Located between Leominster and Kington, a description of the Moor Court Estate, owned by Francis A. Bolton, including its major farms, was described in this 1906 document held by The National Archives. Moor Court, as published in early automobile literature, was also the name of the residence of F.A. Bolton. Perhaps this scenic landscape might be a view from the grounds of the home?

Francis A. Bolton: 1866-1951

Francis A. Bolton was a member of the British Linked Ring Brotherhood. His professional pseudonym was Missionary and was elected on 30 October, 1900. (Harker) He was also a member of the Royal Photographic Society-first exhibiting in 1896 and becoming a member in 1897. Rising to Fellow in 1899, he’s listed as exhibiting in that role through 1901. (1.)

After his interest in amateur photography began to fade, he became immersed in the sport of early motor cars: “Mr. Francis A. Bolton, JP, was a very distinguished motorist, whose red cars were a feature of the Midlands meets and speed events from the turn of the century until the outbreak of the Kaiser War.” You can read more about his history and participation in early collecting and racing here.

Some fascinating history is also gleaned from the following exchange from the online TenTenths Motorsport Forum:

Frank Bolton was my grandfather. He was born in 1866 into a family which ran a copper and brass business – Thomas Bolton and Sons Ltd., based in Birmingham. His father Alfred bought the Cheadle Copper and Brass Foundry with factories at Oakamoor and Froghall, in 1852. They made the first transatlantic telegraph cable in 1857.

FAB was the younger of 2 sons of Alfred and was keen on cars from their early days. We have some photos of them. I think he raced at Brooklands – certainly his nephew David did. David was the flute player in the Linked Ring photos. –Edward Bolton. (October, 2010)

In Grace’s Guide To British Industrial History, Bolton’s role as an active estate owner around Cheadle and Oakamoor is documented. From 1919:

‘Mr. Bolton is lord of the manor Cheadle Grange, and owns a considerable amount of property round Cheadle and Oakamoor. As a landowner, he takes the deepest interest in all matters appertaining to his estate. He is always accessible his tenants, and has their welfare much at heart. He is well known sportsman, and before the war did a good deal of shooting both in his own county and the North of Scotland. He is a keen golfer, and ad a motorist likes to remember that his experiences date from the days when it was first permitted drive a car on English roads without a man walking in front carrying a red flag. In the earlier days he took a great interest in motor competitions, and took part in many the principal motor races. Mr. Bolton married in 1917 Gladys Mary Butts, youngest daughter the late Alfred Howell, and has one daughter.‘

1. Records for Francis A. Bolton: Exhibitions of the Royal Photographic Society 1870-1915 (accessed 2024)