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Miscellaneous documents

Reference: D/X 1039 Catalogue Title: Miscellaneous documents Area: Catalogue Category: Other Records Description: John Forster of Durham City, architect and builder, and family

Covering Dates: 1750s-1970s

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Catalogue Description

Records of the Forster Family, 1850-1949

John Forster (whose father was a mayor of Durham) was an architect and builder. He was involved in building on the new North Road in the 1880s. In the 1870s he bought land in the Neville's Cross area to be developed as "The Avenue" where he built his own house "The Tower".

In 1866 he married Mary Chapman (1842-1920) daughter of Mr. J.B. Chapman and Mrs. Mary Chapman of Crossgate, sister of George Chapman, J.P.

They had five children, Margaret (known as Meggie, June 1867 - April 1957) Edith, May (born 1874), Dora and Neville.

John Forster died in 1900 at Bournemouth. His widow lived at 'Shipcote', 28 Front Street, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland, until her death in August 1920 when she was buried in Crossgate, Durham City.

Catalogue Contents

Forster Family of Durham City (Ref: D/X 1039)John Forster (died 1900) Architect and Builder (Ref: D/X 1039/1-14, 43)

1850 (1) The Rev. Thomas Wilkinson of Oxted in the county of Surrey, clerk (represented by George Wilkinson) (2) John Forster of the new North Road in the borough of Durham, builder Draft memorandum of agreement of the sale by (1) to (2) of all that field on the north east side of the said new North Road known by the name of the Tenter Stiles, all the other field on the south west side of the New North Road known as the Sheriff Meadows and the field on Reedy or Red Stiles in Crossgate Consideration: £1350
(1 paper)


Plans showing section at AB, elevation, ground floor and chamber floor for Mr. Forster's house in Tenter Terrace, Durham City, prepared by J.F. (John Forster) in London, 27 March 1858 Scale: 1 inch to 8 feet [1 : 96]
(1 plan, 53.5 cm. x 37 cm., pen and colour-wash)


Sketch plan of a proposed house for Mr. Carrick showing plans of ground and first floors, made by John Forster, architect, Durham, n.d. Scale 1 : 180
(1 paper, 20.5 cm. x 21 cm.)


Plans of ground, first floor elevation and sections of unidentified stables and living quarters, n.d. Scale: 1 inch to 8 feet [1 : 96]
(1 plan, 51.5 cm. x 32.5 cm., pen and colour-wash)


Part of an advertisement for the sale of freehold land of about fourteen acres at Neville's Cross, n.d.
(1 newspaper cutting, 12 cm. x 4 cm.)


Receipted account sent to Charles Chapman by John Forster, dealing with half the cost of agreement for sale and purchase of a piece of land at Neville's Cross "from Mr. Chapman to you [John Foster] to make The Avenue", 30 May 1873
(1 paper)


Signed receipt for £10.00 paid by John Forster to J.B. Chapman as the amount due for rent of land at Crossgate Moor, 12 September 1878
(1 paper)


Photograph of 'The Tower' in a rural setting, n.d. (1880s - 1890s)
(1 photograph, 16.5 cm. x 10.5 cm., black and white)


Photograph of 'The Tower', taken by John R. Edis, 52 Saddler Street, Durham, n.d.
(1 photograph, 30.5 cm. x 24.5 cm., black and white)


Photograph of the pipe organ in 'The Tower', Neville's Cross, annotated with information about the seat belonging to the organ, n.d.
(1 photograph, 24.5 cm. x 31 cm., black and white)


Poster of a performance called "Alice the Woodman's Daughter or Virtue Victorious and Vice Versa" a "thrilling extravagant tragedy" to be performed in the playroom at 'The Tower', n.d. [1880s]
(1 poster, 33 cm. x 53 cm.)


Postcard to John Forster, 'The Tower', Durham City, from J. McGuyor, informing him that Messrs Tate Brown and Company, Heworth Quarries, Gateshead, supply the material to which he referred, 14 August 1886
(1 card, 12 cm. x 7.5 cm.)


Pencil drawing by J. Forster of a lady standing looking out of a church window (decorated period) in an unidentified church, n.d. (19th century)
(1 paper)


Amended scheme for the division of Mr. John Forster's estate, giving details of the shares to be taken by Misses Dora, Edith and May Forster, Mrs. Stokes and Mr. Neville Forster, n.d. [1900]
(1 file)


Advertisement for the sale of 'The Tower', The Avenue, Durham City, by Close and Weston, chartered surveyors and estate agents, 36 Saddler Street, Durham City, n.d. [1970s]
(1 newspaper cutting, 7.5 cm. x 14.5 cm.)

Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Chapman of Crossgate (Ref: D/X 1039/15-18)

Parents of Mary, Mrs. John Forster


Studio photograph of Mrs. Mary Chapman seated, holding a letter, taken by T. Heaviside, Queen Street, Durham, n.d. [1860s to 1870s]
(1 photograph, 6.5 cm. x 10.5 cm., black and white)


Studio portrait of unidentified gentleman in official gown, taken by T. Heaviside, Queen Street, Durham [possibly J.B. Chapman], n.d. [1860s - 70s]
(1 photograph, 6.5 cm. x 10.5 cm., black and white)


Rent account of the late Mrs. Mary Chapman's Trust re 22 and 23 Market Place, Durham, December 1946
(1 paper)


Letter to Miss E.M. Forster, Shipcote, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland, from J. Mawson and Son, solicitors, Exchequer Offices, North Bailey, Durham, concerning the sale of building land at Neville's Cross, in connection with the estate of J.B. Chapman, deceased, 12 August 1949
(1 paper)

Mrs. Mary Forster (1842-1920) (formerly Mary Chapman) (Ref: D/X 1039/19-21)

Studio portrait of Mrs. Mary Forster (née Chapman), taken by Jas. Bacon and Sons, Newcastle upon Tyne, n.d. [1900-1920]
(1 photograph, 17.5 cm. x 25 cm., black and white)


Photograph of Mrs. Mary Forster (née Chapman) taken at the bottom of the garden at 'Shipcote', Front Street, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland, n.d. [1900-1920]
(1 photograph, 8.5 cm. x 13.5 cm., black and white)


Photocopy of an obituary (unidentified newspaper) of Mrs. John Forster, 20 August 1920
(1 paper)

Margaret or Meggie Forster (Mrs. Stokes) and Walter Ronald Forster Stokes (her son, born 1899) (Ref: D/X 1039/22-24)

An illustrated album of opinions and collection of original contributions, autographs, literary scraps, puzzles, riddles, belonging to Meggie (Margaret) Forster, August - October 1883
(1 volume, card bound)


Second Class (or junior) certificate issued by the college of Preceptors to Walter Ronald Forster, son of Mrs. M. Stokes, aged 14, (pupil of Mr. A.J. Osman Thomas, Lancaster College, West Norwood) who satisfied the examiners in scripture, history, English language, algebra, chemistry (including practical) and geology, December 1913
(1 paper)


Certificate from Blyth and Bedlingtonshire Joint Crematorium, 178 Cowpen Road, Blyth, to certify that the cremation service of the late Mrs. Meggie Stokes (née Forster), aged 89, took place on 18th April 1957, 18 April 1957
(1 paper)

Miss May Forster (born1874) (Ref: D/X 1039/25-36)

May Forster's exercise book, including geometric exercises and architectural decorative drawings and notes, n.d.
(1 volume, card bound)

Certificates awarded to Miss May Forster by the Department of Science and Art (Ref: D/X 1039/26-34)

Second Grade prize awarded to May Forster who obtained a First Class (excellent) in the Second Grade examination in perspective, 1890
(1 paper)


Second Grade examination certificate that May Forster, aged 15, obtained a second class result in freehand drawing, 6 May 1889
(1 card, 15 cm. x 23 cm.)


Second Grade examination certificate that May Forster, aged 15, obtained a first class result in model drawing, 6 May 1889
(1 card, 15 cm. x 23 cm.)


Second Grade examination certificate that May Forster, aged 16, obtained a first class result in perspective, 6 May 1890
(1 card, 15 cm. x 23 cm.)


Second Grade examination certificate that May Forster, aged 17, obtained a first class result in freehand drawing, 27 April 1891
(1 card, 15 cm. x 23 cm.)


Third Grade examination certificate that May Forster, aged 17, obtained a first class result in drawing in stage 5B (shading from the cast), 1 May 1891
(1 card, 15 cm. x 23 cm.)


Examination certificate that May Forster, aged 19, obtained a first class result in freehand drawing of ornament, subject 3B (advanced stage), 4 May 1893
(1 card, 15 cm. x 23 cm.)


Examination certificate that May Forster, aged 19, obtained a second class result in principles of ornament, subject 22, (elementary stage), 6 May 1893
(1 card, 15 cm. x 23 cm.)


Second Grade drawing certificate, no. 22520, that May Forster has passed the necessary examinations in freehand drawing, linear perspective, model drawing and geometrical drawing, 16 December 1891
(1 paper)

Other certificates presented to Miss May Forster (Ref: D/X 1039/35-36)

Certificate presented to Miss May Forster by the Joint Committee of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in England, in recognition of valuable services rendered during the war 1914-1919
(1 paper)


Certificate presented to Miss May Forster by the Northumberland Voluntary Aid Organisation in recognition of her valuable service to the Territorial Force Association, British Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John, during 1914-1919, in the county of Northumberland, and noting that she was awarded the county badge, 1919
(1 paper)

Miscellaneous Items (Ref: D/X 1039/37-42)

Two engravings by an unidentified artist of 'An east view of Durham from Pelloe-Wood Hill' and 'a north west view of the castle from a field called the Hollow Croft above Framwellgate', n.d. [possibly 1750s]
(1 paper, 46 cm. x 56 cm.)


Engraving of a plan of Durham City including a drawing of Prebend's Bridge by J. Roper, from a drawing by G. Cole to accompany 'The Beauties of England and Wales', undated drawing printed on 1 December 1804 Scale: 1 inch to 100 feet [1 : 1200]
(1 plan, 25.5 cm. x 31.5 cm.)


Print of an engraving of assorted birds and insects printed by C. Finn Delin in London for Robert Sayer, print and map-seller, opposite Fetter Lane, Fleet Street, n.d. [1890s?]
(1 paper)


Postcard to Mr. Griffiths, Bradfo[?] Office, Knock[?], near Oswestry, from Clark and Company, engineers and founders, Rathbone Place, London, informing him that the shutters will be sent off next week, 27 February 1874
(1 card, 7 cm. x 12 cm.)


Postcard to Miss Ena Wilkes, Park House, Weybridge, from M[?], Villa Cabralles, Mentone, thanking her for sending a picture, 20 October 1892
(1 postcard)


Recipe book compiled by Mrs. Robinson, The Vicarage, Holme-on-Spalding-Moor, in aid of the church restoration fund, Holme-upon-Spalding-Moor, Yorkshire East Riding, September 1908
(1 booklet)

Miscellaneous Photographs (Ref: D/X 1039/44-48)

Studio portrait of unidentified young man, n.d.
(1 photograph, 13.5 cm. x 25 cm., sepia)


Photograph of an unidentified man, n.d.
(1 photograph, 30.5 cm. x 38 cm., black and white)


Unidentified photograph of workmen with a variety of hats, constructing a high pitched roof, 20 August 1903
(1 photograph, 17.5 cm. x 12 cm.)


Photograph of Eric Jackson and friend in front of a car at North Seaton, Newbiggin, Northumberland, 1930
(1 photograph, 4.5 cm. x 6.5 cm., black and white)


Photograph of a group of men and women in a charabanc, n.d. [c.1930]
(1 photograph, 13.5 cm. x 8.5 cm., black and white)