Born 1776.
Christening record for St Mary Magdalen, Old Fish Street dated 11th July 1776.
Died 1834.
London Deaths & Burials Index for St Botolph, Aldgate register dated 18th September 1834. Age shown as 55 years; last address Red Cross Square.
HAWKINS, John Lacey (Grimwade p.540)
Moderators: buckler, MCB, silverly
Re: HAWKINS, John Lacey (Grimwade p.540)
John Lacey Hawkins appears to have divided his time between being a spoonmaker and being a Marshalman (policeman). He appeared on several occasions giving evidence at Central Criminal Court trials at the Old Bailey between the years 1809-1831. In one trial he mentioned that he still used the premises of his old Master (Stephen Adams) for the manufacture of his spoons. I would think It was likely that Hawkins was on a retainer by Adams to be nearby in case of any trouble.
He is known to have taken at least one apprentice, Andrew Main, on the 6th November 1822 (£60 - 7 years).
A Thomas Lacey Hawkins, probably John's brother, is also noted as a Marshalman for at least the period 1811-1825.
Trev.
He is known to have taken at least one apprentice, Andrew Main, on the 6th November 1822 (£60 - 7 years).
A Thomas Lacey Hawkins, probably John's brother, is also noted as a Marshalman for at least the period 1811-1825.
Trev.
Re: HAWKINS, John Lacey (Grimwade p.540)
John Lacey Hawkins — Spoonmaker and Thief-taker
John Lacey Hawkins was a character who is worthy of a little research as he was not your average spoonmaker. Apprenticed to Stephen Adams on the 5th February 1794, he was a product of the Christ's Hospital, that great artery that supplied many of the Livery Companies with the most suitable apprentices to enter the various trades. Hawkins was granted his Freedom on the 4th November 1801 and entered his first mark at the London Assay Office as a spoonmaker a year later on the 2nd November 1802 from the address of 16, Angel Street, St Martin's-le-Grand. He was to enter a further six versions of his mark, the last being entered on the 13th September 1831.
Hawkins differs from most spoonmakers of the period in so much as he only worked at his trade part-time, he likely spent his mornings working silver and the rest of his day as part of the night patrol in the early peace keeping force as a Marshalman of the City of London. Such a combination of roles may perhaps not be unique as the silversmith Abraham Barrier possibly performed similar duties at an earlier date.
John Lacey Hawkins's association with Stephen Adams, and no doubt his son, continued after he had left the employ of his old Master. From Old Bailey trials we know that he continued to use the workshop of Adams, probably in return for his service as security for the firm (it is thought that it was not uncommon for constables to be on a retainer from silversmiths to be near to hand in the event of any trouble that may arise).
The first appearance at the Old Bailey for Hawkins appears to be in 1806 where he gave evidence at two separate trials on the same day, the 19th February. The first, where he is described as a constable who apprehended a thief stealing bags of seed from a warehouse, and secondly, where he is also described as a constable, giving evidence regarding a stolen plated milk pot. Ten days later he was present at the Old Bailey again, on the 29th February 1806, where he is described as a City Officer who had detained a pickpocket in Gracechurch Street. Hawkins continues to appear on numerous occasions at the Old Bailey, and quite likely at other courts such as the Guildhall and Bow Street during the period 1806-1831, but two appearances are of particular interest. On the 3rd April 1811 he appeared at the Old Bailey giving evidence at the trial of William Nicholson, an apprentice of Stephen Adams who was found guilty of grand larceny and transported. This trial shows that Hawkins used the facilities at Adams' workshop and contains other interesting details, but undoubtably Hawkins' finest hour on the centre stage was on the 17th February 1813.
On the 16th October 1812 a raiding party from Goldsmiths' Hall entered the Bell Savage Yard premises of George Wintle (details of the raid and ensuing trial are fairly well known and too long to be repeated here). The trial reveals that it was perhaps John Lacey Hawkins, who was no doubt included for his dual role as peace officer and expert witness, who led the raiding party and executed the warrant prior to securing George Wintle and that great pariah of the trade, his son James.
If the above was the high point in Hawkins' career as a Marshalman, then 1818 was to prove the low point. Following a crackdown on brothels and bawdy houses in the City an attempt was made by the Marshals to close down a public house known as the Thatched House in Field Lane. When Hawkins became aware of the forthcoming closure he spoke up for the landlord and denied that the house was a problem one. This intervention by Hawkins appears to have raised suspicions amongst the Marshals that he may have had an interest in keeping the house open. It was also thought that he had dissuaded other Marshalman from arresting thieves known to have frequented the property. Hawkins was dismissed from the service, but within a very short time appears to have been reinstated.
Trouble again reared its head for Lacey Hawkins in 1825. He was on duty attending the Lord Mayor at the laying of the foundation stone for the new London Bridge; a large crowd assembled to witness the event. Hawkins, by a witness account appears to have gone berserk whilst attempting to move back the crowd. A letter, published in The Times on Saturday 18th June 1825 reads thus:
Sir:- I feel extremely sorry to have to complain against the conduct of any officer connected with the City of London; The facts I give you; and I trust, by your giving it insertion in your valuable paper, it may be the means of preventing a similar occurrence.
On the day on which the new foundation stone was laid for the new London Bridge, I happened to be near the Mansion House; Accordingly I went to view the procession, and you and the public, I'm sure, will be astonished, when I state, that a man with a staff in one hand, and a horsewhip in his other, was lashing male and female indiscriminately. I, amongst hundreds of others, expressed my disapprobation of such conduct, when I was immediately seized by a man (whose name I have since ascertained to be Hawkins, a Marshalman) by the collar, threatened to be taken to the Compter; he also struck at me several times with his cane over my head, and, finally, put it into my side, and swore he would send it through me. The man (Hawkins) was much intoxicated. I trust such conduct on the part of a city servant will not go unnoticed . - Your very obedient servant, a constant reader.
Following the somewhat surprising publication of this letter, John Lacey Hawkins issued a writ against The Times for libel, the case was heard at the Old Bailey in September 1825, but he was not to be successful. Part of the report published in The Morning Post of the 26th September 1825 reads:
......The Recorder here addressed the jury, and said that there was no doubt this was a most scandalous libel on the City Marshalmen, in accusing him of being drunk and unfit for his duty; also for using violence without any occasion; however there was no proof who the author was, and of course the defendant was entitled to an acquittal.
The jury instantly pronounced the defendant — Not Guilty.
Another small, but surprising detail, as a part-time silversmith, is that John Lacey Hawkins is noted as having taken an apprentice, he took Andrew Main for a term of seven years as from November 1822 for a fee of £60.
No, John Lacey Hawkins was not your average spoonmaker.
Trevor Downes
Reproduced from an article published in 'The Finial' - January/February 2012
John Lacey Hawkins was a character who is worthy of a little research as he was not your average spoonmaker. Apprenticed to Stephen Adams on the 5th February 1794, he was a product of the Christ's Hospital, that great artery that supplied many of the Livery Companies with the most suitable apprentices to enter the various trades. Hawkins was granted his Freedom on the 4th November 1801 and entered his first mark at the London Assay Office as a spoonmaker a year later on the 2nd November 1802 from the address of 16, Angel Street, St Martin's-le-Grand. He was to enter a further six versions of his mark, the last being entered on the 13th September 1831.
Hawkins differs from most spoonmakers of the period in so much as he only worked at his trade part-time, he likely spent his mornings working silver and the rest of his day as part of the night patrol in the early peace keeping force as a Marshalman of the City of London. Such a combination of roles may perhaps not be unique as the silversmith Abraham Barrier possibly performed similar duties at an earlier date.
John Lacey Hawkins's association with Stephen Adams, and no doubt his son, continued after he had left the employ of his old Master. From Old Bailey trials we know that he continued to use the workshop of Adams, probably in return for his service as security for the firm (it is thought that it was not uncommon for constables to be on a retainer from silversmiths to be near to hand in the event of any trouble that may arise).
The first appearance at the Old Bailey for Hawkins appears to be in 1806 where he gave evidence at two separate trials on the same day, the 19th February. The first, where he is described as a constable who apprehended a thief stealing bags of seed from a warehouse, and secondly, where he is also described as a constable, giving evidence regarding a stolen plated milk pot. Ten days later he was present at the Old Bailey again, on the 29th February 1806, where he is described as a City Officer who had detained a pickpocket in Gracechurch Street. Hawkins continues to appear on numerous occasions at the Old Bailey, and quite likely at other courts such as the Guildhall and Bow Street during the period 1806-1831, but two appearances are of particular interest. On the 3rd April 1811 he appeared at the Old Bailey giving evidence at the trial of William Nicholson, an apprentice of Stephen Adams who was found guilty of grand larceny and transported. This trial shows that Hawkins used the facilities at Adams' workshop and contains other interesting details, but undoubtably Hawkins' finest hour on the centre stage was on the 17th February 1813.
On the 16th October 1812 a raiding party from Goldsmiths' Hall entered the Bell Savage Yard premises of George Wintle (details of the raid and ensuing trial are fairly well known and too long to be repeated here). The trial reveals that it was perhaps John Lacey Hawkins, who was no doubt included for his dual role as peace officer and expert witness, who led the raiding party and executed the warrant prior to securing George Wintle and that great pariah of the trade, his son James.
If the above was the high point in Hawkins' career as a Marshalman, then 1818 was to prove the low point. Following a crackdown on brothels and bawdy houses in the City an attempt was made by the Marshals to close down a public house known as the Thatched House in Field Lane. When Hawkins became aware of the forthcoming closure he spoke up for the landlord and denied that the house was a problem one. This intervention by Hawkins appears to have raised suspicions amongst the Marshals that he may have had an interest in keeping the house open. It was also thought that he had dissuaded other Marshalman from arresting thieves known to have frequented the property. Hawkins was dismissed from the service, but within a very short time appears to have been reinstated.
Trouble again reared its head for Lacey Hawkins in 1825. He was on duty attending the Lord Mayor at the laying of the foundation stone for the new London Bridge; a large crowd assembled to witness the event. Hawkins, by a witness account appears to have gone berserk whilst attempting to move back the crowd. A letter, published in The Times on Saturday 18th June 1825 reads thus:
Sir:- I feel extremely sorry to have to complain against the conduct of any officer connected with the City of London; The facts I give you; and I trust, by your giving it insertion in your valuable paper, it may be the means of preventing a similar occurrence.
On the day on which the new foundation stone was laid for the new London Bridge, I happened to be near the Mansion House; Accordingly I went to view the procession, and you and the public, I'm sure, will be astonished, when I state, that a man with a staff in one hand, and a horsewhip in his other, was lashing male and female indiscriminately. I, amongst hundreds of others, expressed my disapprobation of such conduct, when I was immediately seized by a man (whose name I have since ascertained to be Hawkins, a Marshalman) by the collar, threatened to be taken to the Compter; he also struck at me several times with his cane over my head, and, finally, put it into my side, and swore he would send it through me. The man (Hawkins) was much intoxicated. I trust such conduct on the part of a city servant will not go unnoticed . - Your very obedient servant, a constant reader.
Following the somewhat surprising publication of this letter, John Lacey Hawkins issued a writ against The Times for libel, the case was heard at the Old Bailey in September 1825, but he was not to be successful. Part of the report published in The Morning Post of the 26th September 1825 reads:
......The Recorder here addressed the jury, and said that there was no doubt this was a most scandalous libel on the City Marshalmen, in accusing him of being drunk and unfit for his duty; also for using violence without any occasion; however there was no proof who the author was, and of course the defendant was entitled to an acquittal.
The jury instantly pronounced the defendant — Not Guilty.
Another small, but surprising detail, as a part-time silversmith, is that John Lacey Hawkins is noted as having taken an apprentice, he took Andrew Main for a term of seven years as from November 1822 for a fee of £60.
No, John Lacey Hawkins was not your average spoonmaker.
Trevor Downes
Reproduced from an article published in 'The Finial' - January/February 2012
Re: HAWKINS, John Lacey (Grimwade p.540)
25 September 1834 John Lacy Hawkins No 17 Red Cross Square Aldersgate in the City of London Silversmith will proved at London.MCB wrote:Born 1776....Died 1834. London Deaths & Burials Index for St Botolph, Aldgate register dated 18th September 1834. Age shown as 55 years; last address Red Cross Square.
Reference: TNA PROB 11/1836/165