Roger Fleming Tolson
- Born : c1855
- Christening :18 Feb 1855 at Crosthwaite, Cumberland,
- Marriage : October-December 1882
- Died : after 1898
Roger Fleming Tolson was born in 1884-1885, the son of William Tolson, a tailor in Ambleside, and his wife Agnes (nee Fleming). His uncle, John Fleming, was an architect in Ambleside. He attended St Bees Grammar school as a boarding pupil (1871 census) and by By 1881, age 26, he is recorded as ‘Architect and Surveyor in Practice’, living at 1, Priory, Broughton in Salford. Living with his two sisters, Dora E. (1858) and Fanny (1864). Both parents still living at Ambleside with John and another son, Joseph (1865). Roger Tolson married Ellen Mary Hunt in the autumn of 1882. They had three known children, Agnes Dora Tolson, born November 1883 and baptised at Manchester Cathedral, Roger William Warton Tolson born 1888 in Santiago and Ynes Tolson, born 1897 in Santiago.
R F Tolson was selected as one of the Conservative candidates for Kersal Ward in Salford Municipal Election held on I November 1886 but was unsuccessful. [Manchester Guardian 13 October 1886 page 5 – Municipal Elections] In 1887 Tolson suffered severe financial difficulties and “disappeared” in December 1887 leaving no assets. The Manchester Guardian reported the subsequent meeting of creditors –
MANCHESTER BANKRUPTCY COURT – A meeting of the creditors of Mr R F Tolson, architect, 8 South Parade, Deansgate, Manchester, formerly residing at Blackfield Lane, Higher Broughton was held at the offices of the Official Receiver in Bankruptcy. The Assistant Official Receiver said the debtor had not filed a statement of his affairs. He could not be found, and there appeared to be no assets. With regard to the debtor’s whereabouts, it was reported that he had gone to Tasmania, but a solicitor in Manchester said that he had gone to Chili (sic). The debtor had engaged a young man from whom he received £10 a year premium, and to whom he gave no wages. Two weeks before Christmas the young man received a week’s holiday, and on coming back he found the office empty, and a “To Let” ticket in the window. …. The debtor, we are informed, has had considerable dealings in property. The precise extent of his liabilities is not known. One of the bills sent is from the Manchester Carriage and Tramways Company, the claim for a number of hires, including “Brougham to theatre, 7s” [Manchester Guardian 25 January 1888 page 3]
Roger Tolson and his wife had indeed “disappeared” to Chile. Chilean records exist for the registration of his son in 1888 and christening of his daughter on 29 August 1897 at El Sagrario, Santiago, Chile. It is assumed that the Tolson family remained in Chile, never returning to England.
Address
1878 : Roger F Tolson 15 Barton House Deansgate Manchester
1886 : Roger F Tolson 15 Barton House Deansgate Manchester
1887 : 8 South Parade Deansgate
Residence
1861 : Parish of Ambleside below Stock (Census)
1871 : Whitehaven (Census)
1881 : Roger Tolson architect 1 The Priory, Higher Broughton (Census)
1883 : Roger Tolson architect 1 The Priory Higher Broughton (Slater)
1886 : “The Bungalow” 14 Blackfield Lane, Kersal, Salford
1887 : Blackfield Lane Higher Broughton, Salford
1888-1898 : Santiago, Chile
Reference : Information from Beryl Patten