Richard Bartlett and Mary Ann Bambrook

Richard was born in Plymouth in 1798.  Plymouth was one of the UK’s major shipping and navel ports at that time.   He married Mary Ann Bambrook on 25 September 1825.   Mary Ann was born in Crediton, Plymouth in 1800.   In 1841 they were living in Teats Hill Cottage in the Parish of Charles the Martyr in Plymouth.  Teats hill ran down to the port area and was the site of one of Plymouth’s rope making businesses.  In the 1841 census Richard is recorded as a rope maker. 

The account of the Bartlett family written by Kathleen Goodwin suggested that the Bartlett’s owned a rope business in Liverpool however it was almost certainly in Plymouth.  This is supported by Richard referring to himself as a rope maker, and his eldest son Edwin refereeing to himself as a self employed rope maker.  As Edwin was self employed he very likely owned or part owned a rope business.  As he was the eldest son he likely inherited it from his father Richard.  Richard, the next oldest brother was also a rope maker and likely working in the family business.

Rope making business used to be called Rope Walks.  Presumably the name rope walk was coined because the rope had to be stretched out over long distances while it was twisted and then tarred.   There was a huge demand for tarred manila rope in the sailing ship era.  The need for them declined with the shift away from sailing ships and the shift to steal and synthetic ropes.

 By 1861 Richard was no longer living with the family and presumably had died.  By that stage he would have been 63 years old.   At this time Mary Ann was living at 47 Treville Street (above), Plymouth with three of her children.  Their children were

1)       Edwin  Bartlett  was born in Plymouth in 1828.  He married Elizabeth Bussell in Newton.  Elizabeth was born in 1831 in Witheridge.  Edwin’s profession was a rope maker like his father   He recorded himself as being self employed suggesting he owned or part owned the rope business.  In 1871 he employed 2 men and 6 boys. Edwin and Elizabeth’s last address to be found was 1 Holborn St Plymouth England.    Edwin died on 19 April 1918 and Elizabeth about 1895.

2)       Richard Bartlett  was born in 1832 in Plymouth.  Richard married Susan Mitchell.   Susan was born in 1830 in Chaniegh.   As with his brother Edwin, Richard was a rope maker working in the family business.  Their last recorded address was 47 Exeter St Plymouth.  Richard died in 1900 and Susan died in about 1895.

3)       Daniel Bartlett was born in 1832 in Plymouth  Daniel married Eliza Chamberlain.    Separate History

4)       Mary Ann Bartlett was born in 1835.  Mary Ann did not marry.  Her profession is recorded as a dressmaker.  Her last recorded address was 1 Holborn St Plymouth England, living with Edwin and Elizabeth.  Mary Ann died on 14 January 1923 and is buried in Ford Park Cemetery.

5)       Reuben Bartlett was born in 1838 in Plymouth.  Reuben’s profession is recorded as a ship Builder.  His last recorded address was 47 Treville Street.