PERKINS, Jonathan I (Grimwade p.396, 398, 620)

[buckler]

16 April 1769
As a bachelor he married spinster Sarah Clifford at St Sepulchre, Holborn . Both were from that parish. The witnesses were Margaret Smith and William Banister.

23 April 1772
Grimwade states entered mark as smallworker " Goldsmith at no 5, Winchester Court, Monkwell Street, Cripplegate " but does not illustrate

1776 to 1789
Entered a series of marks as bucklemaker

25 February 1795
His son , Jonathan Perkins II , Goldsmith of St Sepulchre , bachelor , married spinster Mary Ann Stepto by licence at St Sepulchre, Holborn. Both were from that parish . The witnesses were John Stepto and Margaret Dolley.

5 August 1795
Entered joint mark as smallworkers with Jonathan Perkins Junior (the son)
Given by Heal as Jonathan Perkins, Senior and Junior, plateworkers No 16 Hosier Lane , Smithfield 1795

It appears that the partnership ceased a few years after his son’s marriage, as on 29 August 1800 the father entered sole marks as plateworker at 16, Hosier Lane, with a further solo mark on 19 February 1803.
Unless Grimwade is in error and that these are the first solo marks of the son, the father having retired . That the Poll Books 1839-42 continued to list a Jonathan Perkins entitled to vote in St Sepulchre parish as the owner of the freehold of 16 Hosier Lane gives support to this theory.
Only an examination of thr Register to compare the signartures might resolve this
Or perhaps the reason lies below . All suggestions welcome!

On 10 December 1803 ,very soon after the last mark of early February 1803 was entered he was apparently on the run from the Commissioners of Stamps, a reward of £100 being offered for either catching him or giving information leading to his apprehension.

An advertisement appeared in the London Gazette on several days in December 1803 : -

FELONY
ONE HUNDRED POUNDS REWARD

Whereas JONATHAN PERKINS, of No 16, Hosier- Lane, West Smithfield, in the City of London , Working Silversmith, stands charged before Richard Lea, Esq ; Alderman, and one of His Majesties of the Peace for the said City, with Felony . Whoever may apprehend or give Information, so that he may be apprehended , shall receive a Reward of ONE HUNDRED POUNDS, by applying to Edmund Estcourt , Esq; Solicitor to His Majesties Commissioner of Stamps, at his Office, Somerset -Place .

By Order of the Commissioners
C.E. Beresford, Secretary.
The Stamp Office, December 10, 1803

N.B. The above-named Jonathan Perkins, is about Sixty Years of Age, about Five Foot Five Inches high, sallow Complexion , small Face and Eyes, sharp Nose, speaks sharply , walks rather wide, and stoops a little, usually wears a light Brown Two Curled Wig

No subsequent trial or any newspaper coverage has been found and it must be presumed that the matter was either resolved. Or he totally evaded capture !

According to Grimwade “the father died before 1811” , presumably having disappeared from the Freemens list of Goldsmiths’ Hall by that date

List of Jonathan Perkins I ‘s apprentices taken from the file at Goldsmiths Hall
Mathew Leach (1774)
William Macklin (1774)
George Hudson (1779)
Julian Joseph (1774) Could this be Joseph Julion ?
John Biddle (1780)
William Bowley (1784)
David Bush (1786)
Charles Perkins (1783)
Jonathan Perkins (son) (1790)
George Gale (1781 ) Tf

[silverly]

30 November 1743 Jonathan son of Charles Perkins according to County records christened in Calne, Wiltshire.

12 April 1774 Jonathan son of Jonathan Perkins and Sarah daughter of Abraham Clifford and Elizabeth born. Witness Elizabeth Biddle who may have a John Biddle connection.