Hello Joan
Thanks for your message, though I doubt that I’m going to be able to help you any more; however, there may be a few small points.
I’m grateful for your comments about the 1841 boat disaster, and I will certainly read up on that, as I know nothing about it.
Although our family home was at no.1 Chapel Walk, there were no houses immediately opposite us. In fact even-numbered houses began probably about 50 metres up the Walk, just about directly opposite the Ebeneezer, and that chapel was located on our side, the odd-numbered side.
Certainly, without any doubt at all, I would say that anyone living at no.14 Chapel Walk would also (as I had to) attend the Thornhill primary school, situated in Tenter Street, “up t’Clough”.
You mention two locations (College Road and College Street) but these two places were not close to each other; they were probably a mile or so apart. Whereas College Road was at the top of Chapel Walk (King Street merged into it), College Street was (and is) in the very heart of the town. If you look at a map of Rotherham, you will see that College Street is situated adjacent to the main square, All Saints Square, next to the towering parish church. College Street is not very long at all, and it soon continues (in a straight line) becoming Wellgate, which you also mention. (I’ve been trying hard to place Chemist Lane, which you mention, but it’s gone.)
I live a little further away from Rotherham than you do. I’ve lived in northern Thailand for the last 18 years, and my visits to England occur infrequently, though I am planning a trip later on this year.
With good wishes to you - Dennis