William Stevens

Wine & Spirit Merchant, 51 Broad Street, Bristol and formerly the Brandy Cask Tavern.


Thomas Millyman Murch was born in Bristol in 1770, baptised at St. Thomas on 3 June 1770, son of Richard and Martha. he married Esther or Hester Smith on Christmas day 1791 at St. James, Bath. Thomas was living in Bath at the time. Thomas died in Bristol on 29 Dec. 1836, aged 66. He was buried at St. Mary Redcliffe on 6 Jan.1837. Thomas was a spirit merchant from at least 1826 at 51 Broad Street, and his wife Hester, who was born on Compton, Somerset, carried on after Thomas's death. On 6 June 1826 youngest daughter Frances married Louis Polti at St. John, Bedminster. In 1841 Hester is listed as publican, at the "Brandy Cask", next door to the White Swan Tavern in Broad Street. She has with her at this time children Martha (45), Hannah (40) and Richard (25) plus daughter Fanny (Frances) Polti (age 30, listed as female servant) and Fanny's 11 year old daughter Janet. By 1851 Hester was retired and living with daughter Martha at 7 Sussex Place, St. Barnabus, Bristol. On 14 Feb. 1846 Elizabeth, the Murch's fourth daughter, married John Swain Esq. of Brynmawr, Brecon, at St. Paul's, Bristol.
Children of Thomas and Hester were:
Martha Lowden and Mary Ann, both baptised 29 Oct. 1797 at St. Augustine, Bristol.
Hannah Lowden, bapt. 11 Oct. 1801 at St. Augustine, Bristol.
Elizabeth, bapt. 25 June 1806 at St. Michael, Bristol.
Ann, bapt. 12 Oct. 1806 at St. Michael, Bristol.
Frances, bapt. 15 Oct. 1809 at St. Michael, Bristol.
Richard, bapt. 8 March 1814 at St. Michael, Bristol.

Hester died 6 May 1858 at 5 Sussex Place, Bristol, she left her estate of £1,500 to son Richard.

John Leach was born in Bristol in 1813, possible son of Henry & Maria Leach. He married Margaret Wookey at St. Stephen's, Bristol on 28 Dec. 1835. In 1841 John was a salesman living in Pithay, Bristol with Margaret, and children Emma aged 2 and one month old baby Edwin. On 15 January 1844 tragedy struck when their 9 month old son Cornelius died, followed on the 18th by daughter Emma, who was then aged 5.

From the Bristol Times and Mirror - Saturday 19 September 1846 page 4: Henry Harris was charged with obtaining a pair of boots from Sarah Hurditch, under false pretences. The woman had bought the boots quite new, for her husband, and gave 10s. for them; they were rather small, and she had send them back to the shoemaker's to be stretched ; the prisoner heard of this, called on Mrs. Hurditch as if he came from the shoemaker, and said he was sent for the boots, got possession of them, and went immediately and sold them to a greater rogue than himself, one John Leach, living in the Pithay, for 4s. The magistrates committed the prisoner for trial, and told Leach that he richly deserved to indicted a receiver of stolen goods.

In the 1851 census the Leach family are at the Brandy Cask, with son Edwin aged 10, son Henry William, who was born 1844, daughter Margaret, born 1846, daughter Sophia Amelia, born 1849, and infant son Alfred age 1 month.

Mrs. Leach gave birth to another son, John George, on 1 Nov. 1855, but unfortunately on 18 Jan. 1856 son Frederick Adolphus died at Broad Street, aged 2, he was born towards the end of 1853. Again on 22 April 1856, the family lost infant John George. Margaret had another son, also called Frederick Adolphus, on 21 May 1857 at the Brandy Cask.

At the licensing sessions of 1 January 1861 the license of the Brandy Cask Tavern was transferred from John Leach to Sarah Ann Roberts. By this date the Leach family were living at the Admiral Duncan, 3 Nicholas Street where John was a licensed victualler. Children Edwin, Margaret, Sophia, Alfred and Frederick survive at this date. By 1871 they had moved to 3 Merchant Street where John became landlord of thee Mail Coach. Son Alfred went on to become landlord of other Bristol pubs including the Morning Star of Gwent in Trenchard Street and the well known Old Duke in King Street. John Leach died at 67 Somerset Street, Cathay, on 7 Jan. 1878.

Sarah Ann Roberts was born Sarah Ann Lewis in Bristol in 1804. She married master mariner Benjamin Roberts in Bristol on 15 August 1822. They had children George Henry, bapt. 25 July 1832 and Charles, bapt. 9 Dec. 1833, William Lewis Roberts, bapt. 28 Jan. 1840, all at St. Peter, Liverpool. By 1851 Sarah Ann was a widow, a milliner, living with son Charles in Liverpool. Sarah Ann moved to Bristol with Charles and acquired the license of the Brandy Cask in Bristol on 1 Jan. 1861.

At the licensing sessions of 12 May 1863 the license of the Brandy Cask Tavern was transferred from Sarah Ann Roberts to John Hunt.

On 16 July 1863 at the Lawford's Gate sessions Sarah Ann Roberts took the license of the Lamb at Crews Hole from John Phillips.

John Hunt was possibly born in St. Philips, Bristol in 1828, baptised Christmas day 1828 at St. Philip & Jacob's, son of Charles Hunt and Elisabeth, although John is very difficult to trace. Georgiana Susannah Honey, John Hunts wife, was daughter of Henry Honey, an innkeeper from Ansford, Dorset, she was born in Almer, Dorset in 1839 and they married at Bristol Holy Trinity on 20 January 1863. Sadly she died at the Brandy Cask on the 7 January 1866 aged just 26. Subsequently on 20 Feb. 1866 the license of the Brandy Cask was transferred to Ann Cratchley, former barmaid at the White Lion.

Anne Cratchley was born in 1835, baptised 29 Nov. at Harrold, Bedfordshire, daughter of Thomas Cratchley and Mary Ann Dorrington who had married in Harrold on 22 Apr.1834. In 1861 father Thomas was landlord of the Black Lion Inn at Falfield, Thornbury, Gloucestershire. Daughter Ann is listed as a barmaid in Bristol at this time. From the Western Daily Press - Monday 2 July 1866 page 2: "Presentation.— On Saturday, very gratifying testimonial was presented to Miss Cratchley, of the Brandy Cask, Broad Street. The lady had been for a long time barmaid at the White Lion, and in consideration of her uniform kindness and assiduous attention the barristers attending the Bristol Sessions resolved on presenting her with some mark of their appreciation of her conduct. The testimonial consisted of handsome and massive silver goblet, on which was inscribed the following:— "Presented to Miss Anne Cratchley by barristers of the Bristol Sessions in acknowledgment of the courtesy and attention shown them by her at the White Lion Hotel, Bristol. June, 1866."

Ann Cratchley married William Harding on 29 July 1866 at Christchurch, Bristol, and the license of the Brandy Cask was transferred to him on 11 Oct. 1866.

By 12 January 1867 the Brandy Cask was being advertised for sale along with the fixtures and fittings under deed for creditors of the estate of William Harding. It seems that the business failed, and likely the marriage too, because in 1871 and 1881 Anne was living back at home with her parents.

On the 26 Feb. 1867 the license was transferred from the trustee of the estate of William Harding to Henry Stevens (Likely father of William).

From the  Bristol Times and Mirror - Wednesday 24 July 1867 page 2: "City Improvement.—A splendid building is about be erected on the site of the premises known as the Brandy Cask, in Broad street. The structure will consist of five stories, and as seen from the street will of very imposing appearance. On the ground floor there will be an elegantly fitted bar and offices; on the second floor a spacious billiard-room lighted by three two-light windows; on the third and fourth floors will be sitting-rooms and bed-rooms. The style of the building is ornamented Gothic, and when all is completed the new premises will form very beautiful addition the street architecture Bristol. The architect is Mr. Ponton ; the proprietor, Mr. Stevens, of Nelson-street."

And from the Western Daily Press - Wednesday 31 July 1867 page 2: "The Brandy Cask, Broad Street.—This well-known hostelry is undergoing the process of demolition. The old-fashioned house, with which Bristol citizens were so familiar, will, however, be succeeded by a representative which will be in every respect worthy the ancient name and fame of its predecessor, and will, in fact, do credit to the street, of which it will doubtless be considered one of the chief ornaments. The new building is from the designs of Mr A. C. Ponton, architect, of Nicholas Street. The style is the 12th century French Gothic, very freely treated. The lower portion of the house has a very open, light appearance. Its supports consist of ornamental cast iron columns, which will be richly decorated. The first story—a billiard room—has a balcony with freestone shafts. It is composed of three main windows, sub-divided into two lights each, with Pennant and red Mansfield shafts. In the tympanum of the windows are coloured sculptured subjects, symbolical of the purposes for which the building is erected. The upper floors are similarly treated with variety of coloured stones in bands and arches. There is a light parapet above composed of small shafts, and a central dormer surmounted by a sculptured animal holding vane. The ridge of the roof is finished with rich cresting. There are many elaborate adornments to the building, which it is unnecessary to detail here, but which will have a very pleasing effect. The builders are Messrs Heal and Marsh, of the Grove. The premises are to be opened by Mr Stevens."

At the licensing sessions of 23 June 1868 the license of the Brandy Cask was transferred from Henry Stevens to William Stevens.

William Stevens was born in Bristol in 1837 in Bristol, baptised 30 July at St. James, son of Cheese factor Henry Thomas Stevens and wife Eliza Gattrell, who married at St. Philip & Jacob's on 25 March 1828. In 1841 Henry was a provision merchant at Seymour Place, Stapleton Road, this is likely where William was born. The family were living at 15 Lower Green, St. Augustine's, Bristol, in 1851. William was a cheese and provision merchant living in Twerton at the time of his marriage to Sarah Elizabeth Locock, daughter of Thomas Locock, a licensed victualler at the Victoria Inn, Regent Street, Weston-super-Mare. The couple were married at Twerton on 30 June 1861. William began his Wine and Spirit trade around early summer 1864, his first premises being 17 & 18 Nelson Street in Broadmead, he was advertising bottles Guinness and Porter at this time. He had moved to the 51 Broad Street address by Feb. 1867 as the above license transfer indicates. In May 1868 this advertisement appears: TO BE LET, with immediate possession, a WINE, SPIRIT, ALE, and STOUT BUSINESS, 17 and 18. Nelson Street, Broadmead. Bristol. There is good Counter Trade, well frequented Billiard Room, large Yard, and Stable.—Apply on the Premises, or to W. Stevens, Wine and Spirit Merchant, 51, Broad Street. (Western Daily Press - Friday 22 May 1868 page 2).

1 Gallon Stoneware Flagon. Stevens1.jpgStevens2.jpg
Impressed:  WILLIAM STEVENS / Importer of Wines & Spirits / 51 Broad Street / BRISTOL



Potter:  Powell / Bristol

At the licensing sessions of 17 May 1882, the license for the Brandy Cask was transferred from William Stevens to John Richard Agate.

John Richard Agate was born in Brighton, Sussex, baptised at St. Nicholas, 26 Sept. 1830, son of carpenter John and Sarah. John grew up in London, at St. George, Southwark, where he started his career as a wire worker. He joined the Royal Navy by 1860 as an Assistant Engineer, and was promoted to Engineer of the Fleet on 7 Dec. 1864. He served on the "Landrail", the "Cumberland", and  the "Beacon". He had married Hannah Leahey at St. Mark, Myddelton Square, Islington, on 6 June 1860. John and Hannah had 4 children: John Edward born 1861 in New Cross, Kent; Ellen Minnie, born 1865; Walter Henry, born 1866; and Mary Hannah Margaret, born 1867, all in Harwich, Essex; Hannah, John's first wife, died in 1867 age 33, John re-married to Martha Pinner on 14 Oct. 1867. His surname varies Agate/Agates in the records. at St. John's, Chatham, Kent. In the 1881 census, John was licensed victualler at the Admiral Duncan, 3 Nicholas street. John had obtained the license for this premises from Edna Chapman Baker on 9 Oct. 1878.

From the Western Daily Press - Saturday 06 September 1884 page 7 regarding the adjourned licensing meeting of the previous day: "Mr John Richard Agate, Brandy Cask, Broad Street.— This application was opposed on the ground that the applicant was on the 25th April, 1884, convicted and fined £3 and costs for permitting gaming, and also that the house was not required. Mr Clifton, for the applicant, admitted the conviction, and pointed out that the case was not of sufficient importance for the justices to endorse his license. It was, he believed, the only complaint. The Brandy Cask had been existence more than 200 years (historians emphasis), and had been rebuilt at a cost of £3,000 by Mr William Stevens. He put in a memorial from the inhabitants in favour of the renewal. Superintendent Mackenzie said there had been no complaint since the conviction. The bench renewed the license."

John retired from the business and Bristol in September 1887, on the 28th there was a sale of some of his effects. John Richard Agate, retired Naval Engineer, formerly of Switzerland House, Kingston Crescent, Landport, Southampton, died at 1 Caxton-villas, Granada Road, Southsea, on 14 Nov. 1887.

At the licensing sessions of 23 Nov. 1887, the license for the Brandy Cask was transferred from John Richard Agate to Albert Mark Davis. The Brandy Cask changed name to the Best Brand Company, of which Davis was a manager of the Bristol branch.

At the licensing sessions of 2 April 1890, the license for the Brandy Cask was transferred from Albert Mark Davis to Samuel Fowler. Fowler succeeded Davis as manager of the Best Brand Company Bristol branch.

Best Brand Company Limited, from the Western Daily Press - Friday 22 March 1889 page 4: "PUBLIC NOTICES- The SUBSCRIPTION LIST will OPEN MONDAY, March 25th, and CLOSE THURSDAY, March 28th, 1889, THE BEST BRAND COMPANY, LIMITED. incorporated Companies Acts, 1882-1886. CAPITAL.: £5,000 Issue of 318 Shares of £5 each, being the Residue of the above Capital. Issued Capital to March 1st, 1889, consisted of 682 Shares of £5 each, fully paid up. No Money has been paid or is due for promotion of the Company, and the Share Capital subject neither to Debentures nor Preference Shares. Directors. F. G. Powell, Bristol, Managing Director; John Henry Clifton, Bristol; William Stevens, Bristol; A. M. Davis, Shortwood; George W. Stevens, Bristol; G. Rennie Powell, Fishponds; D. M. W. Bullock, Bristol. By the Articles of Association no Directors' Fees are granted until Dividend of 6 per Cent. per annum been paid the Share Capital. BANKERS: Messrs Miles, Cave, Bailie, and Co.— the Old Bank, Bristol. SOLICITOR: F. J. Tarr (Messrs Clifton, Carter, and Co.). 51, Broad Street, Bristol. AUDITOR: George Eastbury, Lion Chambers, Broad Street, Bristol.

The Company's trading to October 1st, 1888, at the Bristol Stores paid dividend of 10 per cent, to the Shareholders then registered. Copies of the Report and Balance Sheet can seen on application to the Secretary, at 51, Broad Street, Bristol. Since October 1st, 1888, the old-established and well-frequented Wine and Spirit Stores known "The Cardiff Cottage." 26, St. Mary Street, Cardiff, have been acquired, and the transactions at this branch give promise of least a similar result. The Company have now secured, on the most favourable terms, a lease having 34 years unexpired upon the handsomely fitted and splendidly situated Wine and Spirit Vaults, known as the "The White Hart," Shoreditch, London, four doors from the Standard Theatre, and the junction of the following most important streets, Norton Folgate, Shoreditch, and Commercial Street, and they fully anticipate large and increasing profit from this addition to their Business. The capital now required is for the purpose providing the purchase-money for these premises.
The only Contracts affecting the Company which are in existence are the Leases the Bristol Stores and Cardiff Cottage aforesaid, a Contract for the purchase the White Hart before mentioned; and also several Contracts whereby the Company obtains the monopoly for sale of various articles required in their Business. Application for Shares will be received subject to the condition that Applicant waives any specification of these or other Contracts, if any, under the 38th section of the Companies Act, 1867, and shall be deemed to have had notice within the meaning of such section any such Contracts.
The present Issue of 318 Shares, of Five Pounds each, are offered at £5- 10s, and will participate the interim dividend to be declared upon the Company's trading from October lst, 1888, to March 31st instant.
The Issue is payable follows: £4 per Share on application, £4-10s on Allotment.
Application must made on the authorised Form, and lodged with Messrs Miles, Cave, Baillie, and Co., The Old Bank, Bristol, not later than the 28th day of March, 1889. In case there allotment, the deposit will be returned in full. There has been but one transfer Shares, and this transaction was recorded in the books of the Company on the 16th February, 1889, at 15 per cent, premium. Prospectus and Forms of Application may be obtained at the Best Brand Stores, 26, Saint Mary Street, Cardiff, 51, Broad Street, Bristol."

The Bristol branch of the Best Brand Stores in Broad Street was offered for sale by auction at the Grand Hotel Broad Street, on 30 May 1893, Best Brand having given up business by Feb. 1892. The premises in Bristol and Shoreditch had been purchased in 1892 by a Mr. James Humby, mill owner and proprietor of licensed victuallers' premises, who affairs in June 1893 were under investigation due to his failure and bankruptcy. By October 1893, 51 Broad Street had become Cafe Restaurant D'Italie, (S. Doresa Proprietor).


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