William Armstrong
Civil Engineer, Architect and Surveyor
(b.1781 - d.1858, Bristol)
William's early career is unclear but he may have been the sibling mentioned in John Armstrong's obituary as the foreman who worked at the White-Lead Works in Bill Quay, Newcastle-upon-tyne.(1) It is likely that William relocated to Bristol within the same time-frame as John but William states himself that he commenced practicing as an engineer and architect in Bristol in c.1811.(2) This roughly coincides with the brothers partnership as engineers which possibly lasted until c.1819-20.(3)
Baptism records for William's children provides an indication of his residences and occupations during the 1810-20s. From 1811-12, William is residing at No.3 Redcliffe Parade (his occupation is unknown) but by 1816 is recorded at Wilson Street and lists himself as an architect and surveyor.(4) During this period John Armstrong appears to finance the building of Alfred Place in Redcliffe and it is possibly that either John or William had an influence on their design.(5) Alfred Place (later Adelaide Place) was partly demolished between c.1855-1874 for a railway line and only No.5 survives.
William's occupation continues to vary in the late 1810-1820s. In 1820 Williams produces elevation and plans for a house adjoining a rainwater cistern located at St Marys Redcliffe Church(6). However, a payment in 1820 to Messrs J. W. Armstrong for sundry works suggests that the brother's partnership may have continued in some form.(7) In 1821, William in the company of Jos. Jessop, William Townsend and John Plumley provided surveying and engineering opinions on the impact from changes and new crossings on the River Frome for the Bristol Docks.(8) However, there is also evidence to suggest that prior to 1821, William was operating Canons Marsh Coal Wharf; William listing the 'Butts' as his address when relinquishing the coal business in 1821 and also when operating as an architect.(9) William also flits between job titles of surveyor (1822-26) when acting as an agent in selling several colliery concerns and the title of civil engineer from c.1824.(10)
Aside from his profession, in 1825, William was amongst the founding committee members of the Bristol Mechanics' Institute (est. 1825) and on their behalf sought premises for the organisation, setting up on Princes Street.(11)
As with other Bristol architects, substantiating works for William during the 1820s is difficult but it is likely that in 1826 William was involved in the design of a pier/causeway on the Aust side of Old Passenger Ferry on the River Severn.(12) Additionally by 1829 he had designed a Rectory at Langton Herring, Weymouth(13) and undertook some unspecified alterations to St Peter's Hospital near Guinea Street.(14)
By the 1830s William's career was on an upwards trajectory in respect of both architectural and engineering projects and was increasingly sought as an expert witness in various property disputes.(15) In 1830 he became a free Burgess in Bristol, via the Council's vote/purchase.(16) Consequently, it is likely that he was working for the Corporation at this time, possibly in an engineering role, as this proceeded his appointment as a City/District Surveyor (for Public Buildings) in 1836(17); a position he held until his death in 1858.
In respect of engineering projects during the 1830s, William submitted an unsuccessful design for the Clifton Suspension Bridge in 1829-30 but was also consulted amongst other engineers and architects, on the suitability of the location for the bridge.(18) Between 1831-34 he was responsible for widening New Bridge/Newton Bridge, Bath.(19) In 1835, William was appointed as the engineer for a proposed stone pier at Clevedon but it is unclear whether the project proceeded.(20) In the same year he was appointed as an engineer for the Newport Floating Dock but delays and rising costs saw him depart the project in c.1837 and was replaced by James Green (1781-1849); the docks were infilled in the 1930s.(21)
William's architectural projects during this period appear to focus on religious buildings. Of these projects, William held a personal interest in his polite-styled Brunswick Chapel, Brunswick Square (1834/35) being a member of this church; and by the late 1830s he had moved his residence and office to Brunswick Square. Additionally, he was responsible for alterations to the Parish Church of St Nicholas, Radstock Church (1832)(22), and St Phillips and St Jacobs Church, Bristol (c.1837-41)(23).
The 1840s and 1850s saw William undertake fewer engineering projects in favour of speculative housing in the areas of Kingsdown, Cotham and Montpellier. William is attributed with the authorship of Freemantle Square, Kingsdown, on land formerly called Nine Tree Hills; and on numerous houses and villas in the surrounding streets, including the frontage to Cheltenham Road (opposite to Catherine's Place24). Aside from housing, William was responsible in c.1844 for Westerleigh Tabernacle (Chapel)(25), Glendower House, Independent Congregational Chapel, Monmouthshire(25) and the Counterslip Sabbath and British Day School(26). Additionally, William designed several houses with shopfronts within the City's centre.(27)
William appears to have employed several apprentices and surveyors onwards from c.1830 however, there is only one formal entry within the Bristol Apprentice books(28); articling his grandson Josiah Thomas in April 1858.(29) Josiah succeeded William on his death in November 1858 and moved the 'Armstrong & Thomas' practice from No.7 Brunswick Square to offices at the Athenaeum Chambers.(30) In contrast to GJL's suggestion, there is no evidence that Josiah continued the practice with a son of William Armstrong and Armstrong's name was shortly dropped from his practice.(31) Additionally, in 1858, Josiah was elected on an interim basis to take on Armstrong's No.3 District Surveyor role, which he took on full time from 1859.(32)
Baptism records for William's children provides an indication of his residences and occupations during the 1810-20s. From 1811-12, William is residing at No.3 Redcliffe Parade (his occupation is unknown) but by 1816 is recorded at Wilson Street and lists himself as an architect and surveyor.(4) During this period John Armstrong appears to finance the building of Alfred Place in Redcliffe and it is possibly that either John or William had an influence on their design.(5) Alfred Place (later Adelaide Place) was partly demolished between c.1855-1874 for a railway line and only No.5 survives.
William's occupation continues to vary in the late 1810-1820s. In 1820 Williams produces elevation and plans for a house adjoining a rainwater cistern located at St Marys Redcliffe Church(6). However, a payment in 1820 to Messrs J. W. Armstrong for sundry works suggests that the brother's partnership may have continued in some form.(7) In 1821, William in the company of Jos. Jessop, William Townsend and John Plumley provided surveying and engineering opinions on the impact from changes and new crossings on the River Frome for the Bristol Docks.(8) However, there is also evidence to suggest that prior to 1821, William was operating Canons Marsh Coal Wharf; William listing the 'Butts' as his address when relinquishing the coal business in 1821 and also when operating as an architect.(9) William also flits between job titles of surveyor (1822-26) when acting as an agent in selling several colliery concerns and the title of civil engineer from c.1824.(10)
Aside from his profession, in 1825, William was amongst the founding committee members of the Bristol Mechanics' Institute (est. 1825) and on their behalf sought premises for the organisation, setting up on Princes Street.(11)
As with other Bristol architects, substantiating works for William during the 1820s is difficult but it is likely that in 1826 William was involved in the design of a pier/causeway on the Aust side of Old Passenger Ferry on the River Severn.(12) Additionally by 1829 he had designed a Rectory at Langton Herring, Weymouth(13) and undertook some unspecified alterations to St Peter's Hospital near Guinea Street.(14)
By the 1830s William's career was on an upwards trajectory in respect of both architectural and engineering projects and was increasingly sought as an expert witness in various property disputes.(15) In 1830 he became a free Burgess in Bristol, via the Council's vote/purchase.(16) Consequently, it is likely that he was working for the Corporation at this time, possibly in an engineering role, as this proceeded his appointment as a City/District Surveyor (for Public Buildings) in 1836(17); a position he held until his death in 1858.
In respect of engineering projects during the 1830s, William submitted an unsuccessful design for the Clifton Suspension Bridge in 1829-30 but was also consulted amongst other engineers and architects, on the suitability of the location for the bridge.(18) Between 1831-34 he was responsible for widening New Bridge/Newton Bridge, Bath.(19) In 1835, William was appointed as the engineer for a proposed stone pier at Clevedon but it is unclear whether the project proceeded.(20) In the same year he was appointed as an engineer for the Newport Floating Dock but delays and rising costs saw him depart the project in c.1837 and was replaced by James Green (1781-1849); the docks were infilled in the 1930s.(21)
William's architectural projects during this period appear to focus on religious buildings. Of these projects, William held a personal interest in his polite-styled Brunswick Chapel, Brunswick Square (1834/35) being a member of this church; and by the late 1830s he had moved his residence and office to Brunswick Square. Additionally, he was responsible for alterations to the Parish Church of St Nicholas, Radstock Church (1832)(22), and St Phillips and St Jacobs Church, Bristol (c.1837-41)(23).
The 1840s and 1850s saw William undertake fewer engineering projects in favour of speculative housing in the areas of Kingsdown, Cotham and Montpellier. William is attributed with the authorship of Freemantle Square, Kingsdown, on land formerly called Nine Tree Hills; and on numerous houses and villas in the surrounding streets, including the frontage to Cheltenham Road (opposite to Catherine's Place24). Aside from housing, William was responsible in c.1844 for Westerleigh Tabernacle (Chapel)(25), Glendower House, Independent Congregational Chapel, Monmouthshire(25) and the Counterslip Sabbath and British Day School(26). Additionally, William designed several houses with shopfronts within the City's centre.(27)
William appears to have employed several apprentices and surveyors onwards from c.1830 however, there is only one formal entry within the Bristol Apprentice books(28); articling his grandson Josiah Thomas in April 1858.(29) Josiah succeeded William on his death in November 1858 and moved the 'Armstrong & Thomas' practice from No.7 Brunswick Square to offices at the Athenaeum Chambers.(30) In contrast to GJL's suggestion, there is no evidence that Josiah continued the practice with a son of William Armstrong and Armstrong's name was shortly dropped from his practice.(31) Additionally, in 1858, Josiah was elected on an interim basis to take on Armstrong's No.3 District Surveyor role, which he took on full time from 1859.(32)
