Historic Pelham

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

Adele Bolton was one of the children of Reverend Robert Bolton (1788-1857), founder of Christ Church and builder of the Priory in the Village of Pelham Manor, and his wife, Anne Jay Bolton (1793-1859). Mary Statira Bolton, a sister of Adele, returned to England and married Reverend John Rooker, rector for many years of a Protestant Episcopal church at Bristol, England. Today's posting to the Historic Pelham blog provides a little more information about these two Bolton sisters and transcribes several obituaries that appeared after their deaths.

For many years Adele assisted her older sister, Nanette Bolton, with administration of the Priory School for Girls that operated in the Priory for nearly forty years during the mid-19th century. Adele was born in Hennley-on-the-Thames, England in about 1830. Before the age of six, she and her family came to this country and settled briefly on a farm in today's Village of Bronxville. In about 1838, her father and members of the Bolton family began building the family home in today's Pelham Manor, naming it the Priory. Within a few years the family also built Christ Church near the Priory.

I have written before about Adele Bolton. See, e.g.:

Thu., Mar. 31, 2016: Adele Bolton, a Founder of Grace Episcopal Church and Administator of the Priory School for Girls.

Fri., Apr. 01, 2016: The Portrait of "Mrs. Bolton" Attributed to Thomas Gainsborough That Once Hung in The Priory of Pelham Manor.

Adele Bolton died in her home on January 24, 1911. Her funeral was held in her beloved Christ Church, founded by her father and family, on Friday, January 27, 1911. She was buried in Beechwood Cemetery.

Adele Bolton's sister, Mary Statira Bolton, returned to England. There she married Reverend John Rooker who served for many years as rector of an Episcopal church in Bristol, England. He later became Rector Emeritus of the church. She and her husband had four children, one of whom died at the age of four: Anne Rooker, John Rooker (who became an Episcopal clergyman like his father, Mary Statira Rooker, and James Jay Rooker (born 1862; died 1866).

Mary Statira Bolton Rooker died in Kent, England on March 24, 1900.

Adele Bolton in an Undated Photograph.

NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

Memorial Tablet Dedicated to Memory of Adele Bolton

Installed on Wall Within Grace Episcopal Church, City Island.

NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

* * * * *

Below is the transcribed text of a number of obituaries of Adele Bolton and her sister, Mary Statira Bolton Rooker, published in local newspapers. Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.
"MISS ADELE BOLTON.

Miss Adele Bolton, daughter of the late Rev. Robert Bolton, who founded the old Bolton Priory at Pelham Manor, and sister of the late Rev. Cornelius Bolton, for many years rector of the Church of the Redeemer, at North Pelham, died last night at Pelham Manor.

She was born in Henley-on-the-Thames, England, in 1830, and when six years old came to this country with her parents. She was educated in the institution her father founded and at an early age became engaged in religious work. She formed the present Grace Episcopal Church, in City Island, in the 50's from a mission which then existed there.

The only near relative who survives her is Miss Frances Bolton, a sister, who lives in England. The funeral will be held in Christ Church, Pelham Manor, to-morrow, at 3:15 p.m. The burial will be in Beechwood Cemetery."

Source: MISS ADELE BOLTON, New-York Tribune, Jan. 26, 1911, p. 7, col. 6 (NOTE: Paid subscription required to access via this link).

"Obituary Notes. . . .

Miss ADELE BOLTON, daughter of the late Rev. Robert Bolton, the founder of Bolton Priory at Pelham Manor, died on Wednesday night at Pelham Manor. She was born in England in 1830 and came to this country at the age of six. She helped to organize the present Grace Episcopal Church on City Island out of a mission she had started there in the fifties. Her sister, Miss Frances Bolton, who lives in England, survives her."

Source: Obituary Notes . . . Miss ADELE BOLTON, N.Y. Times, Jan. 27, 1911, p. 11, col. 5 (NOTE: Paid subscription required to access via this link).

"Died. . . . BOLTON. -- At New Rochelle, N.Y., on Jan. 24, 1911, Adele, daughter of the Rev. Robert Bolton of Bolton Priory, Pelham Manor, N.Y., in her 81st year. Funeral service at Christ Church, Pelham Manor, N.Y., on Friday, at 3:15 P.M. Train leaves Grand Central Depot at 2:15 P.M. and Willis Av. 2 P.M., connecting with trolley at Pelham and Pelham Manor stations to Christ Church. European and Southern papers please copy."

Source: Died. . . . BOLTON, N.Y. Times, Jan. 26, 1911, p. 11, col. 6 (NOTE: Paid subscription required to access via this link).

"DEATH LIST OF A DAY. . . .

Mrs. Mary S. Rooker.

Mrs. Mary S. Rooker died in Kent, England, on March 24. She was born at Pelham Manor seventy years ago. She married the Rev. John Rooker, rector for many years of a Protestant Episcopal church at Bristol, England. He has for some time been rector emeritus. Mrs. Rooker was a daughter of the Rev. Robert Bolton, who lived at the Priory, Pelham Manor, in 1836. She leaves one son, the Rev. John Rooker, two daughters, and a sister, Miss A. Bolton, who still occupies the Priory at Pelham Manor."

Source: DEATH LIST OF A DAY. . . . Mrs. Mary S. Rooker, N.Y. Times, Apr. 11, 1900, p.