Bristol Mayors - a collection of historical data

Bristol Mayors & Sheriffs - a collection of historical data

Mayors/Sheriffs shown in CAPS have their own page

Barker: According to Arrowsmith's Dictionary of Bristol (1884) there was a memorial to John Barker in St Werburgh's church - "an altar tomb with the figure of a civic dignitary, and an inscription above setting forth that he was Mayor and Alderman. Died 1607 (supposed)"

Bengough: According to Arrowsmith's Dictionary of Bristol (1884) there is a memorial to Henry Bengough in St Mark's chapel indicating that he was an Alderman and died 10th April 1818 aged 80.

Bird: According to Arrowsmith's Dictionary of Bristol (1884) there is a memorial to Wm. Bird in St Mark's chapel - "Died Oct 8th 1590. Mayor of Bristol 1589"

Britton: George Bryant Britton was born in 1857. He founded the boot manufacturing business which bore his name and played an active part in the initiation of an electric tram service to Kingswood. He became a Bristol councillor in 1897, an alderman in 1921 and served as Lord Mayor in 1920. He was also Liberal MP for Bristol East from 1918 - 1922. He died on 11th July 1929.

Brown: Mrs Florence Mills Brown was the first female Lord Mayor of Bristol in 1963.

Bryant: Walter Bryant was associated in business with the quarrying industry and served as a Bristol councillor from 1921 he was Lord Mayor in 1929. He died on 9th November 1935 aged 61.

Butler: Lt. Col. Joseph Beaumont Butler served in the Boer war and was Sheriff in 1916 but he relinquished the post in order to take up military duties. He was the son of William Butler and director of Wm. Butler & Co. Ltd., of Silverthorne Lane and Crews Hole. He died on 30th April 1935.

Canynges: Arrowsmiths Dictionary of Bristol (1884) gives the following information about the memorial to William Canynges (the second) in St Mary Redcilffe Church - "Under a conopied recess beneath the central window, an alter tomb supporting recumbent effigies of William Canynges and his wife. The inscription is as follows:- William Cannings, ye richest merchant of ye town of Bristow, afterwards chosen 5 times Mayor of ye said towne, for the good of the commonwealth of the same. He was in the order of the priesthood 7 years, and afterwards Dean of Westbury, and died the 7th Nov., 1474, which said William did build, within ye said town of Westbury, a college (with his Canons) and the said William did maintain by the space of 8 years 800 handy-craftsmen, besides carpenters and masons, every day 100 men. Besides King Edward the IVth had of ye said William 3,000 marks for his peace to be had in 2,470 tons of shipping. The follow the names, &c., of his ships and a metrical tribute to his memory. "

Castle: Adam Cottam Castle was a solicitor and a Bristol councillor from 1910 until 1929. He served as Sheriff in 1913 and died on 9th March 1934.

Cook: Sir Ernest Henry Cook (Dr., knighted in 1923) (1867-1945) was Lord Mayor in 1921. He is buried in Arnos Vale Cemetery.

Cowlin: Francis Nicholas Cowlin was sheriff in 1921 and was knighted in the 'birthday honours' June 1935.

EDWARDS: Sir George Edwards was one of the directors of the tobacco manufacturers Edwards Ringer & Bigg of Redcliffe Street and one of the founders of the Bristol Stock Exchange. He was Mayor on four occasions(1876,1877,1878 & 1886) and died on 18th March 1902

Esterfield: According to Arrowsmith's Dictionary of Bristol (1884) there was a memorial to John Esterfield in St Peter's church:- "twice Mayor and Alderman. A brass was inserted in the stone but it has now disappeared".

Eyles: Walter Henry Eyles was a wholesale fruit merchant who became a Bristol councillor in 1919 and served as Lord Mayor in 1928/29. He died on 5th February 1931.

Farmer: According to Arrowsmith's Dictionary of Bristol (1884) there was a memorial brass to Thomas Farmer in Christchurch, north aisle 'Mayor and Alderman, died Nov. 1624 aged 83'. he was Sheriff in 1602 and Mayor in 1616.

Frampton: Arrowsmith's Dictionary of Bristol (1884) mentions "Frampton W. founder of church and three times Mayor" - a memorial in St John's church. He was Mayor in 1357, 1365 and 1374.

Francombe: James T. Francombe was born in 1843. He was a schoolteacher and became headmaster of Redcliffe school. He was the Unionist party candidate for Bristol South in 1910 (he lost by 138 votes) and became a Bristol councillor in 1911. He became an alderman, JP and Served as Lord Mayor in 1919. He died on 11th September 1924

GARDNER: Charles Edward Ley Gardner was born in 1843. He was a wholesale grocer and a Wesleyan Methodist and in his early life he had been a captain in the volunteer Bristol Artillery. He was a member of the Bristol council from 1882 until 1929 and served as Lord Mayor in 1901. He died on 14th December 1932.

Gibbs: According to Arrowsmith's Dictionary of Bristol (1884) there is a memorial to James Gibbs in St Mark's Chapel " Mayor of Bristol 1842. Died Feb., 24th 1853 aged 63 years. He is buried in Arnos Vale Cemetery.

Goldney: Gabriel Goldney (1806 - 1859) is buried in the family grave at Arnos Vale Cemetery.

HABERFIELD: John Kerle Haberfield was born in 1783. He was six time Mayor of Bristol. As an early director of Bristol General Cemetery Company, he bought his own place in the crypt of the Anglican Chapel at Arnos Vale Cemetery. Unfortunately, due to vandalism the Chapel is now closed. According to Arrowsmith's Dictionary of Bristol (1884) there is also a marble bust of Sir John Kerle Haberfield in St Mark's chapel indicating that he died Dec. 27th 1857.

Hare: Charles Bowles Hare was head if the firm of John Hare & Co. Ltd., manufacturers of paint, floor cloth and linoleum. He was a conservative and a Bristol councillor from 1871 to 1896 and an alderman from 1896 until he died on 7th October 1911 - he died suddenly whilst visiting an exhibition at the Coliseum. He was also master of the Society of Merchant Venturers in 1876 and Sheriff of Bristol in 1878. He is buried at Arnos Vale Cemetery.

Harrington: Arrowsmith's Dictionary of Bristol (1884) says that there was a memorial to George Harrington in St Peter's church: 'George Harrington, Mayor and Alderman of the City. Died Jan. 2nd 1639'. He was a brewer and Mayor of Bristol in 1617.

Hayman: Sir William Hayman was Mayor of Bristol 1684/5 - Judge Jeffreys visited the city towards the end of his 'Bloody Assizes' and attacked prominent citizens for getting involved with the kidnapping trade (men, women and children were being kidnapped and sent as 'white slaves' to work in the new plantations of Virginia and the West Indies... supplementing those 'supplied' by magistrates who generously commuted hanging sentences to transportation). He briefly addressed the council and then turned on the Mayor, Sir William Hayman who was seated beside him and called him a kidnapping knave, he ordered him to leave the bench and stand at the bar with his fellow aldermen and they were charged with transporting a pickpocket to Jamaica. He fined the Mayor £1000 and turned him over as prisoner to his own Sheriffs, Giles Merricke and James Twyford, threatening to hang him but he spared him ' out of 'respect to the city'. All of thee aldermen were ordered to find two sureties of £5000 each to answer indictments in the King's bench division for kidnapping. They were never brought to trial and the charges were quashed three years later when they were given a general amnesty (this story was reported by Max Barnes and originally published in the Bristol Evening Post) .

Highett: Dr. Charles Highett (1812-1896) was Mayor in 1891. He is buried in Arnos Vale Cemetery.

James: Sir Edward Burnet James was a partner in the tobacco manufacturers Edwards, Ringer & Bigg (which later became part of W.D. & H.O. Wills). He was a Conservative and was knighted during the royal visit to Open the Royal Edward Dock in 1908 (when he was Lord Mayor). He died on 27th December 1927.

James: According to Arrowsmith's Dictionary of Bristol (1884) there is a memorial to Thomas James in St Mark's Chapel: "Mayor 1605, and "Parliament Man" for Bristol in the reigns of Elizabeth and James I, died 1613". A Thomas James was also Mayor in 1614 - probably the same man perhaps the date of death is wrong?

Jose: Thomas Porter Jose was Mayor of Bristol in 1863. He is buried in Arnos Vale Cemetery.

Kitchen: According to Arrowsmith's Dictionary of Bristol (1884) there is a brass late over the vestry door of St Stephens church in memory of Robert Kitchen, Mayor, Sheriff and Alderman, Died on Sept. 5th 1594. He was Sheriff in 1572 and Mayor of Bristol in 1588.

Knight: There was a memorial to Sir John Knight in Temple Church - in the north wall of the chancel there was a long Latin inscription to members of his family. (source Arrowsmith's Dictionary of Bristol 1884)

PROCTOR: Thomas Proctor (1811-1876) was never Mayor but he would have been if he had not died. However, there is a bust of him in the Mansion House (the Lord Mayors official residence in Bristol) because he built Elmdale House for himself and then offered it as a free gift to the City of Bristol to be dedicated to the use of the Mayor. His monument can be seen in Arnos Vale Cemetery.

Robinson: Elisha Smith Robinson was born in 1815 and lived in Tewkesbury where his father ran a paper mill. He moved to Bristol in 1844 and set up a business making paper bags. In partnership with Alfred Robinson the business expanded and by the 1860's the firm or E.S. & A. Robinson was well established in Bristol. Elisha was Mayor in 1866. he died in 1885. His monument can be seen at Arnos Vale Cemetery.

SMITH: Alfred John Smith was a ship owner and coal merchant. He became a Bristol councillor in 1898 (he had also represented Bedminster on Somerset county council). He served as Lord Mayor in 1905/6. He died on 12th March 1920. His monument can be seen at Arnos Vale Cemetery.

Stone: John. There was a monument to him in Temple Church indicating that he was Mayor three times and married four wives. He died 24thj June 1575 (source Arrowsmith's Dictionary of Bristol 1884)

Swaish: Sir John Swaish was knighted in 1920. He had founded a local pawn broking business in Bristol. He became a Bristol councillor in 1890 and an alderman in 1906 then served as Lord Mayor 1913/14. He died on 19th January 1931. He is buried at Canford Cemetery.

SYMES: Sir Robert Henry Symes (1837 - 1908) was educated at Taunton. He bcame Sheriff in 1887 and was appointed a JP in 1889. He served a total of six times as Mayor and Lord Mayor (1893,94,95,96, 1902 & 03) and became an Alderman in 1895. He was knighted at Osborne House in January 1898 and died in 1908 at the age of 71.

Titley: William Alfred Titley was a Bristol Councillor from 1908 to 1919 in which year he was sheriff. He died on 11th March 1934.

TWIGGS: Henry William Twiggs (1856-1932) was Lord Mayor in 1918. He was a Liberal councillor and manufacturer of prams. He died on 14th January 1932 (ref': Pat Hase)

WAIT: William Killigrew Wait (1826-1902). His father was W.K Wait, Alderman and Sheriff of Bristol in 1837. He became a town councillor in 1867 and was appointed Mayor in 1869. He became an Alderman in 1886 but resigned in 1891.

Walker: Horace Walker was chairman of H.J. Packer & Co. Ltd. He was a Bristol councillor from 1921 to 1927 and sheriff in 1922. He died in April 1930.

Wathen: Charles Wathen was a wool merchant and he was Mayor of Bristol no less than six times. His monument can be seen at Arnos Vale Cemetery

Wise: Thomas James Wise (1870 - 1945) was Lord Mayor in 1932. His remains are buried in Arnos Vale Cemetery

WESTON: Joseph Weston was born in Kingsdown, Bristol in 1822, the son a Redcliff iron merchant. His family were also ship owners. he was May or Bristol no less than four times and he was also a local MP. The many things he worked for which helped the prosperity of his fellow citizens, included the introduction of a public library service and the purchase and development of the Portishead and Avonmouth docks. He died in 1895. His monument can be seen at Arnos Vale Cemetery

Many of these historical notes were taken from pamphlets published by the Bristol Branch of the Historical Association. Some of these interesting pamphlets may be purchased from the Bristol Museum Shop.