John GADD

1829 - 1879  (50 years)

• Name	John GADD
  Birth	06 Jul 1829	St. George, Bristol, Gloucestershire   [1, 2, 3, 4]
  		GADD Family Bible: page 2
  Christening	26 Jul 1829	St. Philip & St. Jacob P.Ch., Bristol
  	Age: 3 weeks
  Gender	Male
  Census	07 Jun 1841	Ayres [Eyer's] Lane, St. P & J, Bristol
  	Age: 12
  	Moved to Bristol from Gloucestershire [Source: Barbara GADD]
  		1841 Ayres Lane, Bristol
  Occupation	29 May 1848	St. Philip & St. Jacob, Bristol   [5]
  	Horse hair manufacturer
  Residence	16 Aug 1850	Gloucester Lane, Bristol   [6]
  	Labourer
  Census	30 Mar 1851	Bragg's Lane, Bristol   [1]
  	Horse Hair Weaver
  	Age: 22
  	Learnt upholstery and mattress business from a man in a pub. [Source: Barbara GADD]
  		1851 Braggs Lane, Bristol
  Residence	18 Nov 1859	near the Holms Bottom, St. George, Bristol
  	Hair Cloth Factory Worker
  		Map of St. George, showing Hudds Bottom and The Holms
  Occupation	04 Jun 1860	Nailsea
  	Marriage record describes him as a porter 'of the parish' of Nailsea.
  Census	7 Apr 1861	Frog Marsh, St. George's, Bristol   [2]
  	Porter
  	Age: 32
  		1861: Frog Marsh, Bristol
  Occupation	1862	15 Ellbroad Street, St. Philip's, Bristol
  	Bedding Manufacturer [Date and location inferred from sign over George GADD's shop, photographed in the 20th century]
  Occupation	1865	15 Ellbroad Street, St. Philip's, Bristol
  	Mattress maker and Upholsterer [Source: Webster & Co.'s Directory]. This is the first indication that John GADD specialised in the manufacture of bedding. At that time, most mattresses were pads stuffed with horse hair. Although sprung mattresses were already in development, they were not widely produced until the 1920s.
  Occupation	1868	15 Ellbroad Street, St. Philip's, Bristol
  	Bed and mattress maker [Source: Slater's Directory]
  Event	01 May 1869
  	Bankruptcy proceedings begun: "Gadd, Jno. Bristol, Mattress Maker. Pet. May 1. May 21 at 11, Bristol, Sale & Co. Manchester, and Press & Inskip, Bristol." Law Times: "GADD, John, mattress maker, Bristol. Pet. May 1. Reg. Wilde O.A. Acraman. Sols. Sale & Co., Manchester and Press & Inskip, Bristol. Sur. May 21."
  	The Honourable Montague Wilde was Registrar of the Court of Bankruptcy for the Bristol District. Alfred John Acraman Esq., of 19 St. Augustine's Place, Bristol was the sole Official Assignee of the Court. Bristol City Archives holds surviving records from the Bristol Bankruptcy Court. This is their response (June 2011) to an enquiry concerning records of John Gadd's case: "The last entry in the register, ref. JCty/5/b is dated 18 March 1868. "As you have probably seen on the on-line catalogue, the collection of bankruptcy records we received from the County Court are far from complete. There is very little dating from 1869 but I did find a volume, ref. JCty/42/1/2, described as 'Bankruptcy Index, 1869'. "In it, there is an entry, 'John Gadd...143'. Presumably this number refers to another volume or a file, but, frustratingly we do not have that volume or file. We can only assume that it has not survived. It is also unlikely that any archive material remains at the County Court."
  Census	2 Apr 1871	15 Ellbroad Street, St. Philip's, Bristol   [3]
  	Upholsterer
  	Age: 42
  	Living next door is brother-in-law Mark RODMAN, mattress maker. In 1864 he had married Susannah SAINSBURY of Nailsea, so it seems highly likely that he was an employee of John GADD. Mark emigrated to the U.S.A. in 1873.
  		1871: 15 Ellbroad Street, Bristol
  		Ellbroad Street on Broadweir Market Day 1904 George GADD is standing outside his premises on the right of the picture. His son, George F GADD had probably moved out when he married in September 1903. People are emerging from the dwelling three doors down, occupied in 1911 by Henry J SKRINE and his family, probably when Henry worked at the Empire Theatre nearby. Martha GADD (George's grandmother) died in the house next to the shop in 1873. This photo appears in "Victorian and Edwardian Bristol" with an introduction by Reece Winstone, who notes that "the man in the doorway proved to be the father of two now elderly Bristolians who were delighted to see this photograph".
  Physical Description	Tall and broad, weighed about 20 stone. [Source: Barbara GADD] This is corroborated by reports from the inquest held into his death.
  Event	29 Jul 1871	Offices of Pocock & Son, High St, Bristol
  	Mentioned in "The Solicitors' Journal and Reporter", p.724. "Snippet" indexed in Google Books without revealing details of the content, but similar entries in previous editions were lists of Bankrupts. The factory at this time was probably supporting not only John's family but also that of his brother-in-law and neighbour, Mark RODMAN.
  	Notice in the London Gazette: In the County Court of Gloucestershire, holden at Bristol. In the Matter of Proceedings tor Liquidation by Arrangement or Composition with Creditors, instituted by John Gadd, of 15, Ellbroad-street, in the city and county of Bristol, Bedding Manufacturer. NOTICE is hereby given,that a First General Meeting of the creditors of the above-named person has been summoned to be held at the offices of Messrs. Hancock, Triggs, and Company, Public Accountants, 13, John-street, in the city of Bristol, on the 4th day of August, 1871, at twelve o'clock at noon precisely.?Dated this 19th day of July, 1871. 8. B. WARD', 39, Broad-street, Bristol, Attorney for the said Debtor.
  Event	04 Aug 1871	Offices of Hancock, Triggs & Co., John Street, Bristol, Public Accountants
  	Appointment reported in "the Weekly Notes", presumably in connection with bankruptcy proceedings.
  		London Gazette 1871
  Occupation	15 Dec 1872  [7]
  	Mattress Maker
  Event	13 Dec 1879	Woolpack Inn, Ellbroad Street, Bristol
  	Quarrelled and fought with Richard BATT. Sustained fatal injuries (see inquest notes).
  		The Woolpack Inn, Ellbroad Street From 1893 the Woolpack was one of two pubs incorporated into the newly-built Empire Theatre, the other being the White Hart around the corner in Old Market Street. Situated near the stage door the pub was a favourite haunt of both theatre goers and performers alike, the Empire closed in 1962 and by 1966 the area was cleared to make way for the new inner ring road and the Old Market roundabout. [Source: bristolslostpubs.com]
  		Plan of Ellbroad Street, Woolpack Tavern and Redcross Street
  Occupation	19 Dec 1879
  	Bed & Mattress manufacturer
  Death	19 Dec 1879	15 Ellbroad Street, St. Philip's, Bristol   [4]
  	Age: 50
  	Barbara GADD, repeating what she was told by her uncle Harold GADD, reported that John was said to have been knocked over by a boy running between his legs, that he cracked his head on the pavement and died from the injury. This was clearly a fabrication intended to hide the truth, Harold's father, George, having been a witness at John's killer's trial. Informant: Certificate received from Jenry J Wasbrough, Coroner for Bristol. Inquest held 20th December 1879 adjourned to 24th of same month. Registered 26th December 1879. [Death Certificate] Died "From the effects of broken ribs and other injuries inflicted by one Richard Batt in a quarrel and that such injuries were inflicted by the said Richard Batt under great provocation." [Death Certificate] Bristol Coroners' records [from 1829 to] 1936 are thought to have been destroyed by order of a later coroner [Source: "Coroners' Records in England & Wales", Gibson & Rogers 1998.]
  		GADD Family Bible: page 2
  		Post mortem photograph of John Gadd (1829-1879) Said to have refused to be photographed while alive, this photograph shows his body propped, presumably, with bedding made by the family business. There are no obvious signs of the injuries inflicted by Richard BATT which killed him, except perhaps bruising around his left eye.
  		Death Certificate of John GADD
  Event	20 Dec 1879	Woolpack Tavern, Ellbroad Street, Bristol
  	Opening of inquest into John Gadd's death
  		Opening of Inquest into John Gadd's death Bristol Times & Mirror report
  Burial	23 Dec 1879	Holy Trinity, St Philip, Bristol
  Event	24 Dec 1879	St Philip's Police Station, Bristol
  	Continuation of Inquest into John Gadd's death
  		Continuation of Inquest into John Gadd's death Report in Bristol Times & Mirror
  Event	26 Dec 1879	Completion of Inquest into John Gadd's Death
  		Completion of Inquest into John Gadd's Death Report in Bristol Times & Mirror
  Occupation	1880	15 Ellbroad Street, St. Philip's, Bristol
  	Bed & Mattress Maker [Listed posthumously in Slater's Directory]
  Event	11 Feb 1880	Guildhall, Bristol, Gloucestershire
  	Bristol Assizes (Western Circuit, Winter Session - Case heard on the 3rd and final day) Richard BATT convicted of the manslaughter of John GADD, and sentenced to 8 months' hard labour. [PRO HO 27/185]
  		Indictment of Richard BATT The Jurors for our Lady the Queen upon their oath present that Richard BATT on the thirteenth day of December in the Year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine at the Parish of Saint Philip and Jacob in the City and County of Bristol feloniously did kill and slay John GADD against the Peace of our said Lady the Queen, her Crown and Dignity. [PRO Western Circuit Assize records]
  		Bristol Assizes: Crown Minutes (page 1)
  		Bristol Assizes: Crown Minutes (page 2)
  		Bristol Assizes: Crown Minutes (page 3)
  		Bristol Assizes: Crown Minutes (page 4)
  		Bristol Assizes: Crown Minutes (page 5)
  		Witnesses at the trial of Richard BATT Witnesses (notes from 1881 census): George GADD, (son of John GADD) Julia MINES, (whose husband was landlord of The Woolpack Inn on Ellbroad Street) James BOARDMAN, (a cabinet maker of St. Paul's parish) Samuel HUDD, (possibly the general labourer aged 45 resident in St. George's parish) Margaret POOK, Eliza BEER, (probably the wife of a Public Hall Keeper in Broadmead) Eliza GREGORY, (aged 44, resident of 20 Ellbroad Street) John JENKINS, Henry LAURENCE, John MORRELL, (Police Constable, aged 29, resident at 99 Barton Hill Road) [PRO: names listed on reverse of Indictment]
  Event	11 Feb 1880	Crown Court, Bristol
  	Opening of Bristol Lent Assize and indictment of Richard Batt
  		Judge's opening comments about seriousness of Richard Batt's indictment
  Event	12 Feb 1880	Crown Court, Bristol
  	Report on trial of Richard Batt
  		Report on Trial and Verdict on Richard Batt
  Association	Richard Little BATT (Relationship: Death caused by Richard B)
  Person ID	I3	Gadd
  Last Modified	6 Mar 2017

  
  

  Father	James GADD,   b. 1803   d. Dec 1835 (Age 32 years)
  Mother	Martha HOWELL,   b. 1799, Gloucester, Gloucestershire d. 25 Jul 1873, 14 Ellbroad Street, St. Philip's, Bristol (Age 74 years)
  Marriage	08 Apr 1827	St. George, Bristol, Gloucestershire   [8]
  	Witnesses: James SILCOX & John COLLINS A William COLLINS was a witness at the marriage of Joseph GADD and Anne SAGE at Dundry in 1777 - Joseph's grandmother was Joyce COLLINS (wife of Guy GADD).
  Notes	Living in the household with Martha and the children in 1841 were Sophia (b abt 1791, d Q4 1842?) and Sarah (b. abt 1816) DYMOCK. Sarah was in 1861 living with her sister, also named Sophia, who had married Robert COLES in 1841. Robert came from a family of chimney sweeps. It's not known whether there was a familial link with the GADDs.
  Family ID	F2	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 1	Sarah HAYNES,   b. 13 Mar 1829, St. George, Bristol, Gloucestershire d. 08 Nov 1859, near the Holms Bottom, St. George, Bristol (Age 30 years)
  Marriage	29 May 1848	St. Philip & St. Jacob P.Ch., Bristol   [5, 6]
  Children	+ 1. George GADD,   b. 15 Jul 1850, Gloucester Lane, St. Philip's, Bristol d. 25 Jan 1923, Bristol Royal Infirmary (Age 72 years)   2. John James GADD,   b. 7 Jul 1852   d. 14 Feb 1853 (Age 0 years)   3. Louisa GADD,   b. 3 Jun 1854   d. 19 Dec 1855 (Age 1 year)   4. William Charles GADD,   b. 25 Jan 1857   d. 24 Apr 1858 (Age 1 year)
  Photos		Map of Bristol in 1937, before many roads were obliterated by the Blitz and post-War redevelopment.
  		Postcard of Ellbroad Street
  Family ID	F3	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 2	Jemima SAINSBURY,   b. Abt 1834, Nailsea, Somerset
  Marriage	04 Jun 1860	Holy Trinity, Nailsea, Somerset
  	Witnessed by Susannah SAINSBURY and George NOBLE. Susannah was Jemima's sister (who after her own marriage would live next door to John & Jemima before emigrating to the USA), George was a coalminer who was living near the SAINSBURYs in Silver Street, Nailsea, in 1851.
  Family ID	F6091	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	3 Aug 2008

  
  

• Sources

  [S46] 1851 Census, (30 March 1851). [S361] 1861 Census, (7 April 1861). [S354] 1871 Census, (2 April 1871). [S435] GADD Family Bible. [S398] GADD-HAYNES Marriage Certificate, (29 May 1848). [S372] George Gadd - Birth Certificate, (16 Aug 1850). [S396] GADD-CAFFERY Marriage Certificate, (15 December 1872). [S267] Marriage Register.