Masey & Co.

Mineral Water Manufacturers



Tom Clark Masey was born in 1850 in Clayhidon, Devon to parents Thomas Masey of Churchstanton and Catherine Clarke. Tom's parents were married in 1849 and registered in Chard. Unfortunately Catherine, Tom's mother, died early in 1851, not long after Tom was born, likely through complications during his birth and in the 1851 census Tom's father is a widower farmer of 50 acres bringing up a 10 month old baby, he was lucky enough to be able to afford three servants. Their residence at the time was listed as "Barn", Clayhidon.

Tom Masey moved north at a young age, in 1861, aged 10, he was lodging in Pill St. George, Somerset, at Ebenezer Wesleyan Chapel, with Job Masey, a policeman aged 24 and born in Churchstanton (so likely an uncle). In 1871 he was lodging at Shrewsbury Place, Knowle and was a labourer. He married Charlotte Bishop in Bristol on 3 January 1877. By 1881 he was a clerk to a soda water works and living at 44 Oxford Street, Totterdown, he was still there in 1886. In 1887 Tom was on an outing with the firm of Thomas and Charles Brooke, of Capt. Carey's lane. Masey was their cashier, so this was likely where he was working in 1881. In January 1888 he was at a local Licensed Victualler's Association dinner, accompanying Mr. C. F. Brooke. 

From The Bristol Magpie - Saturday 22 November 1890 p.9: "Mr. T. C. Masey's drinks are getting as popular as Pear's soap, the ladies at all the bars are sweetening their palates for the corresponding sweets of Christmas, try it, my friend, especially the fruit champagne."

By August 1892 the company is trading as Masey & Co. but on January 11th 1893 Tom died "deeply regretted by his sorrowing wife and children". Tom died at 2 Rosemary Street, the address at which he appeared in the 1891 census as a Mineral Water Manufacturer with his wife and two sons Arthur and Frank (12 & 9). He was living next door to a Mineral Water Bottler named George R. Backwell who was likely in his employ. By 1901, Masey & Co.'s "City Mineral Water Works" at 80, Old Market Street, was being run by James Bowrey, accountant and former decorator. Bowrey died in 1947, in 1938 he was still at the Old Market address, but by this date, a retired decorator.

Stone Ginger Beer Bottle Masey1.jpg
Printed:  GUARANTEED / *MASEY & CO.* / BRISTOL (in circle) TRADE / TCM monogram / MARK (in centre) / BREWED BEER.

Potter: Price, Bristol
Two tone glaze.

Stone Ginger Beer Bottle Masey5.jpgMasey6.jpg
Printed:  *T. C. MASEY * / BRISTOL (in circle) TRADE / TCM monogram / MARK (in centre)

Image left, potter: Powell, Bristol
Image right, potter: ?  image courtesy Miles Griffin.

All white glaze.

10oz Codd's Bottle Masey4.jpgMasey3.jpg
Embossed:  T. C. MASEY / BRISTOL ; TRADE / TCM monogram / MARK (in circle, centre) /

PATENT SAFE GROOVE / 4 /
Glassworks: Dan Rylands, Makers, Barnsley

10oz Codd's Bottle Masey2.jpg
Embossed:  MASEY & CO. / BRISTOL  ( & / MCO. monogram  (in centre).) TRADE / MARK (either side of monogram).

Glassworks: not marked.

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