DOWNE, Griffith (Grimwade p.295)

[MCB]

He was probably Griffith DONNE christened at St Andrew, Holborn in 1778 the son of Robert and Jane of Red Lion Street.
He was apprenticed to Edward Leeming (Grimwade p.293, 335) of the Clockmakers Company in 1794. There is no evidence of his freedom, a fact confirmed on page 119 of Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World which simply lists the year in which he signed indentures.
He married Anna Jones at St Leonard, Shoreditch in 1803; they were both from that parish.
Three of their children were christened at St James, Clerkenwell from 1806-12.
A mark was entered at Goldsmiths’ Hall in 1807 and in the same year Duty was paid as a watch case maker for the apprentice indentures of William Francis Strong. The entries do not record a complete address and the indentures do not refer to him as a freeman of a Livery Company.
Two more of their children were christened at St Pancras, Camden; the record for 1815 registered him as a gentleman from Dunbar Street, the one in 1818 at Somers Street but with an indistinct entry for his trade.
His burial in 1823 aged 42 years, late of St Pancras, was registered at St George the Martyr, Queen Square.
His Will was proved for probate on 29th April 1823 (National Archives reference PROB 11/1669/423).