Henry Overton Wills I facts for kids
Henry Overton Wills I (born March 2, 1761 – died 1826) was a British businessman. He started a company called W.D. & H.O. Wills in Bristol, England. This company grew to be one of the biggest tobacco businesses in Britain by the late 1800s. Later, it became a major part of Imperial Tobacco. The Guinness Book of Records in 1966 noted that the Wills family, who came from Henry, had the most millionaires in the British Isles. It's interesting to know that Henry Overton Wills I was said to be a non-smoker, even though he helped create a huge tobacco business.
His Early Life
Henry Overton Wills I was born on March 2, 1761, in Salisbury, England. His father, Edmund Wills, was a watchmaker. His mother, Rebecca, was the daughter of Henry Overton from Andover, Hampshire.
Building a Business
As a young man, Henry traveled from Salisbury to Bristol. There, he teamed up with Samuel Watkins to open a tobacco shop. Their shop was located at 73 Castle Street, Bristol, and they called their business Wills, Watkins & Co.
When Samuel Watkins left the company in 1789, Henry became the only owner. The business was then called Wills & Co. Soon, Henry found new partners. In 1791, his company joined with Peter Lilly's firm. Lilly's company had a mill that could grind tobacco into snuff.
The new company was named Lilly, Wills & Co. They moved all their operations to Lilly's shop at 111–12 Redcliff Street, Bristol. In 1793, the name was shortened to Lilly and Wills. Peter Lilly retired in 1803, and Samuel Ditchett took his place. The firm then became Wills and Ditchett.
Henry's partnership with Lilly was very successful. By 1804, the company was worth a lot of money. In 1819, they changed the company name again to Wills, Ditchett & Co. By this time, Henry had brought his sons, William Day Wills and Henry Overton Wills II, into the business. They started as apprentices and later became junior partners.
Henry continued to work in the company until he passed away on December 1, 1826, in Bristol. His sons then took over his share of the business. In 1830, Samuel Ditchett retired, and Henry's sons became the main partners. They renamed the company W.D. & H.O. Wills. This company grew to be one of the biggest tobacco importers in Victorian England.
His Beliefs and Community Work
Henry raised his children in the strict Congregationalist faith. His family continued to support this church in Bristol for over a hundred years. His sons were especially generous in helping non-conformist religious groups. The Wills family also took part in local politics. They supported the Liberal Party and ran for city jobs as Liberal candidates.
His Family
On June 24, 1790, Henry married Anne Day in Bristol. Anne was the oldest daughter of William Day, a linen seller from Bristol. Henry and Anne had two sons:
- William Day Wills (1797–1865): He was the older son. In 1830, he and his brother started W.D. & H.O. Wills. By the late 1800s, this company became the largest importer of tobacco and maker of tobacco products in Britain. His son, William Wills, 1st Baron Winterstoke, became the first chairman of Imperial Tobacco.
- Henry Overton Wills II (1800–1871): He also helped start W.D. & H.O. Wills with his brother. His son, Henry Overton Wills III, helped create the University of Bristol and became its first leader. Two of his other sons, Sir Edward Payson Wills and Sir Frederick Wills, became important figures known as baronets. Another son, Sir Frank William Wills, was a famous architect who was knighted for his work.
