Some Known Journeymen Silversmiths and Other Employees

[dognose]

M'Lean of Arbroath

William Leah (Journeyman)

ARBROATH
MAN DROWNED

Early on Saturday morning last, the cries of help of an individual who had fallen into the harbour were heard by some seaman and others, who ran to the spot from whence the cries proceeded, but ere a boat could reach the unfortunate individual, he had sunk. When the body was recovered, it was still warm, but life had fled. Being a stranger the body was conveyed to the boat house, and during the day it was recognized to be that of a Jeweller and Watchmaker, named William Leah, a native of Liverpool, who had been employed here by Mr M'Lean, Jeweller and Watchmaker. Deceased, previous to coming to Arbroath, had been on the 'tramp' and had wrought in New Orleans, U.S., for some time.

Source: Dundee Courier - 16th February 1853

Trev.

[dognose]

The Known Apprentices of Peter Gill/Peter Gill & Son of Aberdeen

As Peter Gill:
George Angus: Apprenticed in 1782 - Admitted Hammermen in 1792, Burgess 1796
Joseph Middleton: Apprenticed in 1793 - Admitted Hammermen in 1810
William Spark: Apprenticed in 1797 - Admitted Hammermen in 1806, Burgess 1813
Peter Meldrum: Apprenticed in 1803
William Gillanders: Apprenticed in 1812 - Admitted Hammermen in 1834

As Peter Gill & Son (Peter Gill and David Gill):
Thomas Dean: Apprenticed in 1829
James Webster: Apprenticed in 1834
William Murray: Apprenticed in 1839

Further details of Peter Gill/Peter Gill & Son/Smith & Gill, can be found at: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=31210&p=91651#p91651

Trev.

[dognose]

Employees of Francis Higgins & Son Ltd. in 1926

Joseph Baines Stonebridge - (Manager)
William Monk - (Knife-handle maker)
Herbert Pricket - (Knife-handle maker)
Arthur Stanley Frost - (Knife-handle maker) (He was the last apprentice to live-in)
Harry Bridges - (Spoon maker)
George Ashley - (Spoon maker)
Jack Sewell - (Spoon maker)
Jack Don - (Spoon maker)
Charlie Sidey - (Spoon maker)
Stanley Sidey - (Spoon maker) (Son of Charlie Sidey)
Jenkin D. Thomas - (Spoon maker)
Arthur Birchall - (Spoon maker)
Frank Bywaters - (Spoon maker)
Robert Perry - (Repairer)
George Bywaters - (Repairer and Modeller)
Daniel Round - (Repairer)
Fred Almer - (Repairer)
George Clark - (Repairer)
Jack Guyton - (Repairer)
Jack O'Connor - (Repairer)
Jack Grose - (Tea set maker)
Jack Hooten - (Spoon filer)
Ernest Jones - (Spoon filer)
Alex Macleod Butters - (Spoon filer)
James William Potter - (Apprentice) (He was the last but one apprentice to be taken on at Francis Higgins, joining the firm in 1926)
Harry Davis - (Foreman Polisher)
Joe Bennett - (Polisher)
Horace Jolly - (Polisher)
George Thorncroft - (Polisher)
Harry Townsend - (Polisher)
Jack Butters - (Polisher)
Charlie Butterworth - (Polisher)
John E. Clark - (Outworker Chaser)
W.F. Crossman - (Traveller and Representative)

James William Potter, Arthur Birchall, and Stanley Sidey, were all employed by C.J. Vander Ltd. following the end of WWII. Francis Higgins & Son ceased business in 1940. J.W. Potter left Vander's in 1956 to start his own business.

Trev.

[dognose]

The Known Apprentices of Jeremiah Stevens

Jeremiah Stevens was a Mathematical and Philosophical Instrument Maker, he served his apprenticeship under William Birkwood and was a member of the Goldsmiths Company.

Joshua Samuel Barnett 1825
James Chapman 1831
William Miah Stevens 1840

Trev.

[dognose]

Thomas Henry Manton

37, Great Hampton Street, Birmingham.

Thomas Bassett (Journeyman Silversmith)


THEFT FROM AN EMPLOYER

At Birmingham , on the 6th inst., Thomas Bassett (22), journeyman silversmith, living in Mansfield Road, Edgbaston, was charged with stealing 18 oz. of silver, a silver anchor brooch, and a silver name brooch, the property of his employer, Thomas Henry Manton, silversmith, 37, Great Hampton Street. Prisoner was sentenced for two months' imprisonment with hard labour.

Source: The Jeweller and Metalworker - 15th May 1886

Trev.

[dognose]

James Smith & Sons

New Oxford Street, London


Pointer - (Journeyman Silversmith)


SPEECH IS RECOVERED

Dumb Soldier Gives English Hospital Attendant a Shock

Rifleman Pointer of the Twelfth County of London Rifles has created something of a sensation in the fourth Northern General Hospital at Lincoln.

The terrific concussion of a shell over his head five weeks ago, as he was tending a wounded comrade, deprived him of both speech and hearing. The French doctors assured him that he would eventually get his speech back, and also the power of hearing in his right ear, though that of the left was gone forever.

"Since I have been in Lincoln," he said to a Daily Chronicle representative, "I have been following the advice they gave me in Bologne, to keep pronouncing vowels, as they told me that nothing but my own efforts would get my speech back. I was successful the other night, but it went again next night. I was lying awake trying all I could, and suddenly found my speech come back, so I kept awake talking to myself for fear it might go again.

"I felt a strong impulse to call for the night nurse, but I thought that she might faint, and then it occurred to me that early in the morning the man would be coming round with cups of tea, so I decided to save myself up for him instead. He came along about 5 o'clock, and just as he was setting the cup on the table at my bed-head I said in my best London style, 'Shove it down there, old son!' Then there was a sensation if you like. They say I have been talking ever since."

Prior to the war Pointer was a silversmith in the employ of Messrs. James Smith & Sons of New Oxford Street.

Source: The Spokesman-Review - 18th June 1915


For more detail of James Smith & Sons, see: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=30437

Trev.

[dognose]

Lionel Spiers

Vittoria Street, Birmingham

James Knight - (Journeyman Silvermith)


Robbery from Stock.

James Knight, twenty-six, residing at 50, Ledsam-street, a silversmith by trade, was charged at the Birmingham City Police-court with stealing a silver flower vase, the property of Mr. Lionel Spiers, silversmith, of Vittoria-street, by whom he was employed. The prisoner offered the vase, which was broken up, and valued at about seventeen shillings, for sale at Messrs. Davis's, Livery-street, where he was questioned as to how the article came into his possession, and subsequently given into custody. At the police lock-up a number of pawn tickets relating to other silver articles which had been stolen from Mr. Spiers's factory on various dates were found upon him. The prisoner pleaded guilty, and the stipendiary magistrate said it was evident that the prisoner had been robbing his employer for some time. –He was sent to prison for two months with hard labor.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st July 1893

Trev.

[dognose]

William Hutton & Sons

West Street, Sheffield

J.W. Burns - (Journeyman Silversmith)

A familiar figure in Sheffield some years ago has just just passed away in the person of Mr. J. W. Burns, who, until laid aside by illness eight years ago, occupied a position in the Spoon and Fork Department of Messrs. William Hutton and Sons, West Street. Mr. Burns was one of the artisans elected to visit and report upon the Paris Exhibition some thirteen years ago, and his report upon the spoon and fork trade as carried out on the Continent was characterised by considerable ability. His employers testified to his worth by making him a weekly grant throughout the period of his long illness.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 2nd November 1891

Trev.

[dognose]

George Edward & Sons

Buchanan Street, Glasgow


John Shields - (Foreman Jeweller)


........Queen Victoria before she died in 1901 had ordered from George Edward & Sons, Jewellers, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, three models of the Santa Maria to be made in silver. One was for President McKinlay, and arrived at his home the day after he was shot. My father, John Shields, was a foreman jeweller with Edward & Sons and he was responsible with his staff for the making of the models. Every time an unusual job was done the item was photographed and a framed copy given to my father.

In our home there were many photographs of items showing the craftsmanship of Edwards, Jewellers.

Why did the Queen send a model to McKinlay? Did she approve of his declaration of war on Spain?

In 1901, I was nine years of age and thrilled that the Queen's order had come to Glasgow and its leading jeweller.

James Shields
28, Glenorchy Road
North Berwick

Source: The Glasgow Herald - 13th March 1976

Trev.

[dognose]

James Wyllie

Glasgow

William Hannay - (Journeyman)

The EAO has a record of William Hannay of Paisley being booked as journeyman to James Wylie on 26th August 1791.

James Wylie died in 1793. It would appear likely that Hannay set up in business on his own account at Paisley following the death of Wyllie.

Trev.

[dognose]

Thomas Wilkinson & Co.

Great Hampton Street, Birmingham

W. Knight

Another of Birmingham's old artisans has gone to join the majority, in Mr. W. Knight, who for fifty-two years has faithfully served the firm of Thomas Wilkinson & Co., electro-plate manufacturers, of Great Hampton Street. Mr. Knight was apprenticed to Messrs. Waterhouse & Rylands, of Hill Street, a firm which ceased to exist many years ago, and after leaving them entered the employment of Messrs. Wilkinson, in whose service he has remained ever since. The deceased was highly respected by his employers and fellow-workpeople, many of whom attended at the funeral to pay a last tribute of respect.

Source: The Jeweller and Metalworker - 1st June 1885

Trev.

[dognose]

Mackay & Chisholm

Princes Street, Edinburgh


Robert Fraser - (Journeyman)

Mr. Robert Fraser, of Edinburgh, an employee of Mackay & Chisholm, goldsmiths and silversmiths, of Princes Street, Edinburgh, has completed 50 years' service with the firm. Mr. Fraser joined the firm as a youth of 14 and began his half century repairing and making clan crests and sporran tops in silver. Mr. Fraser is one of those responsible for the annual overhaul of the crown jewels of Scotland and was televised at the task of cleaning the jewels previous to the Royal State Visit a year or two ago.

Souce: Watchmaker, Jeweller & Silversmith - July 1958

Trev.

[dognose]

James Walker Ltd.

London


W.R. Gwilliam - (Master Jeweller)

Mr.W.R. Gwilliam, who has been with James Walker Goldsmith and Silversmith Ltd., for nearly 50 years as a master jeweller, has retired.

Source: Watchmaker, Jeweller & Silversmith - October 1959

Trev.

[dognose]

George Orpwood

London

George Orpwood was a member of the Clockmakers' Company.


Cornelius Henry Barfoot - (Apprentice - Bound 7th May 1832)
James Brennan - (Apprentice - Bound 7th May 1832)
Charles James Case (Apprentice - Bound 12th October 1835)
Thomas Hall - (Apprentice - Bound 3rd December 1838)
Paul Courti - (Apprentice - Bound 7th October 1839)
Thomas Gaunt - (Apprentice - Bound 4th September 1843)
William Napper - (Apprentice - Bound 4th May 1846)
John Trowbridge - (Apprentice - Bound 4th September 1848)

Further detail regarding George Orpwood can be found at: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=30091&start=180

Trev.

[dognose]

George William Adams - Chawner & Co.

London


Samuel Russell - (Apprentice - Bound 6th June 1842)
Frederick Horton - (Apprentice - Bound 6th June 1842)
Henry Blackbeard - (Apprentice - Bound 6th March 1843)
Edward James Smith - (Apprentice - Bound 5th July 1847)
Charles Sreward - (Apprentice - Bound 3rd April 1848)
George Joseph Ashley - (Apprentice - Bound 8th October 1849)
Edward John Carter - (Apprentice - Bound 8th April 1850)
Henry Cooper - (Apprentice - Bound 12th January 1851)
Frederick Boulton - (Apprentice - Bound 11th October 1852)
George Gilbody - (Apprentice - Bound 11th October 1852)
William Steward - (Apprentice - Bound 4th July 1853)
Mattam Charles Ledger - (Apprentice - Bound 9th October 1854)
Frederick Crowder - (Apprentice - Bound 8th January 1855)
John Henry Williamson - (Apprentice - Bound 13th October 1856) (Free 2nd July 1866)
Richard Spall - (Apprentice - Bound 12th January 1857)
Charles Twinam - (Apprentice - Bound 2nd April 1860)
George Birchall - (Apprentice - Bound 8th October 1860) (Free 12th October 1868)
Charles Walter Cottrell - (Apprentice - Bound 7th January 1861)
Thomas Cooper - (Apprentice - Bound 13th January 1862) (Free 2nd July 1894)
Thomas Twinam - (Apprentice - Bound 13th January 1862)
Vernor Grant - (Apprentice - Bound 12th January 1863) (Free 9th October 1893)
Henry Middleton - (Apprentice - Bound 6th July 1863)
George James Merrick - (Apprentice - Bound 29th October 1863)
William Abraham - 9th January 1865
James Robinson Davis - (Apprentice - Bound 9th January 1865) (Free 4th April 1881)
Robert George Goater - (Apprentice - Bound 9th January 1865) (Free 7th October 1872)
Henry Ashley - (Apprentice - Bound 8th April 1867)
William Cooper - (Apprentice - Bound 6th April 1868)
David Edward Hudson - (Apprentice - Bound 5th July 1869)
William Thomas Stevens - (Apprentice - Bound 5th July 1869)
Frederick Charles Matthews - (Apprentice - Bound 9th January 1871)
Richard Drew - (Apprentice - Bound 3rd July 1871)
Henry Bridges - (Apprentice - Bound 8th July 1872)
William John Carman - (Apprentice - Bound 8th July 1872)
Daniel Jenkin Thomas - (Apprentice - Bound 8th July 1872) (Free 2nd July 1894)
William Bingley Knight - (Apprentice - Bound 7th October 1872)
John Hooton - (Apprentice - Bound 21st April 1873)
George Saul Poole - (Apprentice - Bound 21st April 1873)
Joseph Robert Yardley - (Apprentice - Bound 21st April 1873)

Trev.

[dognose]

Hancocks & Co.

London


Charles Frederick Lewis


VIENNA EXHIBITION

The Society of Arts and Manufactures in Vienna have periodically distributed, for the last thirty years, a number of silver medals and diplomas to well-deserving managing foremen, artisans, and operatives. On the occasion of the Universal Exhibition the Society resolved to extend this distinction to the foreign countries represented at the Exhibition, and to distribute a number of their large silver medals and diplomas to operatives specially recommended by their employers through the respective commissions, as being worthy of that distinction.

There were in all 134 examples of the great silver medal, with diploma, of the Society, awarded to Austrian and Hungarian industrial foremen and head journeymen, and one hundred medals, with diplomas, were reserved for foreign countries. Of that number ten were allotted to Great Britain, and the persons to whom this exceptional distinction was awarded, on the special recommendation of the firms by whom they are employed, are the following:

1. Mr. Charles Frederick Lewis, for 12 years in the employ of Hancocks and Co., jewellers, London.

Source: Journal of the Society of Arts - 10th October 1873

Trev.

[dognose]

Elkington and Co.

Birmingham


Henry Fellows


VIENNA EXHIBITION

The Society of Arts and Manufactures in Vienna have periodically distributed, for the last thirty years, a number of silver medals and diplomas to well-deserving managing foremen, artisans, and operatives. On the occasion of the Universal Exhibition the Society resolved to extend this distinction to the foreign countries represented at the Exhibition, and to distribute a number of their large silver medals and diplomas to operatives specially recommended by their employers through the respective commissions, as being worthy of that distinction.

There were in all 134 examples of the great silver medal, with diploma, of the Society, awarded to Austrian and Hungarian industrial foremen and head journeymen, and one hundred medals, with diplomas, were reserved for foreign countries. Of that number ten were allotted to Great Britain, and the persons to whom this exceptional distinction was awarded, on the special recommendation of the firms by whom they are employed, are the following:

2. Mr. Henry Fellows, for 25 years in the employ of Messrs. Elkington and Co., electro-plate manufacturers, Birmingham.

Source: Journal of the Society of Arts - 10th October 1873

Trev.

[dognose]

James Aitchison

Edinburgh


Patrick Mackillan Graig


VIENNA EXHIBITION

The Society of Arts and Manufactures in Vienna have periodically distributed, for the last thirty years, a number of silver medals and diplomas to well-deserving managing foremen, artisans, and operatives. On the occasion of the Universal Exhibition the Society resolved to extend this distinction to the foreign countries represented at the Exhibition, and to distribute a number of their large silver medals and diplomas to operatives specially recommended by their employers through the respective commissions, as being worthy of that distinction.

There were in all 134 examples of the great silver medal, with diploma, of the Society, awarded to Austrian and Hungarian industrial foremen and head journeymen, and one hundred medals, with diplomas, were reserved for foreign countries. Of that number ten were allotted to Great Britain, and the persons to whom this exceptional distinction was awarded, on the special recommendation of the firms by whom they are employed, are the following:

9. Mr. Patrick Mackillan Graig, for 12 years in the employment of Mr. James Aitchison, jewellers, Edinburgh.

Source: Journal of the Society of Arts - 10th October 1873

Trev.

[dognose]

Green & Carpenter

London


William Hutchinson (Journeyman jeweller)

THEFT OF JEWELLERY

At Marlborough Street Police Court, on the 8th inst. William Hutchinson, 30, of North Road, Cattle Market, Islington, a jeweller, was charged with stealing, between June, 1885, and January 2, 1886, from 14, Rathbone Place, Oxford Street, four gold bracelets, five gold brooches, three gold rings, six gold and silver scarf-pins, three gold mounts, four sapphires, six pearl studs, three rubies, and about 200 loose diamonds, of the value of about £200, the property of Messrs. Green & Carpenter, manufacturing jewellers, in whose employ the prisoner had been for more than two years as a diamond and gem setter. - The accused having pleaded guilty, Mr. Mansfield sentenced him to four months' hard labour.

Source: The Jeweller and Metalworker - 15th January 1886

Trev.

[dognose]

David Mellor

Sheffield


Graham Rich (Apprentice)

Spanish Competition

First prize in the senior silversmith section of the International Apprentice Competition was won by 20-year-old Graham Rich. He is a silversmith apprentice under the Sheffield consultant designer, Mr. David Mellor. The presentation was made by General Franco in Madrid.

Source: Watchmaker, Jeweller & Silversmith - January 1961

Trev.