The Tucker family

In the late 1800's and in the first half of the 1900's, the Tucker Brothers became one of the largest and most respected firm of builders in the local area.  In the 1960's when a previous owner of our own house moved to a more modern one he insisted that it had to be a 'Tuckers Brothers house' such was their reputation for quality.

The building business started with Thomas Tucker employing one boy.  The story however begins with William Tucker:

William Tucker
William was a master cordwainer (shoemaker) born in London about 1792.  We don't know what led him to head west but by 1818 he had married Joanna who was born in Berkeley in about 1792.  Their eldest son, William was born in Falfield about 1818.

By 1841 they were living in Falfield with seven children: William born about 1818, George and Elizabeth born about 1825, John born about 1826, Thomas born about  1831, Mary Ann born about 1835 and Sarah born about 1837.

In 1851 they were still shown as living in Falfield.  They had the following children: William aged 32, a journeyman cordwainer born in Falfield, John a journeyman cordwainer aged 24 born in Falfield, Thomas a journeyman carpenter aged 19 and Mary Ann aged 15 and Sarah aged 13. 

The 1861 census shows that Thomas had moved to Thornbury (see below).  Thomas's brothers, William and John had remained in Falfield.  They were living in two 4 roomed cottages next door to each other.  Both had continued as cordwainers.  John had married Mary and they had 3 children (Mary, John and Emily).   The census shows that their mother, Joanna, is living with John and his family, and their father, William, still a cordwainer, is living with William who is still unmarried.

Thomas Tucker
By 1861 Thomas had married Emily who was born in Kingswood about 1830 and they had moved to live in St Mary Street, Thornbury.   Thomas was a joiner and he was living with Emily aged  30, and their children, Lucy born in 1855 and Frank born in 1859.  Thomas was living next door to, or possibly sharing the same house as, the family of his brother, George.  George had married Esther Olive in 1845.  He had died in 1852 aged about 43.  In this household were Hester Tucker, a widowed dressmaker aged 36 with her children Robert a porter aged 15, Elizabeth aged 14, Mary Ann aged 10, and John aged 9.

The 1871 census shows that Thomas and his family had now moved to St John Street.  We believe they were living in the house now known as 17 St John Street.  Thomas is shown  as a master carpenter employing 1 boy.  Their children were Lucy, a dressmaker aged 15, Frank aged 12, George aged 8, Henry aged 5, and Emily aged 2. 

Thomas died in September quarter 1877 aged 46 years.  The 1880 Rate Book shows that Mrs Tucker had taken over the tenancy of 17 St John street.  The 1881 census shows Emily was a widow aged 50, living in 17 St John Street with Frank aged 22, George aged 18, both carpenters and Harry, a draper aged 15 and Emily aged 12.  Boarding with the family was Alice Rider, a schoolmistress at the Council School.  She was then aged 21  and born in Bedminster.  Alice was soon to become the wife of Frank Tucker. 

Emily carried on living with her son. George, and his family in their house at 12 Gloucester Road.  She died in 1906 aged 75 years.

Thus, following Thomas's death in 1877, his two sons, Frank and George, took over the business which became known as the 'Tucker Brothers'. 

Frank Tucker - click here to read more about Frank

George Tucker -  click here to read more about George and Louise

Of Thomas and Emily's other children:

Lucy Tucker married Edward Liddiatt in 1880 and for many years they ran the fishmongers on Pullins Green  - click here to read more about this family

This page was last updated: 30/10/2008