DENNISON, Robert (Grimwade p.491 & 745)

[buckler]

Almost certainly had marks in lost register - and there may be two Robert Dennisons involved , not one .

His wife was Mary, recorded at the christening of their son Anderson Robert Dennison on 7th December 1755.
The Dennisons may well have been of a Huguenot family. Robert's son was apprenticed to Edward Feline II who was almost certainly a Huguenot) , Ayme Videau (a witness to his will ) and Paul Pinard (his executor ) both certainly were.

Died in July 1776
General Evening Post Tuesday, July 16, 1776 reported under DIED
"on Tuesday [9th or 16th July 1776] at his house at Cecil Court in St Martins Lane, Mr Dennison a buckle maker.
However Morning Chronicle and London Advertiser Thursday, July 18, 1776 reported " Yesterday died at his house in St Martins Lane ,Mr Dennison a very eminent bucklemaker "
The Morning Chronicle date appears incorrect !

Will of Robert Dennison, Silversmith of St Martins in the Fields, Middlesex, dated 22nd March 1774 and proved 20th July 1776 at PCC (NA PROB/11/1021)

Witnesses
John Lisle. Perhaps the bucklemaker whose sole mark was entered at 3, St Johns Court, Hanway Street ,Oxford Street on 11th November 1784 .
Ayme Vedeau . Almost certainly the Huguenot silversmith. Given by Grimade as "miss-spelt Ayme Videau in the PR1773 but his mark never seems to have been found at this late date and he may perhaps become retailer or partly retired". He was obviously still alive and active in 1774.

Executors
"My good friend " Mr Paul Pinard . Almost certainly the Huguenot Silversmith, sole known mark 1751 but active according to Heal until at least 1784
Catherine Dennison, Spinster, daughter of Robert Dennison

Will details
He appears to have had a house and two shops (although it may mean house, selling area and workshop ) and £2,700 in Consols
Wife presumably was dead by the date of the will.
Sister was Anne Dennison. Children at time of will were Catherine, Susann, Mary and Anderson Robert Dennison.
Curious to appoint Catherine not him as Executor, althought admittedly he was just under 21 at the time of the will.

"And I order and desire that my Son Anderson Robert Dennison after my demise be put in possession of the House Stock in Trade and Book Debts
And I bequeath to my Son the goods in the Great Parlour China excepted and also the Kitchen Furniture Beds and Bedsteads
In both Shops a silver tankard one pair Salts one Orange Strainer and all the Working Tools
And as to the rest of the Beds and Furniture Plate and Jewells China and Pictures in the first Floor and the fore Parlour I give to my three Daughters to be equally divided between them, the linnen to be divided as my Daughter Catherine can properly adjust "

His son, Anderson Robert Dennison, entered a mark as bucklemaker at Cecil Court, St Martins Lane on 24 July 1776

[buckler]

The card index files at Goldsmiths Hall show two apprentices bound to him in 1770, his son Anderson Robert Dennison and William Hart .
However he appears to have taken on at least one apprentice not given in those card files, as St Martin in the Fields Pauper Examinations, 1725-1793 show that on 4th May 1791: -
"Jonathan Miles aged 39 Years upon his Oath saith that he served Seven Years under an Indenture of Apprenticeship bearing date Decr 6th with Mr Robert Denison of Cecil Court in the Parish of Saint Martin in the Fields Silver Buckle Maker "

[MCB]

He signed a bond in 1740 as a silversmith aged 30 years of St Anne’s, (Soho?), Westminster parish to marry Mary Deacon of St Mary Somerset parish at St Martin in the Fields.
He was listed in the 1749 Poll Book as a silversmith of Hunt’s Court and in the 1768 Poll Book as a silversmith of Cecil Court, St Martin’s Lane.

[buckler]

4 December 1740
Marriage of Mary Deacon and Robert Dennison at Christ Church Greyfriars Newgate, London.

[silverly]

9 April 1771 Robert Dennison Joyner of London paid apprentice indenture duty for Guilielman Davis.