I think this gravestone is a particularly attractive one. Quite modest. It’s made from pink granite and the entwined ivy is a symbol of friendship, fidelity and immortality.
This is the grave of Thomas J. Stewart, a former blacksmith who was born in Scotland. But the person I’d like to draw your attention to is Robert Affleck, his son-in -law, who is buried with him.
This is a photograph of Robert Affleck published with a report in the Adver at the time of his death, which described him as tall and upright and that up until his death he was still often seen walking in Swindon and the surrounding countryside.
The Affleck family left their mark on the streets of Swindon. I’m sure you’ve all stepped over this type of drain cover (see below). Larger manhole covers also survive.
Robert Affleck was the eldest of William and Maria Affleck’s five sons, all of whom, I believe, joined the family firm.
William was born in Gateshead and served his engineering apprenticeship at Hawkes & Son before joining the prestigious Lambeth based engineering firm of Maudsley and Field. This then led to a job with the GWR in Paddington and in around 1843 William moved to 33 Exeter Street and a job in the GWR Works.
By 1853 William had struck out on his own, establishing a foundry and engineering works in Prospect. The 1861 census describes William as a machinist and coal merchant employing 17 men and 3 boys.
In accordance with William’s will his executors, who included Robert, put the business up for sale. It was bought for £3,000 by two of the sons Frederick and Theodore Affleck. There is an advertisement published in 1908 where they describe themselves as Millwrights & Machinists, Iron and Brass Founders – sole agents in the district for the “Vollmar” washing machine.
William and his wife are both buried in the churchyard at Christ Church, but Robert chose to be buried in Radnor Street with his father in law.
The Affleck sons all lived to a ripe old age. Robert was 94 when he died in 1940.
When Robert died in 1940 he left £11,541 2s 2d worth today about one and a half million.
Radnor Street Cemetery 