OLD PLYMOUTH . UK
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WHO WAS WHO IN OLD PLYMOUTH

RICHARD CORY UGLOW (1850-1913)

Mr Richard Cory Uglow, baker and confectioner, of Plymouth.

Richard Cory Uglow was the eldest son of Mr William Uglow (1816-1872), master baker, originally of Whitstone, near Bude, Cornwall, and his wife, the former Miss Ophelia Trick, whom he married at the Ancient Parish Church of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Plymouth, on Tuesday July 27th 1847.

Young Richard Cory Uglow, who carried the same names as his grandfather, was born on Monday December 30th 1850.  Although he had a private education, it is said he supplemented it by systematic reading.  The census of Sunday April 7th 1871 reveals that Mr Richard Cory Uglow had now joined his father in the business, as the eldest son was, in those days, expected to do.  There had also been a new addition to the family: Caroline Alice Uglow, born 1862.  The late Mrs Thomazine Uglow (sic) had been replaced by 71-years-old widower, Mr James Trick, Ophelia's father.  A cousin, 24-years-old Miss Annie Jessop, was a live-in shop assistant.  There was only one domestic servant, 20-years-old Miss Fanny Ball.

Mr William Uglow, died on Thursday June 13th 1872 and 22-years-old Richard Cory Uglow thus inherited the bakery.

In 1873 Mr Richard Cory Uglow married Miss Laura Peele, the only daughter of the eminent artist, Mr John Thomas Peele (1822-1897).  The wedding took place in the Wandsworth Registration District, in London, where  a cousin of his, Mr Henry French Ridgman Cory Uglow, was a baker and confectioner at number 50 Allen Road, Hornsey.  It transpires that Mr Peele visited Plymouth for a while and in 1844 married a local girl, Miss Sarah Alice Elliot.  They went to the United States of America, where, in Saratoga, Mrs Peele gave birth to a daughter, Laura Peele.

The couple returned to Plymouth and the family shop at number 63 Cambridge Street, where Laura gave birth to their first child, Ethel Laura Uglow in 1878.  At the time of the census on Sunday April 3rd 1881 Richard was a master baker employing four men and one boy.  Living with him and his small family were a 35-years-old cousin, Miss Annie Jessop, who assisted in the business, and a female domestic servant.  During the 1880s the fmaily continued to grow but not all survived into adulthood.  First came Richard Peele Uglow, born in 1880 but survived only six weeks.  He was followed by Harold Peele Uglow, born 1881.  Mabel Peele Uglow was born in 1883 but died at the age of 5 years in 1888.  Finally came Frank Ernest Uglow, born in 1885.

It seems that Richard stood for a place on the Town Council in 1882 representing Frankfort Ward.  But he was ill at the time and was unable to make any preliminary address to the public, did no canvassing and did not provide any cabs for the voters.  Much to everyone's surprise he got elected, which was put down to the fact that he was campaigning for better food for children and old people.  He also served on the Plymouth Court of Guardians.  He opposed a increase in salary for the Town Clerk but strongly advocated the unrestricted use of water.  Mr Uglow was the first person to start a subscription list for those who became homeless as a result of the great fire in Looe Street.  He left the Liberal Party when Mr Gladstone's Home Rule Bill was put to Parliament and joined the Unionist Party.  He also opposed the plan to set up a cash bakery in Plymouth. 

Laura' s mother, Mrs Sarah Alice Peele, had moved in with them by the time of the census on Sunday April 5th 1891 and Miss Jessop had left the family.  The business had expanded and now covered number 64 Cambridge Street as well as number 63.  Ethel, Harold and Frank were all attending school.  There was just one domestic servant, 20-years-old Miss Janie Beswethrick, from Bugle, in Cornwall.

By 1897 Richard had taken over the baker’s shop of Miss Mary E Venn at 50 Union Street, East Stonehouse, which he ran in addition to the ‘model machine bakery’ making ‘hygienic breads’ recommended by Doctor Allinson, at 63 and 64 Cambridge Street, Plymouth.  It was said at the time that the premises were established in 1830 and rebuilt in 1892 ‘on the most Modern and Scientific principles’.

Mr Harold Peele Uglow married a Miss Maud Stanbury at All Saints’ Church on Tuesday August 9th 1910.  It was probably at that point that the business  became Messrs R C Uglow and Son.

Mr Richard Cory Uglow died on Monday December 1st 1913 at the age of 62.  The business was carried on by his son, Mr Harold Peele Uglow (1881-1959).  He was survived by his widow, younger brother, Mr William Henry Uglow, and the two sons.  He was buried at the Plymouth, Stonehouse and Devonport Cemetery on Thursday December 4th 1913, the service being  conducted by the Reverend F E Ault.  He had been one of the founders of the Plymouth, Stonehouse and District Master Bakers' Association, in which he served as president and secretary at different times.  Members of the Association were the bearers at his funeral.  He had exhibited several times at bakery exhibitions and won a 25-guinea cup for the best tinned loaf in the county of  Devon.

Mrs Laura Uglow died on Monday March 18th 1940 at the age of 91.