Indentures were signed by him in 1770 as the son of James Blake, victualler of Kingsland, Middlesex, to be the apprentice of John Allen (Grimwade p.422), Citizen, Goldsmith and watch case maker of Carthusian Street.
He entered his first mark at Goldsmiths Hall in 1778 as a watch case maker from 5 Staining Lane and from White Cross Street as a case maker or watch case maker from 1781-1801
Indentures to be his apprentice were signed by William Denby in 1783, John Feline in 1790, John Sutherland in 1800 and Robert Fowler in 1803.
Further identification of his personal history has so far proved elusive.
BLAKE, William (Grimwade p.325, 351-2)
Moderators: buckler, MCB, silverly
Re: BLAKE, William (Grimwade p.325, 351-2)
He is listed on page 61 of Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as active until 1808.
The apprentice Richard Fowler mentioned above was turned over by consent of all parties on 6th July 1808 to Thomas Richards of the Goldsmiths Company at Bridgewater Square, the two additional pieces of information suggesting that Blake had ceased to trade in that year.
The apprentice Richard Fowler mentioned above was turned over by consent of all parties on 6th July 1808 to Thomas Richards of the Goldsmiths Company at Bridgewater Square, the two additional pieces of information suggesting that Blake had ceased to trade in that year.