Apprentice clockmaker

[Steve Garnham]

I am trying to find out more about Thomas Wiltshire, a clockmaker who was apprenticed in 1780.

Any suggestions/information gratefully received.

Thanks


Steve

[Geoffers]

To try and work out a way of pointing you in the right direction, do you know where he was apprenticed, or subsequently worked and lived?

[Steve Garnham]

Geoff

I've been advised by the British Horological Society that they have a record of his apprenticeship from 1780, but no record of where, "although it would almost certainly have been London"?! The BHI is interested as they have no record of his work at all.

The clock in question has been in the family for generations. I knew it dated from the late 1700s, and I'm curious to see if it can be linked in any way to my line i.e. if he was a provincial clock maker (my lot originate in Norfolk/Lincolnshire).

Regards


Steve

[Geoffers]

I've been advised by the British Horological Society that they have a record of his apprenticeship from 1780, but no record of where, "although it would almost certainly have been London"?! The BHI is interested as they have no record of his work at all.

Curses that was going to be a fallback suggestion.

There are often people who follow the work of particular clockmakers and there are some interesting little books on the subject.

It will be difficult for you to access (you might try the Society of Genealogists who have indexed some records), but until 1811, there was a tax on apprenticeships and this might be a way forward. Have a read of this research guide.

Something you might do is search the PCC wills available on The National Archives web-site

The clock in question has been in the family for generations. I knew it dated from the late 1700s, and I'm curious to see if it can be linked in any way to my line i.e. if he was a provincial clock maker (my lot originate in Norfolk/Lincolnshire).

I'll check my collection of stuff on Norfolk and see if I can find owt for thee; but it will very much be a shot in the dark.

If your chap was in Norfolk and he left a will proven in that diocese and he died in the first half of the 19th century, you can search and download wills for free via NOAH. which also has some early directories.

Do remember in searching to check variant spellings (e.g. WILSHIRE).

[AnnB]

You may have already tried this, but have you contacted the Clockmakers' Company, one of the oldest City of London livery companies? You will find their site here - I have found that the archivists from livery companies are extremely helpful with any queries I have had in the past, although I haven't had any dealings with the Clockmakers'.

Good luck
Ann

[Steve Garnham]

Thanks Geoff....I think there are books with detailed lists of clockmakers & their apprentices, so I'm hoping someone who has such a thing might read this!

I'll follow up on your other suggestions, though.

[Steve Garnham]

Thanks Ann, I will definitely give this a try.

[Colin Moretti]

This guide produced by the London Guildhall Library might also help.

Colin