Richard Tapper Cadbury
Encyclopedia
Richard Tapper Cadbury came to Birmingham
in 1794 and started a linen draper's business in partnership with a fellow Quaker His children included John Cadbury
who was given help to start a tea and coffee business that would develop into Cadbury's.
and he was born around 1768. His father was a maker of serge
and he was apprenticed to a draper
in Gloucester
, after which he worked for others in the town. He entered into partnership with Joseph Rutte in Birmingham
from 1794, and he married Elizabeth Head from Ipswich
in 1796. Two years later the partnership with Rutte was dissolved.
They had ten children: John, James, Ann, Maria, Lucretia, Sarah, Emma Joel, Elizabeth Head, Richard, Benjamin Head, and Joel. In addition, Elizabeth ran the business in his absence. They had a sizable house in the city centre and in 1824, Cadbury senior financed John Cadbury to start a tea and coffee business next door; Benjamin ran the main business from 1829. Richard was given a wage and was able to take on good works.
Cadbury continued to develop the business, but also took a role in civil affairs. He served on Birmingham General Hospital's Board and that of the Eye Hospital as well as getting involved in the affairs of the Town Council.
Cadbury was an abolitionist and in 1840 attended the World's Anti-Slavery Convention at Freemasons' Hall, London
. Delegates came from several different countries and a commemorative painting, now displayed in the National Portrait Gallery, records all the notable people who were present. Tapper Cadbury is right at the back of the crowd and his portrait is one of the smallest.
Cadbury died in 1860, the same year that John Cadbury broke his financial links with his brother and shortly after left the business to be run in turn by his sons.
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
in 1794 and started a linen draper's business in partnership with a fellow Quaker His children included John Cadbury
John Cadbury
John Cadbury was proprietor of a small chocolate business in Birmingham, England, that later became part of Cadbury plc, one of the world's largest chocolate producers.-Biography:...
who was given help to start a tea and coffee business that would develop into Cadbury's.
Biography
Cadbury came from ExeterExeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
and he was born around 1768. His father was a maker of serge
Serge
Serge is a type of twill fabric that has diagonal lines or ridges on both sides, made with a two-up, two-down weave. The worsted variety is used in making military uniforms, suits, great coats and trench coats. Its counterpart, silk serge, is used for linings. French serge is a softer, finer variety...
and he was apprenticed to a draper
Draper
Draper is the now largely obsolete term for a wholesaler, or especially retailer, of cloth, mainly for clothing, or one who works in a draper's shop. A draper may additionally operate as a cloth merchant or a haberdasher. The drapers were an important trade guild...
in Gloucester
Gloucester
Gloucester is a city, district and county town of Gloucestershire in the South West region of England. Gloucester lies close to the Welsh border, and on the River Severn, approximately north-east of Bristol, and south-southwest of Birmingham....
, after which he worked for others in the town. He entered into partnership with Joseph Rutte in Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
from 1794, and he married Elizabeth Head from Ipswich
Ipswich
Ipswich is a large town and a non-metropolitan district. It is the county town of Suffolk, England. Ipswich is located on the estuary of the River Orwell...
in 1796. Two years later the partnership with Rutte was dissolved.
They had ten children: John, James, Ann, Maria, Lucretia, Sarah, Emma Joel, Elizabeth Head, Richard, Benjamin Head, and Joel. In addition, Elizabeth ran the business in his absence. They had a sizable house in the city centre and in 1824, Cadbury senior financed John Cadbury to start a tea and coffee business next door; Benjamin ran the main business from 1829. Richard was given a wage and was able to take on good works.
Cadbury continued to develop the business, but also took a role in civil affairs. He served on Birmingham General Hospital's Board and that of the Eye Hospital as well as getting involved in the affairs of the Town Council.
Cadbury was an abolitionist and in 1840 attended the World's Anti-Slavery Convention at Freemasons' Hall, London
Freemasons' Hall, London
Freemasons' Hall in London is the headquarters of the United Grand Lodge of England and a meeting place for the Masonic Lodges in the London area. It is in Great Queen Street between Holborn and Covent Garden and has been a Masonic meeting place since 1775...
. Delegates came from several different countries and a commemorative painting, now displayed in the National Portrait Gallery, records all the notable people who were present. Tapper Cadbury is right at the back of the crowd and his portrait is one of the smallest.
Cadbury died in 1860, the same year that John Cadbury broke his financial links with his brother and shortly after left the business to be run in turn by his sons.