John Fletcher Holbeck Clockmaker

[Richardfletcher42]

Hi all not sure where to post this so will start here, I am looking for someone who has the time and is willing to look over my evidence of the last few years to test my theory of my 7th great grandfather John Fletcher of Holbeck as i have come across some recent records that may be the bridge of how my family seemed to move from Leeds Holbeck to the center of Barnsley but you must have an up to date subscription to Ancestry to be able to read the records and hopefully let me know what you think, not sure if it would be allowed to be posted in a normal message as i would be using several links. Regards Richard Fletcher

 

[Ladybird1300]

Do you have a link to your story, so someone could look for you ??

Amanda

 

[Ellie7]

14 Apr 2015

An 18th Century "North Country" oak longcase clock by John Fletcher of Holbeck, the 12ins arched brass dial with silvered chapter ring with Roman and Arabic numerals and named "Joa. Hargrkave" between Roman numerals, the silvered dial centre engraved with an armorial and subsidiary seconds dial, the arch showing phases of the moon to the eight day two train movement striking on a bell, contained in oak case with deep arched and moulded cornice and plain turned pillars to hood, the arched trunk door inlaid with triangular panels and wide bandings and with conforming plinth, on shaped base, 81ins high Note : John Fletcher recorded working Holbeck (near Leeds, Yorkshire), died 1787

SC

 

[Ellie7]

1798 Leeds Directory ,there is a William Fletcher. Perhaps a Son.

Field, Richard, smith and farrier, Lower-head
Row, No. 3
Figari , Joseph , innkeeper, Nag’s Head, Vicar
lane
Fish, John, chief constable,
Kirkgate
Firth, Caleb, cloth maker, Hunslet-lane
Fisher , Wm. merchant, Meadow-lane
Fisher , Nixon and Fisher, merchants, Meadow
lane
Fi scher and Rayner, merchants , Woodhouse-lane
Field, Miss , milliner, Lady-lane
Finney, Miss. milliner, Upper-head Row
Fisher , Thomas, Meadow-lane
Fletcher, Thomas, butcher, Old Shambles
Fletcher, William, hair-dr esser, back of the Sham
bles
Fletcher, Wm. watchmaker , Bridge End
Fletcher, Jos. boat builder, and dealer in s tones,
Water-lane
Flint, John, plumber and glaz ier , Kirkgate , v.
Fletc her, I. v.
Fos ter , Christ. taylor, Sheepscar Road
Freeman, Thomas, dealer and Chapman, Lower
head Row
Franswar, J. taylor, Kirkage
Fridge , J ames, watchmaker,
Kirkgate , v.
Fretwell , Wm. grocer, Upper-head Row, v.
Frazier,
Daniel, linen draper, Briggate, No. 2 2
Furbank
, staymaker, Upper-head Row

Ellie

 

[Richardfletcher42]

Hi All
Thanks for the help i have the death for John Fletcher Holbeck clockmaker just don't think we will ever be 100 percent on birth i think about 1717 my biggest problem has been making the link from Leeds over to Barnsley as Tobias Fletcher 1751 to 1811 one of his sons was born Holbeck died Barnsley, i also had a email from the clock specialist Brian Loomes who had a note saying there was a John Fletcher Junior Holbeck who married Cecelia / Celia Birkett in Leeds in 1762 and they are now buried in Barnsley St Marys but as usual the date i need is not readable or has worn away it does give dates for Celia Fletcher born 1740 dies 1815 aged 75 also funny enough a clockmaker but a date for John and a child Mary is missing and then about 5 days ago i came across a court report from Leeds on Ancestry from 1774 that clearly states John Fletcher the elder Holbeck county clockmaker and John Fletcher the younger formerly of Holbeck but now residing in Barnsley also a county clockmaker i strongly believe this is the missing link i have been looking for but as i said you would need to be subscribed to Ancestry to read the records as i am and was wanting a different pair of eyes to tell me what they thought, i can put the link on here if anyone has time to read them. Rich
http://interactive.ancestry.co.uk/6...=246781&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true

http://interactive.ancestry.co.uk/6...=246816&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true

 

[stockpot]

What a fantastic source, so interesting even if a bit difficult to be sure what it means. At least the writing is wonderfully clear.

I have no experience of these court records so this is only my take on it.

It looks as if John Fletcher the elder, clockmaker of Holbeck is accused of assault and is bailed to appear at Leeds Quarter session on his own surety of £20 and £10 surety from each of John Fletcher the younger, clockmaker of Barnsley and George Sykes, clothier, of Holbeck. (p201/235)

I don't think it refers to John Fletcher the younger being "formerly of Holbeck", p201 says just Barnsley.

P198 details the assault that John Fletcher is accused of. This must be John Fletcher the elder as on p201 it says that John Fletcher the elder must appear at the Quarter Sessions. On p198 it says "late of Holbeck" but if you look at the other cases immediately prior to this you will see that everyone is "late of" somewhere. I think this just means "lately of", i.e. now. This interpretation agrees with p201 where is says John Fletcher the elder of Holbeck.

So to sum up I think John Fletcher the elder is of Holbeck and John Fletcher the younger is of Barnsley but I don't think it says he was formerly of Holbeck.

As I say, only my opinion, not from experience. I hope it helps.
good luck
Elaine
PS I think elder and younger definitely means father and son

 

[Richardfletcher42]

Hi All many thanks i believe they are father and son also, would be nice if i could get a date for the John Fletcher buried with Cecelia in Barnsley St Marys may have to make another trip out to Barnsley armed with small trowel and paper and crayons to see if a crayon rub will show anything up. Rich

 

[Ellie7]

Lot 239
A 18th century oak 30 hour long case clock John Fletcher. Barnsley. Active 1760-1778
Sold for £400 inc. premium
Horology and Scientific Instruments
11:00 BST
Chester


I am wondering if this is John Fletcher born 1730 to John Fletcher and Faith Jackson m1727

Faith Fletcher dies c1783

Ellie

 

[Ellie7]

Faith
Last nameFletcher
Birth year1768
Birth date29 Oct 1768
Baptism year1768
Baptism date04 Dec 1768
Baptism placeLeeds
Father's first name(s)John
Mother's first name(s)
County
Yorkshire (West Riding)

This is to late for John that married Faith Jackson,it must be John Fletcher 1730 born to John and Faith

Ellie

 

[stockpot]

FMP has the image of the PR of Barnsley St Mary.

The only Cecilia Fletcher was buried there on Feb 14 1819 aged 75 but under abode it says "of Sheffield", Was she living with family in Sheffield but came back to be buried with her husband?

The only suitable John Fletcher buried there seems to be:- "1778, April, John Fletcher, clockmaker, died 2nd bur 3rd. " then another word I can't read ....alion. Some entries have the age but this one doesn't.

There is a burial of Mary d.o. John Fletcher on Nov 8 1771.
Also a bapt Mary d.o John Fletcher 30 June 1771
no other details

Hope this helps
Elaine

 

[Richardfletcher42]

Hi All i have been over the John Fletcher death 1778 several times around 6 other people have this one on Ancestry with him being born in Barnsley in 1739 which only comes up at the side of the burial record i have checked birth records and found nothing i have no problem with the dates its the court reports on John Fletcher the elder of Holbeck and John Fletcher the younger of Barnsley which leaves me believing that he is John Fletcher Holbeck clockmakers son born in Leeds who marries Cecelia Birkett in Leeds in 1762 and then moves to Barnsley and then ends up buried with Cecelia in St Marys the virgin at Barnsley, I may be in the minority but the bits of info i keep finding throw more weight on him being from Leeds and settling in Barnsley.

 

[Ellie7]

Have you another tree on Ancestry forebye the public one?

I also cannot see John Fletcher 1739 having his name known when he has just reached 21 .

Ellie