21 St John Street
Thomas and Anna Maria Wilson
No. 1 St John Street
No. 1A St John Street
No. 3 St John Street
No. 5 St John Street
No. 7 St John Street
No. 9 St John Street
No. 11 St John Street
No. 13 St John Street
No. 15 St John Street
No. 17 St John Street
No. 19 St John Street
No. 21 St John Street
No. 23 St John Street
No. 2 St John Street
No. 4 St John Street
No. 6 St John Street
No. 8 St John Street
Thomas Wilson - Thomas was the son of James Wilson, a "hallier" and labourer and his wife, Elizabeth who lived in Grovesend Slade and Crossways. Thomas was baptised on 11 July 1830. On 26th October 1848, Thomas joined the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Artillery in Bristol, claiming his age was 20 years. Prior to joining the Army he was a labourer. He was to serve for almost 11 years, being discharged on medical grounds in September 1859. He had been fighting in the Crimean War when he was kicked by a horse on his right ankle, making him lame in 1857. After this accident, he was transferred back to England.
On 17 January 1859, he married Anna Maria Camm in Thornbury. Anna was baptised on 4 May 1831, the daughter of Joseph Camm, a carpenter and his wife, Maria who lived in St Mary Street.
Thomas's discharge papers reported that his conduct had been 'exemplary'. He had been promoted to "Serjeant" and had received one Good Conduct Badge, and was entitled to another when discharged. He was awarded a Silver Medal for Services in the Crimea and a clasp for the siege of Sebastopol in 1854. The papers also give a full description of Thomas on his discharge - aged 30.5 years, 5ft 10 inches, dark brown hair, grey eyes and fresh complexion. He was awarded a pension of 10d per day, initially on a yearly basis, but in 1865 this became permanent.
In 1861 Thomas and Anna were living in St Mary
Street. Thomas was described as a Chelsea Pensioner and Carrier and
Anna described as a grocer. A daughter, Mary Ann aged 1 month and
Thomas's brother, James, a cordwainer aged 17 were living with them.
In 1865, Thomas purchased number 21 St John Street from George Wiltshire at a cost of £130. He never lived the house, continuing to live St Mary Street, and allowing the house in St John Street to be let to tenants.
In the 1871 census, Thomas is shown as a beerhouse keeper (employing one man) at the Horse Shoe Inn in St Mary Street. In addition to Mary Ann, they now had Charles aged 6, Maria aged 5 and Laura aged 1. A niece, Annie aged 13 was also living with them and assisting in the business.
By his will dated 2 January 1880, Thomas Wilson, described as a grocer and beerhouse keeper, bequeathed his estate to his wife, Anna Maria.
The 1881 census shows Thomas and Anna Maria still in the Horse Shoe. Thomas is described a a grocer and pensioner. They had had two more children since the last census - Joseph T aged 9 and John aged 6.
Thomas died on 4th January 1882 aged 51 years.
By her will dated 19 October 1885, Anna Maria Wilson, described as being 'of the Horse Shoe Inn in Thornbury', which is situated on the corner of St Mary St and Horseshoe Lane, appointed her Trustees. These were her brother in law, George Wilson, a wheelwright of 15 Thomas Street, St Phillips in Bristol and Thomas Honeybourne, a butcher from Morton. These Trustees were directed to continue to carry on the business of a public house until her youngest child reached the age of 21 years, if it was a boy, or attain that age or should marry, if it was a girl. They were directed to sell and convert into money her real estate and residuary personal estate, although they could delay the sale unto they saw fit.
Anna Maria died on 16 November 1885 aged 54 years. Her will was proved by George Wilson, her brother-in-law and Thomas Honeybourne on 9th February 1886. George Wilson died on 5th September 1892 by which time they had not yet sold number 21 St John Street.
It was however sold by Thomas Honeybourne on 25 March 1896. He sold it for £212 10s to Albert Edward Bevan, a boot and shoe maker from Thornbury.
This page was last updated: 13/01/2008