many thanks to both Brian & Bruce - I have him in a 1887 and 94 directory but it would seem that he set up a Manx branch and for a few years had his cousin manage it (I suspect manufacture could also have been off Island though there does appear to be a good sized workroom at the back of the Regent St shop). Unfortuneately I'm off island for a couple of weeks (and the museum library closed for a week) so can't do any checking of newspapers but at least I can get back to the present day owners of the boots.