This series of photographs show John Riley (who was the the joint owner of Riley Bros along with his brother, Bahzilla Riley) and a number of views from the works. Courtesy of Simon Trenholm. 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
Picture Stockton Archive 
Hi, I’m researching for an old nursing friend who’s great-grandfather was William RILEY (Boilersmith) – (1837–1901), b. Stanningley, nr Leeds, d. Middlesbrough, Yorkshire North Riding, who married Jane Ann LOWES (1841-1903), and only had a son, Bars [John Edward) RILEY, She states that family folklore passed through the generations in that the RILEY brothers, or their descendants, had a falling out [I think in the 1900-1910 period]. Can anyone shed light on this? I’ve scanned some Newspapers, but with the subscription costs at Newspaper archives so exorbitant, I thought, having read through this page, that surely someone here can cast some light on things. I know Bars seems only to have been employed, presumably by RILEY Bros [as shown on the censuses]. Any HELP greatly appreciated! I am sending her the link to this page, and I am sure she will be delighted to read through!
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I was born in Brookdale 189 Oxbridge Lane Stockton on Tees – a house built by the owner of Riley Boiler makers works in 1866. I believe Mr Riley died in the house. The house is a typical ‘gothic revival villa’ of the time. With ornate ceiling coving and light roses. A good staircase rises up with a large half landing square bay window in ornate stained glass with mahogany handrail with bronze statuette light fitting at the end – probably an oil lamp originally or a later addition.
The house had a long conservatory to the side accessed via the hall at the bottom of the stairs. A detached coach house and coachman’s cottage.
I have fond memories of my life there from 1953 until 1965 when the Spencer family bought it from my parents who then moved to Low Worsall on the Tees above Yarm. I believe the Riley boiler making works closed. My Grandfather founded Fred Kidd and on Engineers in 1918 then buying the propellor works of Rogers in Stockton who had suffered a collapse from the 1926 General strike. Their descendants going on to found Rogers Rose nursery of Pickering.
In its heyday Stockton was a a now largely forgotten powerhouse of ship building and support industries.
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The Riley/McLauchlan connection led to Bruno Bragoli sending me a copy of the McLauchlan family tree worked up by a cousin in the USA. The A4 pages spewed out of the printer for what seemed an age. Eventually I managed to assemble them in order. The sheet was an A4 depth for the generations but 14 feet long!
Thank you Bruno.
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The token found by Gary K sounds fascinating and very kind of him to offer it to the family. Patricia lives in York but sadly she felt unable to join the party last October for the Centenary of the Transporter.
My wife PETA (Riley) is the Great Granddaughter of both Alderman McLauchlan and of Alderman John Riley the last family Director of Riley Boilers.
We look forward to hearing what Gary does with the token and again good job finding it. There must be masses of such material still to be found.
best wishes
Ian Sutherland
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Hi Ian, I’v just sent Patricia a message about returning the token to her/your family. I left my email address with the PictureStockton team if herself or you couldd pass on a forwarding address I’d be happy to post. Thanks. Gary
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Message for Gary Knowlson. Very pleased to read your information about the token with my Great Grandfather’s name on it. I am sure we would love to have it in the family. I see you wrote your message on 15th January. Have your enquiries taken you any further since that time as I have not been on this site for some months now. Thank you for taking the time to leave the message Gary.
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Hi Patricia,sorry for taking so long to reply.I would love to send your great grandfathers token to you and your family, you can get my email address from the PictureStockton team. if you get in touch and leave a forwarding address I’ll post it to you, as it is a piece of your family’s history. Gary
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Patricia Mclauchlan – Just been doing some research on Alderman J. Mclauchlan, as I go metal detecting on weekends and I’ve just found a token for King Edward VI & queen 1902 with the name Alderman J. Mclauchlan, Mayor of Middlesbrough on it and would like to give it back to his family, be grateful if you could help. I found it today in a field next to great Aston.
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my great great great grand father was John Riley and we are in contact with descendants of the Mclauchlan family…they have the trowel that J McLauchlan used to lay the foundation of the Transporter bridge in 1911
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I’ve not been on this site for a long time and very interesting to read the extra input. As Ian was wondering if my dad, Harry Hutton, may have more information I’ll ask him soon what he remembers of Rileys. I’m sure at the age of 92 he’ll be very interested in seeing the photos and pleased to know there’s a Riley boiler still in working order! I remember going in the car with my parents around the country and almost every town we visited we’d hear him say ‘there’s a Riley boiler here!’
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