High Street

In the 1600's the properties we now know as 30 to 34 High Street in Thornbury (and possibly also 36 High Street) formed part of a larger group of properties including the buildings, yard and garden to the rear accessed through the little alleyway sometimes known as The Shambles or more recently as 'The Medieval Lane'. 

We have included an extract from the 1840 Tithe Map in order to clarify the properties which we are referring to, although by that time the property had been divided into separate plots:

Plot 71 Garden owned by James Martin Baxter and occupied by William Embley (now combined with Plot 74 to form separate unit known as ????)

Plot 72 House owned by James Martin Baxter and occupied by William Embley (now 30 High Street)

Plot 73 House owned and occupied by Thomas Smith (now 32 High Street)

Plot 74 Garden owned and occupied by Thomas Smith (now combined with Plot 71 to form separate unit known as ?????)

Plot 75 - two houses and courts owned by Elizabeth Clark, one occupied by herself, the other by Samuel Smith (now 34 High Street).

Plot 76 - House and Garden owned by John Martin Baxter and occupied by Daniel Palser (now 36 High Street).

Thurstons
We know from various 18th Century indentures and an abstract of title that these were all owned by Robert Thurston, a mercer and gentleman who was born about 1620.  Robert died on 27th March 1704 aged 84 the deeds showed that he left these properties to his grandson, John Thurston, the son of his own son Robert Thurston (Junior) and his wife Anna.  Robert's will dated 22nd March 1703 shows that Robert (Senior) left his grandson two properties - one messuage tenement and dwelling house together with outhouses courts yards and gardens in which Robert was living and another messuage and tenement wherein John Tayer, gentleman, was living.  We are unable to connect the properties described with any of the present properties.

Robert Junior was born about 1655.  He died aged 58 on 26th October 1713.  Anna died aged 57 on 9th September 1719. We don't know much about their son, John who inherited his grandfather's property.  His wife was called Grace although we haven't traced the marriage record.  On 18th February 1712 they baptised a daughter, Grace, in St Michael's Church, Bristol.  An indenture dated 1731 relating to 38 High Street shows that John Thurston was the owner of the property to the north (which we suspect covers the properties now known as 30 to 36 High Street).  We don't know when John and Grace died but the property in the High Street descended to their daughter, Grace.  On 10th March 1737 Grace Thurston married John King, a mercer at St Michael's Church, Bristol.  They had a son John baptised at St Augustine the Less Church in Bristol on 5th January 1742.  Both John and Grace King had died by 1770. 

Kings
We have a copy of an indenture dated 8th January 1770 listing all the property then owned by John Jnr and his wife, Rebecca (nee Pardoe) whom John had married in Horton Church on 24th July 1768.  Rebecca was baptised on 7th January 1744 at Bridge Street Independent Chapel, Bristol.  She was the daughter of Samuel and Mary Pardoe.  By 1770 John had became a clothier and he and Rebecca were living in Wickwar. 

The list of John and Rebecca King's property is extensive covering the Bristol, Thornbury, Rockhampton, Shepperdine and Oldbury areas.  The Thornbury property was described as:

'all that messuage or tenement and dwelling house wherein John Tayer Gentleman deceased lately dwelt and wherein Richard White since dwelt as tenant to the said John Thurston grandfather of the said John King situate and being in the High Street of Thornbury

and also all that messuage or tenement and dwelling house wherein Robert Thurston deceased, grandfather of the said John Thurston and great grandfather of the said John King lately dwelt and wherein Nicholas Powell tallow chandler since dwelt situate and being in the High Street of Thornbury aforesaid which said two last mentioned messuages or tenements were given and devised unto the said John Thurston and his heirs and assigns for ever in and by the last will and testament of the said Robert Thurston his said late grandfather deceased (we suspect that this property might be 45 High Street with the attached garden which later became 47 High Street)

and also all that the messuage or tenement and dwellinghouse wherein Thomas Pierce blacksmith Samuel Musgrove glazier and William Russell shoemaker did formerly dwell situate and being in the High Street of Thornbury  aforesaid (we know from 18th Century indentures which lists the same names that it is this property which covers the area now known as 30 to 36 High Street).

and also all that messuage or tenement wherein Joseph Player Cooper and Frances Hubbert (widow) formerly dwelt situate and being in the said High Street of Thornbury

and also all that messuage or tenement wherein Joseph Powell formerly dwelt with the millhouse cider mill and orchard thereunto adjoining and belonging situate in the Back Street of Thornbury and also all that barn stable with the garden thereunto adjoining and belonging situate lying and being in the Back Street of Thornbury and now in the possession of Thomas Grove as tenant to the said John King (this property was located on the junction of Bath Road and Rock Street and includes the site on which 1 Bath Road was later built).

and also all that messuage or tenement and dwelling house wherein Elizabeth Gifford widow lately dwelt situate lying and being in the High Street of Thornbury

and also that messuage or tenement wherein the said Robert Thurston formerly dwelt situate lying and being in the High Street of Thornbury together with an orchard thereunto belonging situate in the Back Street of Thornbury'.

Benjamin Parnell - Benjamin was a maltster of Tytherington.  We know from Abstracts of Title for 32 and 34 High Street that Benjamin purchased property for £130 from John King and his wife, Rebecca by an indenture of lease and release dated 2nd and 3rd April 1771.  The property was described as:

'All that messuage or tenement or dwelling house wherein Thomas Pearce blacksmith, Samuel Musgrave glazier and William Russell shoemaker did formerly dwell situate and being in the High Street of the Town of Thornbury all which said premises are now in the several tenures or occupations of Joseph Latch nailer, Andrew Whitfield glazier and Arnold Smith cooper as tenants thereof

 All which said messuages or tenements dwelling house and premises were formerly the estate and inheritance of one Robert Thurston heretofore of Thornbury gentleman deceased since that of John Thurston (grandson of the said Robert Thurston) also deceased afterwards of Grace King widow (daughter of the said John Thurston) upon whose death the same descended and came to the said John King her eldest son and heir at law'.

At some stage before 1770, Benjamin appears to have broken up the property and sold it off as separate lots, but we don't have a complete set of indentures showing these sales. 

Arnold Smith acquired 30 High Street - click here to read more about 30 High Street

Andrew Whitfield acquired 32 High Street - click here to read more about 32 High Street

Joseph Latch acquired 34 High Street on 4th and 5th July 1771 - click here to read more about 34 High Street

Ann Caddy acquired 36 High Street - click here to read more about 36 High Street