HAMMON, John William (Grimwade p.303, 341)

[MCB]

He was christened in 1798 the son of William (Grimwade p.327) and Ann at St James, Clerkenwell. He was the brother of William John Hammon (Grimwade p.327, 352-3).
He married Susanna Kemp at St Luke, Finsbury in 1822. Both were from that parish. His brother William John was a witness to the marriage.
He entered marks at Goldsmiths Hall in 1822 as a case maker and watch case maker from 91 Goswell Street and notified moves to 9 John Street in 1825 and to 48 Whiskin Street in 1826.
The christening records for two daughters Ann and Sarah at St James in 1827 show their address as Whiskin Street and their father as a watch case maker.
He entered another mark as a case maker from Whiskin Street in 1833 and notified changes of address to 11 Gloucester Street, Clerkenwell in 1836 and 1837.
He is listed aged 40 years in the 1841 UK Census as a watch case maker living at Wilmington Square, Clerkenwell with his two daughters Ann and Sarah both 15 years. His wife Susanna was not present.
In 1843 he notified Goldsmiths Hall a change of address to 26½ Seckforde Street, Clerkenwell and in 1844 to 11 Seckford Street from where he entered further marks later in 1844 and in 1854.
In 1851 he was recorded at 2 Pleasant Row, Kentish Town as a watch case maker employing 15 people. He reported he was still married but Susanna was not living with him.
The burial on 20th December 1855 of a Susannah Hammon aged 54 years, late of Seckforde Street, was recorded at St Pancras church.
As a widower aged 53 years he married 30 years old spinster Maria Cole at St James, Clerkenwell on 22nd December 1855. They both gave their address as Seckforde Street.
The National Probate Calendar has an entry for John William Hammon, watch case maker, late of Coventry, who died in 1860 at 14 Chadwell Street, Clerkenwell and the grant of Probate of his Will at the Principal Registry to his widow Maria Hammon of Coventry, one of the executors being named as his brother James (William), a watch case maker of Northampton Square. The value of the estate was under £4000.
The Directory of Gold & Silversmiths Jewellers & Allied Traders 1838-1914 Vol. I p.207 by John Culme notes that a John William or John Hammon was listed as a watch case maker from 11 Seckforde Street until 1881. The Forum notes for William John Hammon II (Grimwade p.328 352-3) in this period also refer.