John William BO(U)LTON (1844- 1929)

Life story retold by Heather Bonney

John was born in Devizes on 1st July 1844 and died on 29th May 1929 at 97 Castle Street, Reading (his daughter’s house). He was a painter and decorator. I attach a photo of him with his daughter, Emma Frances Boulton/Bonney and his granddaughter (Emma’s daughter), Frances May holding her son.

The only story I can think of at present relates to Sydney Denis West (the baby) held by Frances May. He was disabled but, according to my auntie, was apparently fine until he had the smallpox vaccination. He was their only child. I don’t know how true this is.

A family photo. In the middle standing up an older gentleman in a suit with a tie. He is smiling. He has little hair on his head and a white beard.
On his left sitting down his wife wearing a black high collar dress. On his right sitting down a younger woman with a white blouse holding a baby that seems to be wearing a white dress.

John married Martha Sansum.

In this family photo John is sitting in the middle. The little girl on his lap is my great aunt, Gladys Vera Bonney (daughter of Edward James Bonney), born 10th September 1907 who died in 1997.

Family photo: 3 adults sitting at the front. On the left a wmoan with black dress, in the middle an older man with white beard. On his lap a little girl with pig tails and on the right a middle-aged man with a moustache, a suit, a waistcoat and pocket watch.
At the back standing up: a younger woman with her arm on the woman sitting at the front, a young boy (teenager?) in the middle and another young woman in a white high collar blouse to the right.

He died of “old age”. He is buried with his wife, their son Tom and daughter Emma Frances, their son-in-law Edward James Bonney and their granddaughter(Emma’s daughter), Julia Ellen.

Buried in Section 40, Grave 6763 [Row I, Number 16]