Thomas Barlow Tong
Mayor of Bolton: 1906-08 (Conservative)
Born: Bolton 1850
Died: Bolton 30 June 1917
Brewer and wine and spirits merchant.
He operated the Diamond Brewery, Deane, though his business address and premises were in Mealhouse Lane
His father, William Tong, ran the Farmers Arms on Pikes Lane - now Deane Road - Bolton.
Uncle of Walter Wharton Tong, Mayor of Bolton 1940-41.
The Bolton Evening News of 9 November 1906 reported that a "breezy discussion" took place in the Council chamber with regard to the election of a new Mayor. Strong opposition was made to the fact that he made his living as a brewer, but eventually he was elected.
Magistrate. One of his first appearances on the Bench was when 2 men appeared before him on a charge of drunkenness. He informed them that if they could not drink without excess they should give it up altogether.
New cotton mills were still being built in Bolton during his Mayoralty and on 28 June 1907 he cut the first sod of the new mill on Deane Road, later called the Croal Mill.
He also cut the first sod at Delph Reservoir on 4 June 1908.
His wife, Annie, was Mayoress.
Annie was the daughter of Alderman Henry Greenwood who kept the Lower Nag's Head on Deansgate in Bolton and she herself ran the Victoria Hotel in Hotel Street for a while.
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