ABDY, William I (Grimwade p.419)

[MCB]

In a document of 1751 Thomas Abdy applied for freedom of the City of London by redemption in the Company of Goldsmiths. The document is endorsed to show he was the son of Matthew Abdy a cutler of Sheffield and therefore William Abdy’s brother.
William married Esther White at St Anne and St Agnes, Aldersgate in 1758. One of the witnesses to the marriage was Thomas Abdy.
Christening records for four of their children dated 1759-62 are at St Anne and St Agnes, Aldersgate.
Christening records for a further four of their children dated 1765-73 are at St Mary Staining.
William paid duties for the Apprentice Indentures of Thomas Garrard in 1754, John Wren (Grimwade p.711) in 1759, John Humphreys 1762, John Complin or Compton in 1779 and John McCure son of Thomas McCure, goldsmith of Aldersgate in 1782.
He was witness in a trial at the Old Bailey in 1770 regarding theft of his property.
His Will was granted probate in 1790. Reference: TNA PROB 11/1195/217

[dognose]

A listing of the apprentices of William Abdy (I) can be found at: http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... 668#p70668" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[dognose]

......One London silversmith and hafter, William Abdy, stamped his W.A. on many silver pistol-grip knife and fork hafts. At first he was a smallworker but later became registered as a hafter in 1773. He worked at Oat Lane near the present Pewterers' Hall.

Source: Cutlery for the Table - Simon Moore - 1999

[buckler]

There is some further information on both William Abdy I and William Abdy II in "London Silver Hilted Swords..... " by Leslie Southwick , page 30.
This includes the information that "William Abdy died at 5, Oat Lane on 6 September 1790 aged about 64 and was buried in a vault in the churchyard of St Michael's Church , Wood Street . Six weeks later on 31 October 1790 a Thomas Abdy was buried in the same vault in the churchyard of St Michael's. This was probably William's son, who had been bound apprentice to him on 8 August 1777"

[silverly]

1783 listed at 5 Oat Lane as a goldsmith in The New Complete Guide to All Persons who Have Any Trade Or Concern with the City of London....

[silverly]

16 June 1752 William son of Mathew Abdy Sheffield York presented to the court to be made free of the city in the company of goldsmiths by redemption.