The Builders

The Lawsons
Builders of numbers: 49, 51, 53, 55; 96, 98, 100, 102, 104

The Lawson brothers from Edinburgh were involved in building a number of properties in and around Langham Road in Teddington. Their father, James, was a joiner so we can assume that they learned their building skills from him. The brothers were:

• William, born 1865
• James, born 1870
• David, born 1874 (does not appear to have got involved in the building enterprise)
• Alexander, born 1877

Robert Pryde, a sometime business partner to James, was born in 1856 and was also from Midlothian.¹⁸

This page documents their building endeavours in Teddington with some background on how they ended up there.

1891
William was working as a Marine Engineer on board the Benvenue, berthed in West India Docks. The younger three were still living with their parents in Edinburgh: James was working as a joiner (?with his father), David as a printer’s apprentice and Alexander was still at school.¹⁷

Robert Pryde was married and living in Islington. He was also working as a joiner.¹⁷

1895
A partnership was established between Robert Pryde and James Lawson. They had met when working together as carpenters at the City and Suburban Land Company, and were based in Cambridge Road, Teddington. (Surrey Comet, 12 May 1900)²⁰

1898
The brothers father, James, died.¹⁸

The first evidence of the partners working in Teddington was when Robert Pryde was identified as the builder on a planning application for a group of houses to be built in Manor Road – numbers 25 – 29. (RLS PLA/06085)¹⁴

1899
In April, Pryde & Lawson submitted a plan to build 4 houses in Langham Road on plots 83-86. The houses subsequently became numbers 49, 51, 53 and 55. (RLS PLA/05370).¹⁴

In July, William Lawson purchased those plots from the National Liberal Land Co. At the time William was still based at the family home in Edinburgh.¹³

1900
In January, James and Robert (now of 8 Teddington Park Rd, Teddington) took out 99 year leases on 3 plots in Cambridge Road: which became Cramond (number 99), Dalmeny and Roseneath. The leases required the builders to erect property on the plots. After an initial free period of 3 months to cover the building works, they were required to pay £7 per quarter in rent. (RLS D/3983, D/3984, D/3988)¹⁴

Later the same month, Pryde & Lawson were involved in a case at the Lord Mayors Court: Pryde & Lawson vs Robert Adlard & Co (Morning Post, 26 Jan).²⁰

In February, the Pryde & Lawson partnership went into receivership. (London Evening Standard, 3 Mar)²⁰

Then in May, a bankruptcy hearing took place against Pryde & Lawson
(Surrey Comet, 12 May 1900).
“At the Kingston Bankruptcy Court on Tuesday, before the Registrar (Mr. Jas Bell), Messrs Pryde and Lawson, builders, of Cambridge road, Teddington, were examined as to their affairs, their accounts, which were of a complicated character, showing, on their own estimate, a surplus of some £180. Debtors were formerly carpenters engaged with the City and Suburban Land Company, and started business as builders in 1895, with a joint capital of £160. After carrying out sundry contracts successfully, they undertook to build twenty four houses on land belonging to Mr Darby, who advanced £335 per house when finished, and gave debtors the option of taking up the lease of the land. Ten houses were actually built, but debtors’ expectations to sell or let them were not realised, and their creditors would not wait longer. The examination was adjourned”²⁰

In September, James re-submitted plans for 4 houses in Langham Road on plots 83 – 86. (RLS PLA/05365). Around the same time William, still based at the family home in Edinburgh, sold plots 85 & 86 to Alexander, who was now living at Alma, Cambridge Road, and who took out a mortgage to cover the cost.^13,14

A bit later, revised plans were submitted for houses in Vicarage Road.¹⁴

1901
James was listed in the census as a builder, and was boarding at Alma in Vicarage Road. William, still a Marine Engineer, was staying with him. Alexander, now also a builder, was staying at the house of Robert Pryde at 2 May Villas, Vicarage Road.¹⁷ Presumably they were now working on the houses in Vicarage Road?

In June, Alexander bought William’s remaining two plots in Langham Road, numbers 83 and 84, and revised plans were approved (RLS PLA/05365).^13,14

1902
In February, Alexander Lawson (still based at Alma in Vicarage Road) bought plots 159 – 161 from William Henry Dearling.¹³

Two houses were then built on plots 159, 160 and part of 161 (becoming numbers 96 and 98), and rented out before the end of the year. Number 96 is on the right in the photo below.^13,16

In September, Alexander purchased plots 162 and 163 from William Dearling and a house called “The Nook” was built on plot 163 and part of 162 (the house is now number 102).¹³

In December, Alexander mortgaged number 96 and 98 to the Rev Arthur Edoe Kinch of Farnborough and Robilliard King-Stephens of The Strand.¹³

1903
In January James applied for planning permission to build houses in Cambridge Road (RLS PLA/01133)¹⁴

In April, Alexander, now living at 3 Meadow Villas, Vicarage Road, sold “The Nook” to Charles Stuart John Douglas, a gentleman.¹³

In June, a villa newly erected by one of the Lawsons in Langham Rd was struck by lightning and had part of the roof destroyed. (Surrey Comet 3 Jun)²⁰

In August, James married Kate Marion Watson at St Mary’s in Teddington. Kate had been living with her parents at Morningside, 8 Cambridge Road before her marriage. James was at 3 Meadow Villas, Waldegrave Road with Alexander. After their marriage the couple lived at Morningside.^13,18

In September Alexander took out a further mortgage with Kinch and King-Stephens covering “Cordophine” (now number 104), built on plot 164 and part of plot 163.¹³

In October, Alexander sold “Woodnook” (now number 100) to John Priestly Briggs, an architect, who was already living in the property. It had been built on parts of plots 161 and 162.¹³

In November, Kate sold Morningside but continued to live there. The deeds were witnessed by Alexander who now gave his address as the same.¹³

In December, James sought planning permission for 74-82 Gomer Road (RLS PLA/03438)¹⁴

1904
The Lawsons continued to submit plans for new houses in Teddington, specifically Walpole Place (RLS PLA/10845), Gomer Gardens (26-36) (RLS PLA/03447)¹⁴

In November, James’ wife Kate signed deeds concerning land fronting Field Lane & Gomer Gardens, Teddington. (RLS D/4272)¹⁴

1905
James advertised properties to let in Boulton Gardens (Surrey Comet, 1st Feb), and Somerset Road (Surrey Comet, 10th Jun)²⁰

Then more financial problems. Surrey Comet, Jun 28: “James Lawson, a builder, was summoned for the non-payment of an apportionment due to the Urban District Council of Teddington in respect of property in Langham Road. Mr G. H. Salmons, Clerk to the Council, said that the total amount outstanding was £50 19s 3d, this being the fourth instalment, including interest at 4 pc – An order for immediate payment was made.”²⁰

The Lawson builders continued to advertise properties for rent in Boulton Gardens, and for sale in Somerset Road (Surrey Comet, 14th Oct), and got planning permission for more houses in Gomer Gardens (RLS PLA/03445)¹⁴

1906
By now, Robert Pryde had moved out of Teddington and was living in Harrow.¹⁷

James continued to submit plans for houses in London Road, Twickenham (RLS PLA/05559) and amended plans for a house at 6 Gomer Gardens. (RLS PLA/03439)¹⁴

1907
By February James had gone bankrupt again! The Daily Telegraph & Courier, 6th Feb: “Insuring A Lover… Mr James Lawson, a speculating builder, of Cambridge Road, Teddington appeared to undergo examination in bankruptcy at the Kingston Bankruptcy Court yesterday. In reply to the Official Receiver (Mr Howell) debtor stated that the house he now lived in belonged to his wife. She bought it and furnished it with her own money.

I see there is an insurance policy on your life for £300. Who paid the premium on that? – My wife did.

When were you married? – Two and a half years ago.

But I see that the policy was taken out five years ago? – Yes, it was taken out before my marriage.

How was that? – She desired it.

Why should the lady desire to take out a policy on your life two or three years before you were married? – Because it would be much cheaper than taking it out afterwards.

Were you engaged to be married to her? – Yes, for six or seven years.

And why should she do this? – She wanted to be secured after marriage I suppose.

And whose idea was it? – Her own.

The Official Receiver: Then all I can say is it is a very curious circumstance.

The examination was adjourned for a month

By March Alexander had defaulted on the mortgage for 96-98 Langham Road and the properties were repossessed. They were then put up for sale along with no 104 (South London Chronicle, 1st March)^19,20

1911
Alexander was now back living in Edinburgh at the family home with his brother David and an aunt. He was working as a warehouseman. James and his family were still living with his in laws, and the whole household had moved to Kingston.¹⁷

1916
William appeared on the passenger list for the St Louis, travelling to New York. He was travelling with two colleagues, all listed as “Surveyor to L. R. of Shipp…” It is not clear what happened to him after that.¹⁸

1928
Alexander married. He was still working as a warehouseman at H M Stationary Office in Edinburgh.¹⁸

1933
James described himself as an Estate Developer on his daughters marriage certificate

1939
James, by then described as a retired builder together with his wife, a Joseph Parsons (retired decorator) and Joseph’s children were living in Surbiton.¹⁸

1955
James died in Surrey.¹⁸

1956
Alexander died in Edinburgh, after his retirement from HM Stationary Office.¹⁸

If you have information on any of the other builders, please let us know so that we can add