Ann Bryan

Ann Bryan (fl. 1783-1801), who operated from 51-52 Corn Street between 1783 and 1801 (she appears to have succeeded Mary Ward and her son from that same location, whose last imprint appeared in 1777), publishing titles by Baptist ministers in and around Bristol as well as Circular Letters of the Western Baptist Association. Her business was not far from that of another Baptist bookseller, Joseph Cottle (1770-1853), at 49 High Street. Cottle is best known for his friendships with Southey, Coleridge, Wordsworth, and other early Romantic figures and his publications of some of their works, including the first imprints of Lyrical Ballads (1798). Since the Bryans do not appear among the church records of the Baptist congregation at Broadmead, they would have attended the Baptist congregation that met in the Pithay, the same congregation to which the family of Joseph Cottle belonged until 1801, when he retired from business and moved his membership, along with the other members of his family, to the Broadmead congregation.

Ann Bryan was succeeded by her son and daughter-in-law, Edward and Mary Bryan. In 1801, Francis Harris (1758-1823), the son of son of John Harris (1745-1801), a deacon at the Baptist congregation at Broadmead and a prominent civic leader in Bristol, partnered with Bryan from the 52 Corn Street location. Between 1801 and 1808 they appeared on 17 imprints (partnerships between members of the same dissenting denomination was the norm at this time), with many titles pertaining to works written by and about Baptists in the West Country. After 1808, Bryan continued as a printer and seller at 52 Corn Street, with Harris operating primarily as a stationer at another location in Corn Street (see Holden’s Directory for Bristol for 1811). After they ended their partnership, Harris appeared on only four more imprints through 1813, selling at times with Bryan, as well as William Browne (most likely a dissenter), Isaac James (Harris’s fellow attendant at Broadmead), and William Button, James’s brother-in-law and the Particular Baptist minister at Dean Street, London, and a prominent printer and bookseller at 24 Paternoster Row. Between 1808 and his death in 1814, Edward Bryan printed or sold another 15 titles, working most likely with his wife, Mary, who would succeed him with the family business. About half of Bryan’s imprints were sermons by Baptist ministers, including Broadmead’s well-known pastor, John Ryland, Jr., and accounts of the Education Society for Bristol Baptist College, and a sermon preached before the Western Association of Particular Baptists at Lyme in 1813. Bryan and his wife were also actively involved in the formation of the Prudent Man’s Friend Society, printing in 1812 the original proposal for the society as well as Susannah Morgan’s Hints towards the Formation of a Society for Promoting a Spirit of Independence among the Poor and the Rules, orders, and regulations of the Prudent Man's Friendly Societies in 1813.

14 Imprints

1.    Evans, Caleb, 1737-1791. The hope of the Christian. A sermon, occasioned by the death of Mrs. Ann Tommas, wife of the Rev. John Tommas, who died Nov. 13, 1783, ... Preached at the Pithay, Bristol, Lord's Day, November 23. By Caleb Evans, ... Bristol: printed by William Pine. Sold by Messrs. Browne, Lloyd, Mills, Bryan, &c; and by Buckland, &c. in London, [1783].

2.    Elton, Abraham, Sir, 1755-1842. The cause and remedy of criminal offences: an assize sermon, preached at the Mayor's Chapel, before the ... Corporation of Bristol. on [sic] Thursday the 1st of May, 1783 ... By Abraham Elton, ... Bristol: printed by Ann Bryan, 1783.

3.    Evans, Caleb, 1737-1791. British freedom realized. A sermon, preached at Broadmead, Bristol, November 5, 1788, being the hundredth anniversary of the Glorious Revolution, Under King William of immortal Memory. By Caleb Evans, M.A. Bristol: printed by William Pine. Sold by Buckland, in London; Brown, Bryan, Johnson, Lloyd, Fenley, and the other booksellers, in Bristol, [1788].

4.    Bristol (England) City of Bristol, Bengough, mayor. At a common-council, holden in St. George's chapel, in the Guildhall ... on Wednesday the 12th of December, 1792; resolved unanimously, ... [Bristol]: Ann Bryan, printer, Corn-Street, [1792].

5.    Francis, Benjamin, 1734-1799. An elegy on the death of the Rev. Samuel Pearce, A.M. who finished his course Oct.99 ---- Aged 33. Written by the Rev. Benjamin Francis, A.M. Bristol: printed by Ann Bryan, Corn-Street. Sold by Button in London, and James in Bristol, [1799?].

6.    Heath, George, 1745-1822. New history, survey and description of the city and suburbs of Bristol The new Bristol guide: containing its antiquities, deduced from the best authorities: historic annals from William the Conqueror 1066 to 1799; progress, present state, navigation, trade, buildings, public edifices, churches, chapels, meeting-houses, schools, hospitals, charities, and other particulars, informing and useful to travellers, and those who visit or reside in this ancient and extensive city. Also, distinct and improved accounts of the Hotwells and Clifton. Descriptions of cities, towns, seats, antiquities and curiosities in the vicinity, and counties of Glocester and Somerset. Brief biography of some eminent natives of Bristol: memoirs of Chatterton the juvenile poet, &c. To which are added, list of bankers; regulation of general and penny posts; of hackney coaches; and directions for passing the Severn, at Aust and the new passages. Bristol: printed by and for R. Edwards, Broad-street: and sold by Barry, and Emery and Adams, High-street; Fenley, Broadmead; Reed, and James, Wine-street; Matthews, Quay; Smart, Broad-street; King, Quay-street; Bryan, Corn-street; and by all other booksellers. 1799.

11. Ryland, John. The presence of Christ the source of eternal bliss : a funeral discourse, delivered December 22. 1799, at Shortwood, near Horsley, in Gloucestershire, occasioned by the death of the Rev. Benjamin Francis, A.M. By John Ryland, D.D. To which is annexed, A sketch of Mr. Francis's life, and of his death-bed consolations, drawn of by his son and assistant Thomas Flint. [Bristol]: Printed for the benefit of Mr. Francis's family, by Ann Bryan Corn-Street, Bristol sold by Button in London, and James in Bristol, [1800].

7.    Ryland, John, 1753-1825. The presence of Christ the source of eternal bliss. A funeral discourse, delivered December 22, 1799, at Shortwood, near Horsley in Gloucestershire, occasioned by the death of the Rev. Benjamin Francis, A.M. By John Ryland, D.D. To which is annexed, a sketch of Mr. Francis's life, ... drawn up by his son ... Thomas Flint. [Bristol]: Printed for the benefit of Mr. Francis's family, by Ann Bryan, Bristol. Sold by Button in London, and James in Bristol, [1800?].

8.    Baptist Church. Western Association. Circular letter. 1800 The circular letter from the elders, ministers, and messengers, of the several Baptist churches of the Western Association, Assembled at Portsea, Hants, June 4th and 5th, 1800. Maintaining the important Doctrines of three equal Persons in the Godhead; eternal and personal Election; original Sin; particular Redemption; free Justification by the imputed Righteousness of Christ; efficacious Grace in Regeneration; the final Perseverance of real Believers; the Resurrection of the Dead; the future Judgment; the eternal Happiness of the Righteous, and everlasting Misery of the Impenitent; with the congregational Order of the Churches, inviolably: To the several Churches they represent, or from which they have received Letters. Bristol: Bryan, printer, Corn-street, Bristol, [1800].

9.    The circular letter from the elders, ministers, and messengers: of the several Baptist churches of the Western Association, Assembled at Portsea, Hants, June 4th and 5th, 1800. Maintaining the important Doctrines of three equal Persons in the Godhead; eternal and personal Election; original Sin; particular Redemption; free Justification by the imputed Righteousness of Christ; efficacious Grace in Regeneration; the final Perseverance of real Believers; the Resurrection of the Dead; the future Judgment; the eternal Happiness of the Righteous, and everlasting Misery of the Impenitent; with the congregational Order of the Churches, inviolably: To the several Churches they represent, or from which they have received Letters. Bristol: Bryan, Corn Street, [1800?].

10. The circular letter from the elders, ministers, and messengers, of the several Baptist churches of the Western Association, assembled at Portsea, Hants, June 4th and 5th, 1800. Bristol: Bryan, printer, [1800].

12. Thoughts in adversity : exhibiting a true story. Bristol: A. Bryan, Corn Street, 1800.

13. Houlton, Robert. A late ridiculous occurrence ... Bristol: Ann Bryan, 1801.

14. Evans, Caleb, and John Ash [and Isaac James.] A collection of hymns adapted to public worship: with a small supplement. Bristol: A. Bryan, 1801.