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Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: Alberta exile on Tuesday 16 April 13 01:01 BST (UK)

Title: Watchmakers
Post by: Alberta exile on Tuesday 16 April 13 01:01 BST (UK)
Hello all
I am trying to find some background on 2 watchmakers.I have visited the watchmakers forums with little success.
Benjamin Barton was a watchmaker who according to his tombstone was born on May 20th 1767 and died March 24th 1816.He was married to Eliza Douglas April 1769 died Feb 16th1858
In 1801 he migrated to Alexandria, Virginia where he opened up his watch and clock business.
Where was he from in England? There is no record of him being a watchmaker in England that I can find?
Richard Tompion was a watchmaker who worked in Liverpool around 1790 - 1800 again I can find nothing on this guy either.

Any help would be appreciated

Ian
Title: Re: Watchmakers
Post by: jomcd967 on Tuesday 16 April 13 03:23 BST (UK)
HI Ian, just wanting to clarify your dates as I'm sure he didn't marry at age 2!! Where did he marry?
Title: Re: Watchmakers
Post by: sami on Tuesday 16 April 13 03:42 BST (UK)
Quote from: jomcd967 on Tuesday 16 April 13 03:23 BST (UK)
HI Ian, just wanting to clarify your dates as I'm sure he didn't marry at age 2!! Where did he marry?

I read that as when she was born - have to wait and see  :)
Title: Re: Watchmakers
Post by: Alberta exile on Tuesday 16 April 13 19:55 BST (UK)
Sorry if I confused the issue
His wife was born in 1769
The birth and death information is on his grave stone
I have no other info
Title: Re: Watchmakers
Post by: youngtug on Tuesday 16 April 13 21:10 BST (UK)
Both of these men should have been apprentices, following which they would have been journeymen. They may never have owned their own businesses. You may be able to find apprentice papers.
Title: Re: Watchmakers
Post by: youngtug on Tuesday 16 April 13 21:19 BST (UK)
This may be interesting; http://www.clockswatches.com/showindex.php?em=B
Title: Re: Watchmakers
Post by: pinefamily on Wednesday 17 April 13 02:09 BST (UK)
Ian,
You might like to contact Brian Loomes via his website below. He is very knowledgeable about clockmakers of the past. He may be able to point you in the right direction at least.
http://www.brianloomes.com/index.html
Title: Re: Watchmakers
Post by: spendlove on Wednesday 17 April 13 11:36 BST (UK)
Hi,

There is a Patron Submitted tree on Ancestry, however although some of the information
agrees with yours there are differences:-

Benjamin Barton = Mary Goodall 26th February 1795 at Sherburn in Elmet, Yorkshire
Parents Thomas Barton & Ann (nee Rawden)
            George Goodall & Elizabeth (nee Ackester)

you can see the above marriage on:-
www.familysearch.org

It states they emigrated to Alexandria, Fairfax County, Virginia abt 1801

It was their son Benjamin Barton born 1803 who married 14th April 1846 Eliza Douglass Kenedy.

Another tree states that they emigrated with 2 of their children i.e. Thomas and Elizabeth.

On www.family search.org there are 2 suitable christenings:-

Thomas Christened 17th July 1797
Elizabeth  "     16th November 1799
Both at Aberford, Yorkshire, England, Parents Benjamin Barton & Mary.

This tree gives a different date of death for Benjamin Sen., said to be taken from a book
"A seaport Saga: Portrait of old Alexandria" also described as a Silversmith.

Patron Submitted trees need to be checked, many contain incorrect information it may be
necessary for you to check the grave information again.
 
Regards
Spendlove
Title: Re: Watchmakers
Post by: aghadowey on Wednesday 17 April 13 11:52 BST (UK)
Benjamin Barton- Aberford b.1771-1779
Benjamin Barton- Alexandria, Virginia USA ca.1830

Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World volume 2 by Brian Loomes
Title: Re: Watchmakers
Post by: CaroleW on Friday 19 April 13 00:12 BST (UK)
See also

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,644044.new.html#new