RICHARDS, James (Grimwade p.307, 340)

[MCB]

An undated document indexed in archives to 1787-8 regarding the application by Thomas (born 1765), the son of James Richards, Citizen and Goldsmith, for his freedom of the City of London by patrimony in the Company of Goldsmiths notes his father obtained his own freedom in 1757.
Thomas’ christening record at St Giles, Cripplegate in 1765 shows his mother as Mary; his father is recorded as a watch case maker.
Indentures were signed in 1767 by Samuel, son of John Richards, Citizen, Goldsmith and fishmonger of St John’s Street, to be the apprentice of James Richards, Citizen and Goldsmith of Bridgwater Square to learn watch case making.
Indentures were also signed for the following to be his apprentices:
Joseph Allanson (Grimwade p.338) and Richard Phitheon in 1762, Richard Mason in 1771, Daniel Atherly in 1774, John Hadley (Grimwade p.303, 339) in 1777, Matthew Govett (Grimwade p.313, 345) in 1781, John Blast (Grimwade p.338, 354) in 1783, Edward Jones in 1784 and William Watson (Grimwade p.331) in 1788.
Trade Directory entries 1785-90 record him at Bridgwater Square as a watch case, watch and clock maker.
Grimwade records James Richards entering maker's marks at Goldsmiths Hall from 1762-1822 as a casemaker, mainly from Bridgewater Square.
Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World p. 269 notes only that James Richards was still active in 1806 although also noting his son Thomas was operating at the Bridgewater Square address from 1802.
Thomas (Grimwade p.641), the son of Thomas had also entered a maker's mark from the Bridgwater Square address in 1812.

[dognose]

The mark of James Richards:


IR - London - 1812