1871 Census - George Johnson
Having married in Stockton-on-Tees in 1869 George and Jane were living in Ropery St, Stockton-on-Tees in 1871. George had obviously had enough of
working on the railway or the farm as he was now a grocer’s warehouseman. This was the start of his career in the grocery trade - going on to own a
number of shops. By 1881 he had become a grocer’s assistant and was living in Ash St which was just off Portrack Lane.
George Johnson, head, mar, 31, Grocer’s Warehouseman, b Hutton Rudby
Jane E Johnson, wife, mar, 22, b Osmotherley
George W Johnson, son, 3m, b Stockton
Ropery Street is now the shortest street in Stockton but it
was much longer and a place where ropes were made.
“Tennant’s Patent Ropery was on the site of the present Ropery
Street and beyond. The last of the rope-walk can still be seen
stretching from Nelson Terrace to Vane Street, with “Clapham”
the last of the ropemakers still showing over the door.”
(Extract from “A History of the Town and Borough of
Stockton-on-Tees”, Tom Sowler, 1972)
