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Dictionary of Scottish Architects (1660 - 1980)
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Basic Biographic Details
Name:
Thomas Bonnar
Designation :
Builder
Date of Birth:
Circa (Year)
Exact DOB:
17/10/1925
Year of Birth :
Circa Year of Birth :
1821
Date of Birth Before (Year):
Date of Birth After (Year):
DOB (1st 'Or' Year):
DOB (2nd 'Or' Year):
Date of Death:
Exact Date
Exact DOD:
10/01/1862
Year of Death:
Circa Year of Death:
Date of Death Before (Year):
Date of Death After (Year):
DOD (1st 'Or' Year):
DOD (2nd 'Or' Year):
Town of Birth :
Bio Notes :
Thomas Bonnar was born in Saline, Fife about 1821, the son of Robert Bonnar and his wife Janet. He practised as a builder and mason in Dunfermline. He was one of the Bonnar family of Dunfermline who ran a business as builders, joiners and cabinetmakers. The firm finally was sold off in 1870.
There is some confusion between this Thomas Bonnar and the Thomas Bonnar who died in 1847. Their relationship if any has yet to be established. (See separate entry for earlier Thomas Bonnar). It must have been the earlier Thomas Bonnar who was responsible for building in the New Town of Edinburgh. In 1851 Thomas Bonnar of Dunfermline was described as a building contractor accasionally employed as an architect and 'surgeon' (a mis-reading for surveyor?) and employing 7 masons and 3 apprentices.
In 1856 Thomas Bonnar of Dunfermline moved his office to Edinburgh, although he is still referred to at that time as 'of Dunfermline'. There is an entry for him in the 1856-7 Post Office directory showing he was in Edinburgh.
He was residing in Scotland Street, Edinburgh at the time of his death in Aberdeen on 1 October 1862.
According to Architects'Index, John Sinclair House, Bonnar's debts (but much more likely what he was owed) at the time of his death were as follows:
Scotsman Office, Cockburn Street £136 13.4
Blcok H Cockburn Street £29 5.6
Building Saxe Coburg Place £10.0.0
Merchiston £10.0.0
The last two were estimated at this stage at the time of his death.
Rev Dr Alexander's Congregation for building church: £29 11.6
Bio Notes continued...
Additional Notes
Addresses
The following private or business addresses are associated with this person:
Private Addresses
Private Addresses2 classic
Address
Class
Date From Char
Date From Type
Date To Char
Date To Type
Notes
East Port Street or Viewfield Dunfermline Fife Scotland
Private
Woodhead Cottage Woodhead Street Dunfermline Fife Scotland
Private
32 Clarence Street Glasgow Scotland
Private/business
28 Scotland Street Edinburgh Scotland
Private
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Business Addresses
Business Addresses2 classic
Address
Class
Date From
Date From Type
Date To
Date To Type
Notes
32 Clarence Street Glasgow Scotland
Private/business
Silver Mills Edinburgh Scotland
Business
Scotland Street Lane Edinburgh Scotland
Business
Dunfermline Fife Scotland
Business
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Buildings and Designs
This person was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
Buildings and Designs2 classic
Building Name
Date Started
Town, District or Village
Island
City or County
Country
Notes
Dwelling house, St Margaret Street
In year 1841
Dunfermline
Fife
Scotland
Prepared plan for house
Townhouse
In year 1846
Dunfermline
Fife
Scotland
Plan for converting townhouse to County and Burgh use
Helensburgh Free Church
In year 1852
Helensburgh
Dunbartonshire
Scotland
Builder, selected by Hays of Liverpool
Inverkeithing Parish Church
In year 1852
Inverkeithing
Fife
Scotland
Replaced spire
West Free Church
In year 1854
Alloa
Clackmannanshire
Scotland
as mason, for Hays of Liverpool
Dunfermline Abbey
In year 1854
Dunfermline
Fife
Scotland
Recommendations for improvements
Buccleuch Free Church
In year 1855
Edinburgh
Scotland
As builder for Hays of Liverpool
Free Tolbooth Church
In year 1856
Edinburgh
Scotland
as mason for Bryce
Free Church, Main Street
In year 1856
Cambuslang
Lanarkshire
Scotland
as builder for Hays of Liverpool
row(s) 1 - 9 of 9
References
Bibliographic References
The following books contain references to this person:
Bib ref classic
Author
Title
Date
Publisher
Part
Notes
Scotlands People Website
Wills & Testaments
Edinburgh Sheriff Court Wills Sc70/4/87 and Inventories SC70/1/117
row(s) 1 - 1 of 1
Archive References
The following archives hold material relating to this person:
Arc ref classic
Archive Name
Source
Source Cat No
Building Id
Item Name
Notes
Censuses
Census records online
201011
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