THE PITCHERS

Augustus Ernest Pitcher & his his wife, Annie

Augustus Ernest Pitcher was born in Thornbury in 1878.  He seems to have used the name of Ernest, rather than Augustus. 

In 1901 he was living with his parents in number 24 Gloucester Road.  He was working as a house decorator.  We understand that Ernest was a decorator and sign writer for the family firm until an accident which lead to blood poisoning and prevented him from working.

In 1908, he married Annie Symes, the daughter of Bernard Symes, the tailor.  (Note: Ernest's brother, Charles Arthur also married an Annie Symes, this one, the daughter of Charles Symes who ran the ironmonger's business on The Plain.  The Annie's were first cousins.)  Ernest and Annie had one son, Douglas Walter Bernard, who was born in 1910. 

The Prewitt’s Directories from 1909 to 1912 and the 1910 Electoral Register show that AE Pitcher was resident in Gloucester Road, but these sources do not identify which house they were living in.  We heard from the current owner of number 8, Joan Hall, that as Town Mayor she had presented Annie Pitcher with flowers on her 100th birthday.  Annie told Joan that she began her married life in Joan’s house.   

By 1918 these Pitchers were definitely in the High Street as they are listed there in the Electoral Register.  They lived in a house between the Methodist Church and the Natwest Bank on the Plain, recently converted into an Italian restaurant. 

We have been told that Ernest was unable to work after his accident so his resourceful wife found another way of earning money.  Annie ran the sweet shop in the High Street directly opposite their house (currently trading as Gems, jewellers).  Annie sold ice cream home-made in a tub.  We understand that although Ernest is listed as a confectioner in the High Street in 1926, 1927 and 1931, it was Annie who ran the business. 

Following the death of his brother, Edgar, Ernest and Annie moved into the house at 3 Castle Street where he remained until 1957 when he died aged 79 years.  Annie lived there until she became 100 years old in 1977.  The photograph here shows Joan Hall as mayor of Thornbury presenting Annie with some flowers on her 100th birthday.

Click here to see details of Walter William Pitcher and his family 

This page was last updated: 23/03/2007