RAPLEY, James (Grimwade p.373)

[MCB]

Goldworkers List (Section VII).

James William Rapley was born around 1793 in Westminster.
Documents as Indentured Apprentice to John Williams a jeweller of Angel Court, Skinner Street dated 3rd June 1807 record his father as Charles Rapley a jeweller of Aldersgate Street.
He married Mary Miller at St Leonard, Foster Lane on 19th April 1835. Both parties were of Christ Church parish.
He entered his first mark on 17th July 1833 from 43 Northampton Street, Clerkenwell in partnership with William Rapley (Grimwade p.386). The Apprentice Indenture document dated 7th April 1813 for William Rapley named his father also as Charles Rapley a (then deceased) jeweller. James Rapley’s second mark alone was entered on 25th July 1836 from the same address and his third mark from 41 Skinner Street on 5th March 1837.
Pigott’s Trade Directory for 1839 and the Post Office Directory for 1843 record him as a jeweller at Skinner Street.
The christening record dated 19th April 1840 for daughter Mary at St James, Clerkenwell shows her father as a jeweller from Skinner Street.
1841 UK Census for Skinner Street, Clerkenwell as a jeweller.
1851 UK Census as 1841.
Post Office Directory 1856 as a jeweller at 50 St John Street Road, Clerkenwell.
1861 UK Census for 50 St John Street Road as a fundholder.
John Culme’s Directory of Gold & Silversmiths Jewellers & Allied Trades 1838-1914 Vol. I p.380 indicates that James Rapley was recorded at and entered a mark in 1864 from 33 Northampton Street where William Rapley had also been recorded.
1871 UK Census for 108 St John Street Road, Clerkenwell as an annuitant.
Died 8th April 1877.
England & Wales Deaths Index for Holborn register dated 2nd quarter 1877.
National Probate Calendar for Principal Registry dated 18th May 1877. Last address 108 St John Street Road; value of estate under £2000.