James Robert Bond was born on 4 March 1831 in Bermondsey Surrey, Middlesex, England. He was the son of Elizabeth Pepper, who was 28 years old at the time, and William Robert Bond, who was 30 years old. James was the third child in a family of seven siblings, with his older brothers William and John being 4 and 2 years old, respectively, when he was born.
On the 31st of December 1853, James married Annie Maria Vivian in Southwalk Middlesex London. Annie was the daughter of David Vivian and Jane Biddlecome Troke. The marriage marked the union of two families and the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.
Throughout his life, James Robert Bond witnessed significant historical events and societal changes in England. From the industrial revolution to the rise of the British Empire, he experienced a period of rapid transformation and development in the country.
As a husband and father, James was known for his hard work, dedication, and love for his family. He provided for his wife and children, ensuring they had a comfortable life despite the challenges of the time.
James's legacy lives on through his descendants, who continue to cherish his memory and the values he instilled in them. His life story serves as a testament to resilience, perseverance, and the enduring power of family bonds across generations.
Children of James Robert and Annie Maria Bond:
Charles Bond 26th Oct 1852 -.
James Vivian Bond 21st May 1855 - Fab 1934.
Vivian William Bond 6th April 1858 - Oct 1860.
Charles Edgar Bond 1859 - Oct 1860.
Robert Vivian Bond 1862 - 11th Feb 1934.
Harry Bond 6th April 1864 - 16th Sep 1950.
William Frederick Bond 1866 - 13th May 1915.
Rose Vivian Bond 1868 - Jan 1932.
Lilian Bond 1871 -.
During the 1800s, England experienced growing pains brought on by rapid population expansion. In 1800, 75% of England's population lived in the countryside, but by 1900, that percentage had moved into towns. Urban centres like London were flooded with poor men and women looking to make a living. However, unsanitary and harsh conditions constrained the benefits of living and working in the city. New technologies brought on by the Industrial Revolution popularised manufacturing jobs, but they paid little.
Highland Clearances, 1762 - 1880
During James's time, landlords across the Highlands of Scotland were making a shift from traditional farming to the more profitable sheep-raising industry. As a result, many poor tenant farmers were being "cleared" from the landlords' property to make room for sheep. These traditionally Gaelic-speaking farmers were treated as an inferior class and were often removed violently with their homes and possessions torched in the process. Known as the "Highland Clearances," these events sparked a mass exodus of Highlanders into the Scottish Lowlands as well as to far-off locations like Canada and the United States. The Clearances were a topic of controversy among the people in James's community, with some defending the rights of the Highlanders and others condemning them for their Celtic heritage and Catholic allegiances.
Childbirth
Giving birth presented some risks to the mother and her child during James's era. With limited medical technology, complications occurred frequently, such as the child becoming stuck in the birth canal or the mother hemorrhaging at life-threatening levels. A midwife was sometimes called to the home when a woman began to labour, though very often the woman's mother or other female relatives were the only ones present to assist. By the time of James's birth, male midwives and formally trained medical doctors were also allowed to enter the labour room. This development broke a centuries-old custom, as the birthing process had previously been considered strictly the domain of women.
As scientific understanding increased, the traditional midwife was in some cases banished and replaced with an academically-trained doctor—particularly in progressive urban areas. Armed with innovations such as forceps and more efficient and comfortable birthing chairs, medical professionals eased the stress on the mother. However, a lack of sanitation and anesthesia still made birth a painful, dangerous endeavour. While the mortality rate for children remained high—ranging from ten to thirty per cent depending on the location—the innovations in technology paved the way for better tools and anesthetics, ensuring safer procedures for James's descendants.
Slavery was abolished in the UK, 1833 - 1834
An 1833 Act of Parliament, when James was 1, abolished slavery throughout Great Britain. As part of the new law, the government agreed to compensate slave owners for a loss of "property," but going forward, all ex-slaves in James's region were finally free to decide the course of their own lives. Many obstacles still existed for these newly freed men and women in a segregated society. However, the success of Britain's abolitionist movement helped inspire similar efforts in America and other parts of the world.
Childhood
Greater access to schooling in the 19th century meant that more children like James were learning to read and write. While the working classes were slowly catching up with the wealthy in literacy, the problem of child labour practices persisted, as many English children in JAMES's time were forced to work 10 to 12 hours a day, on both farms and in factories. New child labour laws were passed in the 1830s to address the issue, but it took some time for the legislation to be properly enforced.
Work was often divided by gender roles, with girls learning basic cooking, cleaning, and other duties to help run a home, while boys helped harvest crops, hunt, and learn a trade. In some cases, corporal punishment was now seen as a last resort for parents, and they often used other methods of discipline such as denying food, limiting time with friends, or even embarrassing them in front of peers or family members.
When children were fortunate enough to have free time from both school and work, there were some popular toys and games to choose from, including tops, jacks, cards, charades, checkers, chess, and badminton. Wealthier boys and girls often played with intricate doll houses or collected tin soldiers.
Education
Through much of the 1800s, many English children were educated at church-run schools or "dame schools"—where a woman would run a portion of her home as a daycare while teaching her pupils rudimentary skills such as the alphabet or sewing. These options became less popular after 1870 when the state took control of schooling and set more stringent standards through the Elementary Education Act.
Boys of James's time learned subjects such as technology, woodwork, and math, while girls learned cooking, sewing, and skills for motherhood. At school, students were kept in line with the threat of physical beatings.
Working-class boys around JAMES rarely attended school for more than three years because of the fees charged and the productivity missed by not playing a trade or working in a factory. One-third of children never attended school at all, and many never learned to read and write. Instead, they learned how to function on a farm or run a household.
Wealthier students, including girls, could attain an education abroad or be taught at home by governesses. Young men could further their education within England at world-famous institutions like the Eton Preparatory School, Cambridge University, or Oxford University.
Apprenticeships were a popular option for many young men in James's community, as they allowed them to learn a particular trade or profession without adding to the financial strain of a family. Apprentices could start as young as 12 and receive board, food, and clothing from their masters.
On the 23rd of April 1836, James, aged 15, commenced a seven-year apprenticeship with William Wise of Church Street, a London Citizen and Clothier.
In the 1851 London Census, James's role as an apprentice Waterman/Lighterman reflects the common path many young men took to learn the trade of navigating the bustling waterways of London. This period of apprenticeship would have provided James with valuable hands-on experience and knowledge of the intricate workings of the river trade.
Transitioning to the year 1853, when James got married, his occupation had evolved to that of a Clerk. This change in profession suggests a shift towards a more administrative role, possibly indicating a desire for a career that involves more paperwork and organizational tasks.
By 1860, James had established himself as a Corn Merchant/Dealer, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen. Employing three men speaks to the growth of his enterprise and the responsibility he held as an employer, overseeing operations and managing a team to ensure the success of his business.
As James continued to prosper, he ventured into real estate, acquiring multiple properties and warehouses in London. This diversification of his investments and assets not only solidified his financial stability but also positioned him as a prominent figure in the local business community. His success as a businessman and property owner would have undoubtedly left a lasting impact on the economic landscape of London during his lifetime and beyond.
In the year 1858, a significant event known as The Great Stink took place in the Central London district, during July and August. This event was characterised by the unbearable smell of untreated human waste and industrial effluent that permeated the air along the banks of the River Thames. The hot summer weather exacerbated the already foul odour, creating a public health crisis.
During James's era, the River Thames was heavily polluted due to the constant disposal of city waste directly into its waters. The lack of proper sewage systems and waste management practices led to the river becoming a receptacle for all kinds of pollutants, resulting in a toxic environment that posed serious health risks to the residents of London and the river's ecosystem.
The Great Stink served as a wake-up call for authorities and the public alike, highlighting the urgent need for improved sanitation infrastructure and environmental regulations. This event ultimately led to the implementation of major reforms in waste management and the construction of a modern sewage system, such as Sir Joseph Bazalgette's innovative sewer network, which significantly improved the quality of life in London and set a precedent for urban sanitation practices worldwide.
Copyright © Noel Bond. Researched and written by Noel Bond, No written part of this Blog may be reproduced in any form, by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author.
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