Basic Biographical Details

Name: Thomas Bonnar
Designation:  
Born: c. 1821
Died: 1 October 1862
Bio Notes: Thomas Bonnar was born in Saline, Fife about 1821, the son of Robert Bonnar and his wife Janet. He practised as a builder and mason in Dunfermline. He was one of the Bonnar family of Dunfermline who ran a business as builders, joiners and cabinetmakers. The firm finally was sold off in 1870.

There is some confusion between this Thomas Bonnar and the Thomas Bonnar who died in 1847. Their relationship if any has yet to be established. (See separate entry for earlier Thomas Bonnar). It must have been the earlier Thomas Bonnar who was responsible for building in the New Town of Edinburgh. In 1851 Thomas Bonnar of Dunfermline was described as a building contractor accasionally employed as an architect and 'surgeon' (a mis-reading for surveyor?) and employing 7 masons and 3 apprentices.

In 1856 Thomas Bonnar of Dunfermline moved his office to Edinburgh, although he is still referred to at that time as 'of Dunfermline'. There is an entry for him in the 1856-7 Post Office directory showing he was in Edinburgh.

He was residing in Scotland Street, Edinburgh at the time of his death in Aberdeen on 1 October 1862.

According to Architects'Index, John Sinclair House, Bonnar's debts (but much more likely what he was owed) at the time of his death were as follows:
Scotsman Office, Cockburn Street £136 13.4
Blcok H Cockburn Street £29 5.6
Building Saxe Coburg Place £10.0.0
Merchiston £10.0.0

The last two were estimated at this stage at the time of his death.

Rev Dr Alexander's Congregation for building church: £29 11.6

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 7Dunfermline, Fife, ScotlandBusiness Before 1856(?) 
Item 2 of 7East Port Street or Viewfield, Dunfermline, Fife, ScotlandPrivate1841 *  
Item 3 of 7Woodhead Cottage, Woodhead Street, Dunfermline, Fife, ScotlandPrivate1851  
Item 4 of 732, Clarence Street, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate/business(?)1856 *  
Item 5 of 7Silver Mills, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusinessc. 1860  
Item 6 of 7Scotland Street Lane, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusiness(?)1861  
Item 7 of 728, Scotland Street, Edinburgh, Scotland(?)Private1862  

* earliest date known from documented sources.

Buildings and Designs

This was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
 Date startedBuilding nameTown, district or villageIslandCity or countyCountryNotes
Item 1 of 91841Dwelling house, St Margaret StreetDunfermline FifeScotlandPrepared plan for house
Item 2 of 91846TownhouseDunfermline FifeScotlandPlan for converting townhouse to County and Burgh use
Item 3 of 91852Helensburgh Free ChurchHelensburgh DunbartonshireScotlandBuilder, selected by Hays of Liverpool
Item 4 of 91852Inverkeithing Parish ChurchInverkeithing FifeScotlandReplaced spire
Item 5 of 91854Dunfermline AbbeyDunfermline FifeScotlandRecommendations for improvements
Item 6 of 91854West Free ChurchAlloa ClackmannanshireScotlandas mason, for Hays of Liverpool
Item 7 of 91855Buccleuch Free Church  EdinburghScotlandAs builder for Hays of Liverpool
Item 8 of 91856Free Church, Main StreetCambuslang LanarkshireScotlandas builder for Hays of Liverpool
Item 9 of 91856Free Tolbooth Church  EdinburghScotlandas mason for Bryce

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Scotlands People Website Wills & Testaments  Edinburgh Sheriff Court Wills Sc70/4/87 and Inventories SC70/1/117

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1Census records onlineCensuses