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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...
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The Hythe, Maldon
Various dates. A Two Island Cruise from Maldon Quay, on board a historic Thames Sailing Barge, past Northey Island, Mill Beach to Osea Island and back.
Maldon
Boots Opticians
Maldon
At the British Heart Foundation charity shop you will find a great range of preloved items and new items, from clothing, shoes and accessories to books, toys and homeware. We also have greetings cards for all occasions, pin badges and small gifts.…
High Street, Maldon
Wilkin & Sons - Farm, Factory & Family
Our speaker for March is Mr Nicholas Wikenden.
His talk will cover the history of the company who came to Tiptree and started farming at Trewlands Farm in the early 1700s. The company reformed as Wilkin &…
Maldon
Unisex hairdressing salon with a full range of treatments including cutting, colouring, balayage and men's beard trimming.
Maldon
USA has a wide takeaway menu of all your favourite dishes, so everyone in the family can enjoy something different. We have crispy fried chicken, burgers, pizzas, kebas, garlic bread, wraps, nuggets, kids meals and recession-beating meal deals,…
Maldon
Men's hair salon offering a full range of barber and gentleman's hairdressing services.
Maldon
Come and visit some of the best-kept gardens in Maldon and pick up some inspiration and ideas! A wide range of different gardens, large and small, will open around the town, raising money for Christian Aid. You can pick up a map/admission ticket for…
Maldon
Kazen Kai Karate at The Martial Arts Centre in Maldon offers a wide range of classes for adults and children, focusing on traditional Karate along with kick-boxing, Taekwondo and self-defence.
Maldon
A café in the morning offers Fairtrade products, and a lunchtime menu with daily specials. In the evening, a bar serves an extensive wine list, local real ales and cocktails.
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
First Thursday of the month. Founded in 1957, the Maldon Society aims to promote and preserve the historical heritage of this town and its surrounding area by encouraging civic pride in the area and promoting co-operation with other organisations…
Tolleshunt Knights
Tolleshunt Knights is a small village close to Tiptree, home to a Greek Orthodox Monastery set in an ancient church, as well as a large and modern village hall.
Maldon
Master butchers in Maldon High St since 1928, Ansell & Sons is a meat and game specialist. Its meat, game and poultry produce ranges are primarily locally sourced from Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk farms, as well as direct from Smithfield Market…
Maldon
Traditional bakery with fresh bread made on the premises each morning. Wide range of different loaves and rolls, plus tasty cakes, sandwiches, sausage rolls and other takeaway lunch items.
Maldon
Maldon & District Cycling Club (MAD CC) was founded in 1953 as Crouch CC. It is based in Maldon, Essex and caters for cyclists of all abilities, ages and cycling interests.
Current membership stands at approximately 120 members, across a wide age…
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
Various dates. Discover the intriguing world of the Vikings and Saxons and learn the terrifying but moving story of the Battle of Maldon and the heroic defence by Byrhtnoth. The gentle two-mile walk is along paved footpaths and is wheelchair…
Maldon
Join M3HA at the Maldon & Heybridge Heritage Harbour for a day of activity on Saturday 14 September 24.
Maldon
Maldon Newsagent & Off Licence is a convenience store selling magazines and newspapers, groceries, sweets, alcohol and everyday essentials.
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