The Boot Family

John Boot 1801-1893

Mineral Surveyors of Hucknall-under-Huthwaite

John is the son of Eleazor and Rose Boot, and finding of a recorded delivery notice dated 21st September 1848 from Squire Dodsley to John Boot at Skegby Colliery may earliest indicate him running the family firm.

That unknown message is deduced from comparable timings as an alert for actual flooding of a working seam. Bad news for production, and another inherently dangerous concern for underground workers being pushed ever deeper into reaching richer coal deposits.

The difference in job titles held between father and son offers timely indication of the advancements made among local mining. When Eleazor first established himself as a Mining Agent, his role largely entailed managing and directing poorest paid labourers. Numerous older bell shafts peppered northern meadows spanning Huthwaite borders sited upon naturally exposed coal deposits. Unconcerned about basic mining methods or workers safety their evolving skills were primarily being employed for seeking more profitable seams.

Recognising John Boot with title Mineral Surveyor describes evolving services becoming widely sought. Some regional landowners had casually employed poorest tenants picking surface coals. Realising growing markets fed a fuel hungry industrial revolution, their lands held hidden potential for upping a private income. Deeper mining techniques began tapping this wealth, whilst surveyors professionally planned best access routes for siting investment into larger collieries.

The 1851 census for Hucknall-under-Huthwaite identfies John Boot with wife Anne heading a grown family. Including retired father Eleazor, their relocation here notes loss of mother Rose and youngest child named Alfred, although remaining blessed with three sons and two daughters. Eldest aged 31 is Eleazor John. A Clerk by occupation in his last listing at home before losing recorded knowledge of his future whereabouts.

Elder daughter Rose Anne when aged 18 is a teacher, quite possibly involved with the Wesleyan chapel schooling founded by grandfather Eleazor. She later marries into another locally established Hill family and more about that sucessful Huthwaite relationship can be found separately featured. Young Paulina weds also, but does retain household listing in the next 1861 census under married name of Berkham, when aged 23 and a School Mistress.

John Boot and Sons

John Boot was actually one enumerator for the 1861 Hucknall Huthwaite census. His two remaining sons are noted sharing professions as Land Agents, Surveyors and Mining Engineers who form the respected company called John Boot and Sons. Andrew David is the elder currently aged 31, although a fully qualified John Thomas achieves esteemed recognition promoting the business. Found wed with wife Harriette they've started a family, and closely living next door Eleazor makes him a great grandfather finally reaching fine old age of 85.

Whites 1864 commercial directory explains in the entry for Hucknall-under-Huthwaite how several deeper known coal seams remained elusive to older methods used at our original Hucknall colliery. John Boot and Sons do continue overseeing wider progressions through Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire. Lady Carnarvon of Teversal was among royalty owners to gain their services before they helped site plans for again privately sinking a modern and much larger New Hucknall colliery.

Whites 1864 directory for Hucknall-under-Huthwaite
John Boot - Mining engineer, mineral surveyor and land agent
John Thomas Boot - Land and mineral surveyor, Spring Cottage
Alfred Eley - Assistant mineral surveyor to Mr. Boot, Spring bank
William George Treadwell - Asst. surv. to Mr Boot, Spring Cottage

Note:- Alfred Boot Draper & John Boot Farmer are also listed but not as known relatives.

Additionally shown listed in the 1864 directory are names of Eley and Treadwell. Obviously assisting the company as employees under a newly housed John Thomas Boot who holds residential status addressing Spring Cottage. Reported concerning the Molyneux Colliery disaster proves how errors were sadly made.

The inquest highlights grave working conditions and unsafe practices commonly employed to the detriment of poorly paid underground labourers. Helpfully however it also confirms relationship of William G. Treadwell, being a brother-in-law of John Thomas through his marriage with Harriette. Critical allegations faced by John senior may be reason for finding his attention diverted into 1869 restorations upon the Wesleyan chapel, although it was originally founded and built by his father and both parents now lay buried in its grounds. But by 1874 the family business displayed full signs of success when newly addressing John Boot & Son in fine residence at The Orchards.