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EDWARD CHARLES JONES 1859-1946

‘Edward Jones age 22. Boarder. Occupation: Journeyman and Barge Builder. Born in Brierley Hill, Staffs’.

In 1890 having been employed by the local boatyard repairing barges he decided to set up his own business in Staffordshire Wharf, Catherine Wheel Yard Brentford. The yard prospered and Edward Charles was able to expand the business into lighterage and build up a fleet of horse drawn barges.

During the 1880's Edward marries Jemima Collier whose father was also in the canal carrying lighterage business.

By the 1891 Census Edward and Jemima lived at 15 Hamilton Road, Brentford and have three children Sarah aged 4, Edith aged 2 and Edward 11 months.

The local directory for 1898 showed Edward Charles Jones at Catherine Wheel Yard, Brentford and his occupation as Journeyman and Barge Builder, this was his place of work and he owned narrow boats and barges as seen by the ownership certificates and the records in the section “Tugs and Barges Owned By E. C. Jones”

In 1896 he moved into 99 High Street, Brentford where he also ran a newsagents shop and lived above the shop but continued to manage his barge business. This property was owned by G. H. Collier, Jemima’s father.

The 1901 Census shows Edward and Jemima living at 99 High Street, Brentford, his occupation as self employed stationer and having four children: Sarah aged 14 and Edith aged 11, both born in Islington, Edward George age 10 (my grandfather) and Evelyn aged 7 both born in Brentford. The family continued to live in the High Street until 1919 when they bought Acton Lodge, Isleworth Road, Isleworth, Middlesex.

Acton Lodge was a large house and Edward was a very philanthropic man who would give big Christmas parties for the orphans living in the area and was known for his generosity. He was a local councillor and a formidable man. The garden of Acton Lodge had stables but I don’t know if this was for the barge horses or for personal use. There was also a large antiquated summer house, large lawns, orchards and chicken houses. The house was painted in the same colours as the company’s tugs, brown and cream.

Jemima lived in Acton Lodge until her death on 30th October 1925 age 67. Edward Charles continued to live there and the records show that various members of his family and possibly friends lived with him for periods of time after Jemima’s death. He lived in Acton Lodge until 1939 when he moved in with his son, Edward George, at Brent Haven, as he needed some care and help and was bedridden for the last two year of his life.

Street and property records were not kept during the war and when the records started again in 1945 Acton Lodge had been sold.

Edward Charles Jones died on 31st May 1946 age 87.

Published October 2006