Wow, this is weird.
Carlisle Grammar School Memorial Register:
1876 Register of Boys: Bristow, Robert Salter (adm Aug 4) born Oct 8, 1862, son of Mr John Bristow, clerk, Kentish Town, London, ward of Rev Alfred Hobson, C. of St James, Carlisle. Left c Xmas 1877. Entered the service of the General Steam Navigation Co, Ltd, of London, 1887. In command of SS Heron.
What on earth was the connection with the Rev Alfred Hobson, and why was Robert his ward while both his parents were still alive, and both compos mentis as far as I know, though admittedly separated from each other?
I have found the probate entry for Rev Alfred Hobson which says he died 7 Jul 1880 in Bath. His estate was very small so I don't suppose Robert would be mentioned in the will but I might order it just in case.
http://interactive.ancestry.co.uk/19...nSearchResults
The GRO index shows he was age 48 at death, so this must be him in 1871:
http://interactive.ancestry.co.uk/76...cklabel=Return
No 201 Richmond Rd, Hackney
Alfred Hobson Head Unm 39 School Master Somt Bath
Anne Sister Unm 33 No Occupation Middx Camden Town
Henry Smith Cousin Unm 17 Do Somt Bath
Edith Huggins Servt Unm 25 General Domestic Servant Do
In 1861 he is also a schoolmaster, in Newington, Surrey, and his sister is a teacher too:
http://interactive.ancestry.co.uk/87...cklabel=Return
In 1851 he is with his parents in Walcot, Bath (well, of course he would live there if I am looking at him this week!) and his occupation is "Goldsmith's Ap":
http://interactive.ancestry.co.uk/88...cklabel=Return
This is definitely him as brother George is an Artists Ap, and one of his executors was George Hobson teacher of drawing... the brother.
Not sure when he became a Reverend, but I imagine he taught Robert in London / Surrey before they both went up to Carlisle.
Neither of Robert's brothers is listed in the Carlisle Grammar School Memorial Register.