MARTIN, James (Grimwade p.310-1, 343)

[MCB]

He was christened in 1800 at St Matthew, Bethnal Green, the son of William, a weaver, and wife Mary.
Indentures were signed in 1814 for him to be the apprentice of William Mansell (Grimwade p.329), Citizen, Clockmaker and watch case maker of Rosoman Street, Clerkenwell.
He entered a maker’s mark at Goldsmiths Hall in 1822 as a case maker from 42 Union Street, Hoxton New Town and in 1823 as a watch case maker from 9 Vineyard Walk, Clerkenwell.
He married Elizabeth Gunnell at St James, Clerkenwell in 1824; both were from that parish.
Their daughter Elizabeth and son James were christened at St James, Clerkenwell in 1825 and 1828 respectively.
He entered another maker’s mark in 1827 showing his address as Wingrove Place.
Other maker’s marks were entered from 48 Wynatt Street from 1833 onwards and this was the address appearing on the christening records in 1840 at St James of sons John and William.
UK Census records 1841-1871 show him remaining at the previous address and continuing as a watch case maker.
He had moved to 40 Gerrard Street, Islington and retired by 1881.
He died at that address in 1881. Probate for his Will was granted at the Principal Registry in 1882; the value of his estate was £5.
His sons James and John both entered marks at Goldsmiths Hall as watch case makers. Further history is shown in Volume I page 317 of The Directory of Gold & Silversmiths Jewellers & Allied Traders 1838-1914 by John Culme.