COLEY, Simeon (Grimwade p.400, 468-9)
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 7:47 pm
The Proceedings of the Old Bailey Ref: t17610506-20 of 06 May 1761 gives an interesting insight.
Simon Cooley , I live upon Clerkenwell-green.
Q. What is your business?
Cooley. I am a silver buckle-maker, I have known the prisoner five years,
he has been in my shop many a time.
Q. Did he ever work for you?
Cooley. No, he has had great opportunities to have robbed me within this
12 months, but I never lost any thing by him; he used to come two or three
times a week to finish his work. I have had three or four hundred ounces
of silver lying about, he has been there when we have been at breakfast or
dinner.
Note that he does not appear to have employed the accused as a journeyman, but as a sub-contractor who did silver work on Coley's premises. Also note the casual mention of "three or four hundred ounces of silver lying about" , apparently near a dining area !
Based on newspaper advertisements, it appears that Coley spent three years in New York, his American mark being "S. Coley," . His first New York advertisement was dated September 11, 1766, and his last, announcing his intention "to leave this City this Month," was dated September 4, 1769. His leaving New York was probably a result of being on the wrong side of pre-Revolutionary politics. A newspaper article of July 24, 1769 reported Coley's "daring Infractions of the Non-importation Agreement; his insolent and futile Defence of those inglorious Measures; with his avowed Resolution obstinately to persevere in counteracting the legal Efforts of a brave and free People in support of their inestimable Rights." Coley's advertisements before this date included a great deal of English imports, mostly jewelry and small specialty items such as etuis. It is thought that he spent some time in Jamaica after leaving New York.
It is quite possible that this is not the English Simeon Coley !
He was free of the Glovers in 1773 ( which may explain why he moved form Clerkenwell into the City around that date )
THE Will of Simon (sic) COLEY ,Silversmith, Gentleman of Enfield, Middlesex was proved PCC 9 June 1798
This and it's codicil lists his daughters as Elizabeth Amelia Burrow , Helen Coley (died unmarried) and Hannah Northcote, the wife of Thomas Northcote of Berkeley Street . His son, Also Simeon Coley carried on the business at 35 Fetter Lane .
Simon Cooley , I live upon Clerkenwell-green.
Q. What is your business?
Cooley. I am a silver buckle-maker, I have known the prisoner five years,
he has been in my shop many a time.
Q. Did he ever work for you?
Cooley. No, he has had great opportunities to have robbed me within this
12 months, but I never lost any thing by him; he used to come two or three
times a week to finish his work. I have had three or four hundred ounces
of silver lying about, he has been there when we have been at breakfast or
dinner.
Note that he does not appear to have employed the accused as a journeyman, but as a sub-contractor who did silver work on Coley's premises. Also note the casual mention of "three or four hundred ounces of silver lying about" , apparently near a dining area !
Based on newspaper advertisements, it appears that Coley spent three years in New York, his American mark being "S. Coley," . His first New York advertisement was dated September 11, 1766, and his last, announcing his intention "to leave this City this Month," was dated September 4, 1769. His leaving New York was probably a result of being on the wrong side of pre-Revolutionary politics. A newspaper article of July 24, 1769 reported Coley's "daring Infractions of the Non-importation Agreement; his insolent and futile Defence of those inglorious Measures; with his avowed Resolution obstinately to persevere in counteracting the legal Efforts of a brave and free People in support of their inestimable Rights." Coley's advertisements before this date included a great deal of English imports, mostly jewelry and small specialty items such as etuis. It is thought that he spent some time in Jamaica after leaving New York.
It is quite possible that this is not the English Simeon Coley !
He was free of the Glovers in 1773 ( which may explain why he moved form Clerkenwell into the City around that date )
THE Will of Simon (sic) COLEY ,Silversmith, Gentleman of Enfield, Middlesex was proved PCC 9 June 1798
This and it's codicil lists his daughters as Elizabeth Amelia Burrow , Helen Coley (died unmarried) and Hannah Northcote, the wife of Thomas Northcote of Berkeley Street . His son, Also Simeon Coley carried on the business at 35 Fetter Lane .