OLD PLYMOUTH . UK
www.oldplymouth.uk
 

©  Brian Moseley, Plymouth
Webpage created: June 14, 2021
Webpage updated: June 15, 2021

        

WHO WAS WHO IN OLD PLYMOUTH

RICHARD WEEKS WINNICOTT (1853-1929)

Following the death of Mr Richard Weeks Winnicott (1822-1877) in November 1877, his two sons took over the business of Messrs R W Winnicott and Company, ironmongers and hardware merchants.  Mr Richard Weeks Winnicott junior became the senior partner.  He was born in Plymouth on August 9th 1853 and was baptized at the Ebenezer Wesley Methodist Chapel, Saltash Street, Plymouth, on October 9th 1853.  He was educated at the private school run by the Reverend J Barter in Buckland Terrace, Millbay Road, Plymouth.

At the age of 21, in 1874, Mr Winnicott was sent up north to Birmingham to learn the hardware trade and where he opened a branch of the Plymouth business.  However he returned to Plymouth upon the death of his father in 1877, as related earlier.

In 1878 the business was listed as being at number 13 Frankfort Street, where it had evidently moved from 13 George Street. 

In 1883 Mr Richard Weeks Winnicott junior married Miss Anne Proud, the daughter of Mr Thomas Proud, of Birmingham, in Birmingham.

By 1889 the business had become Messrs Winnicott Brothers.   Sometime during the early 1890s the firm moved into Mr George Ryall's former Frankfort Brewery at number 41 Frankfort Street, on the corner with Arch Lane.  The building was also the home of the West of England  Brush Manufacturing Company - was this another Winnicott enterprise?

In the census taken on  Sunday April 5th 1891 the Winnicott family were living at number 12 Saint Lawrence Road, Plymouth.  The children, all born in Plymouth, were: Victor Richard Winnicott, born June 20th 1887; Harold Winnicott, born August 24th 1888; and Dorothy Winnicott, born October 3rd 1889.  Two female domestic servants completed the household.

During the severe winter of 1894, when there was great distress in the Borough, Mr Winnicott became the joint secretary of the Mayor's Relief Fund.  He joined the Council in 1896 as a representative of the Mutley Ward.

Mr Winnicott served as Mayor of Plymouth in 1904-05 and again in 1924-25.

Mr Richard Weeks Winnicott died at his home, "Hyperion", Seymour Road, Compton Gifford, Plymouth, on May 22nd 1929.  The funeral was held at Mutley Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, Mutley Plain, where the service was led by the Reverend J Y Watts and the organist was Mr Cecil Palmer.  Amongst those who joined his widow at the funeral were the Mayor of Plymouth, Mr Ambrose Andrews; the Deputy Mayor, Mr J EPillar; his brother, Sir John Frederick Winnicott; his sister, Mrs John Henry Beckly; his sons, Mr Victor Winnicott and Mr Harold Winnicott; and his daughter, Mrs John Woolland.  Mr Winnicott was interred at Efford Cemetery on May 25th 1929.

Mrs Annie Winnicott died on October 12th 1932 and joined her late husband in Efford Cemetery on October 15th 1932.

As a result of this his younger brother, Sir John Frederick Winnicott (1855-1948), became the senior partner.