The York Trade After the Closure of the Assay Office

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dognose
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The York Trade After the Closure of the Assay Office

Post by dognose »

Not much seems to have been noted about the silver trade in York following the closure of the assay office in 1858. The office closed, not by statute, but because of the death of the assay office's only real customer, James Barber. There were, however, business's and continuations of business's that had been trading for many years, mostly on the retail side, but sometimes in a small manufacturing way that continued to trade in York.

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John Arundel - York - 1872

This is John Cundall Arundel, born 4th June 1816, the son of Thomas Arundel. Free by patrimony 30th July 1839 and started in business on his own account the following year. He died on the 27th August 1893 and his business was continued by his wife, Ellen.

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H. Manning - York - 1872

Of Mr Manning I can find nothing at the moment, but this would be the continuation of John Bell's business. John Bell was the last Warden of the York Goldsmiths Company and Manning's address, 17, Low-Ousegate, was that of John Bell and earlier that of Bell's brother-in-law, Christopher Watson. John Bell died on the 28th August 1868 aged 62. The wording of Manning's advertisement implys to me that he was an employee of Bell's but there is no record of an apprenticeship.

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dognose
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Re: The York Trade After the Closure of the Assay Office

Post by dognose »

A small update to the last post regarding H. Manning, his first name was Henry.

Here's another Henry, this time it's Henry Hardcastle, again little is known, but he is perhaps to be identified with the Henry Hardcastle listed in York directories as a pawnbroker of Lady Peckitt's Yard, Pavement in 1872 and a Clock & Watchmaker of 102, High Petergate in 1880.

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Henry Hardcastle - York - 1893

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Re: The York Trade After the Closure of the Assay Office

Post by MCB »

Hello Trev,

Henry Manning was born in Worcester in 1825. His father was William and his mother Mary.
At the time of the UK Census of 1841 he was a resident pupil at 8 Silver Street Worcester.
On the 1851 UK Census he was a goldsmith lodging with his brother-in-law Charles Harcourt, an attorney and solicitor, at 49 Butts New Brentford.
He married Frances Hill (born C1833 in Worcester) at Whittington Worcester in 1859.
By 1861 he was still trading as a goldsmith, this time at 2 Hollyrood Terrace Great Malvern Worcestershire where he lived with his wife and son Francis Hill Manning (born 1860).
He was trading as a goldsmith from 15 Low Ousegate York by 1871 where he lived with his wife and five children aged between 2 and 11 years.
On the 1881 Census he was at 254 Oxford Street Chorlton on Medlock Manchester as a boarder. He declared he was married but his wife and family weren't resident there with him. These lodgings appear to have been temporary. His wife and family were at 21 Bouchurch Road Kensington London. She said she was a goldsmith's wife.
By 1891 he was at 13 Westbourne Road Villas in Forest Hill Lewisham, still a goldsmith, still living with Frances.
They may both have died before the 1901 Census because neither seems mentioned there.
Having explored #reference books there is no mention of Henry registering a mark with an Assay Office. Presumably, as far as was needed, he bought in goods from other manufacturers.

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Mike
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dognose
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Re: The York Trade After the Closure of the Assay Office

Post by dognose »

Mike, that's brilliant! Even by your high standards, you've excelled yourself.

Just one query, in the 1871 census, was Henry Manning located at 15 Low Ousegate or was that a typo for 17? I was wondering if he lived on the premises of his workshop/retail shop or had seperate accommodation next door.

Regards Trev.
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MCB
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Re: The York Trade After the Closure of the Assay Office

Post by MCB »

Hello Trev,

The Census sheet is confusing. The Census Officer has recorded twenty people living at 13 Low Ousegate, split into three households.The Mannings are the second household on the sheet and at the side of their name, but in the space for the schedule number of the sheet, is recorded number 15; the next household were the Halleys and have the number 17 at the side of their name again in the space for the schedule number. Unless number 13 was a large tenament block it seems more logical to say the Mannings lived at number 15 Low Ousegate.
A possible scenario is for number 17 as a shop used by Manning with accommodation over it used by the Halley household.
Reviewing the Census sheet again I see that Included in the first household was a chap named William Hill aged 22 who said he was an assistant silversmith. Also in the Manning household a chap named William aged 22 (I cant make out his surname) who said he was a goldsmith.

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Mike
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dognose
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Re: The York Trade After the Closure of the Assay Office

Post by dognose »

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the extra information.

I suppose it's feasible that the two other households are the employees and their families who were working for Manning. His advertisement does suggest he has workman in his employ, and William Hill is perhaps related to Manning by marriage.

Regards Trev.
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Re: The York Trade After the Closure of the Assay Office

Post by MCB »

Hello again Trev,

William Hill said he was born in York; Frances Manning nee Hill was born in Great Malvern. The surname match seems to be coincidence. Two other residents in the same house as William (number 13) were involved in the pawnbroking trade so it might be he worked with them but whether this was an extension of Henry Manning's business isn't clear.
Hannah Halley who is shown at number 17 in 1871 was the widow of Thomas Halley. He was a silk merchant. In 1861 along with 4 children they had 6 assistants, 3 apprentices and 3 servants living at number 19; quite a house full! Why, after her husband's death, she moved to number 17 and took in a goldsmith as a lodger is a mystery but, as you say, a goldsmith's proximity to Henry Manning's shop is probably more than coincidence.

Regards,
Mike
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dognose
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Re: The York Trade After the Closure of the Assay Office

Post by dognose »

Thanks again for the extra info Mike.

The Directory of the City of York and Neighbourhood of 1872, lists the following under the section Jewellers and Silversmiths

John Arundel
John Colburn
Robert Heselgrave
Henry Manning
Henry Preston
Joseph Ronchetti
Orlando Wright

The most important of the above, without doubt, is the silversmith Robert Heselgrave, for he is the link to the prosperous days of York silversmithing. Robert Heselgrave was born c.1817 and was the son of Robert Heselgrave of Chapel Allerton. On the 22nd May 1830 he was indentured to the firm of James Barber, George Cattle & William North for a period of seven years and he was to stay with the firm for 29 years.

Following the death of James Barber in 1857, a brief attempt at keeping the business going was performed by James Barber's son, Silburn Barber. This, however was to be but a short chapter in the company's history and on the 24th July 1858 Silburn Barber announced that the business was to be disposed of and the stock sold at reduced prices. The residue of the business including the premises at 25-26 Coney Street were put up for auction on the 6th July 1859, they were purchased by two former employees of the old firm, Robert Heselgrave and Robert Walker.

The partnership of Walker & Heselgrave was a short lived one, with Robert Walker departing from the business in the later part of 1859. In May 1860 Robert Heselgrave downsized the business and the Optician, Clock and Watchmaker, Thomas Cooke, moved into 25, Coney Street with Heselgrave still occupying No. 26. The 1872 Directory shows Heselgrave at 13 Coney Street, but no move occured, this was simply down to re-numbering.

Robert Heselgrave died on the 17th February 1885, aged 68 years. The cause of death was noted as cirrhosis of the liver. His widow, Margaret, continued the business, moving to 40, Stonegate, until her death on the 21st March 1890, aged 72 years.

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dognose
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Re: The York Trade After the Closure of the Assay Office

Post by dognose »

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Wehrly & Co. - York - 1906

Trying to work out the origins of this firm, with its strong German connections. was complicated by working backwards, so I'll start at the begining and it will end, I'm sure, being as clear as mud.

In 1790 there was a German clockmaker working in Hull by the name of Matthew Schwerer, by 1813 he had set up business in York. In 1837 the business was passed to his sons, Matthew and Phillip Schwerer who were described as Watchmakers, Jewellers and Silversmiths.

The 1841 census reveals that Phillip Schwerer employed Augustine Kleiser and Andrew Kleiser who was born in Scollach, Baden. In 1842, Matthew and Phillip Schwerer returned to Germany and the business was sold to Augustine Kleiser and Andrew Kleiser who continued to trade as P. Schwerer.

In 1846, Matthew Schwerer returned to York and resumed business, firstly at 18 Stonegate and later at 14 Stonegate.

Returning to the Kleiser's, by 1857, Augustine seems to have left the scene and Andrew was joined by his brother Joseph. Earlier the 1851 census shows the visit of another brother from Germany, Martin. Martin decided to stay and by 1861 had purchased the business of Matthew Schwerer at 14, Stonegate.

The 1871 census has the firm of M. Kleiser & Co., under the management of Bernard Tritschler. The same census has Bernard Tritschler, 12, Stonegate, aged 33 years, born in Scollach, Baden, employing two men, one being Matthew Wehrly and one apprentice, being Severin Heine.

The same 1871 census has Matthew Wehrly, aged 25 years, born Hammereisbach, Baden. By 1881, Matthew Wehrly was the owner of M. Kleiser & Co. as the senior partner, the junior partner was Severin Heine. They were noted as employing one man and two apprentices, one being Roman Wehrly.

Matthew Wehrly's last appearance in the Electoral Register was in 1888. Who the owner of the business was, at the time of the above advertisement in 1906, is unknown, but Roman Wehrly is a possibility.

Much of the above information was filtered from the Directory of York Goldsmiths, Silversmiths & Associated Craftsmen by Hugh Murray.

Trev.
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Re: The York Trade After the Closure of the Assay Office

Post by silverport »

The Alemannic family name »Wehrle« mutates to Anglo »Wehrly«

Hello all

Sorry, my contribution isn’t based on especially detailed research on Matthew Wehrly, or Roman Wehrly.

It’s only a brief excerpt on historic background of the area from where all the above mentioned men came from. It’s only an excerpt in brief; because the Black Forest clock makers history is full of interesting details, and these influencing interactions.

»Schollach« in Baden was and still is a community of wide scattered farms on about 20 square kilometres. It’s a high laying valley, and spring area of the European river »Danube« in the German »Black Forest«.

3 July 1280 is first mentioned this, »Schollach« named, mixed forest area.

1316 is first mentioned there a major farm of a cloister. In XV century 40 farms are decrease to 25.

1478 starts in Schollach southern neighbour ship »Eisenbach« (Iron creek) mining of brown iron ore, which 1555 is reaching until Schollach.

1570 raised a kind of freedom for the Schollach farmers — the former major farms, of the cloister and the reigning, became their ownership.

Their main activity was forestry, livestock farming (cows for dairy, and pigs for smoked ham and sausages), and some substituting agriculture. In the winter time they were famous in making shingles from fir and spruce for roofs and façades; and wooden chips as candle light of the poor.

In XVII century in the surrounding was made an attempt to copy, by use of wood, a clock for private use.

Around 1700 the Schollach farmer Simon Dilger, born 1672, made an attempt to start clock making. He and his son Friedrich became through practising more and more professionals. Then they were famous teachers by doing.

Already in 1768, Johann Wehrle is mentioned as one of the clock maker in Simonswald - North-West, and far away from Schollach. Clock making in the German »Black Forest« area became wide spread, like a virus infection.

Now it’s necessary to make attend on the there usual system of inherency — the first born became the majority.

Through that system, inherency became one of the driving axles in the »Black Forest« clock making. The younger family members, and there were always a lot, had before only two possibilities = to stay, or to leave.

Then some of these young men became apprentices in clock making — and when they were masters, they’ve start their own »manufactory«; some specialised in making chains, or gears ... Working hours were from 5 o’clock in the morning, until 9 o’clock in the evening. Except Sundays - in the »Kalte Herberge« (Cold Inn) were made the apprentece-ship, delivering and production contracts - in four languages: English, French, German or Italian!

In 1838 in Schollach were 18 master workshops; and in the southern neighbour ship Eisenbach were 50 of them.

All had from childhood on the possibility to see their uncles’ busyness’. Also the Kleiser’, Schwerer’, Tritschler, Wehlte’ ...

By the rules of inherency handicapped, are often becoming very inventively, and very productive too. So rose the necessity to find a reliable system of distribution — of about 100,000 clock’s production per year.

Some distributed by family connections — like as Kleiser’, Schwerer’, Tritschler, and Wehlte’ ...

But productivity has needed also the assistance of wholesaler and commissioners. Some of these commissioners lived frankly from future sales.

So e.g. the father of Karl and Augustine Kleiser lost, for reason of commissioners’ misappropriations, his whole income and property. There fore it was necessary to assist their collapsed father.

By the way: In the winter of 1907 to 1908, in Schollach was constructed the Globes first ski-lift! And the festivities of the centenary were presided by a Kleiser.

Today about 250 humans live there in Schollach, Hammereisenbach (hammer mill), and Eisenbach - descendants of Kleiser’s ...

It’s also possible, to stroll in the Black Forest clock makers history in Furtwangen’ Clock Museum: http://www.deutsches-uhrenmuseum.de/def ... 2106296774" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Kind regards silverport
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dognose
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Re: The York Trade After the Closure of the Assay Office

Post by dognose »

Hi Silverport,

Many thanks for the information.

I hadn't realised that Schollach was in the Black Forest region, it explains much.

Regards Trev.
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dognose
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Re: The York Trade After the Closure of the Assay Office

Post by dognose »

KELLY'S DIRECTORY OF THE WATCH & CLOCK TRADES 1880

Silversmiths & Allied Trades - York

Clockmakers:
Cooke Thomas & Sons, Coney st; works, Bishophill senior

Fancy Repositories.
Banks Miss Eleanor,81 Stonegte
Cameron Wm. 13 Spurriergate
Campbell Wm. H. 38 Micklegate
Duncan Joseph, Minstergates
Holgate Fredk. St. Helen's sq
Howard Miss Eliza, 14 Stonegate
Jacobs S. & Kennard, 11 & 12 High Ousegate
Kendrick Wm. 67 Micklegate
Krous Joseph J. 15 Spurriergate
Rayson Hy. J. 32 Parliament st
Trethewey Miss Ann, 16 Coney st

Jewellers–Manufacturing.
Arundel John, 22 Coney street
Wright Orlando, 53 Stonegate

Jewellers–Retail.
Arundel John, 22 Coney street
Colburn John, 13 & 14 Lower Ousegate
Epworth Miss Elizabeth, 14 Spurriergate
Heselgrave Robt. 12 Coney st
Kleiser Andrew & Joseph, 39 Stonegate
Preston Henry, 8 Parliament st
Walker Robert, 55 Stonegate
Wehrley Matthw.&Co.12 Stonegate

Jewellers–Working.
Campbell William H. 38 Micklegate
Button Wm. 1 Prospect gardens, Bishophill junior
Ward Robert, 9 Stonegate

Mathematical & Philosophical Instrument Makers.
Cooke Thomas & Sons, Coney st.; works, Bishophill senior

Lens Makers–Optical.
Cooke Thomas & Sons, Coney st.; works, Bishophill senior

Opticians–Wholesale.
Cooke Thomas & Sons, Coney st.: works, Bishophill senior

Opticians–Retail.
Cooke Thomas & Sons, Coney st. ; works, Bishophill senior
Smith Robt. 13 High Ousegate

Silversmiths
Arundel John, 22 Coney street
Colburn John. 13 & 14 Low Ousegate
Epworth Miss Elizabeth, 14 Spurriergate
Heselgrave Robert. 12 Coney st
Ward Robert, 9 Stonegate

Surveying Instrument Manufrs.
Cooke Thomas & Sons, Coney st.; works, Bishophill senior

Watch & Clock Makers.
Arundel John, 22 Coney street
Avison Wm. 12 New York st
Darling & Wood, 42 Coney st
Epworth Miss Elizabeth, 14 Spurriergate
Hardcastle Henry, 102 High Petergate
Hart Robert, 8 Market street
Heselgrave Robert, 12 Coney st
Heselwood Chas.53 Goodraingate
Heselwood Geo. F. 51 Coney st
Hick Lambert, 188 Fossbridge
Kleiser Andrew & Joseph, 39 Stonegate
Mandefield Edwin, 66 & 67 Goodramgate
Newton Hy. J. 24 Parliament st
Pickering Jas. 6 New Bridge st
Preston Hy. 8 Parliament st
Scott Robert, 80 Stonegate
Sharpe John, 55 Fossgate
Walker Robert, 55 Stonegate
Ward Robert, 9 Stonegate
Wehrley Matthew & Co. 12 Stonegate

Trev.
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Re: The York Trade After the Closure of the Assay Office

Post by dognose »

Some notes on the above names:

John Colburn
Born 20th January 1826. Married (Jane Horsley) February 1848. Lord Mayor 1869. Died (Boulogne) 17th May 1877 (Dropsy).

Elizabeth Epworth
Daughter of Charles Epworth, pawnbroker, whose business was aquired, following his death, by Henry Hardcastle in 1871. Elizabeth, who was described in 1879 as 'Silvermith, Jeweller and Electro-plater' and in 1895 as 'Watchmaker, Gold & Silversmith', sold her business in 1905 to William Grant. She died (cancer) on the 1st February 1919, aged 71 years.

Henry Preston
Apprenticed to Henry Steward (Watchmaker) on the 7th September 1829 for a period of seven years. Free 23rd July 1838. Described as 'Silversmith & Jeweller, 8, Parliament Street, 1844 - 1882. Died on the 15th January 1917 aged 101 years, 9 months, 7 days.

Robert Walker
Born Glasgow 1828. Spent five years working with James Barber and then along with another employee, Robert Heselgrave, purchased the business of James Barber in 1859. Walker opened his own business at 56, Coney Street in December 1859. He died (senile decay) on the 7th May 1913 aged 85 years.

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Re: The York Trade After the Closure of the Assay Office

Post by dognose »

Details of two more persons mentioned in the above directory:

Thomas Cooke
Born 8th March 1807. Arrived in York c.1829 to work as a teacher. In business as an optician, firstly at 50, Stonegate in 1837, then at 12, Coney Street in 1849. He built a factory in 1855 at Bishophill, named the Buckingham Works. Moved into James Barber's old premises in 1860 where he was also noted as a watch and clockmaker. He died on the 19th October 1868 at the Buckingham Works.

John Henry Rayson
Described in various directories as Jeweller, Painter, Fancy repository and Toy Warehouse, he died on the 2nd June 1888, aged 81 years.

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Re: The York Trade After the Closure of the Assay Office

Post by dognose »

One person who was in business in York, before and after the closure of the assay office was Edward Jackson. Jackson, who was apprenticed to Hampson, Prince & Cattles in 1799 and then, in his own words ' conducted the Working Department of Messrs. Cattle & Barber for eight years', set up on his own account c.1815. His business, however, seems to have been dogged with financial problems and in 1821 he let his shop to William Furnish, a draper, whilst retaining the workshop and house at the rear of the property at 14, Coney Street. This solution was short lived and he appears to have lost everything following his bankruptcy in 1824.

Edward Jackson continued to be listed as a silversmith and jeweller in local directories after this date, but no work is known from him after 1824.

Image

The above photo show the marks of Edward Jackson, from left to right, a pair of teaspoons assayed in 1815, a teaspoon assayed in 1817 and another teaspoon assayed in 1821.

The next we hear of Edward Jackson is when he appears to re-invent himself as a draper in 1836 at 15, Coney Street.

Image
E. Jackson - York - 1852

This time his business was successful and he was known to have opened a further shop at High Harrogate in c.1844.

Edward Jackson died on the 5th October 1859, aged 73 years. His business was continued by his wife, Elizabeth.

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Re: The York Trade After the Closure of the Assay Office

Post by dognose »

A newspaper notice that appeared in the York Herald on Thursday 15th March 1900 regarding the final closure of John Arundel's business.

Image

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Re: The York Trade After the Closure of the Assay Office

Post by dognose »

JAMES B. INGLIS & SONS

4, Coney Street, York

Image

Image

Detail of a transit box supplied by James B. Inglis & Sons.

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Re: The York Trade After the Closure of the Assay Office

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JAMES B. INGLIS & SONS

4, Coney Street, York

Some notes on James B. Inglis & Sons (see above post):

James Brown Inglis was born in Edinburgh, the son of Hugh Inglis, he trained as an engraver. He was known to have been employed at Buller, Hutchinson & Co. (George Nicholas Buller, Charles Leavold Hutchinson, William Henry Hutchinson, and Charles Yardley Dean, carrying on business as Goldsmiths and Jewellers, at Goldsmiths Buildings, Charterhouse Street, London.) Married Anne Coates of Market Weighton c.1885. Noted as being Heraldic Engraver, of 4, Spurriergate, York, in 1887. Jeweller, of Clifford Street, York, in 1893. Jeweller, of 4, Coney Street, York, in 1896. Crown Plating Works, 6, Castlegate, York, in 1909.

Elected Councillor 1904-1910, Sheriff 1911-1912, Alderman 1914.

Wife, Anne, died 24th January 1919.

Governor Merchant Adventurers' Company 1920-1921. Lord Mayor 1922.

Married Sarah Freeman April 1923.

James Brown Inglis died on the 17th October 1942. His second wife, Sarah, died in May 1948. James Brown Inglis is burried at Fulford Cemetery, York.

Sources:
Directory of York Goldsmiths, Silversmiths & Associated Craftsmen - Hugh Murray
London Gazette - 25th July 1882
Directory of Gold & Silversmiths, Jewellers & Allied Traders-1838-1914 - John Culme

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Re: The York Trade After the Closure of the Assay Office

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HORATIO SMITH

Stonegate, York

Horatio Smith was the son of David Smith, a Yeoman, of Castle Howard. He served his apprenticeship under the York Clock and Watchmaker, William Fryer, as from 27th January 1815. William Fryer was suffering ill health by at least 1821, and died in 1822, and at that time Horatio Smith and Fryer's widow, Grace, were running the business together. March 1823 saw Horatio start business on his own account and opened up business at Stonegate, and later that same year married Sarah Hall. In 1825 he moved further along Stonegate, and advertised the fact in the York Gazette:

HORATIO SMITH, Clock & Watchmaker, Silversmith and Jeweller, Stonegate, York, under the strongest feelings of gratitude to his friends and the public, for the very liberal patronage with which he has been honoured since the commencement of the above businesses, begs leave most respectfully to announce, that he has removed to the shop recently occupied by Mr. Cattell, Jeweller and Silversmith, in Stonegate.
H.S. humbly solicits a continuance of that support in his new situation, for which he now returns his sincere thanks; and at the same time, he takes the opportunity of repeating his determination, by a punctual attention to all commands with which he may be favoured, to give that satisfaction to his friends, which he has reason to hope has hitherto been afforded.
Stonegate, July 4,1825


The former occupier of the new Stonegate premises, the Mr. Cattell, was William Cattell, a submitter to the York Assay Office, who had been at these premises since 1811, and who died in 1830, aged 56 years.

By 1851, Horatio Smith had removed to 7, Wilson's Terrace, York, where a local directory describes him as a Watchmaker. He died of old age, described as a Silversmith of Heworth, on the 6th May 1887, aged 88 years. He is buried in York Cemetery.

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Re: The York Trade After the Closure of the Assay Office

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JOHN ARUNDEL

The order for the Gold Casket to be presented to Prince Albert Victor by the City of York has now been successfully carried out by Mr. J. C. Arundel, of 22, Coney Street, York. It is placed in a polished ebony stand of elegant shape with an abacus in dark blue velvet. The box is oblong in form, with classic mouldings, and the lid is surmounted by the arms, crest and garter of the Prince, in 18-carat gold, with the rose of York, rising in graceful garlands on each side. On the two ends of the lid the white rose is given again in enamel, while the obverse and reverse slopes have the Prince's monogram, with repoussee panels, having emblems relating to the municipal and historic greatness of the ancient city. The front of the box itself is divided into three panels, the centre having–also in 18-carat quality gold–the arms of York in full enamel blazon in centre, the two side divisions bearing respectively in enamel painting, one, a view of the famous Minster, the other, of the Micklegate Bar. One end of the box has the arms of the See of York, the opposite one being adorned with the shield, helmet and motto of the Lord Mayor. The reverse part has in centre division the inscription recording the event as follows :–"Presented to H.R.H. Prince Albert Victor of Wales, K.G., with the freedom of the City of York, 27th July, 1888, J. Sykes Rymer, Lord Mayor." On each side of this is given devices of the regiments (with which His Royal Highness has been connected whilst at York) in raised and enamel work, one being the 9th Lancers, the other the 10th Hussars. The whole is being carried out in firstrate style, and will prove to His Royal Highness a most interesting souvenir of the occasion.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st August 1888

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