In this post I bring you results of my investigations about John Bolton, and then more about Louisa Seton in a later post.
This is from the old info sent by a cousin, the most likely match was:
1881 census- Haughton le Skerne, Durham
John Bolton, 38, born Ripon, Yorks; Labourer at Ironworks
Elizabeth J. Bolton, 37, born Denton, Durham
Thomas C. Bolton 13 Darlington Scholar
John G. Bolton 11 Darlington Scholar **
Mary E. 5 Darlington Scholar
Joseph B. 3 Darlington
Charles W. 3 mths, born Haughton le Skerne
**Presuming that this John is the father of Mary Louisa Tuthill (nee Bolton), who married Christopher Tuthill. Not sure, though – he is known to the family as John Smurthwaite Bolton, which doesn't fit with his description here as John G. Bolton. (Is this a middle name?? or was his mother Elizabeth's maiden name Smurthwaite as the Scottish tradition?)
But then further information was sent to the family from a descendant of Mary's brother, Sidney Bolton (Many Thanks!):
John Smurthwaite Bolton married Louise Seton in 1898.
He fought 1914-18 for Canadian Army & was wounded in France.
They had 3 children;
John Seton Bolton: born 6/8/1900 and died 28/10/1958 (see below).
Sidney Bolton: born 24/5/1903 and died 28/8/1962 (marr Christiana Wilson (1909- 1999) in 1929, and they had 4 children.)
Mary L. Bolton: married Christopher Tuthill
This suggests that the above John G. Bolton is not ours!
John Seton Bolton
Further Info from family memories about cousins: John Bolton (1900) was older brother of Mary Tuthill nee Bolton. Note here that he takes his Mother's maiden name for a middle name, as the Scots do.
John Seton Bolton (1900 – 1958) married Annie Goldsborough from Redcar (24/11/1900 – 27/2/1985)
They had Sidney (10/2/1924 – 28/9/1975 died a batchelor) and
Marguerite Louisa (21/4/1927 – 14/1/1988?) who married Alfred Winter & had a son.
Okay, so now I looked up BMD details at the Registry Office for Durham, or at the Darlington office.
The people who may fit are entered below:
Birth certificates
- Mary Louisa Bolton; Darlington, last quarter 1909 (later married C. M. Tuthill)
- John Smurthwaite Bolton; Darlington, Sept 1877
Marriage certificates
- Mary Borrowdale marries David SETON, 1861, Darlington.
- Mary Borrowdale (previous name Mary Seton) marries Septimus WOOD, 1881, Darlington.
- John Smurthwaite Bolton marries Louisa Seton; Darlington, Sept 1898
- Mary L. Bolton marries Christopher Tuthill; Darlington, Sept 1930 (on Mary's 21st birthday)
Now to return to the National Census
1901 Census, Durham
Here's a photo of John Smurthwaite Bolton in uniform.
He has been elusive in the national databases - but since finding his details from the marriage certificate, I could narrow the search down a little.
Seem to have found him in the 1901 census return in Darlington, Co. Durham (Oaklands 'something' in St. Lukes parish - perhaps the Oaklands Terrace near the Hospital) - John Bolton (23; house Painter, born Barton Yorks) with Louisa Bolton (24, born Darlington). (We know that they were married in Darlington in 1898.)
A hint arrived when I found John S Bolton in the 1891 census return living with his widowed mother Hannah Bolton. They live in a 2 roomed household at North Terrace, Aycliffe. Hannah is a Laundress (38, born in Moulton, Yorkshire) whilst John S. is 13, and was born in Barton.
In 1881, Hannah Bolton is seen with husband Edward Bolton (33, born in Barton; Stonemason) their 4 children (3 older daughters; Mary E., Margaret, Sophia, and our John S. aged 3), a Darlington-born sister-in-law Miss Lockey, and a niece Miss Lockey.
I searched the death records for Edward (born ~ 1848) - found him in the Darlington district in 1890.
The Darlington marriage records show us that Edward & Hannah married in 1873, and that her maiden name was Smurthwaite. SO that fits nicely!
Next I could see Hannah Smurthwaite before she married (aged 18), in the 1871 census. She is a servant in the Trinity area of Darlington, at the Pierremont Crescent house of a Commercial Clerk (Share Broker).
There is a family of Smurthwaites in the Moulton Census of 1851. Jhon {sic} and Hannah Smurthwaite (born Middleton Tyas) with their daughter Mary (21, born Moulton).
In 1861, I found this senior Hannah at the home of her son-in-law in Moulton, listed as the widow of an Ag Lab.
John Bolton travels to work in Canada
John Smurthwaite Bolton is remembered for his trip to Canada to make his (sadly unsuccessful!) fortune. We also know that he travelled with John Borrowdale, a relative of his.
A passenger list database for ships travelling to Canada gives the name John S. Bolton, born England. I have seen an image of the original handwritten document - but it's very hard to read. Can you imagine anyone archiving such details for modern journeys?
The following details were gleaned:
Ship: 'The Grampian' from Liverpool to Halifax, Nova Scotia, arriving on 22/3/1911
Trade: Painter, heading for Toronto, Ontario - with aim of engaging in trade of Painter.
Amount of Canadian $ in his possession = $25
Age: 24, or 34 - it's not clear - it is transcribed as 34, making his birthyear ~1877. A passenger list database for ships travelling to Canada gives the name John S. Bolton, born England. I have seen an image of the original handwritten document - but it's very hard to read. Can you imagine anyone archiving such details for modern journeys?
The following details were gleaned:
Ship: 'The Grampian' from Liverpool to Halifax, Nova Scotia, arriving on 22/3/1911
Trade: Painter, heading for Toronto, Ontario - with aim of engaging in trade of Painter.
Amount of Canadian $ in his possession = $25
Religion: Congregationalist
Records of 'The Grampian', Shipping Line: Allan
Years in service: 1907-1926
Ship Description:
Built by Alexander Stephen & Sons, Ltd., Glasgow, Scotland. Tonnage: 10,920. Dimensions: 485' x 60'. Twin-screw, 15 knots. Triple expansion engines. Two masts and one funnel.
History:
Passengers: 210 first, 250 second, 1,000 third. Service: Glasgow-Quebec-Montreal. Taken over by Canadian Pacific Line in 1917. Retained her name in their service. Vessel was laid up in 1922. Scrapped in 1926. Sister ship: Hesperian. Similar to Corsican.
A fly in the ointment here - the description of her journey route doesn't seem right. The site Ship's List has additional records of the Grampian as doing some routes from Liverpool to St. John, NB. Also routes for Canadian Pacific from 1912 (L'pool-Halifax-St.John NB).
Fellow Traveller
John Borrowdale is not on the same ship's list.
There are possibilities for this gent.
One John Borrowdale travelled out to Quebec in August 1912 on The Corsican. (Records show that he had previously worked in Ontario for 2 years).
No age given, born in England.
He also had $25 in his possession, and records state he was heading for Toronto.
A year later in 1913, Elizabeth Borrowdale (aged 37) makes the journey on The Canada to Quebec. She has with her 5 children aged 0 to 10, is to be met by husband & heading for "**ctford Mines" in Quebec. These two Borrowdales aren't neccessarily related.
There are possibilities for this gent.
One John Borrowdale travelled out to Quebec in August 1912 on The Corsican. (Records show that he had previously worked in Ontario for 2 years).
No age given, born in England.
He also had $25 in his possession, and records state he was heading for Toronto.
A year later in 1913, Elizabeth Borrowdale (aged 37) makes the journey on The Canada to Quebec. She has with her 5 children aged 0 to 10, is to be met by husband & heading for "**ctford Mines" in Quebec. These two Borrowdales aren't neccessarily related.
There's the problem then - the John Borrowdale we search for is married to Mary Jane (nee Wood).
***Latest *** I found a Mary Jane Borrowdale (born in Barnard Castle, 1888) in the 1911 Darlington census, living with her father/grandfather Mathew Borrowdale (born 1836).
Louisa Bolton is living in Darlington with her 3 young children in 1911.
***Latest***
We also know that they 'joined up' together - so I searched the Attestation Papers etc. for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Forces, and found a more likely John Borrowdale there. He enlisted, however, in Montreal, and in October 1914. His number was 65094, and he was placed in the 24th Battalion.
His wife is listed as Mary Jane Borrowdale, of 9 Chesnut St, Darlington. He was born September 1876 in Barnard Castle, and his trade was as a Carpenter.
Next I looked up John Bolton in the Census for Canada, 1911:
Didn't find any strong matches - they were too young, or had the wrong occupation eg. book-keeper, engineer.
As John's boat landed in Halifax, NS in March 1911, he probably hadn't settled at the time of the Canadian 1911 Census (There are many English immigrants named Bolton in Toronto - but not our John).
Found no matches for John Borrowdale in Canadian census.
Didn't find any strong matches - they were too young, or had the wrong occupation eg. book-keeper, engineer.
As John's boat landed in Halifax, NS in March 1911, he probably hadn't settled at the time of the Canadian 1911 Census (There are many English immigrants named Bolton in Toronto - but not our John).
Found no matches for John Borrowdale in Canadian census.
Also found in the 1906 Census for Edmonton, Alberta; a young Thomas Borrowdale, born ~ 1871. He is single, but Head of his household. He emigrated from England to Canada in 1901. This could be an example of Chain Migration - where one member of a family/community emigrates and writes home to encourage others to take the leap, too! Or he could be no relation at all!!
Canadian War Experiences
We know John Bolton served in the Canadian Army, being wounded in France.
Ancestry.co.uk came up trumps with their links to Canadian soldiers' records (WW I):
We know John Bolton served in the Canadian Army, being wounded in France.
Ancestry.co.uk came up trumps with their links to Canadian soldiers' records (WW I):
I have a copy of the Attestation Papers for enlistment in January 1916 of John Smurthwaite Bolton.
166th Battalion, Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force, CEF.
His number is 669038. I know that the 166th had the numbers from 669000 to 672000, so he was near the head of the queue!
Painter by trade.
Address: 343 Concord Avenue, Toronto, ONTARIO {map here}.
Born in Yorkshire, aged 38 (DOB is 9/6/1877).
His wife & next-of-kin is Louisa Bolton, of 11 Chestnut St., Darlington {There's a Chestnut Drive off Geneva Rd in Darlington now??}.
John S. Bolton was wounded in France, it's believed at Vimy Ridge - near Arras in Northern France. It was a very important area for the Canadian Corps, being the first time when all four Canadian divisions were in battle together. There were many casualties, and (if we have the right place) John S. Bolton was among 7004 men wounded at Vimy Ridge from October 1916 when the CEF relieved the British, to April 1917 when they retook control from the Germans.
166th Battalion, Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force, CEF.
His number is 669038. I know that the 166th had the numbers from 669000 to 672000, so he was near the head of the queue!
Painter by trade.
Address: 343 Concord Avenue, Toronto, ONTARIO {map here}.
Born in Yorkshire, aged 38 (DOB is 9/6/1877).
His wife & next-of-kin is Louisa Bolton, of 11 Chestnut St., Darlington {There's a Chestnut Drive off Geneva Rd in Darlington now??}.
John S. Bolton was wounded in France, it's believed at Vimy Ridge - near Arras in Northern France. It was a very important area for the Canadian Corps, being the first time when all four Canadian divisions were in battle together. There were many casualties, and (if we have the right place) John S. Bolton was among 7004 men wounded at Vimy Ridge from October 1916 when the CEF relieved the British, to April 1917 when they retook control from the Germans.
Detailed info available on the CEF here, and from Wikipedia here - from which I quote the following:
"The 166th (Queen's Own Rifles of Canada) Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. Based in Toronto, Ontario, the unit began recruiting during the winter of 1915/16 in that city. After sailing to England in October 1916 (in the largest convoy ever to cross the Atlantic ocean), the battalion was absorbed into the 12th Reserve Battalion on January 8, 1917."
From the CEF Research site, I found that the 166th embarked on the Olympic at Halifax, Nova Scotia in October 1916, and sailed to Liverpool, UK. Yes, that Olympic! The sister ship of the Titanic! She was refitted after that disaster (i.e. more lifeboats!) and was used as a troop ship 1915-19. More details here on the Ship's List (scroll down to find 'Olympic 1910').
Early on in the war, many of the volunteers in the CEF were men who had recently emigrated to Canada like John Bolton. Conscription was not used until 1917. The Canadian Corps (as it was known once they arrived in France) was under the command of the British Army, but generally fought as a unit, rather than being scattered. They became very well respected.
We know the 12th Reserve Brigade of the 4th Canadian Division went on to fight at Vimy Ridge, amongst others. This famous and important victory for the allies happened in 1917. Canadian forces played a vital role in the war, taking Vimy Ridge in April and recapturing Passchendale in the Autumn - despite huge losses in terms of casualties & fatalities.
"The 166th (Queen's Own Rifles of Canada) Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. Based in Toronto, Ontario, the unit began recruiting during the winter of 1915/16 in that city. After sailing to England in October 1916 (in the largest convoy ever to cross the Atlantic ocean), the battalion was absorbed into the 12th Reserve Battalion on January 8, 1917."
From the CEF Research site, I found that the 166th embarked on the Olympic at Halifax, Nova Scotia in October 1916, and sailed to Liverpool, UK. Yes, that Olympic! The sister ship of the Titanic! She was refitted after that disaster (i.e. more lifeboats!) and was used as a troop ship 1915-19. More details here on the Ship's List (scroll down to find 'Olympic 1910').
Early on in the war, many of the volunteers in the CEF were men who had recently emigrated to Canada like John Bolton. Conscription was not used until 1917. The Canadian Corps (as it was known once they arrived in France) was under the command of the British Army, but generally fought as a unit, rather than being scattered. They became very well respected.
We know the 12th Reserve Brigade of the 4th Canadian Division went on to fight at Vimy Ridge, amongst others. This famous and important victory for the allies happened in 1917. Canadian forces played a vital role in the war, taking Vimy Ridge in April and recapturing Passchendale in the Autumn - despite huge losses in terms of casualties & fatalities.
"It was Canada from the Atlantic to the Pacific on parade. I thought then that in those few minutes I witnessed the birth of a nation." - Ross, commander of the 28th Canadian Battalion.
Canadian War Experiences
- some interesting tales on these websites:
Canadian letters, Canadian Legion's Legacies, and the Canadian War Museum.
Also the Veteran Affairs Canada site - link here for tales from Vimy Ridge.
See this site for details on the Vimy Memorial to Canadians who gave their lives.
Also this page tells us about the 80th anniversary Memorial day at Vimy, 1997.
Then some general (non-Canadian) sites with lots of detail about WW I - e.g. which battalion went where: The Long Long Trail, and Salient Points.
Here's a link to an article about Letters Home (Somewhere in France).
John Bolton returned to Darlington and his wife & children after the war. In further posts we shall find out more about his wife's family, the Setons.
Canadian letters, Canadian Legion's Legacies, and the Canadian War Museum.
Also the Veteran Affairs Canada site - link here for tales from Vimy Ridge.
See this site for details on the Vimy Memorial to Canadians who gave their lives.
Also this page tells us about the 80th anniversary Memorial day at Vimy, 1997.
Then some general (non-Canadian) sites with lots of detail about WW I - e.g. which battalion went where: The Long Long Trail, and Salient Points.
Here's a link to an article about Letters Home (Somewhere in France).
John Bolton returned to Darlington and his wife & children after the war. In further posts we shall find out more about his wife's family, the Setons.
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