Initially Grimwade noted George Heming as the son of Thomas Heming (Grimwade p.542-3, 752-3) but on page 752 changes the identification to George being Thomas’ brother.
As Grimwade suggested there appear to have been two by the name of George Heming involved in the goldsmith trade.
George Heming I
He was born around 1732 the son of Richard and brother of Thomas. He was apprenticed in 1746 to Richard Lewis of the Musicians Company and free in 1754.
As a freeman of the Musicians Company he in turn took John Arnold as an apprentice in 1762.
Heming, Jewellers of London, which continues today, makes no mention of Thomas’ brother George in their website history of the firm.
He may be the George Heming who signed as a witness to the marriage of his nephew, also George Heming, who married Ann Gilley in Hillingdon in 1776 (see below).
The Will of a George Heming, goldsmith of St James, is listed in the National Archives as proved for probate in 1783 (National Archives reference PROB 11/1110/271).
There is an entry in the 1774 Poll Book for George Heming as a goldsmith in Piccadilly which may refer to either the uncle or the nephew.
George Heming II
He was christened at St James, Westminster in 1748 the son of Thomas and Ann.
Grimwade refers to Thomas’s son George signing to be his father’s apprentice in 1762; the christening in 1748 and the apprenticeship in 1762 follow the usual timescale. Websites do not however provide sight of the copy of these indentures to investigate further.
Heming, Jewellers of London, record on their website that Thomas retired in 1782 and his son George took over the running of the business.
George Heming, goldsmith and jeweller of 151 Bond Street, paid for entries in trade directories from 1784-91, the one for 1784 identifying him as goldsmith to the Prince of Wales (later George IV).
There is evidence of a family connection with Hillingdon, near Uxbridge. A marriage between George Heming and Ann Gilley took place there in 1776 and may relate to this goldsmith but to confuse matters a witness to the marriage was also George Heming who may have been his uncle (see above).
Land Tax assessments were made on George Heming until 1808 in respect of property in Hillingdon.
There is a Will of a George Heming, Goldsmith of Bond Street, Westminster, listed in the National Archives as proved for probate in 1809 (National Archives reference PROB 11/1491/163).