 Watch & Clockmakers of Driffield |
DRIFFIELD AND WOLDS GENEALOGY |
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Trade Directories Parish Registers Driffield Parish Church Baptisms 1836-1850 (incomplete) A - L Driffield Parish Church Baptisms 1836-1850 (incomplete) M - Z Flamborough Marriages by Banns 1754-1779 North Burton (Burton Fleming) Parish Registers Wesleyan Baptisms 1837-1867 A-H only Monumental Inscriptions North Frodingham & North Dalton Cemetery MIs BMD Announcements &c from the Driffield Times Religion List of Priors etc of Monastic Establishments on the Yorkshire Wolds Driffield Congregational Church Religious Meeting Houses Licenced 1708-1808 The Blockhouses of Kingston Upon Hull (the persecution of local Catholics) WW1 Soldiers who died in WW1 with a connection to Driffield WW2 Social History History of the Driffield Post Office Trevor Malkin on the Driffield Railway Biographies &c They left Nafferton in 1863 - Where are they now? Some Old Driffield Schoolmasters Thomas Saulsbury Wright- one of yours? Celebrities of the Yorkshire Wolds Miscellaneous Useful links & Online family trees
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WATCH & CLOCKMAKERS OF DRIFFIELD
My 'other half' is a collector of pocket watches by local makers. In various publications we have noticed that there is a gap of information relating to these and some missing altogether. He is currently compiling a list and details of local makers and apprentices, so that future lists will be complete. If you have any information relating to these, please pass it on with references (ie where you got the information from). If you have any watches or advertising keys for any of these, we would be more than happy to buy them from you or at least be considered.. This is the resarch so far:
AKAM, Richard, born Watton 1870. Son of Thompson Akam who in 1881 was innkeeper at Railway Tavern, Driffield. Richard listed at watchmaker in 1891. In 1901 listed as traveller for CJ Iron Founders, Eccleshall Bierlow ALLARTHORPE, R 1760 - 1770 Cranswick. Nothing else known about this person as yet. Any information appreciated ALLEN, James, Driffield, 1861 - Apprenticed to F.F. Dobson of Driffield on 27th April 1861. Worked for George Canty of Barton on Humber for a year before marrying Mrs Hardy the widow from the Black Bull next to Canty’s shop. Allen became the licensee in 1869. APPLETON, Waters, born Middleton 1871. Son of John, a Middleton farmer. Apprentice with JW Watson, in 1891 BATES, D., Driffield, c.1840 - One painted dial longcase clock with hunting scene in arch and mahogany swan neck pediment case. c.1840 BLAKESTON, Frederick J., born Driffield 1877, died 1929. Watchmakers appentice in 1891. Watchmaker in 1901. Ad for Ezard & Blakeston watchmakers in Nov 1901 BRAITHWAITE, James Walter, born Driffield 1867. Watchmaker/ tobacconist in 1891 & watch and clockmaker in 1901. Married Frances Elizabeth Watson of Driffield in 1886.Was a Volunteer of D Company and was a Sergeant. He went out to South Africa during that campaign and held a long service medal and one for the South Africa War. Expert billiard player. Died at his home on Providence Place, Driffield, November 1918 aged 51, of septic pnuemonia (the influenza that killed millions during WW1) BRYAN, William Henry, born Driffield 1854. Watchmaker 1881 & 1892, Westgate, Driffield BURRELL, Benjamin, 1850-92 North Frodingham & Bridlington, born Nottingham c.1815, wife Sarah born Garton c. 1820. Watch and clockmaker North Frodingham 1850-55 and at 14 Queen St Quay, Bridlington 1867-79, at 4 Queen St in 1892 CONKERTON, Thomas Moody, born Hull 1839. Watchmaker, Brook Street, Driffield in 1861 census COULT, Simpson, in Cranswick in 1884, where his daughter died and he was described as a watchmaker. Listed on Hessle Road, Hull by 1897.. DANDY, Harry, Bridlington, born 1884, died 1949 - Born in Thwing, died Bridlington. Made at least 3 longcase clocks for his own amusement. An 8 day strike silent 3 train clock chiming on tubes and an 8 day regulator, both in oak longcases made by Greenwood Water; and a broken arched brass dial in the 1770 London style of longcase DAWSON, Granville R., born Beswick 1806. Listed as apprentice watchmaker with T Stockdale in 1881 census DOBSON, Frank, born Driffield 1785. Clock and watchmaker, Market Place, 1823. Aged 66 in 1851 census. Wife Charlotte is listed as widow in 1861. DOBSON, Frederick Frank, born 1820, son of Frank Dobson. Carried on father's shop in Market Place, Driffield. Listed in 1858 as Jeweller. In 1861 as silversmith & postmaster, Market Place. Ad for John Wilkinson, watchmaker, market place (late Dobsons) in July 1872 ETHERINGTON, John, Driffield, 1775, died 1790 - clockmaker buried in Driffield in 1790 EZARD, Alfred C, born Australia 1859. Son of Thomas Fowler Ezard. Listed as watchmaker with him in 1881 EZARD, Thomas Fowler, born Kilham 1833. Possibly apprentice with Abel Holtby in 1851. Reappears in 1860's with 2 children born in Australia. Clock and watchmaker Market Place 1867, Middle Street 1872 Ad for apprenctice for Ezard & Blakeston watchmakers in Driffield Times, 1901. FLINT, Samuel Ballard, born Driffield 1825. 1851-58 - Clock and watchmaker in Westgate 1851 and Middle Street by 1858. Shop in Hornsea 1855? In Linthorpe in 1881 as a taxidermist. Probably brother of William James Flint. William had a son called William Ballard Flint (died aged 11) - can't be just coincidence. FLINT, William James, born Driffield 1817 died 1870. Clock and watchmaker at Mill Street 1846-67, watch reported ‘W.P. Flint Driffield’ might be an error for ‘W.J.’ William is buried in Driffield Cemetery with Martha, his wife and 8 of their children. Son of Captain William Fllint a member of the sporting fraternity at the end of the 18th century. He was famous for a race at York in 1804 for a stake of a thousand guineas, with the wife of Colonel Thornton (whose sister he married). The course was 4 miles and the scene was so great that there were 50,000 spectators. While running the 3rd mile, Mrs Thornton's horse, Vingarillo, broke down, owing to the saddle girths slipping, and she lost the race. There were allegations of foul play and Flint's win was considered an ungallant act. Colonel Thornton declined not to pay his stake and both engaged in horse-whipping each other. Flint died in York in 1832, through an overdose of prussaic acid for spasmodic asthma. He was described as a "tall, thin man, with a little wife." FOSTER, William Lawrence, born Pocklington 1824. Driffield, 1855-67 - Watch and clockmaker; Middle Street in 1867. 86, Westgate, in 1877 (advertisement says 38 years experience) FRYER, Edward, born Pocklington 1822. Hull/ Driffield, 1851-72 - Clock and watchmaker at Middle Street, Driffield 1851 and at 64 Walker Street, Hull 1872 GARRATT, Alfred, born Leicester 1857. 1879/81 Jeweller Middle St South, Driffield, 1891, Shady Lane & 1892 Shady Lane GIBSON, Welford, born Malton 1867, son of Welford Gibson, tailor and music teacher. Watchmakers apprentice in 1881 census HILLABY, Richard, born Garton 1841. Watchmaker in 1861, lodging in Beverley Lane. Head watchmaker employing 4 men, in Sheffield, by 1881 HILLABY, William, born Garton 1840. Brother of Richard. Watchmaker, lodging in Beverley Lane, Driffield, in 1861 HOLLIDAY, John Thomas, born Cranswick 1853. Hornsea/ Driffield, 1879-1920 - Watchmaker in Southgate 1879 at Mill Street, Driffield in 1892 HOLTBY, Abel, born Driffield 1814. Clock and watchmaker in Market Place 1838-46 and Middle Street 1851-66, by which time he was also Registrar of Marriages. Children's names Alfred, Helen, Annie, Francis & John. Abel was next door to the Grapes Inn in 1861. In 1866 ad in Driffield Times for John Holtby, says all watches sold by the late Abel Holtby cleaned and repaired at half price. Two 8 day painted dial oak longcase clock, one with a pink dial, one signed Skeleton clock. HOLTBY, Alfred, born Driffield 1847, Listed as watchmaker with Abel in 1861, aged 14. Watchmaker in Queen St Hull in 1881. Back in Driffield in 1891 living in Adelphi Street, but still a watchmaker. HOLTBY, John, born Driffield 1844. Son of Abel. Watchmaker with Abel in 1861. Ad in Driffield Times in 1866, then watchmaker in Leeds by 1881 HOPPER, Arthur J, born Driffield 1872. Apprentice to Thomas Stockdale in 1891 HUNTER, William, Driffield, 1846 - Had shop in Beverley Road 1846 JONES, Edward Wm, daughter Sarah Ann baptised at Driffield All Saints on Jan 9, 1836. Wife Hannah. Edward's trade given as watchmaker JEFFERSON, John, born Hull 1796, Driffield 1823-72 - Clock and watchmaker in Market Place in 1823-72. 3 oak and one mahogany 8 day longcase clocks with painted dials (Loomes reports one brass dial) KIRBY, Charles Henry, born Nafferton 1873, son of Joseph Kirby. Won silver medal of City & Guilds of London Institute of horology. 1901 census is in London as a watchmaker KIRBY, Isabel, born Leeming 1852, wife of Robert Kirby. 1891, widow in Church Street. In 1890 advertised as Mrs Robert Kirby, watchmaker Jeweller & silvesmith Middle St South, next door to Boak photographer. 1891 running late husband's shop in Middle st south, Driffield. 1901 jeweller & watch dealer KIRBY, Joseph, born Malton, 1852. Son of Robert Benson Kirby. Took over Mill St shop in 1884. In Market Place in 1891. Joined Freemasons in 1887, died 1917. Was Master of Sykes Lodge 1892 and 1893. Late 19th century American wall clock carries his name KIRBY, Robert, born Malton, 1847. 1881 listed as watchmaker's jobber, church street. 1886 ad for Robert Kirby, watchmaker, Middle st south. Died before 1891 census. KIRBY, Robert Benson, born Hull 1811. Had shop in Malton & Mill Street, Driffield. Retired in 1884. Son Joseph took over. KIRBY descendant and researcher WILLIAM KIRBY KIRBY, Robert Benson, Born Nafferton 1877, son of Joseph Kirby. Won medal for watchmaking (City & Guilds) in 1900. 1901 census, watchmaker in London LAMPLOUGH, John Frank, Bridlington, born 1795, died 1882 - Born and apprenticed in Driffield, clockmaker. Changed shops many times in High Street, Bridlington from 1823, married twice. Later has a soap boiling business and promoter and chairman of the town’s gasworks. Four painted dial oak longcase clocks all 8 day with swan-neck pedimints, two inscribed Burlington, one with rocking ship in arch. LAYBOURNE(E), Christopher, Driffield, 3 April 1767, died 1831 - Clock and watchmaker working by 1790, also ran the local post office. Married Mary Conyers in 1796. Eight children, daughter Catherine became Post mistress. Shop in Middle Street 1823 and died 1831. 8 day pediment dial longcase clock with painted dial, reported in Port Talbot, Wales, 2002. Dawn Hughes is Christopher's great x 4 grand daughter, through Christopher's son, John, born 1802 and has provided much of this information. LAYBOURNE(E), Mark, Driffield, 1773-99 - Clockmaker, brother of Christopher Laybourne. Married Jane Jarrett in 1793 - 7 children born to them. Retired from clockmaking in 1798. Parents of both Laybourne's were William Laybourne and Mary nee Tows. LUNDY, Joseph, born Driffield 1843. Apprentice in 1861. Watch and clockmaker in Sheffield in 1881 LUNN, Harry A, born Driffield 1869. Son of George Lunn, printer & reporter, Westgate, Driffield. Harry is a watchmaker's apprentice in 1881 census LYON, Charles, Bridlington, 1858-79 - Nephew of Craven Lyon who probably succeeded in 1868. At 98 High Street 1858-79. LYON, Craven, Bridlington, Born in Driffield 1793 died 1888, apprenticed in Durham to John Boulton, returned to work for F.F. Dobson of Driffield, then for John Lamplough in Bridlington. On his own in High Street, Bridlington 1823 up to retiring in 1868. Lived at 44 High Street, Bridlington in retirement. Mahogany cases made by Braithwaites and Lowson Marson of Bridlington MAW, Bielby, born Beswick 1863. 1881 census, apprentice for Thomas Stockdale. Watchmaker in Beverley in 1901 NOBLE, Thomas, born Driffield 1839, died 1872. Watchmaker, Middle St, Driffield, in 1861 census NORTH, Richard, Driffield, 1780-94 - Watchmaker working in 1780. Wife Elizabeth had daughter Betty in 1794 PARMAN, Jn H, Watchmaker at 6 Exchange Street in 1879. By 1881, he was listed as a wood turner living at the same address. Nothing further is known at the moment PINDER, Robert, Driffield, 1840 - Clock and watchmaker and toy seller, Market Place in 1840. Wife Sarah. Daughter Ann Elizabeth bap in 1836. RANDALL, Joseph, born Driffield 1825. Watchmaker in Middle St South, Driffield, 1861 census. Minister in Leicester in 1881 census. Returned to Driffield and was back there in 1901, living in Eastgate south, describing himself as a retired minister.. ROBINSON, Alice, born Hull. Tobacconist & Jeweller in Middle St South, Driffield, in 1891 census. Also in 1892 trade directory. Widow. Possibly widow of Jn Wm Robinson, watchmaker, Driffield ROBINSON, John William. Member of Sykes Lodge of Freemasons. Joined 1879, died 1888. Listed as watchmaker, Driffield SALLENG, William, born Germany 1845. Clockmaker lodging in Middle St, Driffield, in 1861 census STOCKDALE, George, born Driffield 1882, son of Thomas Stockdale. Watchmaker in 1901 census. Moved to NZ STOCKDALE, Thomas, born Bainton 1853, apprenticed to Thos Ezard, Driffield and then set up on his own account, from at least 1873 (next door to the Baptist Chapel) to Jan 1913 when he emigrated to New Zealand and there he died in 1916. He is buried in Purewa Cemetery, Auckland, NZ. Found a watch, marked Thos Stockdale, Driffield - in New Zealand! WATSON, Arthur, born Driffield 1889, son of John Witty Watson. Member of Sykes Lodge of Freemasons in 1919. Listed as watchmaker & jeweller WATSON, John Witty, born Langtoft, 1860 died 14 Jan, 1915. Various ads in paper for 1884 - 1901, JW Watson, Middle St South, Driffield. Wife, Mary Ann, died 1928 aged 67. His third son, EJW (Jack) Watson, was killed in action, aged 24, by the effects of gas, in June 1916. He had not followed his father's calling, being a qualified chemist. Still trading as JW Watson & son today, but shop is in Market Place and is no longer 'in the family.' WELBOURN, R., born Pickering 1842, announcement in Driffield Times, Aug 18, 1866, for birth of a son. Trade given as watchmaker WHITING, George, born Driffield 1845, apprentice in 1861. Son of William Whiting, joiner, Driffield. Nephew of Joseph Randall, watchmaker. Married Mary Ann Darling, Aug 1869 Eccleshall Bierlow. He was then a watchmaker, living in West Street. Son Alfred, born 1879, Sheffield, took over the business. He married Sarah Emma Blinkhorn Aug 1899, Sheffield. Alfred continued with the business for over 30 years. The jewellers shop was destroyed during WW2 blitz and Alfred died at the end of the war, in May 1945. His son, George Whiting, married Gladys Giggal in Sheffield, March 1940. George trained as a watchmaker as well, and during WW2, because of his training, he was assigned to the maintenace of Mosquito fighter bombers. Thus ended the family's long run in the watchmaking business. WILKINSON, John, born Meriden Warwickshire, 1849. Ad in Driffield Times, July 1872 gives him as a watchmaker and Jeweller, Market Place, Driffield (late Dobsons). Same ad in 1873 WILSON, Ernest, born 1876 at Cemetery Lodge, in Driffield. Apprentice in 1891 and in 1901 is a watchmaker. A watch paper which was found, says E.Wilson, Watchmaker, Middle Street South, Driffield (late Stockdale). Died in 1970 in The Limes, Driffield
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