The Blacksmith
The smithy can be seen on the 1901 map, it was located not far from the Blue Bell, where Tesco's is now.
In the 1841 Census:
- Thomas Chapple 35, Blacksmith,
- Jane 25,
- Susan 10,
- Jane 5,
- William 4,
- Thomas 2,
- Alice 3 months
- Henry Twigg 15, Blacksmith Ap (apprentice?)
All of them were born in county.
In the 1847 Post Office Directory: Blacksmiths, Chappell T. Dogsthorpe, Peterborough.
In 1851 Census the Blacksmith was:
- Thomas Chappel 48, born in Dogsthorpe.
- Jane 38, wife, born Deepinggate.
- Betsey 23, daughter (from a previous marriage?)born in Dogsthorpe.
- Jane 16, daur, dressmaker, born in Dogsthorpe.
- Thomas 6, son, born in Dogsthorpe.
- Luke 4, son, born in Dogsthorpe.
- Henry 2, son, born in Dogsthorpe.
In the 1861 Census Thomas and Jane are still there, but now with just the 3 youngest children. Thomas 15 and Luke 13 are also Blacksmiths. Henry 11 is a scholar.
In the 1871 Census Thomas now 67 is still a Blacksmith. He has 3 visitors on the day of the census but no family members.
In the 1881 Census there is a new Blacksmith:
- Henry Bonner 46, born in Dogsthorpe.
- Elizabeth Ann Bonner 44, wife, born in Eye Green, Northants.
- Hephzibah Bonner14, born in Eye Green, Northants
- George Henry Bonner 10, born in Eye Green, Northants
- Ernest Chappell Bonner 3, born in Dogsthorpe.
- John G Good 16, Blacksmiths apprentice, born in Sheffield Yorks.
In the 1891 Census living at the Blacksmiths shop:
- Henry Bonner 56, Blacksmith General,
- Elizabeth Bonner 53,
- George H Bonner 20, Shoeing and general blacksmith
- Earnest Bonner 13, apprentice blacksmith.
However a few households the other side of the Bluebell Inn occupying a village shop, house and blacksmith:
- Arthur Gouldthorpe 34, Blacksmith, born in Melbourne Cambs
- Emily Gouldthorpe 45, wife, born in Melbourne Cambs
In the 1901 Census again 4 households before the Blue Bell:
- Arthur Gouldthorpe 34, Blacksmith, born in Melbourne Cambs
- Emily Gouldthorpe 45, wife, born in Melbourne Cambs
- James B Allen 42, boarder, engine fitter born in Godmanchester.
In 1901 the Bonners are no longer in the centre of Dogsthorpe. At 2 St Mary's Terrace, Walton, Peterborough:
- George Henry Bonner 30, Blacksmith
- Mary Jane Bonner 32, wife, born in Crowland
- William H Bonner 5, son, born in Peterborough
- George E Bonner 5 months, born in Walton
- Elizabeth A Bonner 63, widow, living on own means.
Elizabeth is a widow, telling us Henry has died in the last 10 years. George is a worker rather than an employer and he is not working from home.
In the 1911 Census Arthur Goldthorp 55, retired Blacksmith, was living in Garton End, with Emily 66, his wife of 33 years. They were living between the Chestnuts and Rose Cottage, at Peterborough end of Garton End Road.
In the 1911 Census
Harry Grainger b 1872 in Helmsley Yorks, is a Blacksmith in Dogsthorpe a few doors away from the Bluebell Inn. He is described at a shoeing and general smith, working on his own account. He lives with his wife Janet, 33 born in Winkton, Hants, and they have been married 10 years. They have 2 children Phyllis Rosellen Grainger 7 born in West Ham Essex, and Thomas Edward 3 months old born on Dogsthorpe. They also had one more child who had died.
This is a larger version of the picture above it was taken in 1958, when the blacksmith was a Mr Starling, helped by his son John.
From John Crunkhorns Memories of Dogsthorpe:
"The blacksmith that I knew was Mr Frank Starling and he lived at 74 Welland Rd. The blacksmith shop was a hive of activity with repairs to farm implements and shoeing horses being a never ending occupation. It was also the gathering place not only of the local youngsters but the 'senior' people of the village as well. Local information department you could say. I was fortunate on several occasions to be allowed to 'blow' the fire using the old bellows with its very worn handle. I can still remeber the smell of burning horses hooves as shoes were fitted."