The York Trade After the Closure of the Assay Office

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WEHRLY & Co.

12, Stonegate, York




Wehrly & Co. - York - 1906

Trying to work out the origins of this firm, with its strong German connections. was complicated by working backwards, so I'll start at the begining and it will end, I'm sure, being as clear as mud.

In 1790 there was a German clockmaker working in Hull by the name of Matthew Schwerer, by 1813 he had set up business in York. In 1837 the business was passed to his sons, Matthew and Phillip Schwerer who were described as Watchmakers, Jewellers and Silversmiths.

The 1841 census reveals that Phillip Schwerer employed Augustine Kleiser and Andrew Kleiser who was born in Scollach, Baden. In 1842, Matthew and Phillip Schwerer returned to Germany and the business was sold to Augustine Kleiser and Andrew Kleiser who continued to trade as P. Schwerer.

In 1846, Matthew Schwerer returned to York and resumed business, firstly at 18 Stonegate and later at 14 Stonegate.

Returning to the Kleiser's, by 1857, Augustine seems to have left the scene and Andrew was joined by his brother Joseph. Earlier the 1851 census shows the visit of another brother from Germany, Martin. Martin decided to stay and by 1861 had purchased the business of Matthew Schwerer at 14, Stonegate.

The 1871 census has the firm of M. Kleiser & Co., under the management of Bernard Tritschler. The same census has Bernard Tritschler, 12, Stonegate, aged 33 years, born in Scollach, Baden, employing two men, one being Matthew Wehrly and one apprentice, being Severin Heine.

The same 1871 census has Matthew Wehrly, aged 25 years, born Hammereisbach, Baden. By 1881, Matthew Wehrly was the owner of M. Kleiser & Co. as the senior partner, the junior partner was Severin Heine. They were noted as employing one man and two apprentices, one being Roman Wehrly.

Matthew Wehrly's last appearance in the Electoral Register was in 1888. Who the owner of the business was, at the time of the above advertisement in 1906, is unknown, but Roman Wehrly is a possibility.

Much of the above information was filtered from the Directory of York Goldsmiths, Silversmiths & Associated Craftsmen by Hugh Murray.


Theft of a Tray of Rings

A clever piece of shoplifting was effected on the 1st ult, at the establishment of M. Wehrly and Co. Jewelers, Stonegate, York, by a well-dressed man 5ft. 10in, in height, fair complexion, wearing a brown felt hat and a long grey coat, who, making sundry inquiries about the engraving of some souvenir spoons, which necessitated the turning of the back of the member of the firm attending to him, managed to abstract from the window a stand containing twelve rings of the value of £120. Unfortunately the loss was not noticed till late in the evening, when the window case was found unclosed, so that the thief got a good start.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st December 1893

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FILIPI (PHILIP) CATTANEO - CATTANEO & Co.

York


Whereas a Petition of Filipi Cattaneo (known by the names of Philip Cattaneo), lodging at No. 30, Parliament-street, York, licensed Hawker and Dealer in Clocks, Watches, Jewellery, Cutlery, Barometers, &c. late of the same place, and previously of No. 12, Castlegate, York, carrying on business in partnership with Henry Cattaneo and Joseph Fattorini, as Clock and Watch Makers and Working Jewellers, and Dealers in Jewellery, Cutlery, Barometers, Toys, and other Fancy Goods, under the firm of Cattaneo and Co., and formerly of King's Staith, York, carrying on the same businesses in partnership with the said Henry Cattaneo and Joseph Fattorini, and Austin Cattaneo, John Cattaneo, and Peter Ballorini, under the said firm of Cattaneo and Co., an insolvent debtor, having been filed in the County Court of Yorkshire, at York Castle, in York, and an interim order for protection from process having been given to the said Filipi Cattaneo, under the provisions of the Statutes in that case made and provided, the said Filipi Cattaneo is hereby required to appear before the said Court, on the 27th day of October instant, at nine of the clock in the forenoon precisely, for his first examination touching his debts, estate, and effects, and to be further dealt with according to the provisions of the said Statutes; and the choice of the creditors' assignees is to take place at the time so appointed. All persons indebted to the said Filipi Cattaneo, or that have any of his effects, are not to pay or deliver the same but to Mr. Richard Perkins, the Clerk of the said Court, at his office, No. 25, Coney-street, York, the Official Assignee of the estate and effects of the said insolvent.

Source: The London Gazette - 10th October 1848


Philip Cattaneo died of consumption on the 27th November 1859 in the Union Workhouse at York, he was 54 years of age.

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JOSEPH FATTORINI - CATTANEO & Co.

York


Whereas a Petition of Joseph Fattorini, of No. 30, Parliament-street, York, Clock and Watch Maker and Working Jeweller, Dealer in Jewellery, Cutlery, Barometers, Toys, and other Fancy Goods, late of the same place, and formerly of No. 12, Castle-gate, in the said city, carrying on the same businesses, in partnership with Henry Cattaneo and Philip Cattaneo, under the firm of Cattaneo and Co., theretofore of King's Staith, York, carrying on the said businesses in partnership with the said Henry and Philip Cattaneo, and Austin Cattaneo, John Cattaneo, and Peter Ballorini, under the said firm of Cattaneo and Co., an insolvent debtor, having been filed in the County Court of Yorkshire, at York Castle, in York, and an interim order for protection from process having been given to the said Joseph Fattorini, under the provisions of the Statutes in that case made and provided, the said Joseph Fattorini is hereby required to appear before the said Court, on the 27th of October instant, at nine in the forenoon precisely, for his first examination touching his debts, estate, and effects, and tobe further dealt with according to the provisions of the said Statutes; and the choice of the creditors' assignees is to take place at the time so appointed. All persons indebted to the said Joseph Fattorini, or that have any of his effects, are not to pay or deliver the same but to Mr. Richard Perkins, the Clerk of the said Court, at his office, at No. 25, Coney-street, York, the Official Assignee of the estate and effects of the said insolvent.

Source: The London Gazette - 10th October 1848


Joseph Fattorini, jeweller, of St. Sampson's Square, York, died on the 18th October 1875, aged 73 years. He is buried in York Cemetery.

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F. GARNER

York



F. Garner - York - 1906

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WILLIAM FRANCIS GREENWOOD

23a & 24, Stonegate, York, and 10, Royal Parade, Harrogate


SHOP RAIDER'S TROUBLES

BICYCLE THAT FAILED

From Our Own Correspondent

York, Wednesday

A smash-and-grab raid was made early this morning on the premises in Stonegate of Messrs. W.F. Greenwood, the York antique dealers, which have been visited on many occasions by Queen Mary and other members of the Royal Family.

The raider, who broke a plate-glass window, escaped with rings valued at 10 guineas, but in his haste dropped one worth £20. He started to ride away on a stolen bicycle, but the chain came off.

A man who sleeps on the premises heard the window being broken and saw a man escaping. He was able to give a description to the police.

Source: The Daily Telegraph - 13th May 1937


William Francis Greenwood entered his mark, 'W.F.G' contained within an heraldic shield, with the London Assay Office on the 2nd September 1897.

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JOHN BELL

17, Low Ousegate, York



John Bell - York - 1857


A Wondrous Serjeant-at-Law. - At a county Court in Yorkshire held last week, where the learned Mr. Serjeant Dowling presided, the business consisted of 160 new plaints, 12 adjourned summonses, and 25 judgment summonses, which the learned Serjeant, arriving a little after three, disposed of by two minutes past four. The only case of interest was the following:-—Bell v. Pinder—The plaintiff in this action is a jeweller and silversmith carrying on business in Low Ousegate, York, and this action was brought to recover 28l. for several articles of jewellery and some knives and forks. The defence was that the articles were not so good as they ought to have been, and the prices charged for them were most exorbitant. The plaintiff denied this statement. The learned Serjeant, after summing up the evidence, told the plaintiff, ‘You have made a devil of a demand, and as there is only one devil to deal with, I must give the devil his due.’ Verdict for the full amount. The defendant asked if he could not appeal. As the plaintiff had taken the bull by the horns, he should hold him if he could, and get the benefit of it. The learned Serjeant, in reply, said, ‘ Yes, I dare say you can appeal; in that you can do as you like.’ The remainder of the business was of no public importance, except during the hearing of one of the cases, a plaintiff was asked by the learned Serjeant, in a loud voice, if he were deaf, and being assured that he was so, the learned Serjeant said, ‘I am sorry for you; your ears are long enough.’

Source: York Chronicle - October 1867

John Bell was the last Assistant Warden of the York Goldsmiths Company, he served his apprenticeship (indentured 25th January 1819 - 7 years) under his brother-in-law, Christopher Watson, who later (1832) took him into partnership as Watson & Bell. Upon Watson's retirement in 1844 the business passed to John Bell. John Bell died on the 28th August 1868 of 'epileptic convulsions' aged 62 years, his business being acquired by Henry Manning, see: http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic ... ing#p48376

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ROBERT WARD

6, Coney Street, later, 5, Davygate, later, 9, Stonegate, York


COMMITTAL OF A QUACK DOCTOR FOR MANSLAUGHTER

On Monday, at York, Edwd. Macdonald, Askew road, Gateshead, Newcastle, was charged with the manslaughter of Mary Jenkinson Ward, at York, on the 28th ult. The deceased was the wife of a silversmith and jeweller, Stonegate, York, and she had been suffering for a length of time from a severe cancer on the breast, and she had medical aid. Not being satisfied, she consulted the prisoner, a quack doctor, living in Gateshead, and be came to York and treated her case, applying three plaisters to the cancer, but they gave her no relief, and she died in a few days. These plaisters have been analysed, and they contained arsenical poison, in consequence of which death had been accelerated. The magistrates committed the prisoner for manslaughter at the York assizes.

Source: Monmouthshire Merlin - 7th November 1884


Local directories record Robert Ward as a Working Jeweller & Silversmith, located at 6, Coney Street (1851), 5, Davygate (1858, 1861, & 1867), and at 9, Stonegate (1880).


MONTHLY RECORD OF BANKRUPTCIES

Liquidations by Arrangement or Composition

"Ward, Robt., Stonegate, York, jeweller & silversmith. Feb. 27. J. C. James, sol., York.

Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 5th April 1879


Member 'MCB' wrote:

ROBERT WARD

He was born about 1829 in Helmsley in Rydale, Yorkshire.
He appears in the 1851 UK Census as a working jeweller living with naturalist David Graham and his wife in Jabbergate, York.
He married Ellen Baines in York in 1852.
He was listed in 1861 as a working jeweller at 5 Davygate, York where he lived with his wife Ellen, 5 of their children aged from 4 months to 7 years, all born in York and a female servant aged 15 years.
In 1871 he was recorded as a working jeweller and silversmith at the same address living with his new wife Mary J and 6 children aged from 4-17 years, all born in York. He employed 1 boy. One of his sons Henry B was an apprentice watch maker and another Robert an apprentice jeweller.
He was listed in 1881 at 9 Stonegate, York as a working master jeweller employing an apprentice named Thomas Hartnoll. He was married to Mary. 2 sons aged 14 and 15 years lived with them.
He was a widower in 1891, still a jeweller, living at 11 Lower Eldon Street, York with his son Henry B, also a jeweller and a daughter Ellen aged 29 years.
He was in Hull in 1901 living at 154 Park Avenue, Sculcoates where he was listed as a retired tailor living with another new wife Susannah. This is the last record found for him.

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WILLIAM KEMP

Sheriff Hutton


THE EFFECTS OF A SERMON

On 24th October, 1881, William Kemp, of Sheriff Hutton in the North Riding of the county of York, watchmaker, appropriated to his own use a silver watch that had been left with him by a customer to repair. By some chance be escaped detection. The other day he happened to go into a church and listen to a sermon. Who is entitled to the credit of having delivered that moving discourse does not appear but no sooner was the service ended than William Kemp sought an interview with the preacher, and then and there avowed his theft. The clergyman was a magistrate, and was thus able to remand the penitent at at once to the neighbouring prison, where he made a detailed confession of his offence, William Kemp has just been tried on this confession and sentenced to two months' imprisonment with hard labour at the York assize, where these facts were disclosed.

Source: South Wales Echo - 10th October 1888

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JOHN COLBURN

13 & 14 Low Ousegate, York and Briggate, Leeds


SUPPOSED EXTENSIVE ROBBERY OF JEWELLERY

At the Guildhall, at York, on Saturday, before Mr. Ald. Weatherley, city magistrate, Wm. Hill, a porter in the employ of Mr. Colburn, jeweller, Ousegate, York, and Briggate, Leeds, was charged with stealing a guinea. He had but an hour before been taken into custody by Police-detective Worcester. Mr. Haley, the superintendent constable, said that there were a number of other charges which might be brought against the prisoner, and at his request a remand was granted. After the apprehension of the prisoner a number of pawntickets for articles of jewellery pledged with various pawnbrokers were found upon his person, and this circumstance, combined with the collateral one that Mr. Colburn has missed many articles of jewellery recently, leads to the belief that the above charge is but one of a long series which may be brought against the prisoner.

Source: The Monmouthshire Merlin and South Wales Advertiser - 11th June 1875

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GEORGE CHAPMAN

North End House, 51, Coney Street, York



George Chapman - York - c.1890

George Chapman took over the business of George Frederick Heselwood in May 1885. He registered a mark, 'GC', with the Birmingham Assay Office on the 4th October 1897.

He died on the 5th December 1907, aged 58 years.

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MATTHEW COOK

Goodramgate, York


MURDER.—A murder and attempted suicide are reported from York. Matthew Cook, a watchmaker in Goodrangate, having been drinking, asked his wife for some money, which she refused to give him. He then, in the presence of several passers-by, stabbed his wife in two places in the neck, and cut his own throat. His wife died immediately, but his wound is not dangerous. He was taken into custody.

Source: The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian - 10th June 1871

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[asawdon]

Trev : black forest ones. Schollach is one the east west valleys they are, bregtal from furtwangen to vöhrenbach. Then south of bretal Urach, linach and schollach - schollach runs east of waldau and ends up in eisenbach on the west. Waldau is at the north end of langenordenach, which runs down to lake tittesee.

All the nineteenth and earlier german ones you mention are from the black forest clockmaking district - a chain migration spread around the british isles but from the same homeland.

They tend to be related to one another, - for example in kyour newspaper cutting of joseph maurer of ennis marriage to dufner in south wales, there you see a dufner cousin from loughborough, (loughborough business passed to his birkle nephew, birkles also in ireland) and with cousins hilsers there, and another relative mina faller, from galway at the wedding. These firms, faller, hilser, maurer still in business.

Kleisers of york were the same as kleisers guildford (possibly same as kliesers in holyhead today.) The reason their story, may seem "as clear as mud" is that they came and went - back home for military service, when 21, back here again, back home if lucky enough to inherit property - but in the york case there was a dispute and court case.

Andrew

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Hi Andrew,

Welcome to the Forum.

Many thanks for updating the information in this topic, it is appreciated.

It's amazing how all these German watchmaking families are interlinked.

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JAMES B. INGLIS & SONS

4, Coney Street, and Crown Plating Works, Castlegate, York



James B. Inglis & Sons - York - 1907

See: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=20837&p=71486&hilit=inglis#p71486

and: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=20837&p=68004&hilit=inglis#p68004

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I. & B. DODGSON - BARBARA CATTLE

25, later, 45, Stonegate, York


A sales-box from I. & B. Dodgson:



I. & B. Dodgson were thought to be in business from c.1948 to 1961. This was the business of Ian and Barbara Dodgson. Ian Roy Dodgson died on the 31st January 1960 and Barbara married second husband, Robert Alexander Cattle, a year later, who then became Lord Mayor of York in 1962. On the 1st March 1962 she restyled the business to Barbara Cattle. She sold the business on the 1st May 1969 to Bright & Son of Scarborough, part of the H.L. Brown of Sheffield group. The business continues today and is still named Barbara Cattle.

Barbara's father, William Lee, was a well-known expert on York silver, and Barbara's second husband, Robert Cattle, was a direct descendant of the 18th/19th century silversmith, Robert Cattle.

Barbara Cattle entered her marks, 'BC' with the Birmingham Assay Office on the 22nd June 1965, and with the Sheffield Assay Office on the 26th March 1968. She was known as a designer of racing trophies, she died, then known as Barbarba Bourne, in February 2012, aged 87 years.

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PEARCE & SONS

5, Lendal, York, and Leeds, Huddersfield and Leicester



Pearce & Sons - York - 1907

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THE YORKSHIRE FINE ART AND INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION MEDAL - 1866




DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIZE MEDAL

In the centre of the obverse are the arms and insignia of office pertaining to the City and Corporation of York, with a chaplet of the White Rose, surrounded by various emblematic figures, representing the Arts and Sciences, Commerce and Agriculture. The two principal figures are, first, Cyhele, the Earth, her head surrounded by a mural crown indicative of cities generally ; the other, a figure in armour, having special reference to the City of York, and points to the heroic, but unsuccessful defence of the City at the time of the Norman Conquest, at which period the armorial hearings of the City assumed their present form. The Arts of Painting and Sculpture are represented by tablets bearing medallions of Etty and Flaxman, natives of York. A Muse, representing Architecture, carries in her hand a plan and elevation of the Exhibition Building ; other figures holding the helm and the lictor’s rod refer to the powers and municipal privileges of the City ; and the introduction of the Muses of History, Astronomy, Music, Medicine, &c., allude to the success with which these subjects have been cultivated by its Citizens.

The reverse is composed of a wreath of the White Rose surrounded by a halo of rays (this was assumed as the badge of the House of York, after the battle of Mortimer’s Cross in 1461) ; suspended from this wreath are two shields hearing the Civic and Ecclesiastic Arms.

The Medal was designed by Mr. John Bell*, of York, and executed by Mr. Thomas Ottley, of Birmingham.

Source: Report of the Executive Committee of the Yorkshire Fine Art and Industrial Exhibition - 1867

*See: viewtopic.php?f=38&t=20837&p=153496&hilit=bell#p153496

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JOHN BELL

17, Low Ousegate, York


An advertisement from Smith & Company from 1844 that mentions John Bell as their wholesale agent in York:


Smith & Company - London - 1844

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NORMAM ROBERT BARBER

Spurriergate, York


Norman Robert Barber of Spurriergate, York, Watchmaker and Jeweller.

In the above-named case, a summary of the debtor's statement of affairs has been issued, which shows gross liabilities amounting to £318 9s. 6d,. made up as follows: - Thirty-one unsecured creditors, £272 7s. 6d.; one creditor for rent, recoverable by distress and distress costs, £31 8s.; two creditors for rates and wages, payable in full, £14 14s.; total £46 2s. (deducted per contra). The assets estimated to rank for dividend total £272 7s. 6d., representing the money due to unsecured creditors. The assets were estimated to produce as follows: - Property: stock-in-trade, £40, trade fixtures, fittings, utensils, etc. £15; furniture, £30; total, £85; one good book debt, £2 9s 6d.; total, £87 9s. 6d.; deduct creditors for distrainable debt and preferential rates and wages (per contra), £40 2s.; leaving net assets £41 7s. 6d., and a deficiency of £231. The causes of failure as alleged by the debtor were heavy outlay and loss in connection with fixing new front to shop, lack of working capital, and ill-health. The deficiency account, dating from April 27th, 1911, is as follows: - Excess of liabilities over assets on date named, £50; depreciation of stock-in-trade, £20; depreciation of trade fixtures, £15; depreciation of furniture, £10; household expenses of self, wife, and five children, £156; illness of self, wife and family (estimated) £20; total, £271; less trade profit, £40; net total.

Source: The Jeweller and Metalworker - 15th May 1914

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JOSEPH KAY

66, Walmgate, York



Joseph Kay - York - 1923

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