| E-mail from Cynthia Stiles - June 4, 2008 Joseph Bryant was a well-known Bristol firm. At the bottom is some
information regarding how the company started.
I have an advert from the 1960s for Joseph Bryant Limited at 95 Old
Market Street, and I think the name you've got part of is Poulard Caravan
Awnings which they made. They were known as the west of England camping
specialists and sold tents and equipment and cordage and canvas
equipment. Happy to scan the advert if you'd like to see it.
Joseph Bryant, was born near Shepton Mallet, Somerset was apprenticed
in 1711 to Jane Green, widow of Francis Green, who had a ropemaking
business in Temple district of Bristol. Joseph himself set up business
in 1718 and probably living and working in St. Philip and Jacob until the
1750s. He and his son John are known to have been in Bedminster after
1753. John's son, Joseph, married into a ropemaking family, continuing the
family's trade. He then had a son called John who lived in the St. Pauls
area of Bristol probably with a ropewalk there
This John had a son called William who developed the business into other
areas, and in 1858, when they leased 95 Old Market St. After her husband's
death in 1859, William's wife Eleanor carried on trading until her
remarriage in 1873 when her eldest son Joseph assumed management of the
business in his own name, which continued to be run by the later members
of the family.
Not sure when they finally stopped trading but they aren't in Yellow
Pages. They have deposited records with Bristol Record Office and am
going there on Saturday so will check.
regards
--
Cynthia Stiles
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Below is Cynthia's June 5th follow-up to her email above,
plus copies of a couple of advertisements for the Joseph Bryant Company
Interesting to see the photos - yes, typical mid-20th century British
holiday caravan - seen a few of those in my time!
Here are two adverts - the second one was late 1950s. I'm trying to
track down a pic of the shop in Old Market Street and/or the works in
Narrow Plain.
In case you're not sure about freemen and burgesses of Bristol,
it was originally the only way you could vote. Trade was
originally governed by guilds and it was difficult, and at some periods
virtually impossible, for a man to set up as a master in his own craft
or even trade without first being admitted a freeman. To be admitted you
either had to be the son of a freeman, or have served at least seven
years apprenticeship to a burgess, or be married to the widow or
daughter of a freeman or pay a large sum to purchase the privilege.
Yes, in those days women were treated pretty much as goods and chattels.
It was only after the First World War that all males over 21 were
allowed to vote and most women had to wait even longer. But being made a
burgess is still a ceremonial thing.
Cynthia Stiles
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