B.F. Johnson - Consett

[JenB]

Neville, this has nothing whatsoever to do with your question about Mr Johnson, so I apologise, but I simply must share with you that, while looking at some of the other pages around Middle Street in 1861, I discovered a 28 year old James Richardson whose occupation was Necromantic Juggler

[Elliven]

Jen B

Yes, I saw that too!  Strange profession!

[AlanBoyd]

There is a mention of (probably) him in the Durham Chronicle  12 October 1855.

Lanchester Police
...
Geo. Howard of Berry Edge, publican, charged with assaulting Robert F Johnson of the same place was fined £1, including costs.

[Elliven]

Alan Boyd

Thank you.  George Howard was a publican in Middle Street at the same time so that probably eliminates the Wheatsheaf as one of the possibles.  Our Mr Johnson rattled the cages of a few local innkeepers and that may well be why he left Consett

[AlanBoyd]

The Newcastle Courant of April 26 1839 contains an advertisement for two sweepstakes to be run at Newbiggin Race Course on 17th June. A Robert F Johnson is listed as one of the four "present subscribers" for both races.

The Robert F Johnson in the 1861 census has his birthplace as Woodhorn, as do his daughters, born approximately 1835 and 1840. Newbiggin is very close to the village of Woodhorn.

[Elliven]

To all who contributed, thank you

Robert F Johnson is definitely the man I was looking for.  The confusion was largely of his making - he gave the impression that he was in charge of a major hotel but in fact it was only a beerhouse.  His money came mostly from organising sporting events and gambling on them.  By the time of the 1871 Census he had left Consett and his beerhouse had moved location.  It was still in the same street and I believe it has subsequently morphed into the Mason's Arms public house