Charles Pinney

Charles Pinney (29 April 179317 July 1867) was a British merchant and local politician in Bristol, England. He was a partner in a family business that ran sugar plantations in the West Indies and owned a number of slaves. Pinney was selected as mayor of Bristol in 1831 and within weeks had to manage the response to major riots. Public order was lost for a number of days and significant damage caused to the city centre. Pinney was charged with neglect of duty over his actions but was acquitted at trial. He returned to local government as an alderman, holding the position until 1853.

Early life and career Charles Pinney was the youngest son of John Pretor Pinney and his wife Jane (née Weekes), sugar planters and traders in Nevis, West Indies. Charles was born on 29 April 1793, after the couple returned to England and settled at 7 Great George Street in Bristol. Charles took over the running of his father's business, in partnership with Robert Edward Case, which included the ownership of a number of slaves on plantations in the West Indies. The Tories opposed this bill but it was supported by much of the general populace, including many in Bristol.

Pinney's selection as mayor may have been an attempt by the Tory majority in the corporation to curry favour with pro-reform elements in the city and head off unrest. Pinney attempted to remain politically neutral after his appointment, though this angered many of the Whigs who regarded him as having abandoned his beliefs to join The Establishment. The latter instance saw attacks on a carriage carrying Pinney and Wetherell, which escalated into the 1831 Bristol riots. The civic authorities lost control of the city until 31 October. Pinney was criticised by some for his actions during the riot and was tried at the Court of King's Bench from 25 October 1832, charged with neglect of duty. He continued his business with Case and the company was awarded £3,572 in compensation for slaves following the Slavery Abolition Act 1833. In 1850 he unsuccessfully proposed that the corporation purchase Clifton Down, a traditional open space in the city, to preserve it from development.