THE SLAUGHTERFORD BREWERY


    John Porter was born in Great Somerford, Wilts in 1829, in the 1851 census he is a brewer's labourer in Great Somerford with wife Eliza of Corsham and 3 year old son Albert. They later had 2 more sons, John and William, and 2 daughters, Clara and Sulley, in Somerford, and another daughter, Susan, born in Ford. They had moved to Slaughterford by 1858. John Porter, common brewer, of Slaughterford, was bankrupt as of 22nd December 1869. By 1871 there were 5 more kids: Walter, Eliza, Annie J., Frank and Blanche. John Porter employed a William Bellett and a Charles Bridgeman.

From the Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette - Thursday 14 April 1870: - Charles Bridgeman, late in the employ of Mr. John Porter, of Slaughterford, brewer, was summoned by the latter, for embezzling monies, the property of his master. It appeared from the evidence of Mr. Porter that defendant was his carter, and employed to carry out beer, and it was a part of his duty to receive money in payment for goods delivered. On the 27th January last defendant delivered nine gallons of 1s. ale to Mr. Nowell, of Castle Combe, receiving the money for it. This he did not account for, and, on being questioned, denied its receipt. Mr. Nowell now proved paying the money, and produced the receipt the defendant gave him. - The accused was sent to prison for two months with hard labor.

Albert Porter, of Slaughterford, brewer, was summoned on Thursday 17th Aug. 1870 at the Corsham Petty Sessions, by Hugh Watts, keeper to Lord Methuen, for poisoning fish in the brook running from Castle Combe to Slaughterford. He was ordered to pay £5 plus costs, and as he did not appear, a warrant was issued for his commitment for two months.

From the Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette - Thursday 15 December 1870: -
    "SLAUGHTERFORD BREWERY - 5 miles from Chippenham and 9 miles from Bath - TO BE LET - A COMPACT BREWERY with retail beer license, comfortable dwelling house, farm buildings, yards and about 20 acres of arable and pasture land.
    The brewery is in full work, and a good trade has been carried on for a number of years.
    There is a never failing supply of excellent water.
    The Stock-in-Trade, Fixtures and Utensils to be taken to, at a Valuation, and immediate possession may be had if required.
    For further particulars apply to MESSRS. R. and J. DARLEY, Auctioneers and General Valuers, Chippenham, Wilts."

From the Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette - Thursday 30 January 1873: -
    "Slaughterford Brewery, Chippenham, Wilts,

January 1873.

THOMAS H. LITTLE begs to inform his Friends and the Public generally that he has taken the above Brewery, which has been considerably enlarged, and trusts, by the use of the very best Malt and Hops, combined with his great experience as a Practical Brewer, to produce
STRONG BEER, PALE ALES, and PORTER
Of such quality that will ensure a share of their kind patronage and support.
Orders respectfully solicited."

    Thomas Hicks Little was born 1844 in Chippenham, son of Edward Little, a farmer of 450 acres at Sheldon Farm, between Biddestone and Chippenham, and Elizabeth Bayliffe of Seagry. In 1851 Thomas was living at home at the farm with his parents and family. Brother John who was 2 years older, and younger sisters Maria, Mary Ann, Fanny and Elizabeth. Thomas was apprenticed to Richard Barton, brewer at the nearby Lacock Brewery, and this is where he learned his craft, eventually marrying the brewer's daughter Harriet Louisa Barton in 1866.

    Thomas and Harriet had children: Fred (b.1868); Florence (b.1870); May (b. 1873) and Thomas (b. 1875)

    Thomas likely took possession of the brewery in 1871 and redeveloped the site, opening in January 1873. Unfortunately he died in 1877 and at the Chippenham Petty Sessions for the 3rd May 1877 the license passed from his representatives to his widow Harriet Louisa Little. From around 1880-1889 there was a partnership between Edward Dawkins jun. and Harriet Louisa Little (Little & Dawkins). Edward Dawkins was born in 1851, bapt. 5th Oct. in Wherwell, Hants. son of Edward Dawkins and Mary. In the Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette - Thursday 02 October 1890 p1. there is the following announcement:

"SLAUGHTERFORD BREWERY

30th September 1890

MRS. T. H. LITTLE has the pleasure to announce
that her eldest Son, Mr. FRED LITTLE, has joined
her in the managementof the Slaughterford Brewery,
which will be carried on in the style of
"LITTLE & SON."
Mr. FRED LITTLE was formerly with Messrs. Buckley
Brothers, Brewers, of Llanelly, and has lately resigned the
position of Brewer to the Bristol United Breweries,
Limited, of Redcliff Meads, Bristol.
Mrs. LITTLE trusts her numerous customers and friends
will continue their patronage, which she has enjoyed during
the past 18 years, to merit which will be the utmost
endeavour of herself and son."

    By 1891 Dawkins was a visitor at a farm in Sussex with a brother, he is listed as an "Out of business brewer", by 1901 he is retired and living in Langley Burrell.

    By 1896 second son Thomas had come of age and had joined the company as a brewer.

    Harriet Louisa Little died on 10th April 1908 at Mount Scylla, Ford, Wilts. She left her son Edward the brewery. In 1911 Edward and Thomas were both brewers at Slaughterford.

    On 25th Nov. 1909, at the 74th Chippenham Agricultural Exhibition, Alfred Rawlings received a £2 award for 33 years service to Messrs. Little & Son.

    In 1901 Fred Little married Margaret Edith Jones in Llanelly where he had been a brewer prior to returning to Slaughterford. They had 2 daughters, Kathleen Joyce and Joan Margaret. Fred died in Bristol on 22nd Oct. 1936, aged 68, at his home at 23 Montrose Avenue, Redland, he had been ill for some time. He was agent for the Western District of the National Trade Defence Association and one of the founders of the Taunton and West Somerset Women's Licensed Trade Defence Association in 1935, of which he was secretary. He was also secretary of the Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire & Berkshire Brewers Association.

    Thomas Little junior married Mabel Mildred Tayler They had children Thomas Edward Barton Little, and Constance Gwendolen Little. Thomas died in Slaughterford on 7th February 1945 leaving his estate to his widow Mabel.

   

Little1.jpg Little.jpg
CLICK TO ENLARGE PRICE LIST
Little3.jpg
Little4.jpg

½ Gallon Stone Jar Little2.jpg
Printed: LITTLE & SON / BREWERS & SPIRIT MERCHANTS / SLAUGHTERFORD BREWERY / CHIPPENHAM.
127


Potter: Price, Bristol.

1 Gallon Stone Jar Little5.jpgLittle5a.jpg
Printed: LITTLE & SON / BREWERS & SPIRIT MERCHANTS / SLAUGHTERFORD     BREWERY / CHIPPENHAM.   155        



Potter: Price, Bristol.

 Gallon Stone Jar Little4.jpgLittle4a.jpg
Impressed: 2, Printed: LITTLE & SON / BREWERS & SPIRIT MERCHANTS / SLAUGHTERFORD     BREWERY / CHIPPENHAM.   107        



Potter: Price, Bristol.

2 Gallon Stone Jar Little3.jpgLittle3a.jpg
Printed: LITTLE & SONS / BREWERS & SPIRIT MERCHANTS / SLAUGHTERFORD BREWERY / CHIPPENHAM. 302  




Potter: Price Powell & Co, Bristol.

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