Portishead.
Collated by Mary Mason.
To the north west from Portbury stands Portishead, or the head of the port, from port and head, there having been formerly at this point of land a harbour and a passage to the coast of Monmouthshire and Wales. The inhabitants corruptly call it Possut.
Portishead is pleasantly situated on the south side of a high ridge of hills finely wooded, which rise immediately from the skirts of the channel, and defend it from the strong westerly winds. At the northwest end of the parish the hills end, and admit a level tract of meadows to the water. The shore is very rocky, and in some places nearly sixty feet in perpendicular height. The rocks are composed of a kind of grit stone in which is some gypsum; and on them grow vast quantities of the kelp-weed, but no other varieties. Flat fish and shrimps are caught on the beach. A few market-boats are employed in carrying corn, cider, and other goods daily to Bristol, and in return bring bricks, tiles, timber, and sundry other articles. On the spot called Portishead Point a fort was erected in the last century to command this strait part of the Channel; but it was demolished, and only the foundations of the walls now remain. A spring called Welly-Spring, rises on Welly Hill about a mile from the Church, and running in a small brook through the village, falls thence into the main channel at the water mill.
Rev. John Collinson. 1791.
1497 John Cabot sailed from Kingroad, in his ship the Matthew.
1581 Jul 24th The Dominick, a ship, laden with spices and oils, was wrecked about Portishead Point, and twenty-seven men cast away in her.
1616 The oldest tomb in the Churchyard is that of John Hobbs who died in January, 1616.
1643 Dec 4th. Edmund Turner, Esq. Commissioned by the King as Treasurer of the garrison of Bristol, Bath, the town and Castle of Berkeley, Ninney Castle, Farley Castle and Portishead Point.
1645 Jul 16th. Some Parliament-ships arrived in Kingroad to Blockade, Bristol, sent by Vice-Admiral Moulton.
1686 Aug 25th The King came to Bristol. On the 26th after dinner, the King went through the city to Redcliffe and from there to Portishead Point, attended by several noblemen and others.
.
1755 Mar 14th. Henry Eynon drowned in Kingroad.
1782 Mar 21st. William Bowcott: An Officer
of ye Customs buried.
1790 Sep 15th. Florence Price, Wife of
James Price, Superintendent Officer of Quarantine Ship at Portishead.
1791 Mar 29th. William Bound: His Death was occasioned by swallowing
a Draught of Poison in Mistake for Bitters.
Portishead records written in the Church Register.
1815 Mar 8th
This day in consequence of a petition, signed by the Rector, Curate, Churchwardens and some of the principal inhabitants of this Parish, showing the dilapidated state of the Parish church, the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Bristol, Patrons of the Living, .. the Sum of £400 pounds towards putting it in a complete Repair and, in order the better to accomplish so desirable an object, the following address, to the Public being resolved, a proper number of Copies were printed for circulate.
Copy of the Address.
The respectful address of the Rector, Curate, Churchwardens
and Parishioners of Portishead in the County of
Somerset, Diocese of Bath and Wells-to all well disposed
Christians.
That the Parish Church of Portishead aforesaid, stands in great need of Repair, the Lead on the roof of the North Aisle requiring to be new cast, and the Pinnacles (several which have already fallen) and Stone-work on the Top of the Tower being far gone into decay, and become not only dangerous to the roof of the church, but also, there being a Path close under the Tower, to foot Passengers, and to the Parishioners assembled in Divine Worship.
That the Tower is a very handsome Structure, an Ornament to the County, and seen for many miles by Land and Water, from which latter circumstance, it becomes a Beacon or Land-mark for Mariners, and highly deserving to be kept perfect and secure.
That moreover, the Body of the Church, being in a wretched condition, requires to be new seated and floored, the Windows to be new glazed, and the Area to be considerably raised, as the Church is at present extremely damp and unhealthy, and by no means in a comfortable state for a place of Religious Worship, which occasions many of the Parishioners, especially the aged and sickly, to absent themselves from Divine Service.
That an appropriate accommodation for the Sunday School is also much wanted, which may be procured by erecting a small Gallery over the Vestryroom, the School being now under the necessity of occupying too large a portion of the Church, the whole area of which is scarcely spacious enough for the present Parishioners, and the Parish is considerably increasing in the number of its Inhabitants.
That the Parishioners, being mostly tenants at rack Rent, and Occupiers of small Estates on lives, and, of late, particularly burdened by the Rates of an heavy Drainage, are unable, wholly of themselves, to defray the Expenses of repairing and refitting their Church, therefore hope to be aided by humbly solicit, the Charitable Contributions of well disposed Christians, to assist them towards accomplishing this necessary, honourable, and religious undertaking.
In consequence of the desire of the Corporation of Bristol, an Estimate has been made by regular Surveyors, and laid before them, which amounting to Eight Hundred Pounds, they have liberally promised to double any Sum that may be raised, not exceeding Four Hundred Pounds.
In order, therefore, to enable them to take the full benefit of this liberal Subscription, the Parishioners entertain a hope that a considerable Sum, in aid of Parish Rate, may be collected from the generous and well disposed, for carrying into effect so desirable and necessary an object.
And your Petitioners will ever pray.
Subscribers Names
The Revd. Dr. Shipton. £50.
The Revd. Mr Shipton. £50.
James Gordon Esq £50.
Wm Dickenson Esq M.P.£21.
Wm Gore Langton Esq M.P. £21.
Philip John Miles Esq £15.
The Revd. John Bull £10.
A Friend by the Revd. Shipton.
The Revd. George Johnson £2.2s.
Mrs Hannah More £2.2s.
Abm. Harford Battersby Esq £2.2s.
Hugh Smyth Bart £5.
A Friend 0.5s.6d.
Wife Langley £10.
Lieut: James Maurice Shipton R.N. £2.2s.
Ensign H N Shipton 4th Regt. Foot. £2.2s.
Mrs Joyfeate. £5.
Miss Hamilton.£3.3s.
Henry Schimmelpenning Esq £1.
Thomas Kington Esq. £5.
Samuel Gardner Esq. £21.
Edward Long Fox Esq. M.D. £2.2s.
William Weare Esq. £5.
Henry Norman Esq. £3.3s.
Mrs Bayly £5.
John Hugh Smythe Esq. £1.
The Revd James Vaughan. £2.2s.
The Revd. Drax Durbin. £2.2s.
Mr William Baily. 10s.
Mrs Hannah Fry. 5s.
John May. 5s.
William Hurle Esq. £5.5s.
Revd. AS B Dowell. £1.1s.
James C Lewis Esq. £6.6s.
Collected in the Parish by Mr Thomas Harris.14s 6d.
John Pearce. 2s.6d.
Mr Martin Noble Shipton. £1.1s.
Lady Mordaunt. £10.5s.
Mrs Browne. £2.2s.
..
1816 Dec 24th
This day the Repairs of Portishead Church and Chancel begun the 26th of last August, were completed, at the Charge of £782.5.4d which the Mayor and corporation of Bristol contributed £400, the Rector and family £105.5.0d, Private friends of the Rector, at his solicitations, £223.3.0d and the Parish only £57.16.0d.
The Pinnacles of the Tower alone remain untouched, the great distress of the Times rendering it necessary that their Repair should be postpones to a more favourable opportunity. May God bless the Rector who brings about their Repair, and all who lend an helping hand in so good a work, and restore, the Expence and Trouble they may be put to in so doing, seven fold into their Bosom.
..
1819. Order of the Venerable Reverend the Archdeacon of Bath.
A Copy Written in the Church Register.
To the Churchwardens of the Parish Church of Portishead in the Diocese of Bath and Wells, and in the Archdeaconry of Bath.
You are hereby required forthwith to fulfil the following orders respecting your Church and Churchyard.
N. B. These eight orders are to be executed without delay, and a certificate is to be returned to me, signed by Dr. Shipton the Rector, and by yourself, stating that these orders are executed, on or before, the first day of November next ensuing.
N.B. As this last order will require considerable time for its execution, and as the Parish has of late been at heavy expences in the repair of the Church, the return of the Certificate, signed by the Rector and the Churchwarden, to this order, is respite to the first day of November 1821: When if it be not returned, proceedings will take place in the Ecclesiastical Court against the churchwarden.
Josiah Thomas
Archdeacon of Bath.
Dated on my Visitation at Portishead this 4th day of August 1819.
..
1819 Dec 3rd.
This day the New Iron Gates at the Church Porch were put up at the cost of 12 guineas.
1820 Apl 10. Inquests taken by P Layng Esq. On John Urio, found on the rocks on the sea-shore, in the parish of Portishead. The deceased resided in Bristol, was a dealer in jewellery, and had been in Wales. He had left a wife and four children. Considerable property was found in his pockets.
1820 Aug 20th.
This day (being Sunday) a most excellent Sermon was preached in the Parish Church of Portishead by the Venerable and Reverent Charles A Moysey D.D. of Christ Church, Oxford.
1821 Mar 1st.
The Archdeacon of Bath (Dr Moysey) visited the Church to examine the Repairs Ordered, as mentioned above.
1822 Jul 11th. The Venerable Revd. Dr Moysey, in the course of his Parochial Visitation, again visited this Church and Parish, and spent a day or two at the Rectory House.
1822 Sep 19th. This day the Revd. John Shipton D.D. Rector presented the Parish with a silver Plate on which to collect the Alms at the Sacrament-it cost £4.11.6d.
1823 May 31st. The Revd. John Noble Shipton B. D. of Balliol College Oxford presented the Parish this day with a silver Cup for the Holy Communion, Gilt inside-which cost nine guineas.
1823 Sep 9th. The archdeacon of Bath (Dr Moysey) visited the Church with the Rector and Churchwardens, to examine the Repairs ordered in his last Parochial Visitation and again 1824 Jul 20th.
..
1831 July 12th.
Bristol Mercury.
PORTISHEAD TO BE SOLD
BY AUCTION
At the Anchor Inn, in Portishead, on
Monday The first
day of August next, at Three oclock in the Afternoon,
Thirteen Lots of Valuable FREEHOLD LAND, admirably situated for building detached Villas; and a
FARM-HOUSE and Buildings; the whole containing 45a. 3a.
and 24p. in the occupation of Farmer Newton. Further particulars may be had and a map seen on
application to Messrs. ISAAC COOKE and SONS; solicitors, Shannon Court,
Bristol; and a Map may be seen at Mr. Geo. Dymonds, Architect, Castle-Green, Bristol.
1852 Dec . Death on Nov 25th at his residence, Rackley, Portishead, aged 78 years, Rear-Admiral John Cookesley.
1853 Aug 6. Destroying Post Letters. John Cross was indicted for feloniously destroying, at Portishead, three post letters, the property of the Postmaster-General. Mr Crowder opened the case, and briefly stated the facts, which will be found detailed in the subjoined evidence.
1870 May 14 Death. May 10 Mr William Rossiter, piermaster, Portishead brother of Mr Charles Rossiter, Broadmead, aged 50.
1871 Sep 9. Louis Moore applied to have the license of the Plough Inn, Portishead, transferred to his son, Henry Louis Moore. The decision of the Bench was adjourned till the next meeting, the magistrates seeing some objection in the matter.
John Hewlett, a labourer, was charged with wilfully damaging a door to the extent of 5s at Portishead, the property of John Parsons, and he was further charged with assaulting William Wilkins. Wilkins said the prisoner got drunk and struck him, he struck him in return, prisoner came after him with a bradawl, which he thrust through a door of the house, where they were working. Thomas Hunter gave corroborative evidence. Mr Alman for the defence, assured the magistrates that his fellow workers got him drunk and then provoked him. Prisoner was fined 2s 6d and costs and the money was paid.
1873 Portishead Parish Magazine.
Mrs Catherine Chapples Charity.
Conversation on Parish Matters. Pancake Money. (Edited as it is a long conversation)
I beg your pardon, sir, said the wife of one of our labouring men to me one day lately, as I was standing talking to a friend near the National School. I beg your pardon, sir, but will you be kind enough to speak for me to have the Pancake Money this year.
I will refer to my book, I said to her, and see if it is your turn. If so I have no doubt but that you will get it; but not otherwise.
It is my turn then, sir, certainly; for I have not had it for three years.
Perhaps not; but that is no reason why you must necessarily get it this year. For as you know, while the population of the parish has increased; the amount to be distributed in now less than it was a few years ago.
Yes I know that sir. But I do think the old parishioners ought to be thought of before the new comers.
And I can only say again that if it is your turn, and you are not in any way disqualified, you will no doubt find your name amongst the rest on the Church door on Shrove Sunday.
I turned again to my friend who exclaimed Pancake Money! what ever does that mean.
Pancake Money is the name that has been given, I am told for the last 150 years, to a small local charity, from the fact of its being annually distributed at Shrove-tide. A certain Mrs Catherine Chapple, in the year 1693, gave three or four bits of land (in all five acres) in different parts of the parish, to be let by the Ministers, Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor to the best advantage, and the rents to be distributed yearly on Shrove Sunday, as the said Ministers, Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor shall direct and appoint to and among such and so many poor housekeepers, as have no relief of the Parish, and do frequent the Church at the time of Prayer.
The lands originally left by Mrs Chapple were exchanged under an Act of Parliament passed in the year 1814, for a larger quantity of land, a little over seven acres, on the hill near the Rectory, called the Forehills; where a quarry was opened by the trustees some years ago. We now receive from the tenant an annual rent of £10, together with a royalty of two-pence per ton for all building stone, and one penny per ton for all other stone taken from the quarry.
But with the prospect of such a demand for the stone, do you think that either the rent or the royalty are as high as they ought to be?
Those very questions were often asked and much canvassed in the parish about three years ago when the Pier was being built and the Docks already in contemplation; but by direction of the Charity Commissioners; both the land and quarry were surveyed by Messrs. J.P.Sturge and Sons of Bristol; and according to their report, dated Feb 8, 1870, the present rent of £10 per annum is the full value of the surface, and the royalty of two-pence per ton is a fair and proper sum to be charged for stone.
But what did you say just now about the poor being dissatisfied because the sum received as royalty for the stone used in building the Pier was not distributed amongst them? You dont mean to say that any of the royalty has ever been distributed! I have had some little to do with such matters myself; and I am sure you could have no right to distribute a penny of it. Did the Charity Commissioners in London ever hear of it?
Yes. The matter was brought under their notice in October 1869; when we were given to understand that the quarry itself ought never to have been opened at all without the sanction of the Charity Board and were directed to invest all future royalties, together with any unexpended amount of them in hand, in the name of the Official Trustee of Charity Funds; the interest of which alone we were allowed to distribute on Shrove Tuesday every year, together with the rent, as before.
Was that all? Well, then, I think they let you off very easily. They might have forced you and your predecessors in office to repay to them every penny of royalty that had been distributed.
Yes so they told us; but at the same time kindly condoned what had been only a well-intended mistake. My share, however, would not have amounted to much, for I had then but just come into the parish. And I find, too, that the average amount of both rent and royalty together distributed during the 21 years from 1849 to 1869 inclusive, is only £11-3s-8d.
The present generation at any rate have no right to complain, for all the error that has been committed has been entirely in their favour. They have had distributed amongst them a few pounds that ought to have been invested for the benefit of themselves and their children.
What they complain of is, that they do not still receive year by year, both rent and royalty together as formerly. Should the contractors for the Docks finally decide to take any large portion of the stone required for their works from the quarry, there will very soon be a permanent yearly income for distribution far greater than the highest sum that was ever distributed under the old system.
Yes; and in that case you will soon become rich enough for disestablishment and disendowment, or at least for the further interference of the Charity Board. In your present manner of distribution.
Very likely! And I for my partthough I am quite willing to do my best for the interests of the parishioners in any matter over which I may have controlshould on no account object to be both disestablished and disendowed as a trustee of Mrs Chapple`s Charity. For in this, as in many other matters, all I get for whatever trouble I take is only more kicks than half-pence.
John Arkell. (Vicar)
.
1875 Jul 3. George Taylor, 26, navvy, pleaded guilty to breaking and entering a shop, and stealing two pint bottles of champagne and other wines and spirits, the property of Mr S Dupan, at Portishead, on the 12rth June and was sentenced to two months hard labour.
1875 Jul 3. Joseph Trim, on bail, was charged with stealing two pots of Geranium plants, value 10s, the property of Richard Wraith, at Portishead on 31st October. Mr Vigor for the prisoner, said the chief witnessMrs Wraithwas too ill to attend, and as the medical man attending her was also unable to attend, there was difficulty in getting her deposition read. He felt that he could not go on with the case in her absence, and should offer no evidence at all. The prisoner was discharged.
1876 August The third annual festival of the Portishead branch of the Church of England Temperance Society took place on Wednesday, July 12th 1876. The programme was the same as on former occasions;--embracing a public Service in the Parish Church at 4-30 p.m. a meeting of members in the National Schoolroom at 5-30 p.m. a Public Tea in the Rectory grounds at 6-30 and a Public Meeting on the Rectory lawn at 7-30 at which last addresses were given by the Rev. C. Parsons rector of Penarth, who represented the Parent`s society, the Rev. W. E. Littlewood of St. James, Bath and Mr. Dunn of the baths, Portishead, a well known popular Temperance Lecturer.
The weather proving as favourable this year as it was unfavourable a year ago, the above programme would have been successfully carried out from beginning to end, had not the promised preacher, the Rev. W. E. Littlewood, allowed his train to leave Bristol without him and so deprived the congregation of his sermon. As it was however, with that one exception, everything passed off most pleasantly and without a hitch of any kind. Nevertheless, arising out of this years experience, a question has been suggested for future consideration and decision,--whether it would not be more conductive to the general success of the festival, as well as better in other ways, to commence proceedings somewhat earlier in the afternoon, so that both the tea and the meeting on the lawn might be over about an hour earlier and an interval of daylight yet remain in which the company might either engage in more active amusements, or stroll about the gardens in the cool of the evening, enlivened (let us hope) by the exertions on Mr. Hines and the Portishead Brass Band.
Mr Hines was Organist
at the Parish church.
Bristol Mercury.
1878 Apr 1: Edward Brown, William Viney and William Tuck, sen. of Portishead, were summoned by Mr Albert Thompson, assistant overseer of that parish, for neglecting to pay their poor-rate, and orders were made for payment and distress warrants issued.
1878 May 27. Frederick Owens, of Portishead, was summoned for assaulting Mary Fowler, of the same place, on the 11th of May. The defendant pleaded guilty.
John Wyatt of Portishead, was summoned, for neglecting to provide sufficient elementary instruction for his children above the age of five years.
1878 Sep 25. Malicious Shooting at Portishead. A man named Edwin Ralls has been charged before Mr Payne, a magistrate of the Portishead division, with having without notice fired a loaded gun at Henry Wilmot and William Joseph Bezzant, with intent to do them bodily harm, and with threatening to do for them and assaulting them by holding his gun by the barrel in a threatening manner. Wilmot said that he and Bezzant, along with neighbours named William Banks, George Collins and William Wyburn had been at the Beach Hotel on Friday night, after they had gone from that house, they left Collins at his house, and were proceeding homeward, when the accused ran out and making a noise, fired a gun at them. Mr Payne remanded the case till Friday, but we are told that Ralls was afterwards admitted to bail.
1880 Sep 11. A new license for the sale of beer on the premises in a shed or building at the Portishead Docks was granted to Mr Charles Boulter of the Royal hotel, Portishead, subject to the confirmation of the County licensing committee, who meet at Highbridge on the third Monday in September.
Charles Bessant of Portishead, was fined £2, including costs, for assaulting an old man named Isaac Bacon, at the same place on the 2nd instant.
1881 Jun 4. Mark Howell, George Bessant and Albert Lovell, of Portishead, pleaded guilty to wilfully damaging freestone caps on pillars at the entrance to a newly erected house in the Beach road, and were each fined 15s including damage and costs or seven days.
1882 Sep 21. Church of England Temperance Society. On Tuesday evening the first of a series of entertainment to be given under the management of this society was held in the National schoolroom. The rector, Rev J Stuart. M.A. presided and the meeting was addressed by the Rev Mr Birbeck, who earnestly advocated the claims of the cause. Several ladies and gentlemen, amongst whom were the Misses Wigan, Mr J C Glyde and Mr Gillett contributed to the enjoyment of the evening by songs and recitations.
1882 Sep 30. Thomas Tuck of Portishead , pleaded guilty to working a horse in an unfit state at Portishead, on the 8th instant and was fined 10s including costs.
1882 Dec 30: Sudden Death. An Inquest was held on Tuesday at the Albion inn by Dr. L A Weatherly, deputy-coroner, on the body of Mr Alexander Binland, who met with his death on Saturday in the manner described below.
The deceased gentleman has resided at Launer`s cottages, Portishead, for a considerable time. Caroline Eliza Binland, widow of deceased, deposed that on Saturday he appeared to be unwell, and suffered very much from cold. He asked for castor oil with whisky in it, which she gave him. He refused to have a doctor sent for. About two o`clock he died. Dr. Wigan gave evidence to the effect that the probable cause of death was syncope from failure of the hearts action. Verdict accordingly.
1883 Jul 30. John Ashford of Portishead was ordered to pay 6s weekly towards his wifes support.
1884 Jun 16. The Docks Purchase. The Corporation Docks Purchase Bill is down for second reading tomorrow, (Tuesday) but no day has been fixed for its coming before a committee of the House. The Great Western Bill, to which the company seek to obtain powers for the purchase of the Portishead Railway, will probably be read a second time on Friday.
1885 Jan 3. The Foods Act. The following baker was fined for selling bread otherwise than by weight. Gilbert Daniels of Portishead 10s and costs.
1892 Sep 24. Non payment of rates. Jacob Derrick of Portishead, was summoned for non payment of the poor rate. Defendant did not appear, but Joseph Allen, assistant overseer, stated that the amount of the rate was paid, but defendant would not pay the cost of the summons. The bench now made an order for the payment of the costs.
1892 Sep 24. George Mans and James Parsons, overseers for the parish of Portishead, were summoned for the non-payment of their contributions of £150 each. It was explained that £173 13s 10d had been paid into the bank. The case was adjourned for two weeks.
1899 Feb 4. The Rev T G Horton conducted a pretty wedding at the Union Chapel on Tuesday afternoon. The contracting parties were Mr Jarvis and Miss Burgess both members of the Christian Endeavour Society in connection with the chapel. The bride carried a handsome shower bouquet and was attended by three bridesmaids. Miss Wilmott played the wedding march. The presents were numerous and costly and amongst them was a tea service of electro-plate, given by the class to the bride, and a handsome marble clock, given by the officers of the B T S Formidable to the bridegroom.
1899 Sep 22. Portishead Drowing Fatality: An inquest was held on Wednesday at the White Lion Hotel by Dr Craddock, coroner, over the body of Albert Williams, who was drowned at the Black Nore rock on the 17th inst. The facts have already appeared in the Bristol Mercury. The jury recorded a verdict of Accidentally drowned on the Black Nore rock by the capsizing boat.