Other Lewises: Bristol

The Bristol Lewises

In Bristol in the first half of the 18th century, a family of Lewises were printers and booksellers in the Tolzey. First was George Lewis, who appeared on one imprint c. 1701-03; he was followed by Martha Lewis (she usually appeared as “M. Lewis,” possibly his wife, who appeared on eight imprints between 1721 and 1748 (8 imprints); and she was followed by J. Lewis, 1739 (1 imprint) and then R. Lewis, 1750-51 (5 imprints), after which the Lewises disappear.  It is not known if they were dissenters or not but their publication history suggests some possibly connections.

Imprint History

1.     Hole, Matthew, 1639 or 1640-1730. The danger of deism: and a vindication of the Christian religion from the offences taken against the person and doctrine of our blessed saviour, by the Jews, Arrians, and Socinians. By Mathew Hole, B.D. ... London: printed for George Lewis, bookseller, Bristol, 1701.

2.     Chapman, Stephen, 1672 or 1673- A sermon preach’d before the free-born citizens of Bristol, in St. Werburge’s Church in the same City, August 27, 1702. By Stephen Chapman, M. A. Oxford: printed by Leon. Lichfield, for George Lewis Bookseller in Bristol, 1703.

3.     Bayly, Benjamin, 1671-1720. Fourteen sermons on various subjects; ... By Benjamin Bayly, ... London: printed for J. Wyat, W. and J. Innys, and sold by J. Penn, M. Lewis and W. Cosley [i.e. Corseley] in Bristol, 1721.

4.     Boston, Thomas, 1677-1732. Human nature in its four-fold state. Selections The doctrine of original sin, stated and defended; Being an answer to Mr. Thomas Chubb’s enquiry concerning sin. By a minister of the Gospel. [London]: Printed for the author; and are to be sold by J. and B. Sprint, J. Clarke, E. Mathews, and Aaron Ward, Booksellers in London; Christian Penn and Martha Lewis, Booksellers in Bristol, MDCCXXVII. [1727].

5.     Webster, William, approximately 1684-1744. The trader’s sure guide. Shewing the value of any quantity of goods, ... Intended chiefly for the ready reducing ... Portugal pieces of gold in to pounds, ... To which are added, tables of simple interest ... Together with a table of commission ... Exactly calculated, and carefully examined, by W. Webster, ... London: printed for J. Walthoe: F. Clay and D. Browne; Ch. King and J. Stagg; J. Leake, at Bath; Mrs. Lewis, at Bristol, [1730?].

6.     Price, Henry. Shalum and Hilpa. Done from the Spectator. Volume Viii. Number 584. By Mr. Price. Late of Christ-Church, Oxon. Bristol: printed and sold by S. Farley; W. Cossley; and M. Lewis, Booksellers on the Tolzey, MDCCXXXI. [1731].

7.     Catcott, A. S. (Alexander Stopford), 1692-1749. An answer to the observations on a sermon preach’d before the corporation of Bristol, and the Lord Chief Justice Hardwicke, on Sunday the 16th day of August, MDCCXXXV. ... By Alex. Stopford Catcott, ... As also an appendix, ... by the author of the sermon. Bristol: printed and sold by Sam. and Felix Farley; sold also by W. Cossley, M. Lewis, J. Wilson, and P. Brown in Bristol; and by Messrs. Knapton, Messrs. Innys and Manby, C. Rivington, and C. Corbett, in London; J. Leake at Bath; Mr. Piesly at Oxford; Mr. Crownfield at Cambridge; and R. Raikes at Gloucester, 1737.

8.     Keir, Patrick, 1703?- An enquiry into the nature and virtues of the medicinal waters of Bristol, and their use in the cure of chronical distempers. By P. Keir, M. D. London : printed for R. Willock, at Sir Isaac Newton’s Head, in Cornhill, and sold by J. Leake at Bath, and J. Lewis at Bristol, 1739.

9.     A Compendious history of the Old and New Testament, extracted from the Holy Bible, and adapted to all capacities. Whereby the reader may be enabled, in an easy, pleasant, and speedy manner, to become learned in the sacred scriptures. Interspersed with suitable reflections. And adorned with 120 curious copper cuts, lively representing each history. The whole divided into easy lessons, and worthy to be read for the instruction of youth. London: Printed for J. Hazard, and J. Wright, Booksellers, at the Bible, fronting Stationers-Hall; and sold by J. Leake, at Bath; Mrs. Lewis, at Bristol; J. Abril, at Canterbury; and J. Hildgard, at York, 1740.

10.  Wood, John, 1704-1754. The origin of building: or, the plagiarism of the heathens detected. In five books. By John Wood, architect. (Bath: printed by S. and F. Farley, and sold by J. Leake: M. Lewis, in Bristol: W Innys, in St. Paul’s Church-Yard; C Hitch, in Pater-Noster-Row; R. Dodsley, in Pall-Mall; J. Pine, in Old-Bond-Street; and J. Brindley, in New-Bond-Street, London, M.DCC.XLI [1741].

11.  Bath. A poem. London: printed for Mess. Longman and Shewell, in Pater-Noster-Row, London; J. Leak, in Bath; and M. Lewis, in Bristol, MDCCXLVIII [1748].

12.  Horler, Joseph, 1700 or 1701- The blessedness of giving superior to that of receiving. A sermon, preach’d at Temple-Church, Bristol, before the Wiltshire Society, at their annual feast, held in that city, August 16, MDCCL. By Joseph Horler, ... Bristol : printed by Felix Farley; and sold by Messrs. Lewis, Cadell, Wilson, Palmer, and by P. and A. Brown; also by B. Collins, in Salisbury, [1750].

13.  Goldwin, William, -1747. A description of the antient and famous city of Bristol. A poem. By W. Goldwin, A.M. Revised, with large additions, by I. Smart, A.M. [The third edition.] London: printed for R. Lewis; and sold by J. Robinson, at the Golden Lyon in Ludgate-Street; J. Rowland, in Exeter ‘change in the Strand; by J. Leake, bookseller at Bath, and by J. Crofts, bookseller at Bristol, MDCCLI [1751].

14.  Goldwin, William, -1747. A description of the antient and famous city of Bristol. A poem. By W. Goldwin, A.M. Revised, with large additions, by I. Smart, A.M. London: printed for R. Lewis; and sold by J. Robinson, at the Golden Lyon in Ludgate-Street; J. Rowland, in Exeter Change in the Strand; by J. Leake, Bookseller at Bath, and by J. Crofts, Bookseller at Bristol, MDCCLI. [1751].

15.  Goldwin, William, -1747. A description of the antient and famous city of Bristol. A poem. By W. Goldwin, A.M. Revised, with large additions, by I. Smart, A.M. London: printed for R. Lewis; and sold by J. Robinson, at the Golden Lyon in Ludgate-Street; J. Rowland, in Exeter Change in the Strand; by J. Leake, Bookseller at Bath, and by J. Crofts, Bookseller at Bristol, MDCCLI [1751].

16.  Goldwin, William, -1747. A description of the antient and famous city of Bristol. A poem. By W. Goldwin, A.M. Revised, with large additions, by I. Smart, A.M. [The second edition.] London: Printed for R. Lewis; and sold by J. Robinson, at the Golden ... Ludgate-street, J. Rowland, in Exeter Change in the Strand, by J. Leake, bookseller at Bath, and by J. Crofts, bookseller at Bristol, MDCCLI [1751].