Early period round 2 tone glaze.
Potter: Powell / Potter / Bristol
Thomas Sullivan was born in Cork, Ireland, around 1794. From around 1823 he was married to Ann Molloy of Ireland, and had several children baptised at St. Mary's (formerly St. Joseph's) Roman Catholic Church, Bristol:: Ann, born 8 May 1824, bapt. 4 June; Sarah, born 7 Oct. 1826, bapt. 19 Oct.; Catharine, born 15 Feb. 1829, bapt. 26 March; Mary, born 27 June 1830, bapt. the same day; Helen, born 27 Aug. 1831, bapt. 23 Sep.; and son Thomas, born 30 Jan. 1833, bapt. 17 Feb. It seems that wife Ann died around 1857. He married Mary Esther Shallcross in Warwick, in 1863.
Their son John (born 1821 in Ireland) became a jeweller and goldsmith in St. John's Wood, Middlesex by the time of his father's death.
Earliest advert Bristol Mirror - Saturday 7 February 1829 p.3:
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL
FLINT-GLASS WAREROOMS,
3, COLLEGE-PLACE, COLLEGE-GREEN, Bristol.
THOMAS SULLIVAN begs to return his very
grateful acknowledgements to his Friends and the Public
for the very extensive patronage he has received, and acquaints
them that he has for Sale a variety of PLAIN and RICHLY
CUT GLASS, which, in addition to its superior quality, he is
selling at very LOW PRICES.
Orders for the Country carefully packed without the least
danger of breakage.
United with the above Establishment, he has
PURE MALT WHISKEY,
From the respectable House of CALLAGHAN & Co., Cork.
T. S. most respectfully states that he has a constant supply of
OLD CORK WHISKEY from the above House, which he
will warrant genuine, 25 per cent. above proof, and upwards of
three years old.—It is not generally known that, by a recent Act
of Parliament, the above Article can be imported, and sold at
full distillery strength in England as in Ireland.
Purchasers are requested to be particular in seeing that the
Casks and Jars they receive are sealed with the impression
"Genuine Old Cork Whiskey, T. Sullivan, Bristol," to prevent
messengers taking home, from other houses, low-priced or
inferior Whiskey. Dublin and Cork Genuine SNUFFS.
He was still selling glass in 1836 from his shop in College Place, at the corner of Frog Lane, which he rented at £30 per annum. The premises came up for sale this year.
In the 1841 census, Thomas doesn't appear, but Ann is listed as Spirit Merchant at College Place, along with children: John aged 20, born Ireland; Mary aged 11; Ellen aged 10; and Thomas aged 8. The younger children were born locally in St. Augustines, Bristol.
Thomas was also a purveyor of LANE & Co.'s CORK PORTER—"This Porter, which has already acquired much celebrity in the London Market, is of a quality superior to any yet introduced into Bristol, and without doubt, will, upon trial, receive the same hearty welcome from the Connoisseurs of this town that has been accorded to it in the Metropolis. T. S. earnestly requests this trial, and will guarantee to the Public the advantage of full Imperial Measure in all sizes of Casks—Nine Gallons and upwards. Strict attention has been given to the Bottling of Stout so as to secure the Purchaser all its native and peculiar richness of quality" (Aug. 1849).
In the 1851 census Thomas's address is 4 College Place, he is there with wife Ann and daughter "Ellen", likely Helen, aged 19.
By 1853 Thomas also had an outlet for his bottled products at Mr. Turner's Spirit Vaults at the Bunch of Grapes in Denmark Street. Anything 2 gallons and upwards was only available at College Green. Also by 1855 his range of Glass had extended to Bohemian glass as well as British flint-glass.
Advertisements for Sullivan's whisky were appearing as late as March 1869:
W H I S K Y
———
T. SULLIVAN'S WHISKY still remains unrivalled for Age,
Strength, and Quality. Challenge Trial.
He begs to announce to the Public in general that, in addition
to his Wholesale License, he has obtained special authority
from the Board of Excise enabling him to Sell
SINGLE IMPERIAL QUART BOTTLES.
To be obtained at his Office,
17, C O L L E G E G R E E N,
BRISTOL.
Thomas's death on 21 June 1869 is recorded in the Bristol Mercury - Saturday 26 June 1869 p.6., he died at his home, 17 College Green:
"Our obituary records the passing away of another old citizen, Mr. Thomas Sullivan, whiskey merchant, College-green, who expired on Monday at the ripe old age of 75 years. In early life Mr. Sullivan was connected with the musical profession, and performed with skill on several instruments. As a trumpeter, he, in his day, took a high position, and was often selected for obligato passages requiring more than ordinary execution. Mr. Sullivan was a member of the Orchestra of our Theatre Royal, under the leadership of the famous John Loder, Charles Cummins, and, we believe, also of John Stansbury, and at times when the band numbered such men as the elder Percival, Prattensen, Wrenn, and the like. Subsequently Mr. Sullivan allied himself to commercial pursuits. He was one of the first to introduce into England a large trade in Irish glass, and he more recently carried on extensive operations in whisky. Mr. Sullivan was one of those on whom age sits lightly. He was tall, upright, hale, and active almost to the day of his death. About a fortnight ago, whilst strolling in the Victoria-park at Bath, he sat about too long on the iron seats, and, as we fear has been the case with many during the present ungenial season, caught a severe catarrh. All that skill and kindness could suggest was done for his recovery, but he succumbed to the malady."
| 2 Gallon Stoneware Flagon | |
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2 / Sullivan / Bristol Early period round 2 tone glaze. Potter: Powell / Potter / Bristol |