Bridgwater Alfred 1.7, 19 September 1831

Notes from the 19 September 1831 Edition of the Bridgwater Alfred

Disposal of the wholesale and retail wine and spirit trade, carried on for nearly a century by the Chubb family, with the stock in ‘wood and bottle’ – applications to be made to Boys and Anstice on Back Quay (Salmon Parade).

Advert for the New London and Bridgwater Shipping Company – the Bridgwater agents is Mr Fred Axford.

Letter concerning the History of Bridgwater. Mention of the town’s ‘fortifications, the few remaining ruins of which, together with those of the Hospital, and the yet distinguishable sites of the Friary and the Chapel of St Saviour’s, are becoming every year more and more obliterated’. Research on to these institutions and the parish church would be much desirable, as a new History of the County is in progress. This letter is prompted by an antiquarian recently in the town doing research on the Kingsmill family. Transcript of a 1643 Royalist pamphlet during the Civil War, which describes a skirmish in the town:

19 September 1831
Extract from 19 September 1831. This action presumably took place at the South Gate.

Annual General Meeting of the Bridgwater Infirmary – slight decline in subscriptions, and an increase in the cost of housekeeping. The committee include Ruscombe Poole, Woodland, Bowen, Browne, Baker, Dalley, Watson, Pyke and Sealy.

The Ship Brittania to be launced in the town from Watsons’ Dock Yard.

Inquest at George Inn North Petherton on the body of William Gage, aged 26, who had previously resided in Bridgwater. Had been seen scrumping, but staggered and fell into the canal at Huntworth, and drowned.

Inquest at Burnham on the body of a man unknown found floating in the Pill’s mouth – body found by young men bathing themselves. Assumed to have been a victim of the Frolic Steam Packet sinking, lost on the Nias Sands.