1785-01-04 | b. Hebblethwaite Hall, Sedbergh, Yorkshire; named after his maternal great-grandfather, who was still alive | TNA: RG 6/1073, /1074; Myles Birket Foster sr, 'Memoir of Robert Foster', Ms, family papers in possession of Michael Richardson; Joseph Foster (1873) Pedigrees of Lancashire Families. London |
educated at John Hall's, school, Newton in Bolland | source misplaced | |
1799-11-09 | rode beside his father on the same horse rode next the coffin, at his grandmother's funeral | Myles Birket Foster sr, 'Memoir of Robert Foster' |
1807-08 | present at Joseph Taylor's marriage at Penrith | Philip Spence (1939) Robert and Mary Spence of North Shields. Newcastle upon Tyne, privately printed, p. 31 |
mid 1809-05 | went on a visit to London, with his father, in quest of a possible position; they stayed principally at Bromley, where his father was confined by illness for a few days | Myles Birket Foster sr, 'Memoir of Robert Foster' |
mid 1809-06 | moved on to Bristol, staying a few days with George and Hannah Fisher at Hillside; then visited their cousins Samuel and Rachel Lloyd at Birmingham, followed by a night in Liverpool, before reaching home again on the 28th June | |
1809/1810 | in banking department, Procter and Spence, Shields | |
before 1811 | believed to have been engaged to Elizabeth Cutforth (1785 – ?, d. of Thomas and Alice (Thistlethwaite) Cutforth), "but a misunderstanding parted them" | Bernard Thistlethwaite (1910) The Thistlethwaite Family |
1811-04-11 | timber merchant, of North Shields; m. Ann King (1790–1884, d. of Joseph and Mary King of Newcastle), at Newcastle-upon-Tyne Friends' meeting house | RG 6/202, /527; digest of Durham Quaker marriages: index; Myles Birket Foster sr, 'Memoir of Robert Foster'; Oxford Dictionary of National Biography |
Children: | Robert (1812–1898), Joseph (1813–1859 [whose son was was Joseph Foster, 1844–1905, genealogist and antiquary—see Oxford Dictionary of National Biography], Dodshon (1816–1876), John Harrison (1818–1905), Mary (1821–1906), Myles Birket (Myles Birket Foster, RA, 1825–1899—see Oxford DNB), James (1830–1832) | Annual Monitor; censuses; Joseph Foster (1871) Pedigree of the Forsters and Fosters of the North of England. privately printed; Foster (1873); Old York Scholars' Association (1971) Bootham School Register. London: Oyez Press; Oxford Dictionary of National Biography; National Probate Calendar |
1812/1821 | timber merchant, of Newcastle upon Tyne | digest of Durham Quaker births: index; Edward H. Milligan (2007) Biographical Dictionary of British Quakers in Commerce and Industry 1775–1920. York: Sessions Book Trust |
of North Shields, Northumberland | Foster (1873) | |
before 1821 | received his share of his father's estate, in the latter's lifetime | Durham Probate Records DPRI/1/1827/F9 |
1827-08-25 | co-executor of his father's will | |
1829 | Established the firm of M.B. Foster & Sons Ltd. At the request of Mr Michael Thomas Bass as an experiment he undertook the bottling of a barrel of Bass's India Pale Ale. This was the start of a long association with the brewery. Bottles not only bore the Bass label, but also the Bugle Brand label, derived from the Fo(r)ster coat of arms. | A2A; Reynolds (1984) |
1829 | moved to London, with wife and children; his business first established in premises at 87 Wimpole Street, London | Jan Reynolds (1984) Birket Foster. London: Batsford |
founder of the bottling firm M.B. Foster & Sons, of London, which became the largest firm of bottlers in the world | Oxford Dictionary of National Biography | |
1830 | of Aberdeen Place, Maida Hill, London | Digest of London & Middlesex Quaker Births: Index; Reynolds (1984) |
1832 | business moved to Queen's Bazaar, Oxford Street (later the site of Woolworth's) | Reynolds (1984) |
1838-02-22 | of Castle-street, Oxford-street; a London bottling agent for Guinness's Stout | Morning Advertiser, 1838-02-22 |
1841 | porter merchant, of Charlotte St, St Marylebone, Middlesex, living with his family, nephew, and two female servants | TNA: HO 107/675/1 f13 p18 |
1841 | holidayed in Scotland | Reynolds (1984) |
1844 | of 4 Stranraer Place, Maida Hill, London | |
1849-03-07 | of Castle-street, Oxford-street; a London bottling agent for Guinness's Stout | Morning Advertiser |
1850 | gentleman | child's marriage certificate |
1851 | retired porter merchant, of 14 Carlton Hill West, St Marylebone, London, living with his wife, daughter, a housemaid and a cook, with two visitors | HO 107/1491 f429 p55 |
1852 | of Carlton-hill, St John's-wood | Morning Post, 1852-06-25 |
1860 | of 12 Carlton hill, St John's wood, London N.W. | Post Office Directory |
1861-01-21 | of 12 Carlton Hill, St John's Wood, London; d. there | Myles Birket Foster sr, 'Memoir of Robert Foster'; National Probate Calendar; Morning Post, 1861-01-24; GRO index; Reynolds (1984) |
"He was a gentleman of much amiability of character, and was beloved by young and old within the circle of his acquaintance." | Newcastle Daily Chronicle, 1861-01-3 | |
1861-03-28 | late of 12 Carlton-hill, St John's Wood; will proved at the Principal Registry by son Dodshon Foster, an executor; effects under £200 | National Probate Calendar |
1862-10 | will resworn at the Stamp Office; under £3000 | |
1929 | The History of M.B. Foster and Sons Ltd: The Greatest Bottlers of Bass and Guinness in the World issued by the firm for its centenary; copy in Marylebone Library, London NW1 | Reynolds (1984) |
1786-03-07 | b. Hebblethwaite Hall, Cantley, Sedbergh, Yorkshire | TNA: RG 6/1073, /1074; Myles Birket Foster sr, 'Memoir of Robert Foster', Ms, family papers in possession of Michael Richardson |
1790-05-30 | d. of smallpox, at his grandfather's, Lancaster | Myles Birket Foster sr, 'Memoir of Robert Foster'; RG 6/590, /807, /821, /168B |
1790-06-01 | bur. Lancaster Friends' burying-ground | RG 6/590, /807, /821, /168B |
1787-08-28 | b. Hebblethwaite Hall, Sedbergh, Yorkshire | TNA: RG 6/1073, /1074; Myles Birket Foster sr, 'Memoir of Robert Foster', Ms, family papers in possession of Michael Richardson |
1805 | apprentice with Bragg & Rooke of Newcastle | Philip Spence (1939) Robert and Mary Spence of North Shields. Newcastle upon Tyne, privately printed, p. 29 |
1809 | warehouseman of Bristol, in partnership with Geo: Fisher Jnr | Myles Birket Foster sr, 'Memoir of Robert Foster' |
1823-05-14 | stockbroker, of Corbet Court, Gracechurch Street, London; m. Rachel Foster (1788–1862), at Barking Friends' meeting house, Essex | RG 6/538, /1157; Myles Birket Foster sr, 'Memoir of Robert Foster''; Edward H. Milligan (2007) Biographical Dictionary of British Quakers in Commerce and Industry 1775–1920. York: Sessions Book Trust |
1825 | co-founder of stockbroking firm of Foster and Janson | AIM25 |
1830 | after Janson's death, joined by Isaac Braithwaite | |
1825/1855 | stockbroker, Foster & Braithwaite | RG 6/1157 |
1833 | firm renamed Foster and Braithwaite | AIM25 |
1834-08-14 |
8 mo. 14. 1834. Jas. & Rachel Foster—Robert & Mary Spence—Elizabeth Foster Spence & Rachel Spence left for Edinbro. 8.16 by sea from Leith to Aberdeen. 18 General Meeting for Scotland, left for Urie Stonehaven. 19 Perth to Dunkeld. 20th Pass of Killicrankie, Taymouth & Killeen. 21st Trossachs, Loch Katrine, Callender to Stirling. 22 return to Edinbro & 23 home by Berwick a most delightful excursion. |
Journal of Robert Spence |
1837 | gentleman, of Stamford-hill; subscribed £4000 towards the London and Brighton Railway | House of Commons Papers |
1841 | stock broker, living with his wife and two female servants in Stamford Hill, St John Hackney, Middlesex | TNA: HO 107/700/13 f33 p14 |
1844-03-23 | of Stamford Hill; £2500 shareholder in the Lancaster & Carlisle Railway | Carlisle Journal |
1851 | stock broker, of Stamford Hill, St John Hackney, London, living with his wife, footman, cook, ladies maid, and house maid | HO 107/1503 f312 p16 |
about 1853 | had a summer house at Shorncliffe Lodge,
Sandgate, Kent. Robert Spence Watson and his sister Lucy spent a
fortnight there. I remember we went once to Archdeacon Croft's grounds to eat strawberries and cream, and we partook heartily of them; and then Lady Betty [Boyle] got me to pull James Foster over on his back and we rolled him about on the grass. The grass was covered with small, white slugs and when he got up they adhered to his back, and Lady Betty declared that he had eaten so many strawberries and cream that the cream had come out at his back. |
Robert Spence Watson (1969) Reminiscences of the late Rt Hon. Robert Spence Watson. York, privately printed, p. 9 |
before 1855 | a well-known member of the Stock Exchange | Newcastle Journal, 1861-01-24 |
1855 | retired | AIM25 |
1861-01-20 | of Stamford Hill and Sandgate; d. Stamford Hill, north London | National Probate Calendar; Milligan (2007); GRO index; Newcastle Journal, 1861-01-24 |
On the same day, Mr. James Foster, of Stamford Hill and Sandgate, who, before he retired fro business after accumulating a large fortune, was a well-known member of the Stock Exchange [ . . . ] |
Newcastle Daily Chronicle, 1861-01-23 | |
1861-02-21 | late of Stamford-hill, Middlesex, and of Shorncliff Lodge, Sandgate, Kent; will proved at the Principal Registry by Robert and William Benson, executors; effects under £120,000 | National Probate Calendar |
1788-12-23 | b. Hebblethwaite Hall, Sedbergh, Yorkshire | TNA: RG 6/1073, /1074; Myles Birket Foster sr, 'Memoir of Robert Foster', Ms, family papers in possession of Michael Richardson |
1804-07 | assistant to Joseph Procter, linen and woollen draper of North Shields | Journal of Robert Spence |
1805 | living with Joseph Procter and Robert Spence, in North Shields | |
soap boiler; partner with Anthony Clapham in soapmaking business; of Ouse Burn, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland | Myles Birket Foster sr, 'Memoir of Robert Foster' | |
c. 1813 | had become a partner with Anthony Clapham in the soap making business; went to reside with his father | RSW in John William Steel (1899) A Historical Sketch of the Society of Friends 'in Scorn called Quakers' in Newcastle & Gateshead 1653-1898. London & Newcastle, Headley Bros.; sale poster; Frankland; Myles B. Foster (1860): Ms Memoir of Robert Foster; extracts from deeds, in possession of current owner of Sarthwaite (2003); list of removals, and testimonies & certificates 1812–1820, Tyne & Wear Archives Service MF 168 & 188 |
1818-04-28 | soap manufacturer, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne | Leeds Mercury, 1818-05-23 |
1818-12-01 | soap boiler, of Newcastle; d. of typhus fever, at Northumberland Street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne | RG 6/228, /778; Myles Birket Foster sr, 'Memoir of Robert Foster' |
At Newcastle-upon-Tyne, on Monday last, aged 30, Mr. John Foster, soap boiler, one of the Society of Friends, son of Mr. Robert Foster, of Hebblethwaite Hall, Yorkshire. |
Westmorland Advertiser and Kendal Chronicle, 1818-12-05 | |
On the 1st of 12th mo. 1818 died my Brother in law John Foster, the dearest friend I ever had & his loss to me seems irreparable . . . . . . and in many of the most important movements of my life I was greatly indebted to his judicious counsel in forming my decisions;—in reference to one especially, that took place on the first of the eighth month of this year, a copartnership with Edwd. and Wm. Chapman as Bankers at Shields under the designation of the North and South Shields Bank, had it not been for his decided judgement in favour of the project, I should not have dared to embark in it—and it has proved one of the happiest events of my life and of great importance to my family. The loss to my father in law is one of the severest description living under the same roof and leaning upon him for comfort in his declining years. |
Journal of Robert Spence | |
1818-12-03 | bur. Newcastle-upon-Tyne fbg | RG 6/228, /778 |
1788-12-23 | b. Hebblethwaite Hall, Sedbergh, Yorkshire | TNA: RG 6/1073, /1074; Myles Birket Foster sr, 'Memoir of Robert Foster', Ms, family papers in possession of Michael Richardson; Annual Monitor |
1799-11-09 | rode in a post chaise behind the coffin, at her grandmother's funeral | Myles Birket Foster sr, 'Memoir of Robert Foster' |
1802 | of Hebblethwaite Hall; at Trinity Lane school, York | The Mount School, York. List of Teachers and Scholars 1784-1816, 1831-1906 (1906) York: Sessions |
1808-08 | visited her brothers at Shields & Newcastle | Philip Spence (1939) Robert and Mary Spence of North Shields. Newcastle upon Tyne, privately printed, p. 31 |
1809-09-27 | m. Anthony Clapham (1778–1852, druggist and soap manufacturer), at Brigflatts fmh, Yorkshire | RG 6/710, /851; Myles Birket Foster sr, 'Memoir of Robert Foster'; York Herald, 1809-10-07; Edward H. Milligan (2007) Biographical Dictionary of British Quakers in Commerce and Industry 1775–1920. York: Sessions Book Trust |
Lately, at the Friends' meeting-house, at Brigflatts, Mr. Anthony Clapham, jun. of Newcastle, chymist, to Miss Elizabeth Foster, eldest daughter of Mr. Robert Foster, of Hebblethwaite Hall, Sedbergh, in this county. |
York Herald, 1809-10-07 | |
Children: | Anthony (1812–1814), Mary (1813–1896), Anthony (1815–1881), Elizabeth (1818–1847), John Foster (1819–1875), Robert Calvert (1823–1881), James (1825–1871), Henry (1827–1883), and Anna Maria (1831–1913) | Annual Monitor; GRO index; censuses; Joseph Foster (1871) Pedigree of the Forsters and Fosters of the North of England. privately printed; Sandys B. Foster (1890) Pedigrees of Wilson of High Wray & Kendal and the families connected with them. London |
1841 | of Friars Grove, Gateshead, living with his family, his clerk, and two female servants | TNA: HO 107/296/13 f9 p12 |
1851 | of 10 Summer Hill Terrace, Westgate, Newcastle, Northumberland, living with family and two house servants | HO 107/2404 f467 p53 |
1857-02-16 | of Newcastle-on-Tyne; d. Summerhill Grove, Newcastle | Annual Monitor; Foster (1890); GRO index; Gateshead Observer, 1857-02-21 |
delivered | Myles Birket Foster sr, 'Memoir of Robert Foster', Ms, family papers in possession of Michael Richardson |
1794-05-09 | b. Hebblethwaite Hall, Sedbergh, Yorkshire | TNA: RG 6/1073, /1074 |
1797-10-26 | d. of hydrocephalus | RG 6/731; Myles Birket Foster sr, 'Memoir of Robert Foster', Ms, family papers in possession of Michael Richardson |
1797-10-29 | bur. Brigflatts Friends' burying-ground | RG 6/731 |
1796-05-11 | b. Hebblethwaite Hall, Sedbergh, Yorkshire | TNA: RG 6/730, /1142 |
1799-03-03 | of Hebblethwaite Hall; d. of hydrocephalus | RG 6/731, /1143; Myles Birket Foster sr, 'Memoir of Robert Foster', Ms, family papers in possession of Michael Richardson |
1799-03-06 | bur. Brigflatts Friends' burying-ground | RG 6/731, /1143 |
1797-05-09 | b. Hebblethwaite Hall, Sedbergh, Yorkshire | TNA: RG 6/730, /1142; Myles Birket Foster sr, 'Memoir of Robert Foster', Ms, family papers in possession of Michael Richardson |
1810 | of Hebblethwaite Hall; at Trinity Lane school, York | The Mount School, York. List of Teachers and Scholars 1784-1816, 1831-1906 (1906) York: Sessions |
early in 1812-11 | with her father, removed to a house in Northumberland Street, Newcastle | RSW in John William Steel (1899) A Historical Sketch of the Society of Friends 'in Scorn called Quakers' in Newcastle & Gateshead 1653-1898. London & Newcastle, Headley Bros.; sale poster; Frankland; Myles B. Foster (1860): Ms Memoir of Robert Foster; extracts from deeds, in possession of current owner of Sarthwaite (2003); list of removals, and testimonies & certificates 1812–1820, Tyne & Wear Archives Service MF 168 & 188 |
1841 | of Low Swinburn Place, Westgate, Newcastle upon Tyne, living with one female servant; as Sarah Forster | TNA: HO 107/824/10 f19 p30 |
1848-11-04 | on the committee of the Newcastle Ragged School for Girls | Newcastle Guardian and Tyne Mercury |
1849-06-21 | with Jane Richardson, the named Newcastle women aiding Anna H. Richardson in promoting the Anti-Slavery Bazaar in Philadelphia | Nonconformist, 1849-07-04 |
1851 | annuitant, of 49 Cumberland Row, Westgate, Newcastle on Tyne; lodger with Hannah Ross, monthly nurse, and family | HO 107/2404 f230 p16 |
1857-04 | of Cumberland-row; had subscribed 2s. 6d. to the Aged Female Society | Newcastle Courant, 1857-05-01 |
1860-01-27 | at the annual meeting of the Female
Penitentiary, the chairman said
he did not know any individual in the whole range of his experience of greater energy and greater philanthropy. He regretted that her health was such that she could not devote herself to the various institutions she was connected with as in times past. |
Newcastle Courant, 1860-01-25 |
1861 | lady, of 19 Rye Hill, Elswick, Newcastle on Tyne; lodger with Joseph Thompson, coach trimmer, and family | RG 9/3815 |
1863-03-16 | one of the ladies providing the tea at the annual tea and public meeting of the Newcastle-on-Tyne Auxiliary to the British and Foreign Sailors' Society | Newcastle Guardian and Tyne Mercury, 1863-03-21 |
1864-04-21 | of 19 Rye Hill | Mosscroft visitors' book |
1869-12-03 | d. 13 Cambridge-street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne | National Probate Calendar; Joseph Foster (1871) Pedigree of the Forsters and Fosters of the North of England. privately printed; GRO index |
1869-12-08 |
On Wednesday last was buried in St. John's Cemetery, Elswick Lane, Miss Sarah Foster. For some time on account of failing health she had lived in comparative retirement, but it was evident from the numerous company that followed her to the grave that her labours in aid of almost every charitable institution of Newcastle were not forgotten. Had her death occurred twenty years ago, when she was in the full vigour of health and energy, it would have been felt as a public calamity. For more than twenty-four years Miss Foster was the earnest and diligent secretary of the ladies' committee of the Sailors' Society, and to almost every philanthropic institution in the district her services, advice, and aid were freely given. A large circle of friends and acquaintances, as well as those to whom she was endeared by many acts of kindness will mourn the loss of this estimable lady. |
Newcastle Daily Chronicle, 1869-12-13 |
1869-12-30 | late of 13 Cambridge-street, Newcastle-upon-Tyne; will and two codicils proved at Newcastle by nephew Robert Foster and great-nephew Robert Spence Watson, executors; effects under £4000 | National Probate Calendar |
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