R. & J. Hull

Grocers, Wine & Spirit Merchants


    In the 1841 census Richard Hull and his wife Hannah were running the grocery business in Sutton Benger, both were supposed aged 60 at the time, with them at the time were sons Joseph aged 25 and Richard aged 15 and daughter Emma aged 20. Richard Hull of Sutton had married Hannah Day in Kington St. Michael, her home parish, by license on 6th Sept. 1804. Hannah Day was the daughter of Thomas and Mary, baptised in Kington St. Michael on 29th Sept. 1780. There was also a large Hull family in that village.

    Richard Hull was actually born and baptised in Christian Malford. Baptised 12th August 1781, son of Thomas Hull and Ann Hopkins (m. Christian Malford 30th May 1774).

    In the 1851 census Richard and Hannah have moved to a 55 acre farm called Stargrove in East Woodhay, Hampshire, with daughter Frances Caroline, then aged 26. In the census the surname is transcribed by the enumerator as Hutt, which is unhelpful, making this entry hard to locate. They are still living here in 1861 but without Frances. They have been joined at Stargrove Farm at this date by daughters Mary Ann and Emma, and son Richard. Richard senior died on 6th June 1870 at Stargrove house, aged 89.

    The children of Richard and Hannah were all born and baptised in Sutton Benger:

    Mary Ann Hull, bapt. 29th Dec. 1805.

    Henry Hull, bapt. 19th Mar. 1809

    Richard Hull, bapt. 1st Dec. 1812. d. 1817, buried Sutton Benger 30th Sep. 1817.

    Joseph Hull, bapt. 12th Mar. 1815.

    Sarah Jane Hull, bapt. 16th Mar. 1817.

    Emma Hull, bapt. 13th Mar. 1820.

    Richard Hull, bapt. 25th Jun. 1822.

    Frances Caroline Hull, bapt. 8th Aug. 1824.

    In 1851 Joseph was running the grocery business with brother Richard. Sister Mary Ann was house keeper.

   Joseph Hull married Clara Jane King in Chippenham on 30th Nov. 1852. She was eldest daughter of Mr. Alfred King, silversmith and watchmaker, of Chippenham. They had 5 children: Frances Jane (or Ann), bapt. 30th Nov. 1853 (m. James Hart steward of Earl Cowley of Draycot Park, at S. B. on 26th Oct 1886), and Richard, bapt. 15th Mar. 1855, Mary bapt. 16th Sept. 1856 and Joseph, bapt. 15th Aug. 1858, all in Sutton Benger. Unfortunately, the fifth child, Emily, bapt. 5th Feb. 1861, died on 10th Feb. 1861, and Clara Jane, Joseph's wife followed shortly afterwards on April 1st 1861.

    In 1861 Joseph, widower was running the Wine & Spirit shop, with him were son Richard aged 6, daughters Frances Jane aged 7, and Mary aged 4, and sister Mary Ann. Charlotte Timbrel King, his late wife's younger sister is a visitor. Charlotte stays with the family at the premises in Seagry Road, helping take care of the kids until the 1880's when she moves to live with her brother Alfred in Oundle, Northants.

    Joseph died on the 18th May 1879 in Sutton Benger. On Thursday 6th August 1879 the spirit license was transferred from the late Joseph Hull to his sons Richard and Joseph.

    Richard Hull, son of Joseph, never married, and died 2nd Sept. 1919 in Sutton Benger. Joseph junior, however, married Annie Barnes, in Oundle, Northants on 22nd July 1885.

    Joseph and Annie had  6 children, all at Park View, Sutton Benger except where stated otherwise: Herbert Richard B. Hull (27th Oct. 1886 at 2 Brixton Villas, New Rd. Chippenham, n.b. Mrs. J. Hull had a house at 11 New Road Chippenham in 1903 and Joseph was still at Sutton Benger at this date.); Ethel Mary Hull (1889); Joseph Reginald Hull (29th Jan. 1891); Percie Leslie Hull (1894); Cecil Douglas Hull (19th Jun. 1898) and Arthur Graham Hull (1899). By 1911 the family had moved to 62 St. Paul's Road, Clifton, Bristol, taking the Wine & Spirit business there. Richard continued to run the grocery store in Sutton Benger until his death, leaving his effects to Charles James Hibberd, merchant.

     From the Western Daily Press - Friday 02 December 1904: - CHIPPENHAM - At the petty session on Thursday, before Mr. G. P. Fuller and other magistrates, Richard and Joseph Hull, wine and spirit merchants, Sutton Benger, were summoned at the instance of the Revenue Authorities for selling one gallon of whiskey and one gallon of gin to George Frederick Francis of, of Cirencester, licensed victualler, without a permit, and for failing to make an entry in the stock book. Mr. Witchell of Cheltenham, supervisor to the Inland Revenue, appeared to prosecute, and the defendants were represented by Mr. Trasure, of Gloucester. The defendants pleaded guilty, and in mitigation of punishment. (The defendants claimed they gave the spirits) to Francis, who was also a rag and bone dealer, in exchange for three gross of old bottles, and as it was thought the spirits were for private consumption a permit was not sent. Fined £5, including costs for each offence.

    It seems from the above that Richard and Joseph has been having a bit of a clearout of old stuff before Joseph left.

    Joseph finally died on 2nd Feb. 1934 at 15 Arlington-Villas, Clifton, Bristol. He left his effects to son Percie Leslie Hull, who by then was a retired poultry farmer. Percie married Ruby Kathleen Ashton (youngest daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Richard Ashton), of Chandos Rd. Redland, at St. Saviours, Redland, Gloucs. on 11th Feb. 1928. The banns had been read in Minchinhampton the previous January. Percie died in 1971.    

2 Gallon Saltglaze Stone Jar Hull1.jpg Hull7.jpgHull15.jpg
Impressed: R Hull / Sutton .

1 & 2 Gallon Stone Jars Hull6.jpgHull16.jpg
Impressed: Richard Hull / Sutton Benger.

1 Gallon Stone Jar Hull4jpg
Impressed: HULL / Wine & Spirit Merchant / Sutton Benger.





Powell, Bristol.

2 & ½ Gallon Stone Jars Hull8.jpg Hull2.jpgHull17.jpg
Impressed: JOSEPH HULL / SUTTON BENGER (2 gal.); JOSEPH HULL / WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANT / SUTTON BENGER / (number) : numbers 2503 and 2872.



(½ gal). Powell, Bristol.

1 Gallon Stone Jar Hull3.jpg
Impressed: R & J HULL / WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANT / SUTTON BENGER / (number) : Powell, Bristol.

1 & 2 Gallon Stone Jar Hull13.jpgHull14.jpg
Printed: R & J HULL / WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS / SUTTON BENGER / (number):  No. 4311 & 4420. 1 Gallon has number on shoulder.


Potters mark (printed): Powell, Bristol.
Image on right courtesy Tony Hughes.

2 Gallon Stone Jar Hull1.jpg
Printed: R. & J. HULL / WHOLESALE GROCERS / SUTTON BENGER




Potter: Price, Powell & Co., Bristol.

½ Pint, Pint & Quart Imperial Spirit Bottles Hull9.jpg Hull5.jpgHull10.jpg
Sealed: HULL / WINE / & / SPIRIT MERCHANTS / SUTTON BENGER. Some embossed IMPERIAL.




Powell & Ricketts Patent. Height 8.5", 9.5" & 12".

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