Old Boatmen Families
Bobby Osborn
Bobby Osborn
Imformation supplied compliments
of Paul Osborn
Bobby Osborn was born in Deal in 1850 and lived all of his life in the town, working firstly as a 'waterman' and later as a fishmonger, selling his wares from the handcart he pushed around the streets.
The Deal watermen took not just water, but other victuals and supplies out to the boats anchored off the Goodwin Sands in an area known as The Downs. The strong suggestion is that many of the watermen returned with various items of contraband that went on to form a lucrative trade or provide a few luxury items for the people of Deal. Whether Bobby engaged in this activity is unknown, although it is known that he was a highly puritanical individual and may therefore have frowned on these illegal activities.
Bobby's change of trade from waterman to fishmonger may have resulted from the increasing age and subsequent death in 1907 of his father-in-law John 'Fiddler' Beney who was also a fish-monger in later life as well as being the fiddle player in Skardon's band.
Bobby would push a hand-cart around Deal with his cries of "Rye Bay Plaice" and "Dover Sole" ringing out around the town. It was said that on a still evening, these cries could be heard as far away as the South Foreland lightship!
The Harris Family
from Coppin Street. Deal.Kent
Togo Harris comes from an old established Deal Family and his wife Kirkby , who was originally from Fife in Scotland came to Deal as a schoolgirl,, she worked for Mr Charles Collins, proprietor of Deal's first cinema, the Marina Picture Hall. Getting married on november 28th 1931 they resided in Lantern Cottage, No 7 Copping Street, where they raised their family of four sons Terry; Alistair, George,?
Togo having taken part in many convoys during the war also aided the D Day landings, taking in the Mulberry Harbour. After the war Togo had boats built and they were situated on Deal beach, the Kirkby was stationed opposite Coppin Street, and in the mid 1950's was later moved up near the Royal Hotel
Terry Harris one of Togo's sons, was, like many of us, raised up on the beach, and followed the sea line, obtaining his boatman's licence at a young age. Togo had the Four Brothers built at Bob Abel's boat yard in Middle street, Being mainly boatmen that earned their living taking out angling parties Togo and Terry were common characters on the beach, the like of which will never been seen again.
Terry took on many adventures in his career, he was on the Walmer lifeboat serving with Harry Brown and was renowned for his excellent seamen's skills, like others before him he launched to many casualties and rescued lots of souls from disaster on the Goodwin sands. His career was wide and varied and he held many certificates to do with work at sea. Stories which we could talk about for hours.
Left Terry Harris and his mum Kirkby
I would like to thank
Kerry Harris
for the family pictures
The Harris Family were
great Characters who
Lived in
Lantern Cottage
7 Coppin Street
Deal
Right- Alistaire -Terry
Mum Kirkby
and Dad Togo Harris
Picture Of Terry Harris with the Kirkby situated at the top of Oak Street circa late 1950's
Terry Harris
A well liked and well known Deal Boatman
who sadly died a tragic death in Dover harbour in the 1970's
Terry Harris and Harry Brown
aboard the Walmer Lifeboat Hampshire Rose
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Togo Harris in the Four Brothers
Circa 1950's
Terry Harris left top- ? - Wilf Wilmington right
bottom left Freddie Marchant - Ginger Riley
all held Boatmens licenses
The Newton Family
from Deal.Kent
A Deal family that were Boatmen for generations
And Emigrated to New Zealand
The history of the Newton family has been sent to me by James Newton's great, great, great grandson, Robin Newton, who originates from New Zealand, but now lives in Perth Canada and gives a short insight into the Newton Family that lived for many generations behind the old Fountain inn Deal, Kent. From 1851 they lived in number 5 and 7 Beach Street Deal. Not allot of information is available about their exploits in Deal, but there is a short description of their later times described here.
James Newton was a Deal Boatman, and had 11 children. Five sons and six Girls, all survived to adulthood. The three oldest sons drowned at sea in the 1850's whilst going to the aid of a ship off Walmer in 1848.
James Newton also drowned in a shipping accident off Walmer Castle on November 3rd 1855. Later his wife Jemma was interred with him, then his daughter Martha Ann.
The two youngest sons with their young families emigrated to Lyttleton, New Zealand, accepting assisted passages on the ship "Mystery" in December 1858.
Edward James name appears on a Dept list of the "Mystery" as Balance, December 10th 1858 up to September 30th 1872 £34/-/- , it is classified as a doubtful debt. a Boatman with a very large family to support.
John Henry (Snr) 1826 - 1918. born in Deal. Kent. and arriving in Lyttleton, New Zealand in 1859. John resided at 41 Exeter Street, Lyttleton NZ. He was the last of the boatmen from Deal who came to Lyttleton to enter pilot service, and he served in the capacity of pilot until the pilot station was shifted to the Lyttleton Heads. He then followed the occupation of waterman and fisherman until his 75th year when he retired, He left 5 sons one who resides in Belfast, one in Lyttleton, and another in Wellington, two are employed in the postal service and telegraph service at Christchurch. He is also survived by two daughters who reside at the port and by 28 grand children and 45 great grandchildren John Newton was buried on 12th August 1918 age 93
Two of the Newton daughters are recorded as living in the Almshouses with their husbands in the 1891 census
Family History by Stephen Holbourn
Stephen has written down some of the history of his family the Newton famils and several other families A very interesting article if you are releted in history to these old families
4 Generations of the Newton Family
Seated - right - John Henry Newton 1826 - 1918. (He was the brother of Edward Prebble Newton)
Standing - Back - Issac Samual Newton. 1855 - 1921. (3rd child and 2nd son of John Henry Newton)
Seated - Left - William Bertie Newton. 1888 - 19? (1st child and elder son of Issac Samual Newton)
Baby - Stanley William Newton. 1914 - ? (1st child of William Bertie Newton)
Photograph take in 1915 possibly 31st January the date of Stanley's christening, by hillsdon,
Littleton. New Zealand
Story and pictures compliment of Pam Newton
The Budd Family
from Coppin Street. Deal.Kent
Johnny Budd was a prevalent character on Deal beach, with a family history of being old boat owners and boatmen. Living in Coppin Street the Budd's along with the Harris family were very well know,.
Young Billy-John- & old John.
Jack Budd was born on 4th August 18666 and had boats back on Deal beach in the 1800's and like many of the old Boatmen, he served the community respectfully with many rescues being made on and around the Goodwin Sands.
Johnny Budd was a prevalent character on Deal beach, with a family history of being old boat owners and boatmen. Living in Coppin Street the Budd's along with the Harris family were very well know,.
Raising a Family in Coppin Street they could always be seen around the area. And the Britannic was a popular boat stationed opposite Broad Street she was always busy taking trippers around the downs or out to the Goodwin Sands where many wrecks could be seen.
Pictures compliments of Billy Budd
See the story of the Budd family and many pictures
on my Youtube channel
John & George Budd & Eliza & Bill Casse
Johnny And George Budd late 1950.
Derek Budd died on the Jubillee way
on his motorbike
Jack- John- George Budd.
"Gustus" Jack Budd
Phyllis-Sheila-Kath Budd and friends
another part of Coppin Street, Deal
See more pictures of the Budd family on the Boatmen's Page
and their family video on my Youtube Channel
The Sutton Family
Kingsdown
Picture of the family of George William Sutton
taken in 1909.
Members of the Sutton Family dating 1841 to 1881 were
James R Sutton - age 55 years in 1871 - John G Sutton - age 71 years in 1881
Stephen Sutton - age 20 years in 1841 - George W Sutton - age 58 years in 1881
Thomas Sutton - age 53 years in 1861 - Daniel F Sutton - age 38 years in 1871
Stephen J Sutton -age 19 years in 1861 - Jarvis R Sutton - age 22 years in 1861
William G Sutton - age 24 years in 1871 - Henry P Sutton - age 37 years in 1871
Frederick Sutton - age 33 years in 1881 - William Sutton - age 16 years in 1871
Stephen Sutton - age 43 years in 1881 - George Sutton - age 21 years in 1871
Alfred G Sutton -age 29 years in 1881 - William C Sutton - age 24 years in 1881
James Sutton - age 39 years in 1881 - William W Sutton - age 24 years in 1881
James W Sutton - age 18 years in 1881 - Rundall Sutton - age 23 years in 1881
These were Kingsdown Mariners and descended from
Stephen Sutton 1774 -1837 who was himself a mariner.
Many of the Suttons were Lifeboatmen including William Sutton who was coxswain when the Kingsdown Lifeboat station closed in January 1927
Albert Edward Wood & two brothers
Central Parade early 1900's
James Tailor Wratten's 'Little Charm'
a Cat Boat, opposite Adelaide House