12 West Road: The Stobert Family Home

One of the oldest buildings in the west end of the village, No.12 West Road in Ponteland dates at least until 1826 and could be older. James Stobert was born here in that year and lived here until his death in 1905.

The Stobert’s were originally two brothers who moved here from Horsley in the early years of the 19th century and took over the tenancy of the Ponteland water mill and a local farm. A map of 1835 shows the main house had a range of outbuildings semi-enclosing a small yard to the rear, and this may have been a small farm.

On every census return up to 1891, James Stobert is described as Miller and Farmer but in that year the description is; Farmer, Miller, Grocer etc. along with his son Henry. In 1901 both are described as Farmer and Provision Dealer. In James’ obituary he was reported to have been in the grocery and provision trade for 25 years, indicating that this branch of the family business started around 1880.

In the 19th century, outside of towns, shops were generally run from the front rooms of family houses. The business prospered and the outbuilding shown on the right of the old photograph was demolished and new, bespoke retail premises built probably around the time of James’ death and the business being taken over by his son Henry. This became No. 10 West Road and the saleroom in the original house was returned to family use. In the 1911 census, it is listed as having eight rooms.

The house remained as a private residence up to 2010 when it was taken over by a firm of solicitors and converted into offices.