Birth, Family and Early Life

Proctor was born in 1811 in Birmingham, the son of Thomas (senior) and Susannah Proctor. He married his uncle’s daughter Mary in 1835 soon after he moved to Bristol, when he joined his uncle Henry in the business that he ran close to St Mary Redcliffe Church. In 1840 Thomas became a partner in the company which was henceforth known as H & T Proctor.

Bust of Thomas Proctor on display in the Mansion House

The Fertiliser Business

Henry’s business was based on the use of ground-up animal bones as a natural fertiliser. This continued under the joint partnership with Thomas, but the latter embraced the new technology developed in the 1840s around synthetic fertilisers, in particular calcium superphosphate. In addition, Thomas started an agricultural implements side of the business, supplying items such as drills, threshing machines, ploughs and horse-drawn carts for carrying liquid manure. The Cathay company works were located on Prewett Street in Redcliffe.

Philanthropic and Political Activities

Proctor, an Anglican, had a close association with St Mary Redcliffe Church over many years. He was churchwarden from 1842. He oversaw and contributed generously to the major restoration of the church which took place between 1842 and 1877, including the rebuilding of the beautiful spire.

In 1853 Proctor was elected as a Conservative party alderman on Bristol City Council, remaining in post until his death in 1876. From 1868 he was a Justice of the Peace and in 1869 he was High Sheriff of Bristol. In 1872 he made a gift of an ornate drinking fountain at the top of Bridge Valley Road; it is still there (the location having been moved slightly) but is no longer functional.

Proctor bought a large house, Elmdale, on Promenade Clifton Down. He left this house to the City Council and it became the new Mansion House for use by the Mayor of Bristol. It contains an impressive sculpture of Proctor.

Later Life and Death

Thomas and Mary had no children of their own but adopted a 2-year-old girl, Mary Eveline, in 1851. In 1856 Proctor was involved in a serious carriage accident but this did not curtail his many activities. He died of an apoplectic seizure, the second he suffered in quick succession, in 1876. His wife Mary died in 1883. The fertiliser business was continued by his son-in-law and nephews.

Grave

Thomas Proctor’s grave is marked by a tall obelisk in front of the Anglican chapel. His wife is buried with him, along with their adopted daughter and her daughter Mary who died as an infant.