John Bolton
A Nottinghamshire man who came to Keswick as servant to Joseph Pocklington. Living and working at Barrow House overlooking Derwent Water for something like 25 years, he married Frances Etches at Norwell, a chapelry in the Parish of Carlton on Trent in 1779. They had two daughters, Sarah, baptised 1780 at Newark, and Ann, baptised 1786 at Crosthwaite. The family plot is in the churchyard at Crosthwaite (St Kentigern), Keswick, the inscription on the headstone is most informative and reads as follows:
Sacred to the memory of John Boulton (Servant to Joseph Pocklington Esq. of Muskham House in Nottinghamshire and of Barrow House near Keswick). He departed this life at Barrow House on the 20th day of August 1811 in the 67th year of his age having confidentially and faithfully served his above master 46 years. He was a man much esteemed as a husband, a friend and an exemplary Christian.
Also of Frances Boulton, widow of the above John Boulton who departed this life on the 1st day of April 1824 in the 68th year of her age.
Also of Sarah Simpson, daughter of the above John and Frances Boulton and wife of Robert Simpson who departed this life at Keswick July 1st 1828 aged 48 years.
Also of Ann daughter of the above named John and Frances Boulton and wife of Robert Proddow formerly of Stair near Keswick who departed this life at Galgate near Lancaster Nov 22nd 1854 aged 69 years.
Joseph Pocklington originated from Newark in Nottinghamshire, he was a banker by trade but also something of an amateur architect. A rich man's hobby? He was credited with designing his own mansion, Muskham House in North Muskham, Notts in 1793. 'Lord Pocky' as he was popularly known, also owned property and land in Cumberland, he bought Vicar's Island on Derwent Water, renamed it Pocklington's Island and was responsible for the spectacular annual regattas. It is said he was a larger than life character and "a man of ebullient fancy, restraint was unknown to him." On his island he built several picturesque extravaganzas, including a mock Druids Circle. It was for his regattas though that Lord Pocky was celebrated, they were very popular with the early tourists to what we now call the Lake District. "Mock battles during which lively cannonades took place, stirring salvoes of echoes across the water and among the mountains. Firework displays, equally splendid for rousing echoes, as well as being visually exciting, concluded the celebrations after sundown." Wish I'd been there!