Bonner Family in Dipton 1700s

[Elliven]

Can anybody please help?  This building was leased out as a public house on 1st August 1738 "from the estate of the late Richard Bonner" and was known as The Swan.  It was in the village of Dipton in County Durham until the early 1960s when it was finally demolished.  During its lifetime it was a public house, a bottling factory, a brewery, a fish and chip shop, an off licence and a cobblers shop.  The photograph shows only the most imposing part of the building and there was considerably more of it out of shot to the right.  This was located adjacent to the common land that was enclosed in 1781 and close to land already owned by the Bonner family - it was on the opposite side of the road to the common, right on the boundary in the area known as Depe Dene which was the original village of Dipton.  What I would like to know is whether this was a new building when it was leased in 1738 (any architectural clues?)and anything related to the Bonner family especially whether they lived in or near the village.

[arthurk]

I thought I'd seen that picture before - previous thread at https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=821197.0

I don't think the building is anywhere near as old as 1738. I don't have a source, but my gut feeling and things that I've absorbed over many years suggest to me that the shape of the roof and the dormer windows are typical of the second half of the 19th century and onwards.

However, the prominent course of stones between the ground and first floor might possibly indicate that the ground floor is older and it's been extended upwards. I could just about envisage the ground floor on its own being 50 years or so older, but I'm a long way from certain about that.

[AlanBoyd]

According to this clipping it is Robert Bonner, not Richard Bonner.

Durham County Advertiser - Saturday 14 July 1827

Lot 20. A HOUSE, STABLES, and CLOSE, with the Appurtenances, known by the sign of the DOG AND GUN, situate at Dipton, in the parish of Lanchester, in the county of Durham, in the occupation James Guthrie, which property is held under lease from the late Robert Bonner, Esq., dated 4th July, 1738, for 99 years, commencing 1st August, 1738, under the yearly rent of £8 10s.

Lot 21. A HOUSE, TWO STABLES, TWO CLOSES, with the Appurtenances, known by the sign of the SWAN situate at Dipton aforesaid, in the occupation of William Richardson, ; which is held under lease from the late Robert Bonner, Esq, dated July, 1738, for 99 years, commencing 1st August 1738, under the yearly rent of £12. 10s.

[AlanBoyd]

There are several advertisements of property sales involving Robert Bonner Esq. in the Newcastle Courant in the early part of the 18th century. This is the earliest that I found:

Newcastle Courant - Saturday 15 December 1722

TO be Let at May-day next, a Farm of Land at Honey-Pot, not a Mile, from Darlington [edited for brevity]: As also a Farm of Land at Collierley, containing 72 Acres of Meadow, Arrable, and Pasture-Ground, with Dwelling-House, Barn, Byers, Stables and all other Conveniencies: Enquire of Mr. Robert Bonner of High-Callerton, or the above Mr Peregrine HenzelL at the Glass-Houses aforesaid.

And then this in 1763

Newcastle Courant - Saturday 05 November 1763

Yesterday died, in the 79th Year of his Age, Robert Bonner, of Callerton, in Northumberland, Esq; a Gentleman universally esteemed, as an agreeable Companion, and a sincere Friend.

High Callerton is near Ponteland in Northumberland.

added later:
At Durham Records Online, records for the name Bonner at High Callerton begin with a marriage bond for William Bonner in 1674. In 1685 a Robert Bonner of High Callerton, son of Will Bonner is baptised at Ponteland, St Mary the Virgin. This fits reasonably well with the age of 79 reported in the 1763 death notice.

[Elliven]

Thank you both for your comments.  All I know is that the property was leased from the Bonner family - Richard might be a mis-type of Robert.  The building was definitely there in 1828 and was sublet to its owner at that time (as was the Dog and Gun) to a different tenant and it seems unlikely that a tenant would wish to pay to extend the building.

If nothing else, at least it established that the Bonner family were absent landlords and did not live in the village.