The Milsoms

For much of the 18th century and the early 19th century various Milsoms are recorded as paying rates in Temple parish.  The name Milsome appears also Melsom. James Milsom paid rates on a property for 1719-21 and Joseph Milsom I for 1713-29.  These are probably the brothers who were both pipemakers and sons of Joseph Milsom.  James was apprenticed to Robert and Sarah Tippett in 1710, becoming free in 1724.  Joseph was apprenticed to John and Elenor Macey in 1714, gaining his freedom in 1722. A Benjamin Milsom paid rates on a property for 1742-44, being followed by Isaac milsom for 1745 only.  A Jacob Milsom paid rates on a property in Temple Street for 1745-63, for 1750 onwards as a tenant of Joseph Stokes.  It is unlikely that either of these were a pipemaker or potter. Mrs Tow and Mr Milsome paid rates on another property in Temple Street from 1745, by 1750 the rates were paid by Newton. Miles and Melsome.  The last entry was in 1756 and it shows Howard & Milsome as poor, paying no rates.  There was a pipemaker called John Newton, who became free in 1747, therefore this may have been a possible pipemaking business. A James Milsom II voted from Temple Parish in 1781 and 1784, as a tobacco pipemaker.  However he does not appear in the rate books, but a John Milsom I paid rates on a property in Temple Street for 1781-86.  Perhaps they were the same person, or a partnership existed between the two. John Milsom II first paid rates on his pottery, at 124 Temple Street, in 1820 (Duffett's former property).  Trade directories list him at this address for 1822-36.  The entries for 1823-6 show Milsom and Melsom, which could be a partnership or a mistake in the directories.  Listings for 1836-40 give his address as 56 Redcliff Street.  He was making stoneware and patent water pipes.  John Milsom, potter, voted from Bread Street, St Philip's, in 1812.  He also voted from Temple Street in 1832 and 1835. The watch rates show a person called Milsom paying rates on two adjoining properties, in Temple Street, for 1828-32.  This may be a reference to Edward Melsom.  Edward Milsom & Co are listed in Avon Street, St Philips, for 1830 (a rate book entry for 1833 shows the pottery with a rateable value of 10 pounds)..  The following year the entry shows Edward & Francis Melsom, who were stoneware potters and patent water pipe manufacturers (1831-64), thus the business may be linked to that of John Milsom.  From 1846 improved white stoneware is also mentioned.  Edward and Francis are listed until 1859, but the address from 1837 is given as 124 Temple Street (John Milsom's former property).  From 1860 to 1862 the business is listed as Edward Melsom, for 1863-66 entries show either Francis Melsom or Edward & Francis Melsom.  The tenure of the Temple Street property ended in 1869 and in 1871 it was pulled down for the construction of Victoria Street.  The 1830 and 1832 poll books shows both Edward and Francis Milsom (note the spelling) voting in Temple Street.  Edward Milsom voted in 1840 and 1852, but in 1852 was named Melsom.  Francis voted in 1840, 1847 and 1852 as Melsom. In 1834 Edward Melsom paid £3.18.9 duty and John Melsom £1.15.0.  There are recorded spirit bottles by Melsom that are marked.