Science Museum Group | Details | Diary of John Watson, London & Greenwich Railway Co

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Actions	Diary of John Watson, London & Greenwich Railway Co Remove from selection Add to selection TitleDiary of John Watson, London & Greenwich Railway Co ReferenceWATS CreatorWatson, John 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. Date 1840-1846 Scope and ContentPrivate 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. Extent1 volume Physical descriptionFair condition, some loose pages. LanguageEnglish Archival historyDonated to the NRM in the 1970s by a private donor, the diary was passed down the family. Levelfonds Repository nameNational Railway Museum, York Associated people and organisationsLondon & Greenwich Railway Co 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. SubjectRailway accidents, Railways, Genealogy, Family, Police Conditions governing accessAccess is given in accordance with the NRM access policy. Material from this collection is available to researchers through Search Engine Conditions governing ReproductionCopies may be supplied of items in the collection, provided that the copying process used does not damage the item or is not detrimental to its preservation. Copies will be supplied in accordance with the NRM’s terms and conditions for the supply and reproduction of copies, and the provisions of any relevant copyright legislation

TitleDiary of John Watson, London & Greenwich Railway Co

ReferenceWATS

Date

1840-1846

Scope and ContentPrivate 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.

Extent1 volume

Physical descriptionFair condition, some loose pages.

LanguageEnglish

Archival historyDonated to the NRM in the 1970s by a private donor, the diary was passed down the family.

Levelfonds

Repository nameNational Railway Museum, York

Associated people and organisationsLondon & Greenwich Railway Co

SubjectRailway accidents, Railways, Genealogy, Family, Police

Conditions governing accessAccess is given in accordance with the NRM access policy. Material from this collection is available to researchers through Search Engine

Conditions governing ReproductionCopies may be supplied of items in the collection, provided that the copying process used does not damage the item or is not detrimental to its preservation. Copies will be supplied in accordance with the NRM’s terms and conditions for the supply and reproduction of copies, and the provisions of any relevant copyright legislation