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Creator

Watson, John Biography Biography
John Watson was born in Deptford in 1816. According to his diary he entered the service of the London & Greenwich Railway Company (L&GRC) in March 1835 and was employed as a police constable in June 1835. According to L&GRC board records he was discharged 24 August 1838 and employed as a fireman 19 March 1839. 1841 census records describe him as an ‘engineer ‘and again as an ‘Engine Driver’ in 1851. He was married to Maria Lewis in Greenwich Old church in 1836, they had eight children; Maria (1816-1819), Thomas Charles (1836-1838), John Edward (1837-1838), Maria Eliza (1838-?), Sarah Lewis (1841-?), Emma (1843-?), Mary Ann Amelia (1844-?), George Edward (1847-1915) and John Robert (1854). The 1861 census describes him as an Inn Keeper of the Angel Inn, Harbour Quay, Harwich. He died in Tendring, Essex aged 46.

Scope and Content
Private diary of John Watson police constable, fireman and possibly driver with the London and Greenwich Railway Company (L&GRC). Describes Watson’s work on the railway London 1840-1846. In the diary Watson describes working conditions, shift patterns and wages, he names members of staff working with him and company officials such as company secretary, George Mackay Miller. He describes engines working on the line and their numbers, lists over 50 accidents. He details notable events such as the fire at the Tower of London, opening of the Thames Tunnel and public hangings. The diary also contains information about John Watson’s private life about his wife and children, an amicable society he was involved with, the weather, fights with other men and an incident where he was assaulted by a policeman.
Extent
1 volume
Physical description
Fair condition, some loose pages.
Language
English
Archival history
Donated to the NRM in the 1970s by a private donor, the diary was passed down the family.
Level of description
TOP
Repository name
National Railway Museum, York

Associated people and organisations

London & Greenwich Railway Co Biography Biography
The London & Greenwich Railway Co (L&GRC) was formed on 17 May 1833, the line opened formally on 14 December 1836. The L&GCR was the first steam railway to enter London and the first railway to be built specifically for passengers. The line was the first elevated railway and was built on a series of brick arches, it was initially only 3.75 miles long between London and Greenwich. There were four stations on the original L&CR, London Bridge Station on Tooley Street, Greenwich and the intermediate stations on Spa Road and Deptford. The first Secretary and subsequently managing director was George Walter and the Company Engineer was Lieutenant Colonel G.T. Landmann. In 1845 the line was leased to the South East Railway for 999 years. The L&GRC was dissolved and amalgamated with the Southern Railway in 1923.

Subject
Railway accidents
Railways
Genealogy
Family
Police
Conditions governing access
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Conditions governing Reproduction
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