Walter William Pitcher at 24 Gloucester Road Thornbury

Walter and his family had moved from number 22 to their new house at number 24 by the time of the 1890 Rate Book. It was a larger house and they now had room for other boarders. (Click here to see details of their earlier life)

1891 Census - 24 Gloucester Road
Walter Pitcher	Head	M	50	Coachbuilder & Carpenter	Alveston
Anne M Pitcher	Wife	M	51	Dressmaker & Mantlemaker	Newbury, Berks
Edgar W Pitcher	Son		23	Solicitor's Clerk	Thornbury
Annie M Pitcher	Dau		19	Dressmaker	Thornbury
Leonard Pitcher	Son		18	Apprentice Coachbuilder	Thornbury
Albert E Pitcher	Son		16	Grocer's Apprentice	Thornbury
Arthur Pitcher	Son		15	Scholar	Thornbury
Augustus E Pitcher	Son		12	Scholar	Thornbury
Gertrude Williams	Niece		12	Scholar	St Pauls
David Evans	Boarder	S	26	Congregational Minister	Glamorgan

By the 1901 census, Walter was calling himself a carpenter and builder. The business which was started in a small way in the early 1880's had gradually built up until there was a staff of 18 made up of carpenters, blacksmiths, bricklayers, plasterers, labourers, stone masons, painters and decorators. Straps and coffins were made on the premises, iron bands for the wheels of the traps were made and shaped in the yard. Average wages were £1.00 to £3.00 per week according to the skill of the worker. Gradually more buildings were built and more equipment was installed. All materials had to be man handled or transported on hand cart or horse cart. Two of his 6 sons helped him in the business. We understand from locals who were builders themselves that the Pitcher firm of builders were extremely well respected for the quality of their work - the term 'class act' was used when referring to them. Their strength appears to be the work they did in building and repairing traps and carts and making and repairing wheels. This work required a higher level of craftsmanship than general building work. Of course this fact led to the firm's demise when the motor car replaced horse-drawn vehicles.

Click on the thumbnail pictures below to see an early photos of the Pitcher family. The one on the left was taken outside number 24 circa 1900, the one on the right is thought to be the wedding of one of the Pitchers.

Note - the census records and electoral registers show that the Pitchers regularly took in lodgers. They seemed to provide accommodation for ministers of the Congregational Church.

By the 1901 census, many of the children had moved away. Walter and Anna Maria were left with only three children at home.

1901 census - 24 Gloucester Road
Walter Pitcher	Head	M	60	Carpenter & builder - employer - at home	Alveston
Maria Pitcher	Wife	M	61	Dressmaker - employer - at home	Thornbury
Annie Pitcher	Dau	S	28	Dressmaker - worker - at home	Thornbury
Charles A Pitcher	Son	S	25	Coachbuilder - worker - at home	Thornbury
Augustus E Pitcher	Son	M	22	House decorator - worker - at home	Thornbury

The 1991 census shows Walter William and Anna Maria still there. Walter is still working as a builder. Of their children, only Annie Maria was living at home. She was an unmarried dressmaker aged 38. They had one unmarried boarder, Ann Squire, a retired lady's maid aged 81. She was born in Dodington, Somerset.

Walter died on 27th May 1912 aged 71 years. Anna Maria died on 23rd May 1922 aged 82 years.

THE PITCHERS

Walter William and Anna Maria at No. 24 Gloucester Road