OLD PLYMOUTH . UK
www.oldplymouth.uk
 

WHO WAS WHO IN OLD PLYMOUTH

HENRY JOHN RUGG MATTHEWS (1849-1933)

Following the death on Wednesday February 24th 1909 of Mr Henry Matthews (1821-1909), founder of what became Messrs H Matthews and Sons Limited, bakers, confectioners and caterers, the business was taken over by three of his sons, Mr Henry John Rugg Matthews (1849-1933), Mr Charles Thomas Matthews (1853-1941), and Mr Alfred Francis Matthews (1857-1947).

Mr Henry John Rugg Matthews, the senior brother, was shown in the census taken on Sunday June 1st 1911 as a "Wholesale Confectioner".  He was then living at number 15 Grimstone Terrace, Houndiscombe Road, Plymouth, with daughters Miss Eliza Isabella Matthews, Miss Helena Beatrice Clare Matthews and one son Mr Percival Douglas Matthews, a Government valuer.

Mr Charles Thomas Matthews, who was born in Plymouth in 1853, was shown in the 1911 census as a "Director and Secretary, Baker, Confectioner and Restaurant (Proprietor)".  He was shown as living at 11 and 12 Bedford Street, Plymouth, in other words, over the shop, along with his younger brother, Mr Alfred Francis Matthews.  As they were both unmarried they had a 41-years-old housekeeper, Miss Emma M Halls, from Bickleigh; a cook, 25-years-old Miss Jessie Gardiner, from Plymouth; and a housemaid, 27-years-old Miss Florence Beams, from Devonport.  Also living over the shop were five female shop assistants: Miss Ellen Thomas, Miss Alice Potinger, Miss Beatrice Hammett, Miss Amy Hickling and Miss Helen Heal.

Mr Alfred Francis Matthews, who was born in Plymouth in 1857, was shown in the census as a "Director, Baker and Confectioner."

In 1914 the firm had two premises, a confectionery shop and high-class restaurant at numbers 11/12 Bedford Street and the bakery, jam and sweet factory at 67 High Street and in the adjoining Palace Street.

Exactly what prompted the sale of the business is not yet known but in 1924 Mr Henry John Rugg Matthews was 75 years of age; Mr Charles Thomas Matthews was 69; and Mr Alfred Francis Matthews was 67.  On November 24th 1924 Messrs C A and W C Goodbody (the latter always dropped the "C" for obvious reasons) re-registered their Limited Company and revealed that both of them were directors of Messrs H Matthews and Sons Limited.  This was followed on December 31st 1928 by the registration of Messrs Goodbody-Matthews Limited, which in addition to the Goodbody brothers had Messrs J K Absolom, W Atkinson; and Mr C Brossy as directors.  This new Company was responsible solely for the bakery in Mill Street, formerly part of the Old Sugar Refinery.  Goodbody's disposed of 11 and 12 Bedford Street and concentrated on numbers 19 and 20.  They also disposed of the premises in the High Street.

Mr Henry John Rugg Matthews died at 48 Whiteford Road, Plymouth, on December 17th 1933.  The funeral service was held on Wednesday December 20th 1933 at Sherwell Congregational Chapel and then to the Plymouth, Stonehouse and Devonport Cemetery.  Mr Matthews had been a founder member of the Master Bakers' Association.

Mr Charles Thomas Matthews died on May 12th 1941 at the age of 87 years.

Mr Alfred Francis Matthews, the last surviving son of the founder of the business, died on January 6th 1947.  He was 90 years of age.  The funeral was held at Tamerton Foliot Parish Church on January 9th 1947.