William# Powis

  Notes:

I'm now pretty sure Richard and Phoebe are NOT Wm's parents, therefore this is irrelevant but I'm leaving this line here for now.

Family tree supplied by Michael Powis has this person as 'Founder of the Brewery' and born ~1695/1700, with parents as shown here. However it shows him as father of Thomas, Richard and Wm ; but I thought the Wm shown is actually his grandson (via Richard).

On 17th Feb 1733 at Lee, Kent there was a wedding between Richard Powis and Elizabeth Tomkin, both of Greenwich , could well be him.

Greenwich Antiquarian Soc, Transaction Vol VIII. 'Beer Has A History' ; "The first important family brewing locally was another. There was from the reign of Henry VIII a large mansion in the centre of the town, standing next to the old market place, just west of the Paalce, where Greenwich Market now is. Known as the Old Swanne House, it had been the residence of several prominent local people, but by the middle of the 18th Century is was no longer suitable for this purpose, and it was purchased by a man called William Powis. His family was probably in the district already as the registers of St.Margaret's, Lee show that Richard Powis married Elizabeth Tonkin, both of Greenwich, in February 1733 and a Mary Powis has married there 12 years ealier. William converted the Swanne House for brewing and under him and his sons - Thomas, Richard and William junior - the business prospered.
In its early days the Powis firm flourished so well that in 1783 the brothers purchased a large area of land in Woolwich from the Bowater estate and laid out not only Powis Street and Brewer Street but the adjoining Thomas, Eleanor, William, Charles and Richard Streets, all named after members of the family. The three brothers held various public offices in Greenwich between 1775 and 1814, and Capt Wm Powis junior commanded the Woolwich Volunteer Infantry from their formation in 1798 ..........
In 1794 the brothers Powis were described as 'porter and small beer brewers' ; in 1801 only Thomas and Richard are shown and by 1809 the names are those of Richard and William junior. The Powis brewery continued in Greenwich until 1831 when their premises were purchased by the Governors of Greenwich Hospital and demolished to make way for the present market".

Records of the Woolwich District, W.T.Vincent. Woolwich Street Names "Powis Street, the most central and important thoroughfare of modern Woolwich, commenced to exist only at the beginning of this century. It was laid out as part of the Bowater estate purchased by the Powises, a family of brewers at Greenwich, about 1800. The Powis family still hold the property. Thomas Street, William Street, Richard Street (which is now absorbed in Hare Street) and Charles Street were named about members of the Powis family. Eleanor Road and Monk Street has a similar origin, but are of later date (about 1860). Brewer Street commemorates the family trade."
Same book; 'Another Ferry' ; "In 1811 an Act of Parliament was passed for the purpose of establishing another ferry across the river Thames at Woolwich, from the Old Ballast or Sand Wharf, which was opposite Chapel Street, where the Dockyard then terminated. The proprietors of the new ferry were (19 people inc ....) Richard Powis, William Powis"
Same book; 'The Old Volunteers' ; ".... amongst whom were mentioned ...... Captain Powis and 66 cavalry".

London Gazette; 1804; Pursuant to a Decree of the High Court of Chancery made in a Cause of Powis against Powis, and a General Order of Transfer, the Separate Creditors of Richard Powis, deceased, .late Partner with William Powis and Thomas Powis, of East Greenwich, in the County of Kent, Brewers, are, on or before the 9th Day of June 1804, to come in and prove their Debts, beford John Springett Harvey, Esq; one of the Masters os the said Court, at his Chambers in Southampton Buildings, Chancery-Lane, London, or in Default thereof they will be peremptorily excluded the Benefit of the said Decree.

National Archives 1805;
1) As E/MW/C/645
2) William Powis and Richard Powis of Greenwich, brewers and co-partners
The King's Head, No. 10 High Street, Woolwich, in the occupation of Isabella Read, the Duke William, No. 59 High Street in the occupation of Guntlett, the King's Head, No. 24 Market Place in the occupation of Prebble, the Marlborough now the Waterman's Arms, No. 41 Bell Watergate in the occupation of John Bull and the Crown and Cushion, No. 45 Market Place in the occupation of John Kibble
Enclosed: E/MW/C/646/2-4
Demise of above from (1) to Wm.
Chamberlayne of Storrington, Sussex 30 Aug 1813, deed of covenant between Wm. Chamberlayne and 1) of 11 Oct 1813 and lease from same to same of 11 High Street, Woolwich in occupation of Isabella Road, 2 Dec 1805

National Archives 1807; Agreement between Dame Jane Wilson and Richard, William and Richard Powis of Greenwich, brewers and co-partners, respecting house at Woolwich formerly the Hat and Feathers Public House.

London Gazette ; Sept 1807; London, the 19th day of September 1807. Notice is hereby given, that the partnership carried on by us the undersigned Richard Powis the elder, William Powis, and Richard Powis the younger at Greenwich in the County of Kent, Brewers, was this day dissolved by mutual consent, and said Richard Powis junior retiring therefrom ; and that the same will in future be carried on for and on the account of Richard Powis the elder and William Powis, who are duly authorized to receive and pay all Debts due or from the concern.

William# married Elizabeth Vernier???. (Elizabeth Vernier??? died in 1785 in Greenwich, Kent.)