OLD PLYMOUTH . UK
www.oldplymouth.uk
 

©  Brian Moseley, Plymouth
Webpage created: March 23, 2022
Webpage updated: March 24, 2022

        

WHO WAS WHO IN OLD PLYMOUTH

CHARLES FREDERICK BURNARD (1816-1905)

Charles Frederick Burnard was born in Plymouth on July 18th 1816, the son of Mr Robert Burnard (1776-1864), the master of the Hospital of the Poor's Portion, Plymouth.

During his early years he displayed a fondness and aptitude for scientific research and upon leaving school he entered the Royal College of Chemistry in London, of which he later became a Fellow.

Mr Charles Frederick Burnard married Miss Jane Bice Evans, of Fowey, Cornwall, at the Ancient Parish Church of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Plymouth, on May 21st 1839.

For a few years he was involved with a chemical works at Southdown, on Millbrook Lake, Cornwall.  The census taken on Sunday March 30th 1851 shows the Burnard family living at 10 Fareham Place, Sutton Road, Plymouth, just alongside the new Plymouth Gas Works, where the civil engineer in charge, Mr John Williams Lack, lived. 

Even in those early days he foresaw the possibilities of developing the land on the shore of the Cattewater.  In 1854 he founded a chemical and patent manure manufacturing business near Phoenix Wharf, on the Barbican, along with Mr John Williams Lack.  At that time a young Mr William Henry Alger joined the staff straight from school.  The census taken on Sunday April 7th 1861 reveals that Mr Burnard had moved to 8 Bedford Terrace, off Tavistock Road, and that he was employing 19 men.  By 1866 the business had moved to Sutton Road, Coxside.

Mr Burnard took a keen interest in education and was one of a small band of young men who gave their time lecturing at the Plymouth Mechanics' Institute and helped to make it am educational centre of real power at a time when there was no provision for organised education.  It is not surprising, therefore, that when the Plymouth School Board was formed in January 1871, Mr Charles Burnard was elected to serve.  At that time he was living at Chatsworth Lodge, Compton Park Road, Mannamead, Compton Gifford, and described his occupation as an artificial manure manufacturer.  He was also an active member of the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce.

The young William Henry Alger had so impressed Messrs Burnard and Lack with his attention to business matters and zeal that he was invited to become a full partner and the business became Messrs Burnard, Lack and Alger.

Mr John Williams Lack died suddenly on Saturday November 2nd 1872 at the young age of 51 years.

The partners of the business in 1878 were: Mr Charles Frederick Burnard, of Chatsworth Lodge, Compton Gifford; Mr Robert Burnard, of 2 Marine Place, Mutley; Mr John Alger, of Ford Park, Compton Gifford; and Mr William Henry Alger, of 3 Anglesey Vilas, Ford Park, Compton Gifford.   

In 1879 Mr Charles Burnard was elected as a Town councillor for the Sutton Ward and retired from his business the following year in order to devote his time to his new civic responsibilities.  Such was his oratorical and business skills that after only two year's apprenticeship in local government, he was chosen to be Mayor of Plymouth in 1881-82, in which capacity he entertained HRH the Duke of Edinburgh when he came to open Smeaton's Tower.  His Mayoralty was so successful that he was entertained to a complimentary dinner in the Guildhall.

Messrs Burnard, Lack and Alger was now in the hands of Messrs Robert Burnard (1848-1920) and Mr William Henry Alger (1836-1912).  

In April 1884 Mr Burnard was appointed as a Justice of the Peace.  He also stood as the Liberal candidate for the Cornish town of Saint Ives but withdrew in favour of another candidate, which was just as well as the constituency was abolished the following year.

Mrs Jane Bice Burnard died on June 28th 1896 and was buried at the Plymouth, Stonehouse and Devonport Cemetery.

Mr Charles Frederick Burnard passed away at Chatsworth Lodge on Friday November 10th 1905.  He was laid to rest at the Plymouth, Stonehouse and Devonport Cemetery on Tuesday November 14th 1905 in a very simple ceremony in the Cemetery Chapel.