John Theobald Senior

John Theobald Senior (b.1768, d.1845) served in several key administrative and operational roles for the Wilts & Berks Canal Company between 1810 and 1845, primarily as a toll collector, clerk, and wharf manager.

Roles and Locations

• Collector and Lock Keeper: Early in his career (c. 1810–1812), he was the Collector at Marston Lock, where he was responsible for collecting tonnage from traders passing through that section of the canal. By 1824, he is identified as the Company Clerk and Toll Collector at Semington.
• Swindon Wharf Manager: Theobald managed operations at the Swindon Wharf, where he oversaw the warehouse room, the weighing engine/machine, and the use of the crane. Records show he collected significant sums from traders for these services; for instance, in late 1814, his receipts for Swindon Wharf totaled over £31.

Compensation and Responsibilities

• Wages and Salary: His standard wage was approximately £1 per week, typically paid in quarterly increments of £13 13s for 13 weeks of work. His total annual salary was frequently recorded as £54 12s.
• Operational Duties: Beyond collecting tolls and managing the wharf, Theobald handled miscellaneous disbursements for the company, such as purchasing oil for lock paddles, and acquiring office supplies like paper. He also reported the ""time"" (work hours) of other employees, such as lock keeper Wells, directly to the Superintendent.

Professional Conduct and Oversight

In the mid-1820s, Theobalds was the subject of several letters from Canal Superintendent William Dunsford regarding his diligence:

• Reprimands for Diligence: In November 1824, Dunsford required Theobald to be ""more diligent"" after a boat attempted to pass Marston Lock without a permit. Theobald was reminded that neglect of duty could result in punishment.
• Toll Enforcement: In May 1825, he received a warning that his topgate might be locked if he continued to allow boats to pass without paying tolls, even if the traders were considered ""respectable.""
• Regulatory Changes: Theobald was the primary point of contact for implementing committee orders at Semington, such as a 1827 decision to discontinue ""drawbacks"" (discounts) on coal and coke, requiring him to revert to standard parliamentary toll rates.

In the 1841 Census, John Theobald was aged 73 and stated his occupation as Wharfinger.

John Theobald Junior

John Theobald Junior (b.1811, d.1867) was a prominent boat owner, trader, and landowner based at Semington Wharf. His business and property are mentioned several times in the newspapers, particularly in relation to his carrying business and various legal incidents involving his employees.

Business and Trade

Theobald resided at Semington and owned several boats used for transporting goods across the Kennet and Avon Canal, the Wilts and Berks Canal, and the River Avon from Bristol to Melksham. One of his boats, the Flora, was notably involved in an 1847 cargo theft case where its captain, Alfred Haines, was convicted of stealing wheat consigned to a customer in Melksham. Another of his boats was also cited in a separate wheat theft case involving Peter Squire and John Jefferies.

Notable Incidents

In May 1857, Theobald was the victim of a significant embezzlement case involving his housekeeper of nearly sixteen years, Eleanor Allen. Suspecting money was missing from his cash box, Theobald placed marked coins inside; when they went missing, Allen was taken into custody. Following her arrest, she committed suicide by swallowing arsenic, and a subsequent inquest returned a verdict of felo de se. It was discovered that she had secreted much of Theobald's property and deposited over £150 in a savings bank.

Death and Estate

John Theobald had passed away by August 1867, at which point his executor instructed an auction of his extensive property holdings. These included:

• The "Railway Inn" at Outmarsh, which was a freestone-built residence with an orchard, pasture lands, and a farm yard.
• A dwelling house with a dry dock and shed for boat building, then occupied by Francis Large.
• Twelve freehold cottages and gardens located in Semington Square, Melksham.- Additional dwelling houses and premises in Union Street, Melksham.

Later records from 1901 indicate that the "Railway Inn" and surrounding lands at Outmarsh continued to be identified as being near the Wilts and Berks Canal and were subject to further sales.

In the 1841 Census, John Theobald Jun[ior] was aged 31 and his occupation as Wharfinger, in the 1851 Census, he was aged 40 and stated his occupation as Coal Merchant & Farmer of 130 Acres employing 7 Labourers.

Canal ledger records show that John Theobald Junior was paid as a Wharfinger after the death of his father in 1845.