Fletchers of Chester, watchmakers

[Briannicus]

Dear all,
This is a bit before your time but this site is so wonderful I always hope for something.

I'm trying to tie my GG grandmother, Sarah Fletcher,  to the rest of the Fletcher clan of clockmakers in Chester, but so far no luck.

Below are her marriage details.

George Hunt to SARAH FLETCHER 10th September 1841 at Our Lady & St Nicholas, Liverpool. Reg No 176.
George HUNT, Joiner (full age widower) of Ashton Street. Son of John HUNT, Customs Officer.
married
SARAH FLETCHER (full age spinster) of Comus Street.
Daughter of JAMES FLETCHER, Clock & Watchmaker [Jan 14 1787 - Oct 24 1834, 'pool] and Frances Taylor [Jun 5 1787, Chester - March 18 1840, L'pool]
Witnesses - John HUNT & Frances FLETCHER.

We also know that James Fletcher's father was also James Fletcher and that he was a cordwainer.

I actually have a Fletcher gedcom of some 177 people but can't attach the above information to it despite there being may overlaps so am hoping someone out there in genealogy land can help.
Thanks  in anticipation,
Brian

[tommy-tipper]

Hi
I take it that you have the marriage of James and Frances 23/5/1808 in Holy Trinity.
My family were cordwainers about that time in Chester and I remember seeing James Fletchers name.
I will have a root to see what I can remember.

[tommy-tipper]

Just remembered a bit more.
The link is in the Freemen of Chester it might be news to you or not but both were Freeman.

 

Fletcher James Chester Cordwainer 1784 April 16 Indenture (apprenticeship)   
Fletcher James Chester Clockmaker 1811 March 6 Birth   
 
I have a funny feeling he was app to my cordwainer but will have to dig up old records to find out.

[Briannicus]

Dear Tommy-tipper
 I didn't have the marriage date or place of James Fletcher to Frances Taylor so thank you for that.

What is your connection to the family? They seem to have many apprenticeships within the family. Cousin to cousin or uncle to nephew, I'm not sure.

The freemen of Chester story seems to go back centuries.

If you would like me to send you the gedcom, I'm happy to, so just send a private message and I'll let you have my email.

Brian

[tommy-tipper]

Hi
James was app to James Fletcher cordwainer

I am researching the Morris's and have come to a wall in 1754 sh but after trawling all the records you start to recognize names within that era in Chester lol.
If you require anything else I do have a collection now of records from Chester that may hold a clue,I dare say there are more knowledgable people on here than me tho.
Good luck

[Briannicus]

Hi,
I take it you mean that James Snr. [Cordwainer 1784 April 16 Indenture (apprenticeship)] was apprenticed to another James Fletcher. Is that right?

I am checking because it is possible that James Jnr. whom we have as a clockmaker, didn't actually get into the business until later in life, depending on which piece of (mis)information one believes.

Thanks,

Brian

[tommy-tipper]

Sorry I seem to have taken you far back when after reading your original post you were looking for the clockmaker link.

James the clockmaker was son of James cordwainer.
James the cordwainer was apprentice to James Fletcher cordwainer (possibly his father)

If James was born in 1787 he was a clockmaker by 1811 so not too old.

[Briannicus]

Hi
Thanks.

That's ok. It get's confusing - meaning I get confused because I'm also dealing with information coming it about another branch entirely!! - when you have the same name over generations.

However, you have also told me something I didn't know: sons could have formal apprenticeships with their fathers, and that James was apprenticed to a James.

[Briannicus]

On this tree that I have (found in the College of Arms, London) there is only one James Fletcher, and it says:

Cordwainer and Freeman, City of Chester [this James polled at the General Election in 1784. bapt. 21 November 1708 at Holy Trinity, Chester. m. 29 December 1730 at St. Oswald's, Chester. Buried 3 April 1794 at Holy Trinity, Chester, aged 84