CROSSLEY , Richard (Grimwade p.480)

[buckler]

Grimwade's note - "Not apprenticed. Freedom by redemption 1st May 1782" is explained by the following :-

"Richard Crossley was employed by a spoonmaker in Paternoster Row to carry fuel for the furnaces, winning the name of Charcoal Dick . But being smart, sober and frugal, he saved £100, set up as a spoonmaker himself in Giltspur Street, and when he left off was worth £80,000"
From Jerry White " London in the Eighteenth Century" , quoting Brasbridge " The Fruits of Experience " page 142 -3.

Please note that "Charcoal Dick" may well be an example of typical Georgian earthy humour !

[dognose]

Some more detail on Richard Crossley can be found at: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=14751&p=33040

[dognose]

Luke Schrager has done some interesting research into Richard Crossley. Crossley's grave is located at Wooburn in Buckinghamshire, the gravestone states that Crossley died on 29th April 1815, aged 72 years, and that he was the son of John Crossley of Wooburn. The gravestone also records the details of Crossley's wife, Sally, the daughter of Christopher and Sarah Wildman, who died aged just 19 years, on the 10th April 1780, and also that of their only daughter, Sarah, who died on the 10th February 1794, aged just 14 years and 10 months.

Crossley's will, a document of sixteen pages of closely written text, reveals that he had no other children, and left most of his fortune to his family. Two beneficiaries of interest, were former apprentice's of Crossley, John Kerschner (Grimwade p.569), who was also his nephew, received £1,000, and John Doughty, who at the time of the writing of the will was recorded as a journeyman employed by Eley, Fearn and Chawner, who received £2,000.

Trev.

Source: Luke Schrager

[silverly]

....The gravestone...records the details of Crossley's wife, Sally, the daughter of Christopher and Sarah Wildman, who died aged...19 years, on the 10th April 1780....

15 April 1779 Richard Crossley of the Parish of Saint James Clerkenwell in the County of Middlesex age 30 years and upwards Batchelor alleged his intention to marry Sally Wildman of the Parish of Saint Martin in the Fields in the aforesaid aged 24 years and upwards Spinster.

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All Persons who have any Claims or Demands on the Estate of Mr. Robert James Roberts, late-of the Poultry, in the City of London, Silversmith, deceased, are desired to transmit an Account thereof immediately, with Particulars of the Nature of the Securities, (if any,)to Mr. Richard Crossley, of Giltspur-Street, West Smithfield, in the City of London, Goldsmith; and all Persons indebted to the said Estate, or who have Effects of the said Mr. Roberts are requested to pay and deliver the same immediately to the said Richard Crossley, without Delay, who is alone authorised to receive, the same.

Source: The London Gazette - 4th October 1808