Upper Bath Road
Number 16
We have no photograph of the house and don't know when it was built and we would love to hear from anyone with any knowledge of the house.
At the time of the 1840 Tithe Survey the house was part of Plot 112 which consisted of two houses and gardens owned by David Greenman and occupied by himself and Job Greenhill. David died in 1853 and we think it was passed to his wife, Mary.
The Rate Book of 1876 shows that the owner of the property was then John Hodges, a builder who lived in Gloucester Road. John died in 1877 aged 91 and the property was inherited by his son-in-law, John Williams, who had married John's daughter, Emma Hodges in 1851. He is shown as the owner in the 1880 and 1885 Rate Book. When John died in 1892 it was passed to his son, John Hodges Williams.
Silas Bracher - the 1861 census shows the house occupied by Silas Bracher, a journeyman bootmaker aged 28 and his wife, Eliza a boot binder aged 28 and their children: James aged 5, Harry aged 3 and Louisa aged 1.
Silas was born in Wincanton in Somerset about 1833. In the 1851 census he was a journeyman cordwainer (shoemaker) lodging in Callowhill Street in Bristol. In 1854 he married Eliza Williams who was born in Thornbury about 1833.
They settled in Thornbury where their children were born. Eliza died aged 33 and was buried on 26th May 1866. Silas re-married in 1867. We think his wife was Hannah Pow who came from Falfield or Thornbury. Silas and Hannah moved to Bristol where they were living in 1871 census in 17 Lincoln Street. They had a number of children who were baptised in Thornbury even after they had moved to Bristol. In the 1881 census they were living in 53 Stevens Crescent, Bedminster.
Charles and Maria Prewett in 1871 the house was occupied by Charles Prewett, a tailor aged 53 and his wife, Maria a laundress aged 43. Charles died aged 63 and was buried on 31st December 1880. In the 1881 census Maria is living in the house alone. Click here to read more about Charles & Maria
On 7th November 1881 Maria married for a third time, this time her husband was Reuben Greenman, an army pensioner and the son of Richard Greenman. Maria carried on living in the house with Reuben (see below).
Reuben and Maria Greenman - in the 1885 Rate Book and the 1891 census the house is occupied by Reuben Greenman a general labourer aged 64 and his wife, Maria a laundress aged 62, both from Thornbury.
Reuben was baptised on 1st October 1826, the son of Richard Greenman a labourer and his wife, Sarah. The 1841 census shows he was living in St John Street with his widowed mother, Sarah. She was a charwoman aged 53 and Reuben was a mason's labourer aged 14.
Reuben is missing from the censuses in 1851 and 1861. It is possible that he was serving in the Army because when he married in 1881 he was described as an army pensioner. At the time of this marriage, he was described as a bachelor, but in the 1871 census he is listed as a married man living in St Mary Street as a labourer with his wife, Elizabeth who was aged 60, 14 years older than Reuben. Living with them was Alfred Davis, described as a stepson who was working as a shoemaker. He was the son of Hugh Davis, a shoemaker and his wife, Elizabeth. Hugh died in 1864.
In the 1881 census Reuben is described as an unmarried pensioner lodging in St Mary Street with Ruth Jefferies. On 7th November 1881, Reuben married Maria Prewett, a widow who had been married twice before. Maria was baptised on 7th September 1828, the daughter, of Charles Hopton and his wife, Hannah.
Reuben and Maria carried on living in the house. Reuben is shown in the 1894 Rate Book, but he died aged 69 years and was buried on 28th July 1896. The 1899 Rate Book and the 1901 census shows Maria is living in the same house alone. She died aged 75 in 1904.
The Gregorys - throughout the 1900's until it was demolished about 1960 the house was occupied by the family of William Thomas Gregory. They were shown as living there as early as the 1910 Rate Book.
We are not sure where William came from, or when he married his wife, Mary Ann Jupe. Their son, Reginald Walter, was baptised in Thornbury in February 1904 and their address was given as 'Raglan Castle' which we assume refers to the house later known as 16 Upper Bath Road.
William and Mary Ann had three children in Thornbury and they were all baptised at St Mary's Church. Reginald Walter born on 9th December 1903 and baptised on 12th February 1904 when William was described as a gardener. Edith was born on 24th December 1905 and baptised on 4th April 1906 when William was described as a labourer. Eric George was born on 28th December 1912 and baptised on 5th January 1913.
William died on October 3rd 1925 aged 57 years. Mary Ann carried on living at the house. Reginald is also listed as living with her until her death on 20th January 1940 aged 65, and he continued in the house afterwards. The electoral registers of 1935 and 1938 show Eric living with his mother and brother, but there is no further sign of Edith after her school record.
We know that Eric married Irene Blanche (maiden name unknown) and they moved to settle in Eastland Avenue. Reginald carried on in the house in upper Bath Road until it was earmarked for demolition and he was then re-housed by the council at 8 Streamleaze. He died on 26th December 1974 aged 71 years.
We have no more knowledge about the ownership of the house. It was demolished in late 60's.
This page was last updated: 20/10/2008