A transcript of trades and professions from the Universal British Directory of Trade, Commerce and Manufacture, Vol 2, late 1700s has
W Quint, cabinet-maker and ironmonger
The Dolbeares of Boston, by Edward Doubleday Harris Esq.
'The writer has in his possession several memorandum books and files of business papers formerly belonging to three Boston merchants, John Dolbeare, his son Benjamin, and Benjamin's son John. Among them, in the handwriting of Benjamin Dolbeare, is a copy of a letter written to John Dolbeare, ironmonger, of Ashburton, England, which throws some light on the early history of the family here. It runs as follows:
Boston, New England, 28th August 1772.....The New England historical and genealogical register, Vol 47, 1893, p24ff
See Pewterers, under Banks and Businesses, for more of this letter.
William Distin is a 20 year old ironmonger and plumber on the 1881 census, living with his parents William and Frances. William Snr., 44, also an ironmonger and plumber, was born in Totnes.1881 census RG11, Piece/Folio 2161/30, p16
William George Distin, an 'old and much respected tradesman', died suddenly in January 1895, aged 57.His wife, Frances Kitts, had died the previous April.
Totnes Weekly Times 26 January 1895, p6 col5
Totnes Weekly Times 28 April 1894, p3 col3
23 year old Horace Boon was a plumber and painter in the 1891 census. Married to Sophia and living in North Street, he had been born in Ivybridge.
By 1901 he was an ironmonger.
1891 census RG 12, piece no. 1698. folio 26, p15
1901 census RG13, piece no. 2053, folio 39, p9
The Brixham Western Guardian listed an Ashburton business directory in January 1903: on it were Ironmongers, W Distin, North Street, established 1860, and H Boon, North Street.
Brixham Western Guardian 29 January 1903, p6 col1
From Hazel Bray's account of Ashburton in the 1920s and 30s:
'Boon’s the hardware shop was a fascinating place for men to browse in.* Low ceilinged and dark, it supplied all the requirements for the handyman. Further up North Street was another hardware shop and another saddler’s shop.'
* This was almost certainly Horace Boon. On the 1921 census he was an ironmonger and painter in North Street. His wife Sophia assisted in the business; they had two children, both of whom had been born in Ashburton.
1921 census RG15, piece no. 10435, schedule 92
His funeral was reported in 1929 . Described as highly respected, he had been in business up until about 1926. A Wesleyan, he had been a Sunday school teacher and at one time a member of the Fire Brigade.
Western Times 3 May 1929 p10 col3
Sophia Boon, of 9, East End Terrace, died in March 1946. Aged 77, she had been in business with her late husband as ironmongers some years ago.
Brixham Western Guardian 14 March 1946, p3, col 5
