BARRY, Bartholomew (1767-1859) — Bristol
Bookseller & stationer; printer; bookbinder; circulating library; patent medicine seller; insurance and lottery agent. In 1811 he advertised a range of “globes, dissected maps. geographical games, &c. &c. &c.” (Bristol Mirror, 27 July 1811, p.3). Also published poetry and material on religion, medicine, and social conditions, e.g. ‘Proposals for the establishment of a society in Bristol, for the suppression of mendicity, and the promotion of economy and prudence among the labouring classes : to be called the Prudent Man’s Friend Society’ ca.1812; Miss Morgan, ‘The gaol of the city of Bristol compared with what a gaol ought to be’ 1815, etc.
Baptised 20 Sep 1767 at Upton Scudamore, Wiltshire, the son of the Reverend Richard Barry (1727-1779) and his wife Elizabeth Holloway (1731?-1774), who had married in 1750. The Barry family had held the living at Upton Scudamore through three generations. Apprenticed to James Norton, bookseller, mapseller and stationer, of Corn Street, Bristol, 7 Sep 1781. He married Ann Dark (1762?-1831) at St. John the Baptist, Bedminster, 7 Nov 1791. He was the Bristol agent for the ‘Albion Fire & Life Insurance Company’ 1807-1828. Appointed treasurer of the ‘Bristol Fish Concern’ 19 May 1808. He was secretary of the Royal Lancastrian Free School movement in 1812-1814, soliciting donations towards the building of simple schools for the poor (Bristol Times, 22 Feb 1812). Traded as ‘Bartholomew Barry & Son’ 1814-1828, with his son Henry Barry (1793-1868). This partnership as “booksellers, stationers, and medicine-venders” was formally dissolved 31 Mar 1828, although the BL has ‘A new catalogue of Barry and Son’s general circulating-library, no. 21, High-Street, Bristol : consisting of an extensive collection of the most valuable works of the best authors. To which we are continually adding, without almost any limit, all the new publications of approved merit as fast as they appear’ dated 1830. Barry appears to have retired at about the time his wife died in 1831 and in 1841 was living with Henry, who was by now rector of Brockley, Somerset. Barry died 8 Jul 1859 at Brockley and was buried 14 Jul 1859 at St. Mary Bitton, where his wife was also buried. Probate on effects of under £800 was granted to another son, Edward, a solicitor, 24 Jan 1860. “Though for the last quarter of a century he has been unconnected with the city of Bristol, expired Saturday morning last, viz., Bartholomew Barry, Esq., for nearly half-a-century a leading publisher of Bristol. Mr. Barry, who had attained the patriarchal age of 92 years, began business nearly seventy years ago … Mr. Barry had for a little while connection with the press of Bristol, having originated the Bristol Chronicle, which, however, had not a long career. He outlived most of his contemporaries, but was much respected during his citizenship for his kindness and upright character He closed a hale and tranquil old age at the residence of his son, Brockley Rectory, Somersetshire” (Frome Times, 20 Jul 1859).
Bristol Bridge — 1793-1794
21 High Street, Bristol — 1808-1831
Apprentices: George Johnson 1795; Benjamin Butt 1798; Thomas Bedford 1803.
Census 1841-1851. BBTI. BNA. LG. LHD.