TOOKEY, Elizabeth (Grimwade p.683)

[MCB]

A christening record at St Anne & St Agnes dated 2nd February 1752 of a Thomas Tookey (Grimwade p.683) names the parents as James and Elizabeth which seems to confirm Grimwade's suggestion that Elizabeth was James Tookey's widow.

[MCB]

Records for St Olave’s Precinct, Silver Street show her husband James Tookey paid Land Tax for property there from 1753-1767, Elizabeth from 1768-1773 and her son Thomas Tookey (Grimwade p.683) from 1774. This detail fits well with the presumed death of James in 1767-8, Elizabeth’s time running the business from 1768 and a take over by Thomas in October 1773 when, having gained his freedom in May, he entered his first mark at Goldsmiths Hall from Silver Street.
The Parliamentary Report of 1773 into the manner in which the English Assay Offices conducted business shows between 23rd May 1771 and 29th May 1772 33lbs of Elizabeth's plate failed to meet the standard.
Thomas took over responsibility for paying the Land Tax in 1774 and her role in the silversmith trade may have ended in October 1773 when, as had probably been her intention all along, she seems to have handed the business over to her son. The attribution to Elizabeth Tookey of the rectangular mark of 1774 (Grimwade 3559) now seems less secure.

[silverly]

29 October 1773 Elizabeth Tookey of Silver Street London Widow and Relict of James Tookey late Goldsmith of London deceased will proved at London. First among her bequests were her working tools in the Goldsmith business that were given to her eldest son Thomas Tookey. Reference: TNA PROB 11/992/94