Thompson, John

John Thompson

John was born at Doochary, Co. Donegal on 18th October 1874 to George William Thompson, General Practitioner and Bessie Anne Thompson.  [Ref: 1901 Irish Census. Address: House 18, Derrynacarrow, Doochary, Co. Donegal].

[Further family information would be required before this can be verified with the official birth registrations.]

On 1st June 1891 John, aged 17 joined Northern Bank at Head Office.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Ramelton (1891 - Junior), Downpatrick (1893 - Junior), Lisburn (1896 - Junior), Head Office (1898 - Relief) and Derry (1900 - Books and then Sub-Manager).

Northern Bank, Ramelton branch

Northern Bank, Downpatrick branch

Northern Bank, Lisburn branch - replaced in 1920s by a new building

Northern Bank, Londonderry branch

By 1901 John was boarding with the Thompson family in house 24, Abercorn Road, South ward, Londonderry. His occupation is recorded as a 'Cashier in Bank'. There are 4 other boarders.

By 1911, John is boarding with the Forsythe family in house 5, Asylum Road, Londonderry Urban, Co. Londonderry. His occupation is recorded as a 'Sub Bank Manager'. A possible colleague, Robert E Olden (24 - Bank Clerk) also boards in this house.

Further transfers followed to Head Office (1912 - Interim (?) Manager) and Shercock (1914 - In Charge).

Northern Bank, Shercock branch - see below

During the war years 1914 to 1919 John applied for enlistment but was rejected as being over age. He would have been aged between 40 and 45 during those years.

Further transfers followed in Head Office (1916 - Int. Manager) and Dungiven (1919 - Manager).

John married Miss Sarah McMurray of Mount Carmel (House), Ballybay, Co. Donegal on 29th October 1919 at First Ballybay Presbyterian Church. His occupation is recorded as Bank Manager of Bank House, Dungiven.

The Northern Whig dated 20th June 1921 carries an article about Dungiven Presbyterian Church. It mentions John Thompson of Northern Bank as treasurer.

The Northern Whig dated 28th June 1933 carries an obituary for John's father, Dr George Thompson (confirming Irish Census parents details 1901). Dr Thompson died at his son's residence, Northern Bank, Dungiven. John's mother predeceased his father.

John Thompson died aged 58 on 5th October 1933. The PRONI Wills database records:

"Thompson John of Northern Bank House Dungiven county Londonderry bank manager died 5 October 1933 at 1 College Park Belfast Probate Belfast 23 January to George Nesbitt Thompson and Thomas McMurry bank managers. Effects £2277 7s.".

Northern Banking Company, Shercock - see below

The Buildings of Ireland website describes the Shercock branch as:

Description

Attached five-bay two-storey former bank manager's house and attached three-bay two-storey bank, built c.1900. Now disused. Pitched slate roof with clay ridge tiles, roughcast rendered chimneystacks with profiled copings on gables and over dividing wall, cast-iron rainwater goods. Roughcast rendered walls over raised plinth course, raised stucco quoins, stucco plat band between storeys on domestic quarters, signage fascia with profiled cornice over bank premises, channelled rustication to bank frontage. Roughcast rendered walls to gable. Window openings to dwelling arranged in two groups with one window at first floor centred over pair at ground floor. One-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows having stone sills and raised stucco block-and-start Gibbsian-style surrounds, with prominent keystones to ground floor openings. Replacement door to house having matching stucco surround with keystone. Fixed casement windows to bank section, flanking replacement panelled door with glazed overlight. Two-storey returns to bank and house, having roughcast rendered walls, domestic return having stepped three-light casement windows. Outbuildings to rear. Opens directly on to street.

Appraisal

A purpose-built former Northern Bank branch designed by Belfast architect Godfrey William Ferguson (1855-1939), architect of many of that institution's branches. The long two-storey composition employs Classical motifs to impart a sense of solidity and permanence, but nevertheless maintains a scale and simplicity that allow it to integrate into the planned town of Shercock. It is well detailed and of a balanced composition, retaining much of its historic fabric and character, and makes an interesting historic addition to the streetscape.