Hawkins, John – Shoemaker was an avid collector

John Hawkins (1820-1917)

NEWARK-born John Hawkins, was as fit as many his junior, until he suffered a fainting fit at the age of 95.

He came to Grantham in 1943, setting up his business first on High Street and later in Westgate as a boot and shoe maker.

When the Barracks was built in 1859, he was one of the first to join the Volunteer Rifle Corps.

He built his own house on Avenue Road on his retirement in 1875, but his wive died shortly afterwards. He moved to London and remarried but again he lost his partner.

He moved first to Derby and then returned to his Avenue Road home.

At one time he was a Liberal member of Grantham Town Council, having joined in 1859, as well as on the Board of Guardians, the Burial Board and a governor of the King’s School. He was very keen on preserving old footpaths.

As a member of Lincolnshire Naturalists Association he was a keen birdwatcher and an authority on plant life.

Mr Hawkins was an avid collector, from Worcester china and oil paintings to shells and Queen Anne Chippendale.

He belonged the Christadelphian Church, which met at No 1 London Road.

He was a director of the Grantham Steam Laundry and the Exchange Hall.

Until deafness intervened, he was a magistrate from 1887.