Henry Bright was born to a wealthy family in Worcestershire, England, on March 21, 1715, and at the age of 15 moved to Bristol, where he completed a business apprenticeship with Richard Meyler. In the late 1730s, he and Meyler started a shipping business, focusing on trade with the Caribbean; during this time, he lived in Jamaica while working as an agent for the firm. In 1746, he returned to Bristol temporarily and married Sarah Meyler (1720-1769), with whom he had one son, Richard. After a brief return to Jamaica between 1748 and 1751, he remained in Bristol, where he continued to be active in the mercantile and slave trades between Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. He earned additional profits from investing in privateers during the Seven Years' War. Upon his retirement in 1775, he placed his son Richard and nephew Lowbridge in charge of the family's mercantile interests, which continued successfully into the 19th century. He died on November 25, 1777.
From the guide to the Bright Shipping account books, 1757-1809, 1757-1780, (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan)
