watch makers in coventry

[vapor]

Just trying to find out about a packet watch I have which was made by w harris of coventry circa 1869, anyone have any information on this maker.
Vapor

[wendy47]

Hi Vapor

There is a William Harris  aged 40 Watchmaker & jeweller in the 1881 Census at 34 Nelson Street, Coventry
 RG 11 / 3072/ 116 Page 17

Don't know if he is the one, may give you something more to aim at.

Wendy47

[vapor]

Hi Wendy,

Thanks for that I will try and find out more.

Vapor

[Al in Vane]

Why not try asking the Coventry Archives, you will find an online form at
http://www.coventry.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/leisure-and-culture/local-history-and-archives/

I have looked for W. Harris in the booklet about the Watchmakers of Coventry called Past Timers but there is no mention of him in there although there were so many of them in Chapelfields that they would have no room to name them all.

[Al in Vane]

....and if you look in the records of Bablake School you will find the following -

f.38. 11 June 1816. William Harris, the younger, son of William Harris of Coventry, tailor; to John Roe of Coventry, watchmaker, for a premium of £3 from Billing's Charity. John Roe paying £11 yearly to William Harris the elder in lieu of maintenance for the period of the apprenticeship.

Was this the beginning of his watchmaking career?

[vapor]

Thanks everyone, these bit of info will at least give me something to go on and keep me of the street corners for a while.

[cov2811]

william harrris  (ygr) Enrolement date for his apprentic was 9 Dec 1816 his master was a Jon Roe his apprentice was of charity
Charities supporting this were Greet Meeting House & Samuel Billings