Edward Smith (Great Bardfield)
Edward Smith, Great Bardfield, Essex.
Founded by Thomas Smith by 1855. His widow, Elizabeth succeeded him by 1884.
In 1897, Hawkes & Co. Bishops Stortford, bought the brewery from the late T Smith with 4 public houses.
From ESSEX BREWERS - The Malting and Hop Industries of the County by Ian P Peaty 1992 now out of print ISBN 978 1 873966 02 4
Thomas Smith was brewing from 1855 to his death in 1876, when his widow, Mrs Elizabeth Smith, took over the running of the brewery. She was also a maltster, being listed as such in 1882. Upon her death in 1896, her son Teddy Smith ran the business for two years until he sold out in 1898 to Hawkes & Co, Bishops Stortford in the month of December. The sale included four licensed houses. The brewery buildings were sold on closure to William Crossman, builder.
In the 1871 census, Thomas Smith owned 5 acres of land, ten years later Elizabeth Smith, who was 60, was said to come from Wethersfield (possibly nee Raven), her son Edward, aged 35 from Finchingfield and Alice Smith, a daughter aged 23 from Great Bardfield. At this time the Great Bardfield Brewery employed three men.