Some Known British Journeymen Silversmiths and Other Employees

[dognose]

David Field (Grimwade 3514)

Christopher Robinson (Journeyman)
William Justis the younger (Apprentice)

At an Old Bailey trial held on the 21st of April 1762, David Field states that Christoper Robinson had worked for him "near thirty-five years".

http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.j ... 7620421-24

William Justis the younger was the son of William Justis (Grimwade 3200, 3202, 3888-9).

Example of the work and mark of David Field






David Field died in September 1770.

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[dognose]

The apprentices of George Wickes (Grimwade 918, 921, 927, 3197)

William Woodward (Grimwade 3360, 3373) Son of Henry Woodward of Surrey, Butcher, deceased. Indentured to William Pearson (Grimwade 2165-8, 3252) on the 17th February 1719. Pearson died c.1722 and William Woodward was turned over to George Wickes on the 8th October 1722. He was made free by service 16th June 1726 and is thought to have continued with Wickes as a journeyman until entering his own mark on the 20th August 1731.

Wescombe Drake (Grimwade 3080) Son of John Drake of Middlesex. Indentured to John Sa(u)nders (Grimwade 1638, 2467 ?) 2nd May 1721 and turned over to Wickes on the 20th December 1723. Free 4th December 1728.

Charles Woodward (Grimwade 426) Son of Robert Woodward of Surrey, Butcher. Probably the cousin of the above William Woodward. Indentured to Wickes on the 13th September 1727. Not Free until 4th September 1740. He entered his first and only mark on the 10th April 1741.

David Craig Son of John Craig, Jeweller and Wickes's partner at this time. Indentured on the 2nd December 1731. It is unknown if this apprenticeship was completed as no record of Freedom is recorded, but he could possibly be one of the entrants in the missing Smallworkers Register.

Robert Hayward Son of Thomas Hayward of Suffolk, Schoolmaster. Indentured August 1736. No record of Freedom.

Samuel Netherton Son of Samuel Netherton of Fleet Street, Undertaker, deceased (Guardian-William Lawrence of London, Merchant). Born 28th November 1723. Indentured on the 7th March 1737. No record of Freedom, but was known to have stayed on with Wickes and became partner, he took care of the day to day running of the business.

John Parker (Grimwade 1602, 3757) Son of Thomas Parker of Worcestershire, Gentleman, deceased. Baptised 12th November 1734. Cousin of Samuel Netherton (see above). Indentured 5th July 1751. Free, 5th May 1762. Later, along with Edward Wakelin, to become successors to George Wickes.

Link to a trade card of the partnership of George Wickes & Samuel Netherton:

http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/s ... umpages=10" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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[dognose]

Donald Fraser of Inverness

Donald Fraser was born c.1780 and was apprenticed to Charles Jameson (Jamieson) c.1794. He completed his term in 1801 and is likely to have remained with Jameson as a journeyman until c.1804 when he appears to have set up business on his own account. He is noted as possibly the retailer of the work of John Sellar of Wick.



Fraser was known to be in business until c.1825 and thought to have died in 1829.

The Known Apprentices of Donald Fraser

John McGregor Indenture registered with the Incorporation of Inverness Hammermen on the 15th October 1809.

John Anderson Indenture registered with the Incorporation of Inverness Hammermen on the 23rd October 1811. Following the completion of his apprenticeship he went to London to gain experience, returning to Inverness in 1815 where upon he was admitted into the Hammermen's Incorporation and set up business in East Street, Inverness. He was known to have sent pieces for assay at Edinburgh 1828-1845.

Charles McGrigor Indenture registered with the Incorporation of Inverness Hammermen on the 22nd April 1812.

Alexander Williamson Indenture registered with the Incorporation of Inverness Hammermen on the 28th October 1818.

John Jack Indenture registered with the Incorporation of Inverness Hammermen on the 1st November 1820.

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[dognose]

Henry Holland & Son as at January 1868
Henry Sturges (working silversmith)

Henry Sturges is a name that has turned up before in this topic. He appeared earlier as a 'Silver spoon finer and polisher' working at John Lias & Sons in 1843, at that date he appeared as a witness in the trial of another journeymen, William Edmunds. This time, however, it was Henry Sturges's turn to grace the dock, as reported in 'The Illustrated Police News' in January 1868:

Systematic Robbery of Silver Plate

Henry Sturges*, a working silversmith, was placed at the bar on remand before Mr. Alderman Challis, charged with robbing Messrs. Holland & Son, manufacturing silversmiths, of 16, Jewin Cresent**, his masters. In this case the prisoner had been in the service of the prosecutors for the last four or five years, and for nearly the last two years he had been robbing them. It was their custom to give out the work to their workman to finish, and upon the work the man so receiving it put his mark, and it also bore the mark of the prosecutors. On the 7th, Mr. Holland went to Debenham & Storr's*** sale, and there recognised eighteen silver spoons which bore his mark. He purchased them, and then found that they were the same that had been given to the prisoner to finish about eighteen months ago, and had not been returned. On making inquiry of the pawnbroker, it was found that they had been pawned by the prisoner's wife in June 1866.

Henry Sturges received nine months in prison for this offence.

* Henry Sturges was aged 62 at the time of the trial.
** Formerly the workshops of Elizabeth Eaton & Son, acquired when Henry Holland & Son purchased that business in 1866.
*** Debenham & Storr was a famous auction house in Covent Garden, they regularly held sales of pawnbroker's unredeemed pledges.


Debenham, Storr & Sons, Ltd. - London - 1901

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[dognose]

Robert, James & Sebastian Garrard (Grimwade 2322, 3769a) as at August 1822.

William Robinson (Shopman)
Frederick Preston (Shopman)
Herbert Gilbert (Porter)

Robert, James & Sebastian Garrard (Grimwade 2322, 3769a) as at May 1823.

Herbert Gilbert


Source: Old Bailey Court Records

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[dognose]

Charles Reily & George Storer (Grimwade 413) as at December 1830.

Thomas Hudson (position unknown) Employed April until December 1830.

Charles William Shipway (Grimwade 417) as at July 1837.

George Henry Jones (errand boy)

Source: Old Bailey Court Records

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[dognose]

Thomas Justis (Grimwade 2414-15, 3840-1) as at May 1766.
Francis Foster

Source: Old Bailey Court Records

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[dognose]

John Berkenhead (Grimwade p.363) as at July 1789.
Elizabeth Lans (Sister)
Richard Batch
George Stewart (Grimwade p.390)
John (Jack) Spencer (Apprentice)
William Dainborough (Apprentice)
William Clark(e) (Apprentice)

Source: Old Bailey Court Records

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[dognose]

Peter Wirgman (Wergman) (See Grimwade Gabriel Wirgman 922) as at June 1790
Timothy Hollister
James Simmons

Lancelot Palmer (Maker of Silver Surgical Instruments) as at September 1790
Henry Wilson
William Compton

Benjamin Laver (Grimwade 188-9) as at July 1790
Thomas Laver (Son)
William Edborough (Porter)

Source: Old Bailey Court Records

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[dognose]

Willem Godfried Lotter, 6, Kerk Street, Cape Town. See: http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=15236" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Alexander


19th December 1826. His Majesty's Fiscal versus (1) Joseph, Slave of A. T. Neser ; (2) Gert, Slave of the Widow Daniel Haupt; (3) Christiaan, Slave of C. A. Haupt; (4) Alexander, Slave of W. Lotter; Joseph, assisted by Christiaan, for stealing six silver table spoons from Mr. Neser ; Gert, for instigating these two boys to commit the theft; and Alexander (who is by trade a silversmith), for purchasing the property much under its value, and knowing it to have been stolen.

Result: The facts charged were fully proved, and His Majesty's Fiscal claimed that Gert and Alexander be publicly scourged, and work six months in irons ; and that Joseph and Christiaan be scourged in the prison and returned to their masters. The Guardian submitted to the Court that Joseph was only fourteen and a half years old, and Christiaan not quite fourteen years, and that they had been instigated by others to commit the theft ; he prayed the Court therefore to take into consideration the youth of the two prisoners, and hoped that the confinement already suffered by them would be deemed a sufficient punishment. The Court confirmed the Fiscal's claim against Alexander, and sentenced Gert to be scourged and returned to his master, and the two boys, Joseph and Christiaan, as recommended by the Guardian, were released without further punishment.

Source:
Records of the Cape Colony from February 1793, Volumes 1-35

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[dognose]

John Innocent (Grimwade 3647) as at February 1791
Robert Innocent (Son)
Thomas Wilson

George Barton (Silversmith who specialised in applying silver embellishments onto whips) as at July 1791
William Johnson (Apprentice)

James Richards (Heal p.231) as at September 1792
Thomas Richards
William Soames
John Wackrill (Wackerill) (Grimwade p.308)
....... Pethio

Thomas Hemming (Grimwade 2796-7, 3828) as at July 1793
John Seville aka Wright (Porter)

Source: Old Bailey Court Records

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[dognose]

Some details of an interview with Sampson Mordan and three of his apprentices as carried out by Mr F.D. Longe of the Children's Employment Commission in 1865.

This would have been Sampson Mordan II, who inherited the business, along with his brother Augustus, following the death of his father in 1843.


Mr. S. Mordan's Pencil Manufactory, City Road, Finsbury, London.

Mr. S. Mordan.–Out of about 300 hands we have about 45 boys between 12 and 20. Most of these boys are apprenticed by deed to different trades. Some are apprentice lock makers, others are apprentice pencil makers. Our lads are generally our workmen's sons. They are never apprenticed before 14. They are apprenticed to the firm. The hours of work are from 6 to 6 in summer, and from 8 to 8 in the winter, with two hours out of that time for meals. I do not think the boys ever work overtime. We very seldom have any overtime. On Saturdays we leave off at 2 o'clock. There is no addition to the time of work on the other days of the week to make up for Saturday. The hands don't work 60 hours a week regularly.

John Jelks, apprentice, silversmith.–I am 18 next birthday. I have been apprenticed three years. I come at half past 8. I go away at 8 at night. I never work after 8. On Saturday I leave at 2 o'clock. 1 go away for dinner on all days, except Saturdays. Before I came here I was at school, till I was 14. I am not a very good scholar. I can write and read.

John Neil.–I am in my 20th year. I have been an apprentice four years. Before I came I was at a perfumer's. I was two years and a half there. I made violet powder. There were three other boys there. Before that I was at a printer's. I was at a machine ruler's when I was about 12 or 13 years old. There were 60 other boys with me. Our hours there were from 8 to 8. Every week we worked some hours overtime. We worked to 9 or 10 two or three days out of each week. Before that I was at a lithograph printer's. I was about three months there. Before that I was at a glass cutter's. I ground glass in the shop. I was only a month or two there. Before that I was at an eating-house keeper's. I washed up plates. I was about 11 when I went there. I was three months there. I worked from half-past 7 to 8. I always left at 8. I was at school for four years before that. I could not read when I went to work. I am a Sunday school teacher now.

William Ward.–I am 16 on the 24th of next January. I have been apprenticed since last May as a silversmith. I have been here three years. I come at half-past 8. I go away at 8. I never work after 8. I am paid day wages. On Saturday I leave at 2 o'clock. Before I came I worked at a watchmaker's. I worked from 7 to 7. I was two years there. I used to work to 7 on Saturdays there as on the other days. Before this I worked at another watchmaker's. I was hardly 10 years when I went there. I worked then from half-past 7 to 8. I worked the same time on Saturday. We never worked after 8. I was nine months there. Before that I was at school since I was 4 years old. I could read and write and knew arithmetic when I left.

Source: Reports from Committees - 1865

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[dognose]

Thomas Corbett (Grimwade 384)

Grimwade's entry for Thomas Corbett reads thus 'Thomas Corbett, Son of Symon Corbett of St. Martin's in the County Of Middlesex, apprenticed (c.1692) to Matthew Gyles of the Merchant Taylors' Company and subsequently turned over to Peter Platel. Free 6 December 1699. Mark entered as a Largeworker, 12 December 1699. Address: St. Martins Lane. 'free Merchant Taylor'. Heal records him at this address till bankruptcy in 1706.

There would appear to be a major error in Arthur Grimade's details in the above entry. Peter Platel appears to be the anglicized version of Pierre Platel (Grimwade 2200), but Platel was not Free until the 14th June 1699 and therefore could not have become a Master until after that date, and a turn over for anything less than the death of a Master in the last six months of an apprenticeship is highly unlikely.

Fortunately enough and by pure luck as I was looking for something else, I came across a snippet of information that solves the above mystery. In the Middlesex County Records, Sessions Book (524) October 1695, there is this small entry 'Thomas Corbet, Son of Simon Corbet. Discharged of his Apprenticeship to David Williams, Silversmith, a Frenchman, upon proof that the said Williams did unmercifully beat the said Corbet'

David Williams is undoubtedly David Willaume I (Grimwade 512, 3192-4, 3859), indeed he is described as David Williams when he was granted his Freedom in January 1693. Of course this does not tell us who Corbett was apprenticed to for the remaining four years of his training, but almost certainly it was not Platel.

It is odd that Arthur Grimwade should have used the name of another Frenchman, but I'm reminded of a lovely story related to me by Clive Taylor (Buckler), apparently when Arthur Grimwade was putting together the final draft of his great work, he was sitting at his desk in front of a roaring fire, when his cat jumped onto the desk and shot some paperwork straight into the fire. By the time Arthur had retrived the remnants from the fire, some of the information was lost, and in those pre-computer days he had to choose whether to work from memory or do the research on the missing facts all over again. He decided to trust his memory.

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[dognose]

Thomas Robins (Robbins) (Grimwade 2915) as at February 1808.
Thomas Whiston (Apprentice)

Thomas Richards (Heal p.231. Continuation of the business of James Richards, see above) as at July 1807.
Michael Brown (Watchcasemaker)
Edward Benby (Apprentice)

Michael Brown served his apprenticeship with James Richards (Thomas's father). Thomas Richards appears to have taken control of this business c.1795.

Source: Old Bailey Court Records

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[dognose]

Thomas Wirgman as at January 1807
John Morrice Collins Ellworthy (Chief Clerk and Manager)
James Guest (Porter)

Thomas Wirgman was the cousin of Gabriel and Peter Wirgman II (see Grimwade 922). Thomas's premises are noted as 67 St James's Street and Peter was at 69, St James's Street. Peter died c.1801 so the premises may be one of the same, due possibly to re-numbering or typographical error.

Source: Old Bailey Court Records

Update to above, just to confuse the issue of Thomas Wirgman's address, I have noted a letter by him, dated the 21st September 1816, in which he gives his address a 68, St James's Street.

From about 1810 Thomas Wirgman's behaviour became stranger and stranger, many believed him insane. He spent a fortune publishing self written phamplets and books mostly devoted to the study of Kantesian.


Title page - Principles of the Kantesian by Thomas Wirgman - 1824

Some of his publications, usually published in English and French and printed at great expence due to the fine quality of the printed material using coloured paper, included his 1830 offering 'Divarication of the New Testament into doctrine, history, the word of God', in 1834 he published a second edition that contained 552 pages of which 410 were the perface which was then followed by a lengthy introduction.

In 1865, John Timbs in his 'Walks and Talks about London', described Thomas Wirgman "...the eccentric Thomas Wirgman, the Kantesian, as a goldsmith and jeweller, made a considerable fortune, which he squandered as a regenerating philosopher. He had paper made especially for his books, the same sheet consisting of several different colours; and, through his whims, one book of 400 pages cost him £2276. He published a children's grammer of the five senses, which book, he maintained, if adopted in schools, would restore peace and harmony to the earth, and cause virtue every where to replace crime"

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[dognose]

Gabriel Wirgman (Grimwade 922) as at November 1769
James Upjohn (Partner)
William Trimble (Errand Boy)

This partnership, at Red Lion Street, Clerkenwell, was earlier than those recorded by Grimwade or Heal.

Cade & Robinson (Heal p.119) as at January 1806
John Cade (Partner)
......Robinson (Partner)
Thomas Baxter
John Higgins (Porter)

This appears to be a new partnership following the dissolution of John Cade's earlier partnership with John Gearing.

Source: Old Bailey Court Records

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[dognose]

William Eaton (Grimwade 3105-6) as at March 1806
........Eaton (Son)
Joseph William Daniel (Clerk)

Thomas & Edward Pemberton of Birmingham as at July 1805
William Lee (Clerk)
Edward Dukes
Edwin Pemberton (London)

This is most likely to be the Thomas Pemberton that entered his mark at the Birmingham Assay Office as a Toy Maker on the 9th September 1803 from St Paul's Square, Birmingham. He is perhaps the same Thomas Pemberton who was the brother of the noted Samuel Pemberton, if so he was born in 1775 and died on the 18th March 1830, aged 54 years.

Details of an Old Bailey trial reveal that the Pembertons' were supplying goods to the London trade including gold watch seals, gold watch keys, gold finger rings, gold brooches, combs, silver thimbles, silver toothpick cases, silver nutmeg graters, silver patch boxes and silver hair brooches. The trial also mentions that they had a London warehouse situated at No.16 Little Britain and supervised by one Edwin Pemberton.

Of Edward Pemberton I can find nothing, but Edwin, who was probably Thomas's younger brother, it is recorded that he was born on the 19th July 1785 and died on the 1st August 1851. One wonders if the name of Edward is a typographical error and should read Edwin, making the firms name Thomas & Edwin Pemberton, this would account nicely for Thomas being the Birmingham based manufacturer and entering a 'TP' mark in script at the BAO and Edwin as the London based distributor.

Source: Old Bailey Court Records

For details of the memorial to the Pemberton family go to:
http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18123" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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[dognose]

George Smith IV (Grimwade 899-900, 2294) as at September 1805
Holland Ready
William Edwards (Possibly)

Holland Ready was aged 57 years at the above date.


William Blake (Grimwade p.351-2) as at November 1804
James Boulton (Watch Glass Joint Finisher)

James Bridgman (Grimwade p.341) as at November 1804
James Boulton (Watch Glass Joint Finisher)

James Boulton worked as an outworker to the above named watchcasemakers.

Source: Old Bailey Court Records

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[dognose]

Rebeccah Emes & Edward Barnard Grimwade 2309 as at January 1824
Rebeccah Emes (Partner)
Edward Barnard (Partner)
Henry Chawner (Partner)
William Craggs (Polisher)

William Craggs is noted as being aged 47 years at the above date and had worked for the firm for 14 years.

Source: Old Bailey Court Records

Edward Barnard Death Notice: http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... 5084#45084" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

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[dognose]

James Bridgman (Grimwade p.341) as at July 1804
Robert Atkinson
John Rumsey (Apprentice)

Samuel Atkins (Grimwade p.347) as at January 1804
John Griffiths (Errand Boy)

John Griffiths is noted as being 11 years of age at the above date.

Thomas Sutherland (Heal p.251) as at February 1804
William Henry Wilson (Partner)

Morris Tobias (Heal p.255) as at February 1804
Myer Isaac Tobias (Partner)
Isaac Tobias (Apprentice)

Source: Old Bailey Court Records

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