ale Brewery, begs
to inform Hotel-keepers, Victuallers, Beer Retailers, and the
Trade generally that, having greatly extended the Plant of the
Brewery, he has now always on hand an ample supply of ALE
of the first quality, and in prime condition.
N.B. MALTSTER AND HOP MERCHANT
👉 (Observe) THE JACOB - STREET BREWERY,
Opposite ST. PHILIP'S CHURCH.

The late residence of William's father John, the Carpenter's Arms, 90 Old Market Street was up for sale in 1859.
From the Bristol Mercury - Saturday 4 June 1859 page 1: "Lot 4. All that MESSUAGE or Dwelling-house, Spirit Shop, and Premises, called the Carpenters' Arms, situate in OLD MARKET-STREET aforesaid, and now in the occupation of Mrs. Lucy Findlater, as Tenant thereof, under Lease for 14 years, commencing the 25th day of March last, determinable at the end of the first seven years of the said Term at the option of the said Lucy Flindlater, at the Rent of £48 per annum." The last landlord was Henry Naise who had the license from Tues. 28 January 1873. This pub was eventually demolished in the 1870s but did not give up easily.

From the Bristol Times and Mirror - Tuesday 8 December 1874 page 3: "FATAL ACCIDENT IN OLD MARKET.— Shortly after four o'clock yesterday afternoon fatal accident happened in pulling down some old premises in Old Market street. Messrs. Rogers, the well-known brewers of Bristol, are extending their premises from the back of St. Philip's church into Old Market-street, and for that purpose are clearing away a block of buildings. One of these, formerly a public-house known as the Carpenters' Arms, fronting Old Market-street, had been for some time shored up, the adjoining house having been pulled down. Yesterday afternoon a number of workmen were engaged in pulling down this old public-house, and among others were Thomas Gas, aged 19, residing at 24 Brick-street, and Dennis Clarey, of George-alley. The work of demolition was, of course, commenced at the top, and, according to one account of mishap, the roof and some portion of the side walls had been removed. The shoring is said to have gone up rather high, and, according to the rumour we are now quoting, the top or supporting stones of the timbers were removed, whereupon the whole wall suddenly gave way, precipitating the two men named to the ground. Gas was buried under the debris, and died shortly after being extricated. Clarey was also injured, and taken to the Infirmary, but happily it was not found necessary to detain him there. Another report says the disaster was caused by some excavations which were being carried on inside the building in course of demolition, and which, it is said, caused the outer wall to give way. The real cause, will probably be explained at the inquest."

William John Rogers married Mary Jane, daughter of customs officer Isaac Clifford, at St. John's Bedminster, on 8 December 1857. Isaac Clifford was a long time friend of the family and witness at William's parent's wedding.

From the Bristol Mercury - Saturday 23 November 1867 page 8: "November 13, at his residence, Newfoundland-street, Mr. John Rogers, aged 65 years. father of W. J. Rogers, Jacob-street Brewery, and brother of Wm. Rogers, boiler-maker Moorflelds." John was buried on the 20th at Kingswood, Whitefield Tabernacle.

The "AK" in a diamond trademark of Rogers' Brewery was copyrighted in 1874. This entry form and photograph (COPY 1/26/194) is contained within Box Number 1 of COPY 1/26. The National Archives, Kew.

In 1889 when Arthur Barnard visited the brewery, Rogers did not produce bottles beer themselves, although some ales were bottled by third party companies. They did not bottle their own produce until later.

From the Clifton Society - Thursday 6 June 1895 page 13: "June 1, at St. George's, Hanover-square, by the Rev. David Anderson, Rector of the parish, WILLIAM JOHN ROGERS. Esq., of Clifton Hill House, Clifton, Bristol, to FRANCES ANN, widow of JOHN PUFFIN THOMSON, Esq., of Westleigh, Westgate-on-Sea, and daughter of George Smith, Esq., J.P., of Paddockhurst, Sussex."

From the Western Daily Press - Wednesday 23 December 1908 page 5: "DEATH OF MR W. J. ROGERS. We regret to record the death, which occurred his residence, Clifton Hill House, Clifton, yesterday morning, of Mr W. J. Rogers, the chairman of the well-known company of Messrs W. J. Rogers, Ltd. Mr Rogers was one of those sterling men of business who form snob valuable asset in the life of a commercial city. He was born in Bristol in 1829, his father being Mr John Rogers. Educated privately, after his school career he led busy life. A passer-by in Old Market Street would probably be struck with the large and substantial brewery, and that structure and the extensive trade connected with it are due to the energy and enterprise of the deceased. He started in business in Jacob Street in a comparatively small way; but soon made considerable progress, and the familiar "A K," which was his trade-mark, became known far and wide. The small brewery dating from 1848 had to give place the present capacious premises with a frontage to Old Market Street, and the business was converted into company, "W. J. Rogers, Limited,” the deceased being chairman the directorate. He was twice married, his first wife being Miss Mary Jane Clifford, by whom bad a large family. Hie second wife was the widow of Mr Duffryn Thomson, of Westgate-on-Sea, Kent. The deceased took no active part in public life, although he had been invited to accept the highest municipal honours. He declined to be nominated as Mayor Sheriff. He was a member of the Conservative and Isthmian Clubs, London. He had resided at Clifton Hill House for 28 years."

William John Rogers

Jacob Street Brewery, Bristol

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Half Gallon Stoneware Flagon
Printed: W. J. ROGERS L^D / TRADE (Crossed bottles trade mark) MARK / BREWERS, WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS / BRISTOL (on shoulder) J / 5479 Manufactured handle-less likely originally having wicker basket. Potter: Not Marked

Quart Beer Bottle
Embossed: ROGERS / TRADE (Crossed bottles trade mark) MARK / BRISTOL Aqua Glass, internal screw stopper. Glassworks: P & R / B on base. (Powell & Ricketts, Bristol).

Half Pint Beer Bottle
Embossed: ROGERS / TRADE (Crossed bottles trade mark) MARK / BRISTOL Dark Green Glass, internal screw stopper. Glassworks: P B 15 on base. (Powell, Bristol?).

Half Pint Beer Bottle
Embossed: (front) ROGERS / TRADE (Crossed bottles trade mark) MARK / BRISTOL / JACOB ST BREWERY (rear) ROGERS Dark Green Glass, internal screw stopper. Glassworks: P & R / B in circle on base. (Powell & Ricketts, Bristol).

Pint Beer Bottle
Embossed: ROGERS / JACOB / STREET / BREWERY / BRISTOL Dark Green Glass, internal screw stopper. Glassworks: P & R B on base. (Powell & Ricketts, Bristol).

Split size 6oz Flat Bottomed Hamilton or Skittle Bottle
Embossed: W. J. ROGERS L^TD / BRISTOL Glassworks: ? Image courtesy Aled Rees.