and his family

Thomas Inman Councell was born on 8th November 1793  at Wrington.  He was the son of William Councell and Elizabeth (nee Inman).  He married Mary Gough on May 3rd 1814 in Bristol.  Thomas Inman Councell their first son was baptised in 1819.  We know very little about this son although we believe that he went to America. 

Their daughter Mary Ann was baptised on 31st March 1820 at Ebenezer Chapel, King Street in Bristol.  We do not know when the family actually moved to Thornbury.  Thomas was in the  Land Tax Records from 1819 as the occupier of premises owned by Jno. Barton which appear to be the same premises in Thornbury High Street  that he later owned.  On 28th December 1821 the trustees of the Free School in Castle Street agreed to rent the school house, school room and garden to Thomas Inman Councell "from Christmas last to the 25th day of March next" for £25.

Thomas and Mary's son George was baptised in St Mary's Church in Thornbury on 18th July 1822.  George was buried on 4th September of the same year. 

Initially Thomas's business was in partnership with James Jennings of Bristol and they had shops in Thornbury and in Bristol.  On 31st January 1825 the Hampshire Telegraph and Sussex Chronicle reported the fire in the Market in the High Street of Bristol which destroyed the grocer's shop of Councell and Jennnings.

The premises in Thornbury that was always known as 'Councell's' traded for over a century.  It is shown here on the left a few doors down from what is now the Town Hall.  It seems that James Jennings and Thomas Inman Councell originally bought the premises in Thornbury High Street together, although from at least 1826 the Land Tax Records show that Thomas was the occupier and  the owner.  It may be that James Jennings was providing a sort of mortgage for half the property.  In 1828 Thomas Inman Councell bought  James Jennings' half share in the house and business in Thornbury for the sum of £300.  However they continued to be partners in the business together with George Sawday of Thornbury.  In Pigot's Directory of 1830 Councell Jennings and Co were grocers and linen drapers in Thornbury and in Bristol. 

The Land Tax Records of 1827 and 1829 show that Thomas Inman Councell occupied  a property owned by William Scott that is now 13 The Plain in Thornbury.  We don't know whether Thomas actually lived in the house as he is also shown in the Land Tax Records as owning and occupying his premises in the High Street. 

Thomas became Mayor of Thornbury in 1831.

The partnership of Councell Jennings and Co was dissolved on 24th June 1835, according to a newspaper of the 27th of that month.  The article says that the business was dissolved by "by effluxion of time."  Thomas assumed control of the Thornbury branch and James Jennings carried on with the Bristol business.

The 1841 Census shows that Thomas Councell aged 48 was a grocer and draper living in the High Street.  His wife Mary was also 48.  They had four children; Mary Ann aged 21, Edward Gough Councell aged 18, William aged 16 and Sarah 12.  Four assistants and two servants also lived in the household.

Thomas and Mary appear to have had other children.  Their grave in the churchyard of St Mary's in Thornbury mentions Harriet Matilda, and Charles Gough Councell.  Their daughter Sarah Louisa was buried on 1st May 1844 aged 15 years and six months.

Thomas's wife, Mary, died on 19th November 1844 aged 52.  In August 1846 Thomas's name appeared in the Bristol Mercury as an agent for the Bristol and Western Counties Building Society.  Thomas died May 14th 1847 aged 57.  His obituary in the Bristol Mercury of May 22nd 1847 says "May 14th at Thornbury, aged 57, Mr Thomas Inman Councell.  He had returned to his home from attending County Court on business, when he sat down and immediately expired.  He was an alderman of that ancient borough, and for several years an eminent local preacher and class-leader among the Wesleyan Methodists and also their circuit steward, and actively interested in the promotion of general education."

The grocer's and draper's business must have been thriving.  Edward Gough Councell and William Henry Councell took it over after their father's death.

On 4th August 1849 there was another advertisement  for "a splendid assortment of Plain, Striped and Glacie Silks. Paisley and Barege shawls and scarfs, Cashmere and Delaine dresses, Bonnets and parasols all selling off at less than cost price."  The reason for the sale was that Councell's shop was about to have a new frontage and was selling off their stock to prevent damage by dust etc.  In about 1857 a long poem in Gloucestershire dialect written as a letter to someone who had left Thornbury referred to these exciting changes in Thornbury and the shops' appearance in particular;

"Talking of winders-why, ye'd veel zupprize
(And I do think wood hardly b'leeve yer eyes)
Wur ye to zee th' winders we've got here
  Made of plate-glass zo high and broad and cleer.
Talk about yer "Jones's Shop" and wothers-
    Thay dwon't outdo E Councell's nor his brother's."

You will note that the poem refers to "E Councells" and "his brother's."  When the Crown Inn next door closed about 1857 or 1858 the Councell brothers expanded their premises into the building next door and each became responsible for the two different concerns; the grocery in the smaller, original building becoming William's and the drapery in the former Crown Inn becoming Edward's.  Click on the thumbnail image to see a clearer photograph of  the two shops.  We have from this point treated the businesses run by Edward Gough Councell and William Henry Councell as separate concerns. 

Edward Gough Councell and his wife Mary Louisa.  Edward Gough Councell married Mary Louisa Brown on 7th April 1846.  She was the daughter of James Brown a farmer.  The baptism records of Thornbury Methodist Church show that  on 8th July 1849 the first son of Edward and Mary Louisa Councell was baptised Henry Edward.  He was born on 9th June of that year.  Edward and Mary Louisa had at least three more of their children baptised at the same Church.  These were George Brown Councell on 4th April 1851 (born 19th December 1850), Mary Louise Councell on 20th August 1853 (born 16th December 1852) and Emily Culverwell Councell on 10th April 1859 (born 31st October 1858).

On 26th December 1850 Edward Gough Councell bought a property which is now 4 Castle Street.

Edward was Mayor of Thornbury in 1851.  In the Census of that year Edward was a grocer and draper aged 27 with Mary his wife aged also 27.  They had two sons Henry aged one and George aged three months.  They also had three shop assistants living in the house;  Francis Dixon aged 22, Frederick Cole aged 17 and Catherine Brown aged 18.  They also had two servants; Eliza Williams aged 29 and Clara Hughes aged 20, their children's nurse.

In a newspaper of 7th January 1854 there appeared a notice that the partnership of Edward Gough Councell, William Henry Councell and Mary Ann Councell had been dissolved by mutual consent and all debts due to and owing by that company would be received and paid by Edward Gough Councell and William Henry Councell.  We know that both stores continued to trade in the High Street with William Henry selling groceries and Edward Gough selling drapery and clothing in adjoining premises.

The 1861 Census shows that they lived in the High Street and that Edward was by this time 37.   His wife Mary Louisa was also 37 and born in Devon.  They had four children at this time,  George aged ten, Mary aged eight, Edward Arthur aged five and Emily two.  The household was a very large one; living in the same house was Mary Ann, Edward's unmarried sister aged 40 and their shop assistants;  Eliza Brown aged 18, Eliza Curwood aged 19, Matilda Morse aged 17, Edward Long 20 and Henry Chard 14.  They also had two servants Sarah Walker aged 19 and Fanny Brown.

In the 1871 Census it says that Edward's wife, Mary Louisa then aged 47 was born in Somerset.  Edward and his wife had Edward Arthur aged 15, Emily aged 12 and a niece Ellen Hannah Brown aged 30 from Devon and three other assistants and two servants.

On 4th September 1873 Mary Louise Councell aged 20 daughter of Edward Gough Councell married George Ebenezer Brown of Torquay in  St Mary's Church in Thornbury.  George's father was James Brown.

The Rate Book of 1876 shows that Edward Gough Councell owned the premises although it now seems to have been run by William Gates and Herbert Mullings.  Presumably Edward and Mary Louisa went to live with their son in Liverpool about this time. 

Edward Gough Councell died in Grove Park, Liverpool on September 16 1878 aged 55 years.  The 1881 Census shows Mary Louisa Councell his widow living with her son Edward Arthur Councell who was aged 25 and practising as a dentist near Mount Pleasant in Liverpool.  Nellie Councell then 22 and unmarried is also living with them.  When Edward Arthur married his mother seems to have moved out of the household.  In 1891 Mary Louisa Councell was living in Toxteth in Liverpool with her daughter Emily Culverwell Brown Councell. 

The 1881 Census and 1885 Rate book show that Mullings continued to run the shop although the premises were owned by Mary Louisa Councell.  By 1890 Francis Gayner had moved into the  premises which he called City House.  Mary Louisa continued to own the building until at least 1894.  Mary Louisa died in 1900 in the Birkenhead registration area aged 77 years.  From about 1899, according to the Rate Books it was owned by the representatives of W H Councell.

William Henry Councell was the second surviving son of Thomas Inman Councell.  He was born in 1825 in Thornbury.  The 1851 Census shows that William H Councell aged 26 a grocer and draper was living in what is now Oriel House in Castle Street.  He lived with his sister Mary Ann aged 29 who also worked as grocer and draper.

On 24th March 1858 William Henry Councell married Ellen Hannah Brown.  Their daughter Alice Mary Councell was born on  21st January 1859 and baptised in the Methodist Church in Thornbury on 10th April.  Ellen Winifred was born on September 12th 1860. 

In the 1861 Census  William H Councell was living next door to his brother Edward in Thornbury High Street.  William was a grocer aged 34.  He was living with his wife Ellen aged 27 who was born in Nether Stowey in Somerset and their children Alice aged two and Ellen aged six months.  They also had two servants and three grocer's assistants living with them.

Richard Watson Councell, their first son was baptised on 16th June 1862 in the Methodist Church having been born on 25th December 1861.  Amy Brown Councell was born 11th July 1864. Another daughter, Edith Caroline was baptised in the same Church, having been born on 19th June 1866.  Their next son's name seems to reflect their political leanings as his name was William Wilberforce Councell.   He was born on 19th June 1867 at 7pm according to his birth certificate.  His twin brother Henry Martyn was born at 8pm and baptised with him on 4th August 1867.  Charles Edward Councell was born 8th January 1869.  Thomas James Councell was born on 21st March 1871 and we have a few lines about his later career below.

In the 1871 Census William Henry Councell and his family were living across the road from his shop in Park House  which just off the High Street.  His shop was occupied by his shop assistant James Collings.

Sadly William and Ellen lost a son Charles Edward Councell on 6th January 1882.  He died of kidney disease at West Leigh in Belvoir Road, Bristol aged only 12 years.

Cecil Wesley Councell was born on 18th October 1877 at Park House.

We know that on  29th September 1879 Dr Edward Mills Grace bought Park House from W H Councell.  Park House was one of the largest houses in Thornbury at that time and indicates that the Councell family owned a substantial amount of property in Thornbury.  The 1876 Rate Book shows that in addition to Park House, W H Councell owned another house on the west side of the High Street (16 High Street) and a house and premises (presumably his shop) on the east side of the High Street, a house and court in Silver Street and a house and court in Back Street and a stable and yard off Silver street. 

Click on the thumbnail photograph to see an advertisement with the prices of W.H. Councell's groceries.

The 1881 Census shows that the premises were occupied by Thomas Westcombe aged 29 from Oxford.  Thomas was described as a grocer's assistant.  He was living with his wife Frances aged 25 who was born in Earthcott.

William Henry Councell died at Clevedon on May 19th 1887 aged 62 years. 

By 1889 Councell and Westcombe were trading in the High Street in a property owned by the trustees of W H Councell.  We do not know which member of the Councell family was involved in the business at that time. 

We know that the Westcombe in the partnership was  Thomas Westcombe a grocer who on 7th January 1878 married Frances Savery daughter of Mark Savery the ironmonger.  We do not know the connection, if any, between the Councell family and the Westcombes but the Savery family, like the Councells, were staunch Methodists.  The museum in Thornbury still has vinegar jars with the name of Councell and Westcombe written on them.

In 1891 Thomas Westcombe was still living in the shop in the High Street with his wife but he was now a grocer not a grocer's assistant.  Presumably this is confirmation that he had taken over the grocery business.  We do not know how long the partnership of Councell and Westcombe continued.  The 1901 Census shows that Godfrey Spyer had taken over as grocery manager.  The Rate Books describe the premises as being owned by Councell and Sons throughout.

In the Census of 1891 Ellen was a widow aged 58.  She was living in Redland in Bristol with her sizeable family.  Her daughter Ellen aged 30 was a music teacher.  Amy aged 26 had no occupation.  Edith aged 24 was a kindergarten teacher.  William aged 23 was a clerk in a corn merchant's office.  Thomas was an articled pupil to a surveyor.  Cecil aged 13 was still at school.  There were two servants.

In 1901 the Census shows that Ellen was still living in Bristol.  She was a widow aged 67 living on her own means.  Her son Thomas J. an architect aged 30 and daughters Alice aged 42, Ellen aged 40 and Amy aged 36 were still living with her. They had one servant.  Ellen died on 9th October 1907.

In the Rate Books of 1905 and 1910 the properties were still said to be owned by the Representatives of W H Councell.  The Shop continued to trade under the name of Councells up to 1939 - presumably when it was taken over by the Co-operative Society.

Of William Henry's children we know that Thomas James Councell advertised in the South Gloucestershire Gazette of 26th August 1911 that he was the principal of the Thornbury and District School of Music.  The advert said that the school of music was not only a teaching centre but an examination centre and that it was in the High Street.  T James Councell (as he was described) said his qualifications were "Home Certificate and TC (London)."  Presumably "TC" suggests that he was trained as teacher.  Later he became a minister.  In 1920 he travelled to Canada on the SS Majestic.  Daisy Harris his wife had an address  in Sidmouth in Devon.  He made other trips to Canada and the USA in 1923, 1924 and 1926.

Some of the Councell family appear to have continued their association with Thornbury.  Henry Martyn Councell died on 21st November 1944 aged 77 and was buried in Thornbury Cemetery.  Henry's wife, Irene Clarice, married again on 6th September 1945.  Her husband was William Stokes.  Henry's sister Edith was also buried in Thornbury.  We believe it was Edith who was mentioned in the South Gloucestershire Chronicle of July 1916 as "Miss E Councell" who founded the Thornbury branch of the "Women's Total Abstinence Union."  none of the three daughters married.  Ellen Winifred died on 31st January 1919.  Alice Mary died on 17th March 1925 and Amy Brown Councell died on 26th October 1939.

This page was last updated: 29/01/2012