Old Ashburton

                                           Clocks and clockmakers

18s paid John Clockemaker for mending le chyme [1537-38]

Churchwardens' Accounts of Ashburton 1479-1580, Alison Hanham, Devon and Cornwall Record Society, Torquay 1970, p102

The following is a list of Ashburton clockmakers, taken from Devon Clocks and Clockmakers, Clive N. Ponsford, David and Charles, Newton Abbot 1985, p328. Many thanks to F & W. Media International Ltd., http://www.fwcommunity.com/uk, for permission to reproduce the data. I have added to it where I have additional information - I am now also adding watchmakers.

26th May 1787 saw Emanuel Hart apprenticed to Thomas Bidlake, clockmaker, in the borough of Plymouth.
Registers of Duties Paid for Apprentices' Indentures 1710-1811

It seems likely that this was the Thomas who was in Ashburton.  

What is certain is that at some stage he moved to London. His sister Margaret Bidlake, a spinster from Plymouth, left a will that was proved in 1820. In it she leaves bequests to her nephew and niece Thomas and Ann Bidlake, the son and daughter of her brother Thomas Bidlake of the City of London, watchmaker.    

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Burston, John

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Conneybear, Samuel

Sam. Conibere, watch and clock-maker, appears in the Universal British Directory of Trade, Commerce and Manufacture, Vol 2, late 1700s

In 1790 a suit was filed in Chancery by Samuel Coneybear, described as a clockmaker of Ashburton 'and one of the second poor of Buckland in the Moor'. The suit alleged that profit from an estate had been withheld from Samuel and others entitled to it.

Report of the Commissioners Concerning Charities, vol 1, Exeter, 1826, p83

'A document, written on parchment, of which the following is an accurate copy, was produced to us by James Coneybear, of Ashburton, who stated, that it came into his possession on the death of his father, Samuel Coneybear, some years since, and that he had heard his father say, that it was found in the parish chest of Buckland.'

The Charities of the County of Devon, Selected from the Voluminous Reports of the Commissioners of Inquiry...which began the 58th year of the reign of George III and ended the 7th of Will. IV, Vol 1, London,  1839, p97

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Dunsford, Martin

A clock from the Congregational Chapel, now in Ashburton Museum, was made by Martin Dunsford. Information from the museum states that it was presented to the Chapel in 1791 by Sir Robert Palk. For more on this see the Churches and Memorials page.

 
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Ezekiel, Eleazer

The court for relief of insolvent debtors, at the court house, Exeter, March 1827.

'Formerly of Ashburton, jeweller, watchmaker and keeper of a public library, and later of Newton-Abbott, both in Devon, watchmaker.'

London Gazette, Jan-June 1827, p365.

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Foster, James

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Hamlyn, Thomas jnr.

Tho. Hamlyn jun., clock and watch-maker, appears in the Universal British Directory of Trade, Commerce and Manufacture, Vol 2, late 1700s.

In 1847 there was an investigation in Sidmouth into the circumstances of a fire, where a Mr Denby lost property and goods. Charles Harding, watchmaker, proved that Mr Denby had owned a gold watch.

Western Times 25 December 1847, p7, col5

In the 1851 census Charles W Harding, born in Ashburton circa 1793, is married and living in Sidmouth. He is a watchmaker and clock worker master.

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Harding, John

A John Harding was baptised in 1803, the son of Charles and Mary Harding. It seems highly likely that this is the John Harding below.

John Harding married Elizabeth Husson in 1827.

When his son John (ii) was baptised in 1839, John is described as a watchmaker.

parish records

In the 1841 census John and his wife Elizabeth, living in East Street, have 6 children, of whom 2 year old John is the youngest. John Snr is a watchmaker.

1841 census HO107, piece no 253, folio 17, p28

1844 John Harding, East Street, is listed as a watch and clockmaker in Pigot's Directory.
Pigot's Directory of Berks, Bucks etc., part 1, p152.

In 1850 John Harding is listed as a watchmaker in White's Directory, still in East Street.

By 1851 John is a 46 year old widower. He is described as a jeweller.

1851 census HO107, piece no 1871, folio 294, p16

Index to Death Duty Registers 1796-1903, 1860

1868 When Thirza Harding died in Islington, London, in January, aged 31, she was described as the youngest daughter of the late J. Harding, of Ashburton, watchmaker.

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Harding, John (ii)

John Harding, a watchmaker, married Anne Giles in May 1860. His father is John Harding, watchmaker.
Parish records

They were 'at North Street' when their son was born in January 1861
Western Morning News 8 January 1861, p3 col6

John Harding Jnr. is a 21 year old watchmaker later in 1861, living with his wife and son John C in East Street. His sister Thirza is with him on census night.
1861 census RG09, piece no. 1405, folio 33, p15

Annie died, aged 30, in 1868.
Western Times 14 February 1868, p5 col2

A notice in April 1869 said that all persons owing or owed by the estate of John Harding, jeweller, 'late of Ashburton' were to put in their claims by April 30th to Messrs Giles and Sons, boot and shoemakers of Ashburton.
Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 21 April 1869, p2 col3

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Harding, Richard

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Hudge, William

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Osborn, W. G.

In September 1884 Mr. J. E. Webber, the Relieving Officer of the poor law Union, was about to leave for another district. Those who had been on parish relief subscribed 2d each towards a clock for him, which was supplied by Mr. W. G. Osborn. The clock was a lever timepiece, with the inscription 'Presented to Mr. J. E. Webber as a token of affection, from Ashburton.'

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 19 September 1884 p7 col4

When Widecombe church clock was out of order, it was recommended that Mr Osborne, of Ashburton, should undertake any necessary repairs and maintain the clock for six months.

Western Times 4 May 1886, p3 col 4

The 1891 census shows 43 year old William Osborn living at 'Jewellers shop' with his wife Jane. Originally from Earlscote in Warwickshire, William is a watchmaker and jeweller.

http://www.freecen.org.uk/cgi/search.pl

William George Osborn is shown as a watchmaker in West Street in Kelly's Directory for 1902.
Kelly's Directory for Devonshire, 1902, p33

The funeral of Wm Geo Osborn took place in April 1920. A 'highly respected tradesman' who lived in East Street, he had been in poor health and had lost his eyesight.

Western Times 9 April 1920, p12 col1

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Pearse, James

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Perryman, John

The 1841 census shows John Perryman, aged circa 50, as a clockmaker in Cad Lane. The only other Perryman in the household is 13 year old Mary.

1841 census HO107, Piece 253, Enumeration District: 9, Folio 15, p24

1844 John Perryman, Cad Street, is listed as a watch and clockmaker in Pigot's Directory of Berks, Bucks etc., part 1, p152.

In 1850 John Perryman is listed as a watchmaker in White's Directory, living in Back Lane.

The 1861 census shows 70 year old widower John Perryman living in North Street - this would give a birth year of circa 1791. He is a watchmaker.

http://www.freecen.org.uk/cgi/search.pl

A John Perryman aged 83 was buried in Ashburton on October 22nd, 1872 - giving a birth year of circa 1789.

Parish records.

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Schwer, Leonard.

The 1871 census of Ashburton shows Leonard Schwer, a watchmaker and jeweller, in West Street. 32 years old, he was born in Baden, Germany.

1871 census RG10, piece no. 2080, folio 55, p22

A watch paper with L Schwer, Ashburton printed on it sold on the internet in 2016 (not in my possession)

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Toker, ______

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