John Harrison, Chronometer Maker

[hillwalkersue]

Does anyone know how Alice Harrison linked with John Harrison, famous chronometer maker (originally from Yorkshire)? Alice married a Frodsham who worked with John Harrison.

Sue

[louisa maud]

Have you any dates that might help please

Louisa Maud

[chasbaz]

As Harrison is so famous there must be a great deal of information out there about him.  Including a book which I think is called: 'The man who invented longitude'.  Probably there are other biographies.

[aghadowey]

Did you forget that you already have a thread about Alice Harrison?
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,443332.msg3063273.html#msg3063273

[louisa maud]

I presumed this is her

Alice Harrison
married
John Frodsham
1898 Prescot (LANCASHIRE)

Because I don't know her date of birth it is difficult to find her on a census following the marriage

Did Alice stay in Lancashire ?

I now see you have another thread so I am well out aren't I

Louisa Maud

[GrahamSimons]

The DNB gives this - I think I can quote this much without infringing copyright:

On 30 August 1718 he married Elizabeth Barrel at Barrow upon Humber; she died on 18 May 1726, and on 23 November that year he married Elizabeth Scott at Hampstead, Middlesex. She died in 1777. Two sons, John (1719–1738) and William (1728–1815), survived infancy.

No mention of Alice. DNB has no mentions of a relevant Frodsham - the only one is Bridge Frodsham, actor, 1734–1768.

The book is Longitude (1996) by Dava Sobel, an excellent read -I'm afraid I can't locate my copy. There is also a more recent paperback edition as well as a Kindle version.

[chasbaz]

William Frodsham 1728-1807 (Red Lion Square) was an expert on Harrison's and Earnshaw's chronometers.

[Valda]

Hi

21st October 1778 North Cray Kent
William Frodsham and Alice Harrison

6 children are baptised in London/Middlesex between 1779-1801 to a William and Alice Frodsham.

5th March 1845 St George Bloomsbury
Alice Frodsham aged 87 Upper Clapton

Prerogative Court of Canterbury will
William Frodsham clock and watchmaker of St George the Martyr Middlesex proved 2nd June 1807


John Harrison's will doesn't seem to have mentioned an Alice Harrison if this website is accurate.

http://www.rawcliffes.net/ft/famhist/harrisonjlongtitude.htm

Since Harrison is a very common surname another London clockmaker marrying an unconnected Harrison would be perfectly possible.


Regards

Valda

[chasbaz]

There were at least 25 Harrisons in London in the 18C who were clockmakers, so Alice may have been a relative of some sort to John.  The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers may have genealogies of the families and it is worth enquiring (at the Guildhall Museum).