OLD PLYMOUTH . UK
www.oldplymouth.uk
 

WHO WAS WHO IN OLD PLYMOUTH

WILLIAM TURNER BRENDON (1845-1928)

William Turner Brendon was born in Tavistock in 1845, the only child of Mr William Brendon (1818-1882), printer, and his wife, the former Miss Sarah Turner.

In 1866 Mr Brendon joined his father as junior partner and the business became Messrs William Brendon and Son, 62 George Street, Plymouth.

In 1868 Mr William Turner Brendon married Miss Fanny Maria Adams, the eldest daughter of Mr Benjamin Adams, tailor, and his wife Susanna, of Knackersknowle (Honicknowle).  They first set up home at number 10 Torrington Place, North Road, Plymouth, where they were recorded in the 1871 census. 

A large family soon followed: George Frederick William Brendon, born 1869; Benjamin Adams Brendon, born 1871; William Henry Brendon, born 1873; Alice Mary Brendon, born 1875; Charles Ernest Brendon, born 1876; Richard Turner Brendon, born 1878; Fanny Marion Brendon, born 1880; Catherine Sarah Brendon, born 1882; Dorothy Susan Brendon, born 1884; and John Adams Brendon, born 1887.

As the family grew so a much larger house was needed and the census taken on Sunday April 3rd 1881 records the family as living in Elm Road, at Mannamead, Compton Gifford, which at that time was outside the Plymouth  boundary.  They employed a Governess, 23-years-old Miss Charlotte E Stevens, from Saint Budeaux.  The business was then employing 37 men, 28 boys and 13 girls.

Mr William Brendon died on Saturday April 8th 1882.

Miss Stephens, now spelt with the "ph", was still with the family at the time of the 1891 census on April 5th that year but they had moved to Queen's Gate, Plymouth, overlooking Freedom Fields Park.

In 1894 Mr George Frederick William Brendon married Miss Mary Ford at Saint Columb, Cornwall.  He and Mary were living at "Laurel Bank", South Brent, at the time of the census on Sunday March 31st 1901.  He joined his father in the business in 1892 but withdrew in 1911 to pursue his own interests in London, where he died on July 8th 1923 at the young age of 53 years.  He left a widow and two children.  His remains were interred at the Plymouth, Stonehouse and Devonport Cemetery.

By 1897 the printing works and bindery was located in Pier Street, West Hoe, Plymouth.

Mr William Turner Brendon died at "The Anchorage", Grand Parade, Plymouth, on July 25th 1928 at the age of 83 years.  Messrs William Brendon and Son Limited was left in the hands of Mr Charles Ernest Brendon (1876-1936).