Transcript

of

William Brendon [Obituary]

Trans. Devon. Assoc., 1882, Vol XIV, pp. 117-118.

by

Rev. W. Harpley

Prepared by Michael Steer

Messrs William Brendon and Son Limited, printers, also known as the Mayflower Press, were located at Pier Street and West Hoe Road, Plymouth, before the Second World War.Mr William Brendon was born at Lezant in Cornwall on January 30th 1818.  His father was a farmer and in the 1841 Census William was still living on the farm although in later years it was claimed that he started his printing business in Tavistock in 1837 or 38. In 1844 he married Miss Sarah Turner in Plymouth and in 1845 she gave birth to a son, William Turner Brendon, in Tavistock, where his printing business commenced.  In 1849 Mr Brendon moved the printing business to Plymouth. At the time of the 1851 Census the family were living at Mulgrave Street, Plymouth, and William was employing three men. He was joined in the business in 1865 by his son and the business became Messrs William Brendon and Son Limited.  Their premises were at 62 George Street, Plymouth. The article, from a copy of a rare and much sought-after journal can be downloaded from the Internet Archive. Google has sponsored the digitisation of books from several libraries. These books, on which copyright has expired, are available for free educational and research use, both as individual books and as full collections to aid researchers. 

William Brendon was born at Timbrelham, Lezant, in which neighbourhood his family had been settled as well-to-do yeomen for several generations. He was one of several brothers, some of whom continued on the family property, while others went into business. He learnt the business of a printer with the old and well-known house of Roberts and Co., Exeter, and after being for a short time in Bristol and London, established a business at Tavistock, over forty years ago, where he speedily won reputation for the excellence of his work. This led to his being invited to remove to Plymouth, about thirty years since; and in that town - at first by himself, and latterly in conjunction with his only son and partner, Mr. W. T. Brendon - he succeeded in establishing one of the leading provincial printing establishments in the kingdom, the firm being known far and wide for the high quality of their productions.

Mr. Brendon was thoroughly and practically acquainted with the most minute details of typography, and paid the most scrupulous care to the supervision of all the work that passed through his hands. Though he did not himself venture upon authorship, he was both well read and of a studious turn of mind, a rigid judge of good English, and his literary criticisms and suggestions were much valued. Always a hard worker, symptoms of failing health began to show themselves some time before he was compelled to retire from active business, and he died, after a long and painful illness, on the 8th April, 1882, aged 64. Mr. Brendon was much loved as an employer, highly respected by all the members of his trade; he had a mind sincerely religious, without a trace of cant; and he did not leave an enemy. He joined the Association in 1869.