The Harveys of the Sherry Industry

William Perry took Thomas Urch into partnership, and Urch's sister Ann was the second wife of Thomas Harvey, a renowned sea captain. His father had also been named Thomas Harvey, and was a seaman of outstanding character. Many stories are told of him and one of them has particular significance in view of the future of his family.

One night he was sitting with a friend enjoying a bottle or two of wine; late in the evening he rang the bell and when the servant came he pointed to a recumbent figure on the floor, saying, "Kindly remove Mr. Prothero and bring me another bottle of port." His ship was eventually lost in an Atlantic hurricane, and he died, with his wife and the whole of his ship's company.

Although less of a character, his son, the second Thomas Harvey, became one of the most respected Bristol sea captains of his day, and amongst the Harvey heirlooms there is a watch, presented to him by grateful passengers when his skilled seaman­ship saved them from shipwreck in a storm. Perhaps it is not surprising that his eldest son, John Harvey, had a horror of the sea. In fact he so detested it that he would not go on his father's ship even for the short journey to Avonmouth.

His inhibitions might have been overcome by the firm efforts of a determined parent, but Bristol shipping was no longer what it had been. Other ports were gaining ascendancy, and it was agreed that he should enter his uncle's business. He did so in 1822, when he was sixteen years old. William Perry was already dead. In 1829 he became a partner in an associated company at Kidderminster, marrying at about the time of the move, and living over the shop, his place in Bristol being taken by his younger brother, Charles.

By 1840, however, John was back in Bristol and Charles became manager at Kidderminster. The company was owned and managed by successive generations of the family, who built up a world-wide demand for their wines. Sherry was always prominent in their lists, and that for 1867 included nineteen sherries at prices ranging from thirty shillings to a hundred and twenty shillings per dozen.

Although less of a character, his son, the second Thomas Harvey, became one of the most respected Bristol sea captains and amongst the Harvey heirlooms there is a watch, presented to him by grateful passengers to honor his skilled seamanship.