Miscellaneous documents
Reference: D/X 1307 Catalogue Title: Miscellaneous documents Area: Catalogue Category: Other Records Description: John Robert Watson of Stanley and Annfield Plain, saddlery, garage and hardware business
Covering Dates: 1909-1942
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- Miscellaneous documents
Catalogue Description
Records of J. R. Watson of Stanley and Annfield Plain, saddlers and garage owners, given15 February 2001 Acc: 2733(D)
20 March 2001 Acc: 2738(D)
Papers of John Robert Watson (died 1942)
John Robert Watson opened his saddlery and hardware shop at 16 Front Street, Stanley, in 1896. The shop continued on Front Street until 1930, when it moved to Beamish Street, where Watson had started a motor garage before 1922. The business had contracts to supply and maintain the harnesses of the pit ponies which worked in the local collieries. The garage was sold in 1961 and the shop closed as a saddlery and hardware shop in 1965/66.
The family also had a saddlery shop at Annfield Plan which started between 1902 and 1910 and ceased between 1921 and 1925.
John Watson was interested in model-making, especially trains and pit winding engines, and was a member of the West Stanley Campers group which met in the attic of the Front Street shop.
John Watson married Mary Ann Harland, referred to in his diaries as 'Mrs. W.', who died in 1940, and they had three children, Ernest, 'Ernie', 1896 - 1960; Sarah Ann, 'Sadie', 1901 - 1982; and Freda, 1911 - 2000.