“All for one and one for all, united we stand divided we fall.”
― Alexandre Dumas, The Three Musketeers 1844
JOHN (1785-1859) GGGGRANDFATHER
John Fulford (1785-1859) , son of Joseph (18/8/1751-23/2/1806) and Anne nee ‘Wilson’ (10/6/1753-5/3/1792) is one of the earliest and most influential of the Fulford relatives within our brewing lineage.
Father Joseph (1751-1806) is listed as farmer’ on John’s marriage certificate to his second wife Mary in 1850.
John (1785-1859) and his brothers, Joseph (1775), Thomas (1783), William (1786), and Richard (1789) were all connected with public houses and the brewing industry.
Older brother Joseph Fulford (1775) is most likely the grocer and maltster on Bradford street, Birmingham. If so Joseph Fulford (1775) represents the earliest Fulford Maltster currently discovered.
Brother Thomas (1783) lived with wife Fanny at Warren Farm, Handsworth. Here, Thomas, like his father Joseph, would be growing crops, including the barley for the beer. Two of Thomas’s (1783) sons, John (1819-1877) and William (1826-1874) became Publicans after initial occupations as ‘wire drawers’.
In 1841, Joseph (1812) and family lived at the Minerva Brewery and operated the Minerva Vaults public house. But by 1851, nephew, Joseph (1812), (son of John 1785 and Anne) lived next door to uncle Thomas 1783 and aunt Fanny at Warren Farm (1851 Census). Joseph (1812) continued to operate the Minerva Brewery, the Minerva Vaults public house and many additional associated industries at that time (see Joseph 1812).
Brother William (1786) married Jane nee ‘Barker’ who died on Holt st. William and his son operated The Black Swan public house, Bromsgrove, Birmingham. The location of Jane’s death provides further evidence of Williams’ links with the Holt Brewery. (See William 1786).
John’s (1785) younger brother Richard (1789) was father of Henry Charles Fulford (1823) who commenced the Fulford Brewery, later renamed Holt Brewery. The brewery became one of the largest breweries in the Midlands prior to the takeover by Ansells in 1934.
The brothers John (1785) and Richard (1789) provide the links between Fulford Brewery operated by Richard’s son, Henry Charles Fulford (1823) and the Empress Brewery operated by John’s grandsons, Edward Fulford (1834-1872) (Retail Brewer), William Henry Fulford (1844-1909) Empress Brewery, and Samuel Fulford (1851- 1920) (Great Grandfather) ‘The Lion Mineral Water Works’.
John (1785) and Ann nee ‘Hall’ married on Christmas Eve 1811 and had twelve children , 7 boys and 5 girls. All Baptised at St Phillips Church Birmingham. Five of John and Anne’s boys, Joseph (1812), John (1816), Thomas (1817), Henry (1818) and Edwin (1820) took up occupations as Maltsters, Victuallers, Brewers and Publicans.
After Anne’s death in 1848, John (1785) married Mary (1813), 28 years his Junior. His second marriage on 27th June 1850 at St Luke’s Church Birmingham . Sadly, son Edwin (1820-1850) Publican of The Globe public house died in January of the same year. The 1851 Census records John (1785) and his second wife Mary (1813) living next door to The Globe public house with a new beer retailer operating the pub.
John (1785-1859) died in 1859 . After his death wife Mary (1813) moved to live at the noteworthy Fox and Grapes public house, Freeman St, Birmingham.
In keeping with family tradition, many of the next generation continued in occupations associated with the brewing industry.
Census information highlights a close knit family, living and operating together with the common aim of brewing, owning public houses and selling beer.
JOHN FULFORD (1785-1859) GGGGRANDFATHER
BAPTISED: 28th AUGUST 1785, SOLIHULL
PARENTS;
FATHER: JOSEPH FULFORD (1751-1806)
MOTHER: ANNE nee ‘WILSON’ (1753-1792)
OCCUPATION: PUBLICAN, BREWER, VICTUALLER, WHOLESALE BREWER.
Joseph Fulford (1751-1806) and Anne nee ‘Wilson’ (1753-1792) were the parents of John (1785) who was born c.1785 and baptized in Solihull on 28th August 1785.
“John son of Joseph & Anne Fulford”
JOHNS SIBLINGS;
Sons of Joseph Fulford (1751-1806) and Anne nee ‘Wilson’ (1753-1792) Reference: Family Search
All were also associated with pubs and the brewing industry.
JOSEPH (1775) Baptised; Solihull 17/4/1775
JOHN (1776) Baptised; Solihull 9/10/1776 Died & buried October 19/10/1776
THOMAS (b. @ 1783) Solihull
WILLIAM (1786) Solihull
RICHARD (1789) Solihull
JOSEPH b. @ (1775) Baptised; Solihull17/4/1775
1812 Wrightson’s Triennial Trade Directory record
> 1812 ‘Fulford, Joseph grocer and maltster, Bradford-St’
Joseph (1775) is likely to be the grocer and and earliest Maltster on Bradford street, Birmingham.
By 1818, Joseph is joined on the trade listings by two of his brothers , John (1785) and Richard (1789).
1818; Wrightson’s Triennial Trade Directory record
> 1818 ‘Fulford John ‘Victualler’ Dale End’
Johns (1785) and Ann’s son Henry (1818), (Publican The Vine Inn) has Dale End as his place of birth on his birth certificate which identifies
John ‘Victualler’ above as Henry’s father.
THOMAS (b. @ 1783) Baptised. 20/11/1783 in Solihull
Courtesy: Family Search
1851 Census information records Thomas (1783) (John’s older brother) and wife Fanny living at Warren Farm, Handsworth. an area of land well known for its agricultural use at that time. Thomas was a laborer/ farmer and most likely produced the barley for the beer. Two of Thomas (1783) and Fanny’s sons later became Publicans after earlier careers as ‘wire drawers’ (See Thomas 1783).
WILLIAM (1786) Baptized: 31/12/1786 Solihull
John’s (1785) brother William (1786), married Jane nee ‘Barker’ (1792-1823) who died on Holt St. William together with son George William (1821-1891) operated the Black Swan, 8 Bromsgrove St. Jane’s death on Holt street provides further evidence of the brothers cooperating together on Holt St and within the brewing industry. (See William 1786).
RICHARD (1789) Christened: 8/11/1789 Solihull
Richard (1789) was a Maltster and Victualler who married Elizabeth Woodward (1801). Their son Henry Charles (1823) established Fulford Brewery, later renamed Holt Brewery in 1872 and was operated by father and son Liberal Politician Henry Charles Fulford (1850). (See Holt Brewery).
John (1785) and his brothers provide evidence of the links between the Holt Brewery empire operated by Henry Charles Fulford (1823) and son Henry Charles Fulford (1850) and the Empress Brewery operated by William Henry Fulford (1844-1909), his siblings and associates.
John (1785) and Anne gave birth to Joseph (1812) (GGGgrandfather) whose son William Henry (1844-1909), and eldest brother, Edward (1834-1872) (Retail Brewer) and youngest brother Samuel (1851- 1920) (Great Grandfather) operated the Empress Brewery.
MARRIAGE: (FIRST)
JOHN FULLFORD (1785-1859) married ANN nee ‘HALL’ (1790-1848) on the 24th December 1811, Christmas Eve at ST PHILIPS, BIRMINGHAM.
England, Warwickshire Parish Registers 1535 -1963, pg 225
Birmingham, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812 for John Fullford, Spouse Ann Hall. Birmingham, Saint Philips 1793-1812.
Birmingham, England, Church of England, Marriages and Banns, 1754-1937
CHILDREN;
(12), 7 boys and 5 girls. All Baptised at St Phillips, Birmingham.
Joseph (1812 -1868) Publican, Brewer The Minerva Brewery, The Minerva Vaults pub.
John (1816) born Legge St, Publican , The Bull’s Head, Brewer, Brewer, Trinity Rd, Birmingham.
Thomas (1817) born Legge St, Publican, beer hse, & The Bartons Arms.
Henry (1818) born Dale End Publican The Vine Inn.
Edwin (1820) born Canal st Publican. beer hse, The Globe Inn.
Harriet (1822) born Canal st and was the only girl surviving into adulthood.
James (1824) born Canal st died at birth.
Louisa (1826) born Canal st died at birth.
William (1825) born Canal st.
Anne (1828) survived until three years of age.
Elizabeth (1830) lived to just one year of age.
Emily (1832) lived to just one year of age.
Five of the boys, Joseph (1812), John (1816), Thomas (1817), Henry (1818) and Edwin (1820) were involved in the brewing industry.
RESIDENCE HISTORY/ JOHN (1785) & FAMILY
John (1785), his brothers and their children grew up close to the Britannia Brewery. This brewery was one of the earliest in Birmingham as shown on Pyes 1793 & 1795 map. The area would have provided a fertile ground for the Fulford Brewers to develop their interests and occupations as Maltsters, Brewers, Victuallers, and Publicans.
The Britannia Brewery was situated in the large area at the end of Brewery st and the road was most likely named after the brewery. Blews st, an offshoot of Brewery st, was named after William Blews, who was also a Brewer in Birmingham. Blews st is where John’s (1785) son Edwin (1822) operated the Globe public house.
The places of birth of John (1785) and Anne’s children provide evidence of where the family were living prior to the commencement of Census information. Currently, Joseph (1812) has no discovered residence address at the time of his birth but other sons John (1816) and Thomas (1817) were born on Legge street and on Henry (1818) Dale End. All of their other children’s birth records are listed as Canal street.
BRITANNIA BREWERY described as ‘Porter Brewery’ on Pyes 1792 map of Birmingham. (top right )
Note the location of Canal st with the proximity to Legge St and Holt St (Gosta Green), the site of the Holt Brewery.
Below Canal St, Birmingham, most likely the shorter Street (there were two) and what appears to be tall towers of a possible Brewery close by.
Courtesy: Birmingham History Forum
The 1841 Census, recorded John Fulford (1785) aged @ 55, ‘Publican’ living at 10 Canal street (residence 2353) with wife Ann (1796) aged @ 45 and daughter Harriett Fulford (1822) (15). Interestingly, also living with John and Ann at that time was, the as yet to be identified, Maria Fulford (aged 15) who was working as the family servant. The older children, now adults, had left home and 5 sons had in turn, became involved in brewing and operating public houses.
The 1841 Census records show a close knit family living and operating closely together with a common aim of brewing, operating pubs and selling beer.
Joseph (1812) and family are living and brewing at the Minerva Brewery, Mott st. (See Joseph 1812)
Brother John (1816) is with brother Thomas (1817), literally at the top of the road at the beer house, 1 Barr st. Diagonally opposite to 1 Barr st is the Minerva Vaults public house, on the corner of Great Hampton Row and Mott st, operated by Joseph (1812). (See John 1816 and Thomas 1817).
The two brothers, Henry (1817) (then a coal merchant) and Edwin (1822) are together on Blews st. Henry 1817 later operates The Vine public house, Summer Lane, and Edwin (1822) the beer hse which is later named The Globe Public house, 35 Blews st (See Henry 1817 and Edwin 1822).
ANN’S DEATH : 1848 Ann Fulford ‘née Hall)
John (1785) wife Ann died in 1848.
Anne died in 1848 and John (1785) married Mary (1813) on 27th June 1850. Sadly, son Edwin (1820-1850) Publican of The Globe public house had died in January of the same year.
SECOND MARRIAGE:
John’s (1785) father’s occupation is ‘Farmer’ as stated on his marriage certificate to Mary nee ‘Middleton Margells’ (1813). John’s second wife, was nearly 30 years his Junior.
Married: St Luke’s Church Birmingham 27/6/1850
“Twenty seventh of June, John Fulford, Widower, Gentleman, Blew St, Father ‘Farmer’ and Mary Middleton Margells, Widower, Sun Street West, Father Saddler “.
1851 Census
John 1785’s occupation is listed as ‘Victualler’ (William’s (1825) and Emily ‘s (1832) birth certificate) and as a ‘Wholesale Brewer’ on the 1851 Census.
The 1851 Census, records John (1785) and his second wife Mary (1813) living next door to The Globe but with a new beer retailer operating the pub. This move was most likely prompted by son Edwin’s death, with John (1785) and new wife Mary (1813) living next door to help organize the new management of the pub.
DEATH
JOHN FULFORD (1785-1859) Age: 74
BURIAL RECORD
John (1785) died in 1859 at the age of 74 years. He was buried on the 7th January 1859.
Birmingham, England, Church of England, Burials 1813-1964, Birmingham, St Mary.
After John (1785) died in 1859, wife Mary (1813) moved to the Fox and Grapes public house and is listed on the 1861 Census.
FOX AND GRAPES PUBLIC HOUSE
16 Freeman St, Digbeth, Birmingham
Demolished 15th/16th September 2012 despite grade II listed status.
Was “ One of Birmingham’s oldest public houses. The grade II star listed pub was one of the first buildings to be constructed after the land around Freeman Street was converted into burgage plots between 1724 and 1725”
Courtesy: Birminghamconservationtrust.org posted November 28, 2014 by Anne Marie Hayes
The Fox and Grapes survived WW11 bombing, pictured here in 1958.
THE NEXT GENERATION:
John 1785 and Ann’s son Joseph (1812) married Mary Ann nee ‘Juxon’ and became a Brewer and Publican at the Minerva Brewery and Minerva Vaults public house. Their eldest son Edward (1834-1872), (John and Ann’s grandson), is listed as a Retail Brewer. Two other sons, William Henry (1844-1909) owned and operated several breweries including the Empress Brewery, Manchester and Samuel (1851- 1920) Great grandfather, owned and operated ‘The Lion Mineral Water Works’, Manchester.
John (1816) and son John Joseph (1847) became prolific and prominent Brewers and Publicans in Birmingham and collectively ran the Bulls Head Pub, 1 Price street from 1848 to 1898. A time frame spanning an impressive 50 years. (See John 1816)
John Joseph (1847) Born:1st August 1847, Whiteheath, Staffordshire, Christened: 27th August 1846. married Jane Fulford (1851). He was Co licensee of The Bulls Head, The White Swan and The Woolpack, Summer Lane, Birmingham.
John (1816)’s second son, George James (1849) married Emma (1851). George was a ‘Maltsters Assistant’ and Publican at ‘The White Swan’. Later taking over from Uncle Thomas Fulford (1817) at the Bartons Arms. In 1882, George James was referred to as a ‘Maltsters manager’ in Thomas (1817)’s Will.
Henry’s (1818) (The Vine Public House) son Thomas Joseph (1847) operated a Beer House in Bordesley and other sons Thurland Fulford (1853), Walter Theodore Fulford (1855-1942) and Lorenzo (1857) were listed as Brewers on census records.
Edwin (1822-1850) was a publican at The Globe Public House but sadly died of severe alcohol intoxication at the Bell Barn Public House Edgbaston in 1850 (See Edwin The Globe Public House).