Bristol Potters

Research by Reg Jackson

BENNETT Alice (see also HUNTINGTON, Alice)

See the Potteries section for the Brislington Pottery.

She succeeded John Bissicke, Robert Bennett I and Robert Collins at the Brislington Pottery.

1659-68

Alice Bennett ran the Brislington Pottery.

She was succeeded by her son, Robert Bennett II.

The widow of Robert Bennett I, she appears to have carried on the Brislington Pottery after his death. She was also the mother of Robert Bennett II. She married Solomon Huntington, a mariner. For further details see under Alice Huntington.

1661	14 Jan. A lease by Anne Bissicke of land at Brislington, to Alice Bennett. This lease was subsequently assigned by her son, Robert Bennett II (SRO DD/BR/tb 7).

BENNETT Kate

Born c1879 in Bristol (01C).

1901	Pottery forewoman, 8 Montgomery Street, Bedminster (22) (01C).

BENNETT Robert I

See the Potteries List section for the Brislington Pottery.

c1652-59

The Brislington Pottery was operated by John Bissicke, Robert Bennett I and Robert Collins. Collins retained an interest in the Pottery until his death in 1689.

The Pottery was then run by Alice Bennett, the widow of Robert Bennett I.

The husband of Alice Bennett and father of Robert Bennett II.

1656	8 Nov. An assignment by John Bissicke to Robert Bennett of land at Brislington (SRO DD/BR/tb 7).
1657	8 May. A sale by Rowland Lacey to Robert Bennett of land at Brislington, including Games tenement (SRO DD/BR/tb 7 and DD/GL 18 & 5) (the latter document is the counterpart).
1658	20 Dec. Will: THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF Robert Bennett of the parish of Brislington in the County of Somest Galypotmaker being in perfect memory doth make this my last Will and Testament sealed with my seale the twenty day of December 1658 I give and bequeath unto my wife Alice Bennett the pfitts of all those my three Tenements one lett in occupation of Henry Keynes and one other let in the occupation of John Game one other in Reversion of Em ffarthing all which three Tenements my said wife to hold and enjoy until my sonnes Robert and John come unto the age of eighteene yeares & my daughter Mary come unto the age of eighteene yeares Item I give and bequeath unto my wife all that my household stuffe except implements of the trade I now use Item I give and bequeath unto my wife out of my Tenements when Robert and John my two sonnes come to age eight pounds per ann during the naturall life of my said wife which said sume of money bee paid as foll I give and bequeath unto my sonne Robert and John that my one Tenement late in occupation of Henry Keynes to hold it by equall parts pt and pt a like untill the decease of Emm: ffarthing and at her decease I give and bequeath That my Tenement in which I now dwell in – lately in occupation of William Browne unto my sonne Robert and his heires for ever and ffor want of issue to my sonne John and his heires for want of such issue to my daughter Mary and her heires for ever and ffor want of issue to the heires of my brother John Bennett my said sonne Robert paying four pounds p ann dureing my said wifes life Item I give and bequeath unto my sonne John all that my Tenement late in the occupation of Henry Keynes after the decease of Emm: ffarthing to hold for ever to him my said sonne and the heires of his body and for want of such issue to my sonne Robert and for want of such issue to my daughter Mary and her heires and for want of such issue to the heires of my brother John Bennett my said sonne paying four pounds p ann unto my said wife during her naturall life I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Bennett All that my Messuage lately in the occupation of John Game to hold for ever to her ye said Mary and her heires for ever and for want of such issue to the heires of Robert and John by equall parts part and part alike for want of such issue to my brother John and his heires for ever I give and bequeath unto my sister Elizabeth Morgan fforty shillings and unto her three daughters and sonne [illegible] shillings for each of them I give unto William Morgan her sonne thirty shillings I make my wife Executor of this my last Will I give and bequeath unto my sd wife Alice All that my dwelling house in which I now liveth the same to hold during the naturall life of my said wife Sealed with my seale on the other side of this halfe sheete of paper I make and appoint Robert Wastfeild and William Baugh overseers. Robert Bennett Witnes Thomas Byam John Biswicke his marke This will was proved att London Before the Judges for probate of Wills and granting Administrations Lawfully authorised the nineteenth day of December in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred and fifty nine by the oath of Alice Bennett the relict of the said deceased sole Executrix named in the said Will …. (PRO Prob. 11/296). His widow, Alice, married Solomon Huntington, a mariner, but she still appears to have run the pottery at Brislington.
1702	12 Jun. The following document, made after his death, gives further information about the property of Robert Bennett in Brislington: This Indenture Tripartite made the Twelfth day of June in the first yeare of the reigne of our Soveraigne Lady Ann by the grace of God … 1702 Betweene John Bennett of the City of Bristoll Cooper of the first parte Robert Bennett of the same City Cooper sonn of the said John Bennett and Deenes wife of the said Robert Bennett of the second parte and James Croft of the said City Gent and Edward Ward of the said City Gallypotmaker of the third parte Whereas a marriage has bin lately had and consummated betweene the said Robert Bennett and Deenes his wife Daughter of the said Edward Ward before the Solemnization of which marriage the said John Bennett did promise and undertake in consideration of the marriage portion which the said Robert Bennett had received in marriage with the said Deenes his wife to settle and assure to and on the said Robert Bennett and the said Deenes his wife and the heires of the two bodyes the lands tenements and hereditaments hereinafter menconed Witnesseth now this psent Indenture that the said John Bennett in pursueance and performance of the said contract and for a competent maintenance to be had and provided to and for the said Deenes Bennett in case she shall happen to survive and for other good considerations … doth grant bargaine sell remise release and confirme … All that parcel of pasture ground now divided into three Closes upon parte whereof was lately erected a messuage or tenement wherein Robert Bennett the elder father of the said John Bennett lately dwelt with other howsing thereto adjoyneing and belonging situate lying and being in Birtchwood within the parish of Brislington als Bussleton in the County of Somsett conteyneing in the whole by estimacon twelve acres … heretofore in the occupacon of one Thomas Woodroofe and afterwards of Mary Browne widow and late in the tenure of Robert Bennett the elder who purchased the same (amongst other lands of and from Rowland Lacy of Shipton under Whitchwood in the County of Oxon …) Att and under the yearly fee farme rent of three pounds seaventeene shillings and tenn pence … And alsoe all that messuage tenement and Cottage Scituate and being in Brislington … knowne by the name of the Moore contaeyneing by estimacon two acres … with the Withy bed in or neere the same ground … and bounded with the land now or late of William Shelton on or towards the East parte [therefore presumably next to Bissicke’s land, which had been inherited by the Sheltons] and the land now or lately of Henry Suttons on or towards the West parte … the RiverAvon there on or towards the north parte and the land late of the said Robert Bennett next after menconed on or towards the south parte thereof And also All that one other Close or Meadow or pasture ground commonly called or knowne by the name of the Moore … bounded … [by] land late of Robert Bennett the elder on or towards the south parte … All which said Messuage … are … att or neere the said place called Birchwood … and were purchased by Robert Bennett the Younger of and from Elizabeth Shelton of London widow and William Shelton of London Merchant Tayler … and every parcel thereof And all the estate right title … of him the said John Bennett of into or out of the said hereby granted released and conveyed pmisses … All which said Messuages … are now in the possession of Thomas Dickson of the City of Bristol Linnendraper which he holdeth for terme of his naturall life as Tenant by the curtosie of England … To hold the use and behoofe of the said Robert Bennett for and during the terme the term of his naturall life … And from and after his decease the use and behoofe of the said Deenes his wife for her life and her Joincture and in full recompense and barr of and for her Dower and from and after the decease and deceases of both of them the Robert Bennett and Deenes his wife To the heires of their two bodyes between them lawfully begotten and to be begotten and for default of such issue To the use and behoofe of the right heires of him the said Robert Bennett for ever …(SRO DD/BR/tb 7 and DD/GL 18).

BENNETT Robert II

See the Potteries List section for the Brislington Pottery.

He succeeded his mother Alice Bennett at the Brislington Pottery.

1669-71

Robert Bennett II ran the Brislington Pottery.

He was succeeded at the Pottery by his widow, Sarah Bennett I.

The son of Robert Bennett I. His widow, Sarah, married Robert Wastfield.

1658	20 Dec. He was a beneficiary named in his father’s will (see Robert Bennett I) (PRO Prob. 11/296).
1667	14 Feb. An indenture between Rowland Lacy, heir of Sir John Lacy, and Ezekiel Langton conveying the manor of Brislington, Brislington Farm and cottages, includes details of several fee farm rents charged on various premises one of which was occupied by Robert Bennett as tenant.
1668	26 Sep. He was the main beneficiary in his mother’s will (see Alice Huntington). It is assumed that her estate included the Brislington Pottery, as in her will she refers to her employees, one of whom is known to have been a potter (PRO Prob. 11/328).
1669	10 May. A gallypotmaker of Brislington he was granted a licence to marry Sarah Cole of Temple parish, at St Thomas’ church (M).
1669	9 Jun. Robert Bennett, Gallipotmaker, was admitted into the liberties of this Citty for that hee married Sarah the daughter of James Cole, and hath taken the oath of allegiance and paid 4s 6d (F).
1670	5 Mar. A lease between George Combe of Burnett, Somerset, yeoman, and Robert Bennett of Brislington, gallypotmaker, of: All those his Two acres of Meadow or pasture ground (be it more or lesse) lyinge in the Northfield in and amongst severall pcells of Lands of Inheritance belonging to the Church of Compton Dando And Two acres of arable land lyinge in Sandyfield shootinge against Week path All which premises are lyinge within the Parish of Compton Dando in the said County and now in the tenure of the said George Combe or of his assignes … (SRO DD/BR/U 7).
1671	2 Jun. A sale by Elizabeth and William Shelton, her son, to Robert Bennett of the ‘Royal Oake’, the Moore and a withy bed and other lands at Brislington. The Sheltons were kinsmen of the Bissickes and had inherited the land from them. This appears to be the same land referred to in a deed dated 12 June 1702 (see under Robert Bennett I for full details).
1671	14 Jun. Will: UPPON WENSDAY THE FFOURTEENTH day of June in the yeare of our Lord One Thousand Six hundred Seaventy and One I Robert Bennett of the Parish of Brislington in the County of Somersett Gally pot maker being in good and perfect memory doe declare this my Last Will and Testament in forme following (That is to say) I do give and bequeath to my Daughter Sarah Bennett the two grounds I lately purchased called the Moores to take it when she comes to be ffifteene yeares old And if my said Daughter happen to die then I give the said grounds to my wife Sarah Bennett – All the rest of my estate whatsoever I give unto my wife Sarah – whom I make sole Executrix Robt. Bennet his mke. Wtnes Robt Wastfield Mary Coles Probate was granted to his widow, Sarah, on 13 July 1671 (PRO Prob. 11/336).
1672	9 Jul. His widow, Sarah, married Robert Wastfield (QR).

BENNETT Sarah I (see also WASTFIELD Sarah)

See the Potteries List section for the Brislington Pottery.

She succeeded her husband Robert Bennett II at the Brislington Pottery.

1671-79

Sarah Bennett I ran the Brislington Pottery alone until 1672, when she married Robert Wastfield who then ran the Pottery with her until his death in 1677. She then again ran the Pottery alone until her death in 1679. Robert Collins retained an interest in the Pottery until 1689.

She was succeeded by her daughter Sarah Bennett II.

The widow of Robert Bennett II and also of Robert Wastfield, her second husband.
For further details see Sarah Wastfield.

BENNETT Sarah II

See the Potteries section for the Brislington Pottery.

She succeeded her mother Sarah Wastfield at the Brislington Pottery.

1679-90

Sarah Bennett II ran the Brislington Pottery. Robert Collins retained an interest in the Pottery until 1689.

She was succeeded by her husband, Thomas Dickson.

The daughter of Robert Bennett II and step-daughter of Robert Wastfield. She married Thomas Dickson.

BENNEY Thomas H.

Born c1880 in Bristol, the brother of Walter Benney and the brother-in-law of Gertrude Ford (01C, 11C).

1901	Potter, 7 Park Street, St Lawrence parish (21) (01C).
1911	Handler, potter, Whitehall Gardens, Whitehall Road (31), living with his wife Ethel Mary (24) and children Henry (2) and Walter (1), all born in Bristol, and sister-in-law Gertrude Ford (22), caster potter, born in Bristol (11C).
1934	6 Dec. ‘An inquiry into the death of Thomas Henry Benney (54) of Grace Road, Downend, was conducted by … the South Gloucestershire coroner with a jury at Staple Hill Police Court yesterday. Dr F.L. Cairns said that death was due to silicosis, and a verdict in accordance was returned. Mr T.D. Hicks, who appeared for Messrs Pountney and Co., pottery manufacturers, Fishponds, by whom the deceased was at one time employed, expressed his sympathy to the relatives on behalf of the company’ (Western Daily Press).

BENNEY Walter I

Born c1883 in Bristol, the brother of Thomas H. Benney (01C).

1901	Potter, 7 Park Street, St Lawrence parish (18) (01C).
1911	Pottery manufacture [crossed out and ‘draper’ inserted], 4 Balaclava Road, Fishponds (28), living with his wife Mary Ann (25), born in Bristol (11C).

BENNEY Walter II

Born c1883 in Easton (11C).

1911	Pottery dipper, 4 Balaclava Road, Ridgeway Road, Fishponds (28), living with his wife Ann (25), born in Easton (11C).

BENT Thomas

1731	25 Mar. Sarah Beaton agt Thomas Bent a potter in Portwall Lane (C).
1731	2 Dec. Henry Jones agst Thomas Bent potter at Mr Wards, Water Lane (C). See James Ward.

BENTLEY John

Born c1801 in Somerset (41C).

1841	Potter journeyman, Regent Street, Bedminster (40), living with his wife Rachel (40) and son John (10), both born in county (41C).

BENTLEY Robert

Born c1846 in Longton, Staffordshire (71C).

1871	Potter thrower, lodging at Victoria Terrace, St Philip’s parish (25) (71C).

BERNARD Elsie

Born c1885 in Bristol (01C).

1901	China painter (potter), 26 Sandgate Road, Brislington (15) (01C).

BERRY Elizabeth

Born c1823 in Bristol, the daughter of George Berry, labourer (41C).

1841	Potters apprentice (18), Jones Court, Temple parish, living with her parents (41C).

BERRY George

Born c1835 in Bristol (61C).

1861	Labourer, 8 Pile Street, St Mary Redcliffe parish (26), living with his wife Susan (24), born in Bristol (61C).
1866	21 May. Bread Street, St Philip’s (33), he married Frances Carr (26) the daughter of John Carr, labourer (PPR).
1871	4 Chapel Court, St Mary Redcliffe parish (37) with his wife Frances (36) and daughter Sarah (10) (71C).
1881	Shop porter, Jones Court, Great Avon Street, Temple parish (46), living with his wife Frances (40), born in St Mary Redcliffe parish, and daughter Sarah (20), born in St Mary Redcliffe parish (81C).
1891	Potter, 6 Jones Court, Temple parish (58), living with his wife Frances (51) (51C).

BESSELL Albert

Born c1887 in Bristol (01C).

1901	Clay carrier, pottery, 40 Oxford Street, St Silas parish (14) (01C).

BESSELL Edmund (Edward) I

Born c1813, the father of Edmund Bessell II (51C).

1844	18 Feb. Horsefair (30), the son of John Jefferis, millwright, he married Ann Jacobs (25) the daughter of John Jacobs, a sailor (JaPR).
1851	1 Barton Place, Henry Row, St Philip’s parish (38), living with his wife Ann (31), a laundress, born in Bristol, and children John (10), William (6), James (4), Edmund (3) and Ann (1), all born in Bristol (51C).
1861	Labourer (mason’s), Henry Row, St Philip’s parish (47), living with his wife Ann (46) and children including George (7) and Henry (4), both born in Bristol (61C).

BESSELL Edmund II

Born c1849 in Bristol, the son of Edmund Bessell I and the brother-in-law of Mary J. Bessell (51C, 81C).

1871	Labourer, 1 Barton Place, St Philip’s parish (22), living with his parents and siblings (71C).
1881	7 Henry Row, St Philip’s (32), with his wife Jane (25) a tailoress, his children and his sister-in-law, Mary J. Bessell (23), potter in warehouse (81C).
1891	General labourer, 1 Cottages, Henry Row, St Philip’s parish (42), living with his wife Jane, and children (91C).
	Children: All born in Bristol: Annie E., born c1873, Clara, born c1876, Martha J., born c1878, Edmund G., born c1881

BESSELL Henry I

Born c1830 in Bristol (51C).

1847	28 Nov. Newfoundland Street, St Paul’s parish, the son of William Bessell, boilermaker, he married Ann Griffiths, the daughter of Thomas Griffiths, a tailor (PaPR).
1849	Wade Street, St Philip’s parish (PPR).
1850	Great Ann Street, St Philip’s parish (PPR).
1851	Newfoundland Street, St Paul’s parish (21), living with his wife Ann (21), born in Bristol, and son, Henry (2) (51C).
1861	Victualler, widower, Horse and Jockey, Broadmead, St James’s parish (31), living with his son, Henry (61C).
	Children: Henry William, born 12 Aug 1848, bapt 4 Mar 1849 (PPR), George Frederick (aged 30 days), bapt 19 May 1850 (PPR)

BESSELL Henry II

Born c1849 in Bristol (81C).

1881	Potter labourer (32), Little Ann Street, St Philip’s parish (81C).