John & Emma Drage

John was the second of eight children born to William Hooton Drage and Sarah Drage [nee Allebone]. His baptism is recorded on 17^th July 1833 in Bozeat. William Hooton was not able to sign his name on his wedding day 10^th October 1930 although his wife Sarah could. The family lived in a 2 bedroom terraced cottage in Dag Lane, Bozeat and William Hooton was described as a shepherd in early records and later in the censuses of 1841 -1861 an agricultural labourer. In 1871 he was recorded as a gardener.

It is thought that John left home at 18 years old to become apprenticed as a baker. He married Maria Denton on 2^nd June 1852 in Olney. He was described as a baker. They had a daughter Sarah Elizabeth who was baptised on 17^th October 1852 in Wollaston. Maria Drage died in 1852. Sarah was raised by Maria Denton’s family in Wollaston and married Samuel Pyle in Paddington, London in 1872.

John married his second wife Emma Chambers in 1855. He was described as a shoemaker. The 1861 census describes him as a Shoe Agent. The London Gazette October 18^th 1864 refers to John Drage Boot and Shoe Manufacturer of Bozeat being adjudged bankrupt on 20^th September 1864 and gives notice of his application for discharge on 25^th November 1864. It was the fact that John’s creditors were paid the full 20 shillings in the pound that led to him becoming known as Honest John. It is probable that John made use of his time spent in London for court appearances to develop contacts for his Boot & Shoe business. The 1921 Honest John and Sons footwear catalogue refers to the business being established in 1865, conflicting with other claims of the business being established in 1861. The earlier date probably refers to the business involved in John’s bankruptcy.