OLD PLYMOUTH . UK
www.oldplymouth.uk
 

©  Brian Moseley, Plymouth
Webpage created: April 28, 2021
Webpage updated: April 29, 2021

        

WHO WAS WHO IN OLD PLYMOUTH

WILLIAM BISCOMBE (1832-1903)

William Biscombe was actually born William Buscombe at Wadebridge, Cornwall, in 1832.

His first job was as a general servant to Mr John Fry, a surgeon in general practice, at Saint Breock, near Wadebridge.

William Biscombe married Miss Charlotte Hitt, the daughter of Mr William George Hitt, an ironmonger, in 1856 at the Anglican Church of Charles, in Plymouth.  In the 1851 census she had been a rag cutter at a paper mill.

The ginger beer business was founded in 1857.

By the time of the census on April 7th 1861 William and Charlotte had two children: William junior, born in 1857, and Kate Biscombe, born in 1859.

That had further increased by the time of the census on April 2nd 1871, by when the family were living at number 15 Green Street, over the factory: John Montague Biscombe, born 1861; Evaline (sic) Maude Biscombe, born 1863; Fred (not Frederick) Biscombe, born 1865; Charlotte Biscombe, born 1867; Elizabeth Biscombe, born 1869; and Lucy Biscombe, born 1871.

Three more children followed after Miss Lucy: Bessie Biscombe, born 1872; James Biscombe, born 1874; and finally Arthur Joseph Biscombe, born 1876.

Sadly the family lost two members in 1872.  Four-years-old Miss Charlotte Biscombe passed away on March 31st 1872 and was buried at the Plymouth, Stonehouse and Devonport Cemetery on April 4th and 3-years-old Miss Elizabeth Biscombe followed on April 26th 1872 and was buried on May 1st.  Mr John Montague Biscombe died on March 17th 1890.

Mrs Charlotte Biscombe died on September 21st 1890 at the young age of 55 years, just a matter of months after 28-years-old Mr John Montague Biscombe (1861-1890).

Widower Mr William Biscombe died suddenly from rheumatism on Thursday February 5th 1903.  The funeral service was held at the Plymouth, Stonehouse and Devonport Cemetery on Tuesday February 19th 1903.  The hearse was preceded by Doctor Ward and Mr Phillips of Messrs Skardon and Phillips and the cortege left number 5 Tothill Avenue just after 2.30pm.  Followed by about 25 carriages, it passed along Ebrington Street and passed the firm's factory in Green Street on its way to the Cemetery.  The principal mourners were Mr Biscombe's sons, Messrs William Bisombe junior; Fred Biscombe; James Biscombe and Alfred Joseph Biscombe; and his four surviving daughters.  Employees of the business were the bearers and the service was led by the Reverend J M Hodge.  Amongst those present were Mr W Mumford and Mr J H Ferguson.  

His eldest son, Mr William Biscombe (1857-1916) then became the senior partner in the business.