Henry Merryweather & Son nursery
Henry Merryweather sen., gardener employed by Rev. John Drake Becher
Henry Merryweather jun., his son (January 24, 1839 Carlton on Trent - 1932), introduced Bramley Seedling apple in 1862
Father and son bought in 1854 two acres of land along Halam Road, Southwell, and established their own nursery.
Children of Henry Merryweather jun.: William Henry (March 9, 1866 - 1947), John Edward (b. July 1, 1868), Ernest Arthur (June 15, 1872-1924), Elizabeth (September 1875 - Jan 10, 1947 Derby), Alfred George (b. December 21, 1877)
[From
The Gardeners' Magazine, September 28, 1912, p. 733-734:] The Southwell Nurseries...were founded about the middle of the last century by Mr. Merryweather's father...
[From the
American Rose Annuall 1926, p. 182:] H. Merryweather & Sons
1952 The Rose Annualp131. Round the Nurseries.
Alfred G. Merryweather: Henry Merryweather & Sons Ltd., Southwell, Notts.
In 1855 to two Henry Merryweathers, father and son, decided to start a Nursery at Southwell. They were encouraged by a young clergyman living 5 miles away with whom young Henry came into contact a good deal – in fact, having similar tastes, a close friendship developed between the two which lasted until the former died in 1904. This very clergy man who, some 20 years later, was so closely associated with the formation of the National Rose Society was none other than our first President Reynolds S. Hole, Dean of Rochester. It was he who said “You must first have Roses in your heart,” if you would grow them successfully. Henry had roses in his heart, and therefore grew them to perfection, earning a reputation for producing first-class trees which is still enjoyed today by the firm he founded a century ago. Young Henry had four sons, including another Henry, who joined him in the business, the youngest being Alfred, the present Chairman of the company, who is supported by his sons Henry and John, together with the cousin Marjorie Suckling, daughter of the third Henry.....
Photo: Alfred Merryweather and the late Henry Merryweather.
See also Merryweather under Breeders.
