OLD PLYMOUTH . UK
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WHO WAS WHO IN OLD PLYMOUTH

RICHARD RISDON (1840-1901)

Richard Risdon was born in 1840 at Livington, Islington, Newton Abbot, Devon, to Exeter-born Mr Richard Risdon, baker, and his wife, formerly Miss Sarah Tribble, who originally hailed from Paignton, Devon.  His father was said be a small landowner and connected to the flour and grain trades.

On the date the census was taken in 1841 Mr and Mrs Risdon and young Richard were living in the village of Liverton (spelt "Leverton" in the census), Newton Abbot, Devon.

After being educated at Bovey Tracey Grammar School, Devon, the young Richard joined his father in the family business.

At the time of the census in 1851, however, a mystery daughter had appeared, who was two years older than Richard.  Miss Mary Risdon, then said to be twelve years of age, was quoted as being born at Ilsington in 1839.  The family had also grown by several younger children: John Tribble Risdon, born in 1842; Peamela (sic - Pamela) Risdon, born in 1844; and Ellen Risdon, born in 1848.  All the children - even Ellen, aged only three - were stated to be scholars.

In 1860 Mr Richard Risdon married Miss Lydia Elliott, presumably at the Ancient Parish Church of Saint Michael the Archangel, Ilsington.  Richard George Risdon was born shortly afterwards.

On census day 1861 the new family were living at "Beautiful House", Great Colesworthy, Islington, where both parents were listed as bakers and confectioners.  They employed one assistant/servant, 17-years-old John Foster, from Princetown.

In 1866 Mr Risdon acquired the bakery and confectionery business of Messrs Polkinghorne and Company at number 3 George Street, Plymouth.  At the time of the census in 1851 this business had been run by Mr Edwin Polkinghorne, brewer, baker and confectioner, and his two sisters, Miss Jane Polkinghorne, aged 44 years, and Miss Elizabeth Polkinghorne, aged 38 years.  They all lived on the premises along with a cook and house servant plus two male and two female baker's assistants and two male confectioners, not to mention Mr Charles Polkinghorne, brewer's assistant.

Further expansion came in 1870, when Mr Risdon and his uncle, Mr John Risdon, purchased the bankrupt corn milling business of Mr John Tregillis, with whom he became a partner.  Mr Tregillis had owned the Great Western Corn Mill in West Hoe Road, Millbay, Plymouth, and the Loughtor Mills at Plympton Saint Mary.  They were subsequently joined in the partnership by Mr William Henry Ball and Mr John Henry Ball.

The area around the Great Western Steam Flour Mills in West Hoe Road.
From Ordnance Survey map CXXIII.12 surveyed in 1912.

Meanwhile, Mr Richard Risdon had gone into business with his two sons, Mr Richard George Risdon and Mr John Tribble Risdon, under the title of Messrs R Risdon and Sons.  This new enterprise opened their first restaurant, grill room, luncheon bar and ladies' coffee room at number 38 George Street, Plymouth, immediately opposite the Theatre Royal, on Saturday January 15th 1887.  The opening had been delayed from Tuesday January 4th 1887, when it was first announced.  A four-course meal could be had for two shillings.

After serving as a Liberal councillor for the Saint Andrew's Ward and, later, the Hoe Ward, Richard Risdon was elected Mayor of Plymouth in November 1900.  His term in office was noted for its many happy social events, which included garden parties held at his new country residence, "Smallack", in the parish of Eggbuckland.   He became rather infamous as the heaviest Mayor to have ever occupied the civic chair.

At the time of the census taken on Sunday March 31st 1901 Mr Richard Risdon, then a grain and flour merchant, and his wife Lydia were living at "Smallack", Eggbuckland, along with their son, 40-years-old Mr Richard (George) Risdon, baker and confectioner, still unmarried; Mrs Ellen Emma Risdon, their married daughter-in-law (wife of Mr John Tribble Risdon); and 12-years-old granddaughter, Miss Ellen Dorothy Risdon.  They had six staff: 33-years-old Miss Mary Grace Wills, from Saint Neots, Cornwall, was the Coook; Miss Sarah Ellen Wills, aslo from Saint Neots, was the Domestic House Maid; Miss Eliza Ann Lowman, from London, was the General Servant; Mr Henry Lacy was the Coachman; 16-years-old Master Ernest William Mann, from Marsh Mills, Eggbuckland, was the Gardener; and Master Samuel George Andrews, also 16 years of age, from East Stonehouse, was the Waggoner.

Mr Richard Risdon, Mayor of Plymouth, died suddenly shortly after 10pm on the night of Tuesday July 16th 1901.  Some time after retiring to his bed he had been awoken with a cough but assured his wife that everything was OK.  Suddenly he was taken with a seizure and Doctor Oliver at Crownhill for sent for but in the meantime Mr Risdon passed away.

During his lifetime, he had been a keen member of the George Street Baptist Chapel but when he moved to Eggbuckland transferred to the local parish church of Saint Edward's as it was more convenient.  He formed good friendships with Mr Solomon Stephens and Mr Henry Matthews, both bakers, and was a member of the Devon and Cornwall Miller's Association and the National association of British and Irish Millers.  Mr Risdon also served as a member of the Plymouth Court of Guardians and at Roborough Petty Session Court as a Justice of the Peace for the County of Devon.

The funeral took place at Eggbuckland Parish Church on the afternoon of Saturday July 20th 1901.  The business passed to his eldest son, Mr Richard George Risdon (1860-1934).

Mrs Lydia Risdon, widow of Mr Richard Risdon, died on Tuesday January 2nd 1917 at her home, "Mount Villa", Torquay.  Her funeral was held at Eggbuckland Parish Church on Saturday January 6th 1917.