OLD PLYMOUTH . UK
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WHO WAS WHO IN OLD PLYMOUTH

WILLIAM UGLOW (1816-1872)

The earliest reference to a Uglow as a baker in the Three Towns is in Pigot and Company's "Directory of Devonshire 1830-31", where Mr Richard Uglow, baker, is listed as living at 44 Cornwall Street, Devonport.  Mr Richard Cory Uglow (1785-1859) came originally from Week Saint Mary, near Whitstone, Cornwall.  Richard and his wife, formerly Miss Thomasin Grigg, and only son, William Uglow, who had been baptized at Whitstone Parish Church on September 15th 1816, had moved into Plymouth by 1836, when Thomas's Plymouth Directory of that year lists Mr William Uglow as a baker in Cambridge Street.  The census taken on Sunday June 6th 1841 confirms that Richard Cory Uglow (1785-1859) and his wife, Mrs Thomasin Uglow, were living at number 63 Cambridge Street, Plymouth, with Mr William Uglow and that both father and son were bakers.

Mr William Uglow married Miss Ophelia Trick at the Ancient Parish Church of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Plymouth, on Tuesday July 27th 1847.  Following his marriage, father and son went separate ways, Mr Richard Cory Uglow becoming a grocer at number 37 Cambridge Street and Mr William Uglow and his new wife remaining at 63 Cambridge Street as a baker.

A family soon started to appear.  First came daughter Ophelia Uglow, born 1849; then son Richard Cory Uglow, named after his grandfather, born 1850; then William Grigg Uglow, born 1857; Mary Peard Uglow, born 1858 and finally Fanny Trick Uglow, born 1860.  At the time of the census taken on Sunday April 7th 1861 they were all living at number 63 Cambridge Street along with William's 73-years-old widowed mother, Mrs Thomasin Uglow.  Mr William Uglow was at that time employing three men and two boys, of whom 20-years-old Mr William Ponsford, baker; 19-uears-old Mr William Hatt, baker; and 16-years-old John Bray, were living with them.  A cousin, 24-years-old Miss Sarah Peard Copp, dress maker, was visiting them that night.  She married Mr William Ponsford,  referred to above, at the Ancient Parish Church of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Plymouth, on February 4th 1864.

Young Fanny Trick Uglow died in 1862 and was buried at the Plymouth, Stonehouse and Devonport Cemetery.

Mrs Thomasin Uglow died on July 24th 1864 at the grand age of 76 years.

The census of Sunday April 7th 1871 reveals that Mr Richard Cory Uglow had now joined his father in the business, as the eldest son was expected to do in those days.  There had also been a new addition to the family: Caroline Alice Uglow, born in 1862.  The late Mrs Thomasin Uglow had been replaced by 71-years-old widower, Mr James Trick, Ophelia's father.  A cousin, 24-years-old Miss Annie Jessop, was a live-in shop assistant.  There was only one domestic servant, 20-years-old Miss Fanny Ball.

Mr William Uglow, died on Thursday June 13th 1872 and 22-years-old Richard Cory Uglow (1850-1913) thus inherited the bakery.

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The following year Mr Richard Cory Uglow married Miss Laura Peele, the only daughter of the eminent artist, Mr J T Peele.  The wedding took place in Wandsworth, London.  His cousin, Mr Henry French Ridgman Cory Uglow, was a baker and confectioner at 50 Allen Road, Hornsey.  The family appear to have stayed in London as their first three children, Ellen, John and Alice, were all born in Islington and they all died in infancy.  So who was looking after the bakery in Plymouth?  Was it still operating?

They must have moved back to Plymouth by 1878, as their next child, Ethel Laura Uglow, was born in that year within Saint Andrew’s parish, as were all the remaining children.  By the time of the 1881 census, the family is back at 63 Cambridge Street. Their eldest child, 2-year-old Ethel Laura, is with them.  Richard is employing four men and a boy.  A cousin, Annie Jessop, aged 35 and unmarried, was the baker’s assistant. There was also a general domestic servant.  Richard and Laura had another three sons and one other daughter but only Harold Peele Uglow and Frank Ernest Uglow survived into adulthood.

It seems that Richard caused quite a stir in the Town in 1881/82 when he stood to represent the Frankfort Ward on the Council.  He was ill at the time so made no preliminary address, did no personal canvassing and provided no cabs for the voters but his campaigning for better food for children and old people no doubt helped him to get elected just the same.  He also served as a member of the Court of Guardians.

By 1897 Richard had taken over the baker’s shop of Miss Mary Venn at 50 Union Street, East Stonehouse, which he ran in addition to the ‘model machine bakery’ making ‘hygienic breads’ recommended by Doctor Allinson, at 63 and 64 Cambridge Street, Plymouth.  It was said at the time that the premises were established in 1830 and rebuilt in 1892 ‘on the most Modern and Scientific principles’.

Mr Harold Peele Uglow married a Miss Maud Stanbury at All Saints’ Church on Tuesday August 9th 1910.

Mr Richard Cory Uglow died on Monday December 1st 1913 at the age of 62.  The business was carried on by his son, Mr Harold Uglow, who moved it to 7 Oxford Place.  He was survived by his widow, brother, Mr William Henry Uglow, and the two sons.  He was buried at the Plymouth Cemetery on Thursday December 4th 1913.

In 1934-35, the main premises were still at 63 and 64 Cambridge Street and they also had a shop at 6 Market Avenue.  The telephone number was Plymouth 60103.  There was also Uglow’s Café at 18 Lockyer Street, telephone 5845.  They produced “Century Bread”, a white loaf, and U. B. Brown.  Both were wrapped and sealed.

Mrs Laura Uglow died on Monday March 18th 1940 at the age of 91.

The business opened a new bakery and offices in Newport Street, East Stonehouse, sometime between 1947 and 1953.

Mr Harold Peele Uglow died on Tuesday July 21st 1959 at Erin House, 8A Woodside, Plymouth.  He was 77 years of age.  He was cremated at Efford Crematorium on Friday July 24th 1959.

Following his death the business was taken over by Messrs Hill, Palmer and Edwards Limited, of Exeter.

The business was still operating in Newport Street the early 1970s but the circumstances surrounding the demise of Messrs Uglow's Bakeries Limited are not recorded.