Professor Brian Vincent delivered a compelling overview as to the contributions made by this prominent Bristol family. It covered over 5 generations.

The family had it routes in Pilton, North Somerset but moved to Bristol in 1780. Family members becoming publicans through the generations, Jolly Mitre (Queen Square), Plume of Feathers (St Phillips), Horse and Jockey (Marybush Lane), Packhorse (Lawrence Hill).

William Herapath (1796 – 1868) was the main focus of the talk. Professor of Chemistry at the Bristol Medical school. He taught himself as a chemical analyst. He was called upon to analyse the waters of Hot Wells and provide forensic evidence, including Arsenic used as a poison. This led to the hanging of Mary Ann Burdock. First to administer laughing gas for dentistry in Bristol. Founder member of the Bristol General Union, elected to the Bristol City Council and was also a magistrate.

These are only some of the things in which William was involved. His brother and other generations of the family were also pioneers involved in physics, steam engines (editor and owner of the Railway Magazine, today the Railway Gazette). Royal connection as related to Antony Armstrong-Jones. Polarisation, the crystalline material now called Herapathite.

To finish Brian covered where you might still find traces of the family, road in Barton Hill call Herapath Street, Arnos Vale graves. Indeed Brian arranged for a blue plaque on the Packhorse Pub, which can be seen today.