YARDLEY, John (Grimwade p.312, 394)

[buckler]

First mark in partnership with Joel Jacobson as bucklemakers in 1780 at 37, Charles Street where Jacobson had moved to in very late 1779.

Joel Jacobson and John Yardley, Silver buckle Makers of 3 [sic] Charles Street , Watton Street took out insurance of £800 in 1780
(1780 SUN 1 285 22\02\78 Policy Number 429899)

17th June 1780 - Sun insurance (429899) taken out in the names of Joel Jacobsen and John Yardley , Silver Bucklemakers, No 17, Upper Charles Street, Hatton Garden. Further policies taken out in July 1781 and July 1783.

By mid 1786 Joel Jacobson had entered a sole bucklemaker mark at 37, Charles Street, Hatton Garden, so Yardley had probably moved out.

William is listed with his presumed brother William Yardley at 5, Thorney Street, Bloomsbury as J & W Yardley, Bucklemakers , in the Post Ofice Directory of 1805

11th August 1804 - Entered an incuse mark as smallworker at 18, Plumtree Street, Bloomsbury ; Plumtree Street adjoins Thorney Street
This mark is found on a presentation sword awarded in 1804.
It has also been seen on a plated buckle - with assay and duty marks! Mr John Yardley would appear to have been somewhat less than honest. Other iregularities of silver marking by him have been noted.
see http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... ley#p48946" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ledgers and directories indicate that he was not at 18, Plumtree Street before 1802, and was there until 1811-1812

The Post Office Directory of 1806 gives "Yardley, J & W , Bucklemakers " at 5, Thorney Street, and Yardley, John as Sword Cutler &c at 18, Plumtree Street. It seems that John kept two addresses running simultaneous.

19th October 1813
Mark entered as hiltmaker at 5, Thorney Street

Given in the Post Office directory of 1813 at 29, Queen Street Bloomsbury , although not listed in the rate books.

NOTE
Leslie Southwick, “London Silver Hilted Swords …….” p263 , gives a good account of both William and John Yardley, from which some of the above details have been taken.