Bruce, John

Introduction:

London-born, Brighton-based, JOHN BRUCE (ca. 1788-1873) engraver, 'toy man', printmaker and publisher, is well-recorded from the early 1820s as an illustrator and author of Brighton town guides, Brighton views, and the town's 'characters'. As a profilist, he is known solely for engraving, printing, and publishing a series of captioned, full-length silhouettes of notable politicians, likely on account of the Electoral Reform debates of 1831-1832.

The most reproduced profile is of the Duke of Wellington (1769-1852), arms folded, sat on a chair, with feet up on another, inscribed 'A Celebrated Commander on the Retir'd List', signed 'Brighton I. Bruce'. Other works are inscribed 'I. Bruce' with 'London, 85 Farringdon St.' and/or '3 Somerset Place, Brighton' as addresses.

While recent research discovered 3 Somerset Place and 3 Pool Lane were the same address where Bruce was based from 1824 into the mid-1840s, after which he traded from 6 Pool Lane, the significance of Farringdon Street eluded investigation. In his early 30s, when first recorded in Brighton, Bruce's earlier history is largely opaque. However, with census records showing him London-born as was his eldest child Emma in Bloomsbury ca. 1820, it seems certain his obvious acquaintanceship with all aspects of the print trade evolved there, and that the Farringdon Street address indicates some continuing connection to it in the capital.

Doubtless settled in Brighton by 1824, when he published his initial town guide, he continued working there for a further 43 years. Unusual insomuch as he illustrated, wrote, and published his own guides and multiple town views, Bruce appears sporadically in trade directories and the Brighton press. Advertisements evidence manifold ventures: in 1831 PIGOTS directory lists him a 'Toy Dealer', essentially a trinket seller. In 1829, the same directory records him an 'Engraver and Copper-plate Printer', while the 1854 ORIGINAL BRIGHTON and HOVE directory lists him an 'Artist in Hair and Jeweller'.

In 1867, and close to 80 years of age, Bruce was declared bankrupt. The BRIGHTON GUARDIAN 11th December stated Bruce 'Late of 6 Pool Valley...engraver and stationer...[was granted]...without opposition' a Certificate of Discharge for debts amounting to £13,000 in 2025 terms. Without assets, Bruce attributed his difficulties to '...failing health and a falling-off of business'. It is also probable that the return to his abode of unwed daughter Ellen with 3 children some time after 1857, proved an additional burden on his finances.

Regarding his personal circumstances, an absence of records suggests he was never baptised or legally wed. Wife Catherine (N/K) is recorded solely at the double baptism of son Robert (ca.1820-1904) and second daughter Ellen (ca. 1824-1901) at St.Nicholas, Brighton, 23rd August 1829. Robert, listed a 'Compositor' in the 1841 Census, and likely grounded in the trade by his father, emigrated to the USA in 1842, establishing a printworks in New York City. Ellen was listed a 'Glover' of 3 Pool Lane in the 1841 Census, and 'Dressmaker' of 6 Pool Lane in the 1846 POST OFFICE directory. The following year she became the mistress of a Major in the 16th Lancers.

In June 1847, when the 16th Lancers began a tour of duty in the town, the BRIGHTON GAZETTE 17th June assessed them "...`a remarkably fine body of men". Records indicate decorated career soldier Major George O'Halloran Gavin (1808-1880) and Ellen Bruce also assessed each other as "...remarkably fine".

Though never wed, for the rest of her life she adopted his name. A daughter was born in September 1848 and another in March 1851. Both were baptised in a double ceremony in St.Pancras Old Church, London. The register also records Gavin's' full name and title as 'gentleman'. In November 1855, he married Jane Westropp (1828-1894) a Limerick landowner's daughter in London. Five months later, Ellen gave birth to Gavin's son, who died aged 5 in Brighton. Gavin became High Sheriff of Limerick, then Liberal MP for Limerick 1858-1879. As evidenced by 1871 and 1881 census returns, Ellen became a boarding house keeper in Chelsea.The 1881 Census records her 61-year-old married sister, Emma Adams 'Author of works on Millinery' was then living with her.

John Bruce's death is unrecorded in Brighton and he appears absent from the 1871 Census. However, given his daughter Ellen was living in Chelsea at the time, and the fact that the age is a close fit, it appears probable John Bruce of 165 Kings Road, Chelsea, buried at Brompton Cemetery 20th November 1873 aged 86, was the former Brighton publisher and artist.