Queen Victoria's "visit" to Boston.

The highlight of the year 1851 for Bostonians was undoubtedly the "visit" of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. About the middle of August of that year it became known that the Queen would pass through the town towards the end of the month on her way to Scotland. The Town Council immediately applied for permission to testify to the "loyalty and affection to Her Majesty and her Royal Consort, either by presentation of a loyal and dutiful address or such other mode as may be deemed most desirable."

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

At first the request was refused but a second application pointing out that the Queen would not be delayed, "as the train must necessarily stay for at least five minutes," succeeded. The station was decorated with evergreens and banners  and a Mr. Lewin loaned all the timber necessary for the special platform.
On the day, rejoicing began at 12 o'clock when the Mayor (John Noble) gave a breakfast in the Assembly Rooms. At 3.30 the doors of the station were thrown open and those who had succeeded in getting tickets - about 2,000 in all - began to pour in and secure their places. When the train arrived , Lord John Russell alighted and made the introductions. The Queen received the address from the Mayor, standing at the door of her carriage, and she "was pleased to show herself to the people at the windows on both sides of her carriage." Albert however seems to have remained in the background.
The "visit" over, the train passed slowly toward the Grand Sluice and the day's festivities were brought to a close with a civic dinner at the Peacock Inn.

BOSTON ITEMS IN THE BRITISH MUSEUM.

Here are a few Boston items that are held in the British Museum in London.

Above and below: Boston Banknotes.

  

There have been a lot of watchmakers in Boston over the years. They put watch paper in the cases of the watches they sold, here are a few of their designs.

Below: A Trade card of  Bellamy, of the Peacock Inn (later called the Peacock and Royal).

Below: Tokens from Wilkinson & Wright & Co Boston and the Grand Sluice Iron Works.

And finally, 3 views of the Stump.

WORMGATE IN 1842 and 1854.

Mr. Victor Fox was born at 18 Wormgate in 1842.

He tells us that before the railways came to Boston in 1848 a lot of the trade with other places was done mainly by river navigation so many goods were landed near the Grand Sluice and brought into town through Wormgate making it a very busy street. He even remembered the grass growing between the pebbles in West Street while Wormgate flourished.

The chief business hotel down there was the Dog and Duck (later to become the Wormgate Inn and now Goodbarns Yard) and its smoke room was in much demand as a meeting place for the tradesmen from the Market Place. A bit further down the road the Packet House Inn was another favourite establishment.

Colley Street, one of the little lanes off Wormgate, was once the home of Tommy Howden who in his time was considered to be the best all round prize fighter in the locality. He was a lightweight and glaringly thin but although barely scaling ten stones he was a terror for many miles around. One of his memorable successes was against a giant of over six feet who answered to the name of Kiss Tebbs but who for all his length and breadth was brought down by the youthful Howden.

An unknown source left a description of Wormgate in 1854 from which I have been able to present the following.

Starting at the top end near the Stump where the present Vicarage stands was the Seven Stars Inn, the adjoining premises were occupied by Mr. Harvey a butcher and next came Miss Harvey a dressmaker.

The next building (now Goodbarns) was the Dog and Duck which in those days had the nickname of The Hotel Cecil and next door to that was Ernest Brown a bookbinder. The next place on the list is filled by Tom Ashby a baker and next to him was Miss Bucks Boarding School.

In quick succession now come Mr.Fox a dyer and shoemaker (Father of Mr. Victor Fox above), Mr. Fossett another baker, Mr. White a Tailor, Mr. Billiard a Butcher, Mr. Banks a shoemaker, Mr. Edward Spikins wood-turning workshop, Mr. Dring a shoemaker, Mrs. Harrison a sweet shop, James Reuten a barber, Mr. East a ropemaker, Mr. Fothergill a slater, Mr. John Baker a builder and paver, Mr. Massam a butcher and Mr. Wain a Tailor and General Dealer.

That side of the street finished we return to the Stump end and the opposite side where the Blenkin Memorial Hall is now.

The corner building was occupied by Mr. Atkin and next to him was Mrs. Swinn a confectioner known for her gingerbread and home made ginger ale. Next was Mr. Jay's Hat Emporium and next to him was Mr. Grantham a Tailor. A door further down was Mr. Ranyell a Joiner and Builder and then Mr. Julian a Butcher and Builder and at the Fountains Lane corner was Pickering's General Stores. On the opposite corner of Fountains Lane was Mr. Phillips a basketmaker. Next came in order of mention Messrs. Teesdale (tailor), Richardson (butcher), Peter Kitwood (grocer) John Peck (grocer and baker), Tuxford (watchmaker), The Packet House (Inn), Christopher Sewell (chemist), Edward Spikings (woodturner).

HERE IS COLLEY STREET.

At the opposite corner of Colley Street Sam Wells (carpenter), Milson (tailor), and Rainford (baker and miller)

HERE IS RED LION STREET

On the opposite corner of Red Lion Street was Miss Fox's high class boarding house and next door Mr. Harrison (brazier and tinker), the next property was taken up by the Laughton's Schools then Mr. Routen (painter) was next. The last few on the list are Mr. Barnes Milson (auctioneer and valuer), Chas. Kennigton (cabinet maker), and finally The Little Peacock Inn.

Sluice Bridge warehouse

This warehouse was built in the late 18^th. Century next to the Grand Sluice. It was broken up into four units and river craft stopped here and unloaded their goods instead of going through the lock.

For a number of years it was used by Beeson’s the glaziers (whose sign still remains there) and has now been converted into living accommodation with a bar/café at one end named The Jolly Sailor.

The warehouses in 2011.

Zeppelins

In January 1916, during the First World War, German Zeppelins appeared in the skies over Boston. The first raids went over without incident but on the night of September 2nd 1916 Zeppelin L23 dropped bombs on Boston for the first time.

Zeppelin L23.

Four bombs hit the town, with the one striking the Grand Sluice causing the most damage. One member of the lock-keepers family was killed and several more people injured. Boston was only bombed because the Zeppelin involved in the raid had intended to bomb London but was unable to find its target because of bad weather. In January 1917 four anti-aircraft guns were stationed in Boston for defence but although Zeppelins continued to pass over the town it was never bombed again.

Trains in Boston

Some old Boston railway pics.

A train in Boston Goods Yard, the man crouching on top of the engine near the funnel is Arthur Elston, his Grandaughter Ann kindly sent this picture to me. The wagon in front of the engine has Boston Deep Sea Fishing Company written on it.

The Railway Mission Hall stood in Fydell Crescent, it was demolished and Marriott's Motors built an extension to their garage on the site.This stone was saved and Marriott's had it built into their reception area.

An early picture of an engine heading toward the Grand Sluice.

An engine near the footbridge in Boston Station.

A passenger train in Boston Station.

Pleasure boats and Steamers

Boston Regatta, 1888.

A pleasure boat near the Grand Sluice.

Rowland's boat hire.

Boats near the Sluice.

Above and below, Boats on the River Witham.

Above and below, the steam ship "Boston".

The steam ship "Bulldog".

The "Privateer" going past the New Park Inn.