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One of the most enduringly famous Maldonians is Edward Bright (1721–1750), historically known as The Fat Man of Maldon - a much-loved grocer and family man who gained unexpected fame in his short life thanks to his great stature.
At the time of his death, aged 29, Edward was believed to be the heaviest man in Britain, with his weight estimated at around 57.5 stone (302kg). He was a thoroughly average 5ft 9in tall, but the measurement around his chest was 5ft 6in and around his stomach was an incredible 6ft 11in.
Despite his size, Edward led an active life until the last couple of years of his life. He is thought to have worked as a post boy as a young lad, riding daily to Chelmsford, then was apprenticed to Maldon grocer Joseph Pattison at the age of 12 (when he was already almost adult in size, weighing in at over 10 stone). At the age of 13, he was one of the people called to be witness to the Will of the Revered Joseph Billio, another famous Maldonian – a fact that shows his good character and standing in the community.
Court records show that Bright was discharged from his apprenticeship at the end of seven years, but as his skill and knowledge had grown so had his waistline – evidently by the age of 19 he was a sturdy 24 stone. As he left his apprenticeship to forge his own business, not only did he become a Freeman of the Borough of Maldon, but he also married his wife Mary, who went on to have six children, although only three survived to adulthood.
Bright had his grocery store and his married home in the building which is now 57 and 59 High Street (Kate Lifestyle nail salon and its neighbour) between Timpson and Coes – look out for the blue heritage plaque. He also had a candle-making factory near the top of Market Hill, where the Town Hall now stands.
At the age of just 29, Edward fell ill with what was called Miliary Fever – an old-fashioned medical term that referred to an infectious disease with a high-temperature and a rash (possibly scarlet fever or typhoid). By this time, his weight had more than doubled from a few years before, weakening his constitution. Contemporary reports state that during his final two weeks of illness, “his corpulence so everpower'd his strength that his life was a burden and his death a deliverance”.
After he died in the upstairs rooms above his shop, his size and weight provided a logistical challenge, and eventually a wall and staircase had to be knocked down to enable his coffin, 3ft 6in wide and 3ft 2in deep to be transported to All Saints Church on a carriage. Inside the church, the coffin was transported on rollers, rather than carried by pallbearers, and a pulley arrangement was used to safely inter it in a vault near the tower arch.
His burial record notes: “He was a very honest tradesman, a facetious [witty] companion, comely [handsome] in his person, affable in his temper, a tender father and valuable friend.” As you look around Maldon today you can find many references to this upstanding citizen, including his tomb in All Saints Church, the blue plaque on his home and his name immortalised in Brights Walk and Edward Bright Close.
You can also see the bronze statue that stands on the wall behind 38 High Street, created by well-known local artist and sculptor Catharni Stern. Rather than showing Bright himself, the sculpture recalls an incident not long after his death, when seven local men were buttoned inside his old waistcoat as part of a wager. The story goes that a man in a local pub tempted a gambler to bet that 700 men wouldn’t fit inside the jacket – well seven Hundred men (ie residents of the Dengie Hundred) did exactly that, and the gambler lost his bet. The following year, a second wager, over a ham and some wine, was settled when nine men, including Edward’s old boss Joseph Pattison, were successfully buttoned inside. You can see a full-size replica of the jacket at Maldon Museum, as well as a completely three-dimensional version of the artwork.
Bright’s son Ned (Edward) is also commemorated by a blue plaque, this one on the side of Mrs Salisbury’s tea room. He carried on the family grocery and candle-making business, as well as making Maldon salt, and became a prominent local politician, elected Mayor in 1837. One of his greatest accomplishments was setting up Maldon’s first bathing facility at the Promenade Park, off the sea wall. You can find the tomb of Ned’s son, also named Edward Bright, in the grounds of St Peter’s Church, which houses the Maeldune Centre, where the original Edward Bright is immortalised in the Maldon Embroidery. And if you are passing West Square and see Bright & Sons Solicitors – well the founder Frederick Bright was his great, great, grandson, and his descendants still serve the people of Maldon through that family business.
Follow in his footsteps...
Number of results: 328
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Maldon
Monday 11 December. Affectionately known as 'The Aggies' and 'The Christmas Band'. The beloved 'St Agnes Fountain' have toured every December since 2001 bar one, and we all know which one that was! Now they are ready to tread the tinsel boards once…
Maldon
Join us at Maldon Town Hall to learn about the iconic Thames sailing barge and the role these vessels played in our history.
Maldon
The war memorial in Maldon stands in the High Street outside All Saints Church and is a Grade II Listed white stone cross on a plinth and base, with bronze plaques set into the design. It was designed by Chelmsford Architect Wykeham Chancellor and…
Maldon
Unique decor, comfortable ambiance, dog friendly and with a wide variety of all-day food and drink, the Salero Lounge offers a new place to eat and drink in Maldon High Street.
Maldon
Exclusively working within the lettings industry, we welcome you to Maldon Lettings Limited providing landlords with a bespoke service offering accurate information concerning the rental market within Maldon and the surrounding villages.
Maldon
Maldon's Act of Remembrance & wreath laying
Maldon
Roy Pipe founded his insurance company in Maldon in 1977, basing his business on sound advice and a very personal service. The same work ethic carries through to the present time.
Roy Pipe insurance supports the local community by funding the…
Maldon
Maldon Methodist Church has a varied programme of worship and activities. The main Sunday service is at 10:30 which features both traditional and modern hymns, with occasional livelier services aimed at young families. There are regular coffee…
Maldon
Kate Lifestyle is a Maldon based beauty salon specialising in beauty, skincare, hair and nails. We offer a vast range of treatments including nail art, waxing, eyelash extensions and more. We provide top notch hair, beauty, nail art & gentlemen…
Maldon
T J Frostick & Son cobbler offers a friendly, traditional repair service for all your shoes and boots, including new soles and heels, stitching etc. They also cut all kinds of keys and can do specialist alterations.
Maldon
Popular late night takeway with a wide range of fast food, from kebabs and wraps to fish and chips, fried chicken, burgers, kids meals, pizzas, garlic bread and more, including meal deals and family meals.
Maldon
Bespoke shoe repair service. All types of keys cut and guaranteed to fit. Watch batteries and straps fitted. We sell lots of different items, walking sticks, leather purses, leather wallets, luggage and bags, cuff links, padlocks, shoe laces and…
Maldon
Easter crafts with no clearing up! Maldon United Reformed Church is holding a free craft morning for children on Saturday 9 March, 10am to 12 noon, in the church hall, near the top of Market Hill. Suitable for children from toddlers to year seven,…
Maldon
As well as traditional fish and chips, Maki Grill also serves Turkish kebabs cooked on a charcoal grill, burgers, chicken, hot pies, drinks and desserts, as well as generously sized family platters to takeaway. Delivery also available.
Maldon
We opened Woof & Co Maldon opened in beautiful town of Maldon in July 2020. Our passion and knowledge for dog products started when we opened W&C sister company Tower Pet & Animal Feeds all the way back in 2005! Learning lots of product knowledge…
Maldon
Cards & Gifts
Maldon
We have now opened our own unique gift shop on Maldon High Street, specialising in Star Wars as well as expanding our range to include iconic science fiction and fantasy from film, TV and gaming franchises.
Maldon
Saturday 9 December. Free children's crafts with a a Christmas theme. Arts and crafts are free, and there are free hot and cold drinks, mince pies and biscuits for participants and adults.
Maldon
Car Parking with High Street Access.
RINGO Location Code: 21804
Maldon
Fourth Mondays. Come and paint your very own masterpiece under the expert step-by-step tuition of Express Yourself Paint Parties. The relaxed and enjoyable sessions will help you to complete a painting in acrylics, on a quality 20x16in canvas that…
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