Robert Thornton Bolt my great-great grandfather was born on 23 December 1868 at
12 Nile Street, North Shields. Robert was one of eight children born here in the North East to Captain Archibald Barclay Bolt a Master Mariner from Shetland and his wife Jane Ann Thornton.
According to the 1871 census Robert Thornton Bolt age 2 was living at 12 Nile Street, North Shields. with his mother and two siblings at the home and Butchers shop of his mothers parents William and Margaret Thornton .
1881 census has Robert Bolt age 12, a Scholar, is now living at 16 Princes Street, North Shields. with parents and siblings.
1886 portrait (right) may have been taken to celebrate the couples engagement
On Wednesday, 25 April 1888 at the age of 19 Robert married Margaret Jane Anderson a Spinster from South Stockton at Middlesbrough Registry Office.
At the time of his marriage, Robert was employed by Mr. Francis Dodsworth as a Grocers assistant. Mr. Dodsworth a Grocer was situated at 116 Westgate, Guisborough, Stockton on Tees.
My great grandfather, Percy Thornton Bolt was born 12 June 1889; there second child
Archibald Barclay Bolt Jnr. was born 19 October 1890 both were born at home at
24 Thompson Street, Guisborough, Stockton on Tees.
According to the 1891 census Robert, Margret, Percy and Archibald were on the night of the census Sunday 5th April 1891 residing at 67 Lynchford Road, Farnborough, Hants. Robert age 28 was listed as Head of Family - Grocer. At first I thought this was odd, rather a long way from home especially with two very young children aged 1 year old and the other 6 months old. Were they on holiday or visiting family.
So, I approached the Fleet & Farnborough Group of the Hampshire Genealogical Society for help and advice. I received a fabulous reply from a Mrs Lesley Bull a member of the group who had taken the time to research Lynchford Road to help me with this conundrum.
On Wednesday, 25 April 1888 at the age of 19 Robert married Margaret Jane Anderson a Spinster from South Stockton at Middlesbrough Registry Office.
At the time of his marriage, Robert was employed by Mr. Francis Dodsworth as a Grocers assistant. Mr. Dodsworth a Grocer was situated at 116 Westgate, Guisborough, Stockton on Tees.
My great grandfather, Percy Thornton Bolt was born 12 June 1889; there second child
Archibald Barclay Bolt Jnr. was born 19 October 1890 both were born at home at
24 Thompson Street, Guisborough, Stockton on Tees.
According to the 1891 census Robert, Margret, Percy and Archibald were on the night of the census Sunday 5th April 1891 residing at 67 Lynchford Road, Farnborough, Hants. Robert age 28 was listed as Head of Family - Grocer. At first I thought this was odd, rather a long way from home especially with two very young children aged 1 year old and the other 6 months old. Were they on holiday or visiting family.
So, I approached the Fleet & Farnborough Group of the Hampshire Genealogical Society for help and advice. I received a fabulous reply from a Mrs Lesley Bull a member of the group who had taken the time to research Lynchford Road to help me with this conundrum.
At a recent Fleet and Farnborough Family History Group meeting the subject of my email asking for help was raised.
Mrs Lesley Bull readily agreed to see what, if anything, she could find out as she knew Lynchford Road and its surrounding area very well, having been born and brought up there. “My grandfather had a tailor’s shop in Lynchford Road” she tells me.
I first looked at the 1891 census entry for your great great grandfather and the census pages either side. I noticed that very few residents were from Farnborough; the residents of Lynchford Road in 1891 were from far and wide, from all parts of the country (including the family a few doors down from Robert Bolt who
were from Wellington, New Zealand).
In my opinion, they were there to serve the rapidly expanding army camp. There were many opportunities for businesses to prosper. The Queens Avenue led directly from the military barracks in North Camp and nearby Aldershot, to Lynchford Rd and at the time of the 1891 census the tents and temporary accommodation for the soldiers were being replaced by permanent brick buildings. What an opportunity to sell your grocery items to the large number of soldiers, labourers on the building site and the residents of North Camp.
That is only my opinion but as so many traders were drawn to the area from far and wide, I think it is a fair assumption. By the end of the 1890s the camp had grown to be the largest military garrison in the British Empire.
To ‘up sticks’ and move so far from home with a very young family the prospects for success must have been hard to turn down. Anybody with very small children will know that a trip to Sainsbury’s in 2019 is a major expedition; how brave the families were to pack up and come so far from home in 1890.
Perhaps they missed home and family too much and returned to the North East quite soon afterwards.
Lynchford Rd is a very long road and, like everywhere else, the businesses have changed dramatically in the last 120 years. The roof outline has not changed much.
I spent an enjoyable couple of hours in the sunshine walking the area to try and photograph the exact premises your family were at. (see photograph above)
I used the census return and walked the enumerator’s route to try and pinpoint without doubt which house it was. Unfortunately the names of the houses are not still there and I could only make an educated guess.
The North Camp Hotel and the Elephant and Castle (next page of the census) are still in existence so I know the area where Bolt’s grocers must have been.
Mrs Lesley Bull readily agreed to see what, if anything, she could find out as she knew Lynchford Road and its surrounding area very well, having been born and brought up there. “My grandfather had a tailor’s shop in Lynchford Road” she tells me.
I first looked at the 1891 census entry for your great great grandfather and the census pages either side. I noticed that very few residents were from Farnborough; the residents of Lynchford Road in 1891 were from far and wide, from all parts of the country (including the family a few doors down from Robert Bolt who
were from Wellington, New Zealand).
In my opinion, they were there to serve the rapidly expanding army camp. There were many opportunities for businesses to prosper. The Queens Avenue led directly from the military barracks in North Camp and nearby Aldershot, to Lynchford Rd and at the time of the 1891 census the tents and temporary accommodation for the soldiers were being replaced by permanent brick buildings. What an opportunity to sell your grocery items to the large number of soldiers, labourers on the building site and the residents of North Camp.
That is only my opinion but as so many traders were drawn to the area from far and wide, I think it is a fair assumption. By the end of the 1890s the camp had grown to be the largest military garrison in the British Empire.
To ‘up sticks’ and move so far from home with a very young family the prospects for success must have been hard to turn down. Anybody with very small children will know that a trip to Sainsbury’s in 2019 is a major expedition; how brave the families were to pack up and come so far from home in 1890.
Perhaps they missed home and family too much and returned to the North East quite soon afterwards.
Lynchford Rd is a very long road and, like everywhere else, the businesses have changed dramatically in the last 120 years. The roof outline has not changed much.
I spent an enjoyable couple of hours in the sunshine walking the area to try and photograph the exact premises your family were at. (see photograph above)
I used the census return and walked the enumerator’s route to try and pinpoint without doubt which house it was. Unfortunately the names of the houses are not still there and I could only make an educated guess.
The North Camp Hotel and the Elephant and Castle (next page of the census) are still in existence so I know the area where Bolt’s grocers must have been.
Photos and text above courtesy of Mrs. Lesley Bull of the Fleet & Farnborough Group of the Hampshire Genealogical Society
Robert's first entry in a Trade Directory can be found in the Northumberland edition of Kelly's Trade Directory for 1894 it shows that Rober Thornton Bolt was now living at 37 Beaconsfield Street, Arthur's Hill, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Electoral Register for Newcastle 1895 we find R T Bolt was now residing at 38 Tamworth Road, Arthur's Hill. on 29 February, 1896 daughter Evelyn Hilda Bolt was born.
Electoral Register for Newcastle 1895 we find R T Bolt was now residing at 38 Tamworth Road, Arthur's Hill. on 29 February, 1896 daughter Evelyn Hilda Bolt was born.
By 1898 records now show that Mr. Robert Thornton Bolt was employed as a Commercial Traveller for Mr. Buemann a provisions importer situated in the Black boy yard off Cloth Market, Newcastle City Centre also by this time Robert and his family had moved to 76 Tamworth Road, Arthur's Hill, Newcastle upon Tyne.
On the 6 November 1899 there forth child Ida Dorothy Bolt was born.
According to the 1901 census - Robert, married with his own family was living with his parents at 44 Crossley Terrace, Arthurs Hill, Newcastle upon Tyne.
On 3 March 1903 Robert had his initiation into the Lodge of Swinburne held at the Throckley Masonic Hall, Hexham Road, Throckley, Newcastle upon Tyne.
On the 23 July, 1904 their fifth child Grace Margaret Bolt was born.
1905-06 Buemann & Co. importers of eggs, butter, yeast & general produce.
3 Manor Street, Newcastle upon Tyne. Nat. tel. 2014; Company directot Mr. Robert Thornton Bolt residential abode, 12 Cheltenham Terrace, Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne
'Morning Post' dated Wednesday 26 December 1906 Mr. George Copeland and Mr. Robert Thornton Bolt (Trading as Buemann and Co. Manor Street, Newcastle upon Tyne) Provision Merchants.
'Ward's Directory of Newcastle 0n Tyne, 1910'
BUEMANN & Co. importers of eggs, butter, yeast & general produce.
3 Manor Street Nat. tel. 2014; Company directot Mr. Robert Thornton Bolt was now residing at 36 Heaton Grove, Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne
According to the 1911 census - Robert, Margaret and family were living at 36 Heaton Grove, Newcastle upon Tyne. On 25 August that year daughter Dorothy Buemann Bolt was born.
Kelly's Directory of Newcastle On Tyne 1914 continues to list Rober T Bolt residing at 36 Heaton Grove, Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne. Wards Directory of Newcastle On Tyne 1914 also list R T Bolt with employed be Buemann & Co. and residance as 36 Heaton Grove, Heaton, Newcastle On Tyne Telephone (Central 286)
On the 6 November 1899 there forth child Ida Dorothy Bolt was born.
According to the 1901 census - Robert, married with his own family was living with his parents at 44 Crossley Terrace, Arthurs Hill, Newcastle upon Tyne.
On 3 March 1903 Robert had his initiation into the Lodge of Swinburne held at the Throckley Masonic Hall, Hexham Road, Throckley, Newcastle upon Tyne.
On the 23 July, 1904 their fifth child Grace Margaret Bolt was born.
1905-06 Buemann & Co. importers of eggs, butter, yeast & general produce.
3 Manor Street, Newcastle upon Tyne. Nat. tel. 2014; Company directot Mr. Robert Thornton Bolt residential abode, 12 Cheltenham Terrace, Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne
'Morning Post' dated Wednesday 26 December 1906 Mr. George Copeland and Mr. Robert Thornton Bolt (Trading as Buemann and Co. Manor Street, Newcastle upon Tyne) Provision Merchants.
'Ward's Directory of Newcastle 0n Tyne, 1910'
BUEMANN & Co. importers of eggs, butter, yeast & general produce.
3 Manor Street Nat. tel. 2014; Company directot Mr. Robert Thornton Bolt was now residing at 36 Heaton Grove, Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne
According to the 1911 census - Robert, Margaret and family were living at 36 Heaton Grove, Newcastle upon Tyne. On 25 August that year daughter Dorothy Buemann Bolt was born.
Kelly's Directory of Newcastle On Tyne 1914 continues to list Rober T Bolt residing at 36 Heaton Grove, Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne. Wards Directory of Newcastle On Tyne 1914 also list R T Bolt with employed be Buemann & Co. and residance as 36 Heaton Grove, Heaton, Newcastle On Tyne Telephone (Central 286)
An entry in Kelly's Directory of 1921 for the county of Northumberland shows Mr. R. T. Bolt residing at 36 Heaton Grove, Heaton, Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Now this is where it begins to get complicated, things may not be as straightforward as first thought. During recent research for the period 1921 - 1924 fees for my greadfathers education at the Royal Gramma School were paid by someone residing at 'Wayside' 246 Jesmond Park East, High Heaton, Newcastle and yet, an entry in the Telephone Directory for Northumberland 1923 showes Mr. R T Bolt Snr. listed as Provision Importer now residing at 'Beaconsfield' Grand Parade, Cullercoats. (North Shields 721).
Once again, more questions than answers.
Now this is where it begins to get complicated, things may not be as straightforward as first thought. During recent research for the period 1921 - 1924 fees for my greadfathers education at the Royal Gramma School were paid by someone residing at 'Wayside' 246 Jesmond Park East, High Heaton, Newcastle and yet, an entry in the Telephone Directory for Northumberland 1923 showes Mr. R T Bolt Snr. listed as Provision Importer now residing at 'Beaconsfield' Grand Parade, Cullercoats. (North Shields 721).
Once again, more questions than answers.
Beaconsfield was a large villa built around 1882 for John Henry Burn Esq; a wealthy coal-owner and philanthropist, he named the house after British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield. John inherited wealth from his father David, who had made his fortune as an iron founder in the City of Newcastle upon Tyne. The 1881 census shows John staying at a London hotel, he is 53 years old, also born in Newcastle and describes himself as a Magistrate and Land owner. Mr Burn died in 1898 but his widow, Annie Catherine, continued to live there until 1922.
In Netherwitton church, Northumberland there are two stained glass windows commissioned by the family. The first is in memory of Barbara Burn who died 1842 ...'erected by her affectionate son John Henry Burn of Beaconsfield, Cullercoats'. The second is in memory of John himself, erected by his wife Catharine.
The property comprised of a Boot room or Pantry found in the basement, on the ground floor there were a Drawing Room, Dinning Room, a Library and Billiard Room. In the hall at ground level was a feature staircase which took you to the first floor; eight bedrooms, two indoor W.C.s two Bathrooms and then up the Attic for a further three rooms for the servants. NEW Floor plan coming soon.
Between 1922 and 1939 'Beaconsfield' was owned by my great great grandfather Robert Thornton Bolt Esq. a Provision Importer.
In Netherwitton church, Northumberland there are two stained glass windows commissioned by the family. The first is in memory of Barbara Burn who died 1842 ...'erected by her affectionate son John Henry Burn of Beaconsfield, Cullercoats'. The second is in memory of John himself, erected by his wife Catharine.
The property comprised of a Boot room or Pantry found in the basement, on the ground floor there were a Drawing Room, Dinning Room, a Library and Billiard Room. In the hall at ground level was a feature staircase which took you to the first floor; eight bedrooms, two indoor W.C.s two Bathrooms and then up the Attic for a further three rooms for the servants. NEW Floor plan coming soon.
Between 1922 and 1939 'Beaconsfield' was owned by my great great grandfather Robert Thornton Bolt Esq. a Provision Importer.
In 1925 work began on a new high-level road bridge to span the Tyne Gorge between Newcastle and Gateshead. The capacity of the existing High-Level Bridge and Swing Bridge were being strained to the limit, and an additional bridge had been discussed for a long time. The contract was awarded to the Dorman Long Company and the bridge was finally opened by King George V in 1928. The road deck was 84 feet (26 m) above the river and was supported by a 531 feet (162 m) steel arch.
The new Tyne Bridge quickly became an iconic symbol for Newcastle and Tyneside, and remains so today.
The new Tyne Bridge quickly became an iconic symbol for Newcastle and Tyneside, and remains so today.
1926 general strike in the United Kingdom was a general strike that lasted nine days, from 4 to 12 May 1926. It was called by the General Council of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in an unsuccessful attempt to force the British government to act to prevent wage reductions and worsening conditions for 1.2 million locked-out coal miners. Some 1.7 million workers went out, especially in transport and heavy industry. The government was well prepared, and enlisted middle class volunteers to maintain essential services. There was little violence and the TUC gave up in defeat.
In December 1932 Roberts second son Archibald Barclay Bolt passed away at the age of 42.
In an article written in 'The Shields Daily News' of Friday, December 30. 1932 'Funeral at Preston Cemetery' The remains of Mr A B Bolt, of 32 Brislee Avenue, Tynemouth, a director of the firm of Messrs Buemann and Riley Bro., provision merchant, Newcastle, and a past president of the North East Produce Exchange were interred at Preston Cemetery, North Shields, yesterday afternoon.
The family story describes how over 700 mourners attended the funeral many from the local business community and the many from the Lodge of Freemasons of which the deceased gentleman was a past president.
In January, 1938, Tynemouth Council approved plans for a new hotel on the Grand Parade (The Park Hotel) which was advertised to open on 1 July 1939.
It was intended to be the most modern of hotels, with a continental appearance. Bowling greens and a garage block were promised in the future. Not long after opening, two bombs went off at Tynemouth Park in October, 1940 then a bomb landed on the railway behind the hotel in April, 1941, but failed to explode, as did another in August 1942.
During the war Beaconsfield House was commandeered by the British Army for use as billets for an anti-aircraft AFS station.
Dr Barnardo's then took over the house on the 2nd January 1946 after the local council had given the organisation just 24 hours
to occupy the house or lose it after two other local homes were destroyed during air raids. The house and grounds covered an area of
1 acre, 3 roods and could accommodate up to 40 boys.
The children's home closed on 1 September 1953 after Tynemouth Council bought the house under a compulsory purchase order as it had plans to develop the sea front. While the area's future was being decided, Beaconsfield house was used by other organisations, including the Hexham and Newcastle Diocesan Rescue Society to provide holidays for disadvantaged children.
In 1956 the council took the decision to demolish the house and work was completed early in 1957. Plans for a multi-storey hotel and leisure complex were never carried out. Today the site is an open green belt used for recreational purposes.
It was intended to be the most modern of hotels, with a continental appearance. Bowling greens and a garage block were promised in the future. Not long after opening, two bombs went off at Tynemouth Park in October, 1940 then a bomb landed on the railway behind the hotel in April, 1941, but failed to explode, as did another in August 1942.
During the war Beaconsfield House was commandeered by the British Army for use as billets for an anti-aircraft AFS station.
Dr Barnardo's then took over the house on the 2nd January 1946 after the local council had given the organisation just 24 hours
to occupy the house or lose it after two other local homes were destroyed during air raids. The house and grounds covered an area of
1 acre, 3 roods and could accommodate up to 40 boys.
The children's home closed on 1 September 1953 after Tynemouth Council bought the house under a compulsory purchase order as it had plans to develop the sea front. While the area's future was being decided, Beaconsfield house was used by other organisations, including the Hexham and Newcastle Diocesan Rescue Society to provide holidays for disadvantaged children.
In 1956 the council took the decision to demolish the house and work was completed early in 1957. Plans for a multi-storey hotel and leisure complex were never carried out. Today the site is an open green belt used for recreational purposes.
At the out break of war and according to the 1939 Register, Robert, now 72 was residing at 'Wayside' 246 Jesmond Park East, High Heaton, a wealthy suburb of the city of Newcastle. The 1939 Register also reveals that Ida and Margaret were A.R.P. Wardens during the second world war and Dorothy was an A.R.P Warden and Ambulance driver.
Prior to his death on 7 April, 1949 Mr. R T Bolt Snr. was for several years a director and deputy chairman of the Royalty Cinema, Gosforth.
The image below is of the area today, known as Beaconsfield, the place where the grand villa once stood.
Ongoing project