Hello, how are you.  I admit this may seem as a strange request, however, I do not know where else to turn and I am hoping you can point me in the right direction.   I came across your sight while trying to research Clifton.

My great grandfather x 3 , William BAteman Reed, was listed as a builder, architect, and hotel keeper in the 1861 and 71 Census of Bristol.  His address was listed as The Queen's Villa, Clifton in 1861 and as The Queen's hotel, Clifton in 1871.  His son, Ralph Newbury Reed's marraige record lists his adress as the Queen's hotel, Clifton in 1886.  ONe is said to be on Queen's Street, the other, later, census states the Queen's hotel was on Whiteladies road.

I have copies of a document where William BAteman Reed was listed as A Burgess and another giving him the key to the city of Bristol.  He supposedly was noted for buiding several historical hotels in the area.  There was a book named "Bristol" that lists him as one of the builders/architect of the Promenade. However, I can't find any more information.

I write you this because, ever since i was a child my Grandmother has told me a story passed down in our family that these Grandparents owned the Villa, Clifton and as a result of a depression (and the father's gambling debts) they had to give up their private villa and that it was turned into a hotel.  the story claims that it was made a historical hotel site.  My grandmother is now 86 and is slowly deteriorating with Alzheimer's.  It has been a quest for me to find the truth of this story and hopefull some documents or pictures to validate this story for my grandmother before she passes.  The only thing I have as evidence was his address and occupation on the 1861 and 1871 census, the Burgess record, and we have a gentleman's calling card that reads "William Bateman Reed, The Villa, Clifton"  The family crest on the card is a dragon with a banner that says " Memoir et Fidelis".  My grandmother says there is one version of the story that says Willaim BAteman Reed was not only a Gentleman of society, but that he and his wife, Florence Jessie Simms Reed, were a Lord/Lady or some other sort of minor nobility.

Please, Please, if you know of this hotel on this street, or have any friends or contacts or can refer me to a historical society that might be able to find any historical records about this hotel or Villa, or even an old photo, it would mean so much to be able to show my grandmother before she dies.  

Thank you so much in advance for any way you might be able to help me.

Jessica

lovett_hca@hotmail.com