Clock and Watch-makers of the Isle of Man
1785 - 1850

[Taken from Journal Manx Museum IV #63 pp211/213 Dec 1940]

OUT of a large number of old clocks and watches exhibited in the Manx Museum in 1928 examples of local manufacture were represented only by a Muncaster and Son watch (1845) and a grandfather clock by John Cottier, Peel Town. Those who have imagined that the clockmaker’s art was scarcely known in the Island before the middle of the nineteenth century may be surprised to learn that during the sixty years between 1790 and 1850 more than forty individuals conducted clock- and watch-making establishments in Douglas, Castletown, Peel, Ramsey and Ballaugh.

How many of these craftsmen manufactured the cases and mechanical parts of the articles they sold we cannot tell as yet. Doubtless some of those named in our list merely combined a jeweller’s (and sometimes a dentist’s or inn-keeper’s) business with the repair of clocks and watches, but several advertisements* suggest that not a few were clock and watchmakers in the strictest sense, manufacturing their wares in their own workshops.

Nor must it be imagined that the products of these workshops were merely poor, ‘ provincial’ articles good enough for the farm kitchen. To be sure many were manufactured in response to the growing enthusiasm for the time-piece which spread rapidly among common folk in the early nineteenth century. Yet the grandfather clocks created by ‘ JOHN ATKINSON DOUGLAS ‘ in the closing years of the previous century remain as a lasting monument to the consummate skill and excellent taste which characterised the work of many now forgotten craftsmen of that time.

The list printed below was compiled by Miss Margaret Stevenson, of the Museum staff. The information it contains is largely based on announcements in old newspapers and, as the first Manx paper appeared in 1793, it has so far proved impossible to obtain information relating to clock and watchmakers who may have worked before that date. Any information which readers can supply to supplement the list will be received gratefully.

ARCHER, Matthew. 1817

Commenced business in King St., Douglas, coming from Liverpool (MA. 30 Jan.) ; 1818, Duke St., ‘ where he manufactures & repairs Patent Lever, Horizontal Watches, also makes Clocks ‘ (MA. 8 Oct.) ; 1824, Chapel Row (PD) ; 1824, Duke St., 4 where he carries on business as a watchmaker and dentist ‘ (RS. 16 Nov.). 1819, married on Jan. 19 to Miss Curphey of Douglas (MA) ; 1840, John, ‘ son of the late Mr. Matthew Archer,’ died on 8 June, aged 13 (MS. 12 June).

ASPINWALL, J(oseph) & Son. 1803.

Commenced business in ‘ Peeltown ‘ coming from Liverpool (MA. 25 June).

ASPINWALL, W. 1808.

Commenced business in Douglas (MA. 9 July); 1824, North Quay (PD).

ATKINSON, John. 1785.

Seven years’ lease of Salmon Fishery in all the bays of the Island, for £22, granted in 1785 to ‘ John Atkinson, Douglas, Watchmaker ‘ (Comm. Report, App. A. No. 34) ; 1794, P. Garrett, of Ballabrooie, Lezayre, offers a three guinea reward for a J.A. watch lost near Ballaugh (MM. 1 Feb.) ; in 1793 ‘John Atkinson, watch-maker,’ advertises the sale of a very good smacked-rigged fishing boat (MM. 9 April) ; 1793, Rickerby Atkinson, ‘son of J.Atkinson, watch-maker‘ . . . (MM. 11 June).
[Named in 1843 as the last surviving FreeMason from an early Lodge.]

BATTlE, James. 1810.

Came from Liverpool, opened shop in Duke St. (MA. 21 July) ; 1815, death of Battie (WG. Jan.); 1815, sale of unredeemed pledges (MA. 13 May).

BELL, Robert. 1849.

1856. A new clock erected by Bell in front of his premises in Duke St. ‘ with 2 faces & illuminated at night.’ (MS. 20 Dec.) ; 1857, 30 Duke St. (SD); 1862, Strand St. (LD). 1849, Feb. 4, married Miss Eleanor Kelly of Douglas, at Kk. Braddan; described as ‘ Bell, late of Wigton, Cumberland (MS.).

BRAY, T. 1820.

From London. Commenced July 27th, Duke St.

BROWN, Joseph. 1841.

Taken a shop in Duke St. . . ‘ served an apprenticeship in a manufactory, and had 20 years’ experience in repairing watches ‘ (MS. 15 Jan.).

BROWN, Thomas. 1850.

An advt. of 15 June (MS) states ‘ . . watchmaker & jeweller, &c. (Manager for the late Geo. COX) begs to inform the Public that he has opened a shop at No. 20 Atholl St. in the above business in all branches ‘ ; 1853, 20 Athol St. (SD) ; 1857, 63 Athol St. (SD) ; 1862, Prospect Hill (LD) ; 1863, 4 Duke St. (TD).

CASSON, James. 1804.

1809, ‘ James Casson, w.-m., acquaints his Friends . . . that he has removed from his late House, Nr. the Customs House, to the House of Mr. Quirk, near the Muckle’s Gate, adjoining the Manks Coffee House ‘ (MM. 1 July) ; 1812, ‘ A silver watch . .whoever will bring it to Mr. Casson shall receive one guinea reward ‘ (MS. 18 Jan.) ; 1824, Lord St., (PD) . 1804, 7 July married Miss Creer, Douglas.
Will (GL754) states James Casson watchmaker of Liverpool formerly of Douglas died 28 September 1839

CLUCAS, William. 1837.

24 North Quay, Douglas (SD) ; 1844, 46 North Quay(PSD) ; 1862, 45 North Quay (LD). 1837, death of only daughter on Dec. 8 of same year (MS) ; and on March 31, 1842, death of a son aged 1 year 8 months.

COTTIER, John. 1824.

Peel (PD) ; 1837, Market St. (PD) ; 1842, Peel (PSD). 1842, death of daughter, aged 13.

COTTIER, John. 1839.

‘ On 13 May, John Cottier, w.-m., of Ramsey married Miss Mary Casement of Peel ‘ (MS. 18 May).

COTTIER, John. 1838.

Commenced business in Duke St. opposite the New Market. ‘ J. C. has had many years of experience in some of the most respectable Houses in the trade in Liverpool ‘ (MA. 19 June) ; 1842, (MA. 19 April), ‘ whole stock in trade of Mr. John Cottier, to be disposed of, consisting of Timepieces, clocks, watches &c., also the goodwill & lease of House, situated in Duke St.’ 1842 (5 Aug.), ‘ death of Margaret, relic of the late John Cottier, watch-maker ‘ (MS. 23 Aug.).

COX, George. 1846.

50 North Quay (PD) ; 1847, (MS. 6 Nov.) Cox informs the public that he is finally closing down his est. in Douglas ‘ in preference to removing the stock to Whitehaven, he now offers the whole at 20 per cent. below prime cost.’

COX, William. 1846.

‘ Wm. Cox solicits attention to his new stock of gold and silver watches ‘ (MS. 29 Aug.).

CRABB, I. (or J.). 1801.

'Repeating, Horizontal, Patent Lever and Plain Watches repaired ‘ (MA. 8 Aug.) ; 1812, The Quay, Douglas (WG. 14 May).

CRAWFORD, John. 1794.

'James Crawford from Belfast has taken a shop in Peeltown, where he intends carrying on the Business in its full extent. He makes & repairs all sorts of Clocks ; likewise Plain, Horizontal & Repeating Watches ‘ (MM. Dec. 20).

CRAYSTILE*, John. 1837.

Market Place, Ramsey (PD) ; 1842, St. Pau1’~ Square (PSD) ; as also 1846 (PD).
*On a watch paper in the Museum the name is spelt CAYSTILE.

CURPHEY, Wm. 1824.

'1 North Quay (SD) ; 1830, apprentice required (MS. 29 June) ; 1837, Duke St. (SD) ; Watchmaking takes second place in 1840: ‘ W. Curphey, Dentist, a. small par. only advertising Clocks & Watches (MS. 16 June) ; 1846, entire advt. on dentistry (MS. ~ Aug.) ; 1846, 41 Duke St. (PSD) ; 1853, ‘ sale of itock of jewellery & silversmith goods . . . ‘ (MS. I Jan.) ; 1853, ‘ to be sold by auction the premises ~?; whole of household furniture property of W. C., who is declining Housekeeping ‘ (MS. 26 Mar.). 1828, married, at Kk. Braddan, to Miss Ann Keegan, Dec. 8; death of infant daughter Nov. 9, 1833.

GARRETT, John. 1842.

Death on 25 Sept. at Peel: ‘ a self-taught watch-maker, and one of the greatest mechanical geniuses that the Island could boast.’

GOLDSMITH, Thomas. 1848.

Appointed by the Patentee, Mr. Thos. Yates, Agent for the Isle of Man, for the new Half-second Patent Dead-beat Watch ‘ (MS. 15 Jan.) ; 10 King St., Douglas ; 1848, ‘ a clock has been erected in front of the Steam Packet Office on the Quay, made by Mr. T. Goldsmith ‘ (MS. 21 June) ; 1853, 10 Great George St. (SD) ; 1857, advert. headed ‘ Ta Traa reill harrish ooilley ‘ (Time rules over all), 8 Great Nelson St. (MS. 25 July) ; 1860, ‘ T.G. can accurately repair Chronometers & Duplex watches as well as Hlorizontal, Geneva, Lever and Verge Watches.’ ~ T.G. is about forming a clock & watch club that working men may obtain a good watch or clock by small payments ‘ (MS. 28 Jan.) ; 1862, 11 Great Nelson St. (MS. 5 Mar.) ; 1863, 8 Great Nelson St. (TD). 30 Aug., 1849, married, at Kk. Braddan, Miss Eleanor Sayle, Douglas (MS. 1 Sept.) ; 1862, death of 7th son, Alfred James, aged 7 months (MS. 15 Mar.) ; 1865, death of infant son, Samuel Wesley, on 2 Jan. (MS. 7 Jan.).

GRAHAM, J. 1794.

‘ Clock & Watch maker,’ taken a shop in Ramsey (MS. 8 Feb.).

GRAVES, William. 1837.

Market Place, Ramsey (PD) ; 1846, Church St. (PD).

HIGGINS, John. 1834.

1837, Big St., Peel (PD) ; 1834, married, at Ramsey, Miss Mary Cannell ‘ both of Peel ‘ (MS. 23 May).

JOUGHIN, William. 1843.

Parliament St., Ramsey (PSD) ; also 1853 (PSD).1846, married on April 28, Miss Kerruish, inn-keeper of Ramsey (MS. 16 May) ; MS. of 13 March,1847, records death of ‘ only son of Wm. Joughin (innkeeper and watchmaker) ‘ ; 1858, Joughin died 23 Aug. at Ramsey, aged 42 (MS. 3 Sept.).

KERR, Robert. 1824.

Malew St., Castletown (PD).

KNEALE, John. 1837.

1838 and 1843, Malew St., Castletown (PD) . Nov., 1837, death of only daughter, Ann Jane; 1848, ‘ On Sunday, 5 March, the body of Mr. John Kneale, watchmaker, was found drowned in the harbour, near the stone bridge, Castletown. He leaves a wife and 2 children. He was 57* Mr. Kneale will long be remembered for his scientific knowledge. He was probably the best watchmaker on the Island, and has made many very curious pieces of mechanism.’ (MS. 8 March). Buried at Malew, 7 March
* The Register of Malew Parish gives his age as 53.

LEMON, A(braham) & M(orris). 1832.

In May, 1832, came to the Island from Liverpool, opening with an ‘assortment of Patent Lever and Verge Watches ‘ (MS. 15 May) ; 1837, Duke St.; Nov., 1837, A. Lemon states ‘ that he intends closing shop on 3rd Dec. and re-opening at the commencement of April; 1846, 12 Duke St. ; a neat skeleton gold lever watch presented to Bro. Ed. Quayle . . manufactured by A. & M. Lemon (MS. 19 Sept.); 1857, a massive silver spirit stand manufactured by A. & M. Lemon presented to Prov. C. S. John Watson, Attorney at Law of City of Durham (MS. 3 Oct.) ; 1860, they announce ‘ that in consequence of their lease of premises being about to expire they propose selling off their valuable and extensive stock (MS. 7 April) ; 1861, ‘ . . . will continue to sell off at cost price to the 12th May ‘ (MS. 20 April) ; 1862, 14 Duke St. (LD) ; 1863, Duke St. (TD). June, 1840, P.P.G.M. Lemon was Island delegate at Annual Moveable Committee of Odd-fellows held at York (MS. 19 June) ; 1842, A. Lemon married at Liverpool to Miss Amelia Lyons, by special licence, on 13 July (MS) ; 1845, birth of daughter 20 March (MS) ; 1847, birth of daughter 20 Feb.; 1848, birth of son, 11 Dec. (MS); 1851, birth of daughter 16 March (MS) ; 1853, birth of son, April 11 (MS ?) ; 1854, birth of son, 1 May (MS) ; 1862, birth of daughter.

MOORE, James. 1816.

‘ Death of James Moore, watchmaker, Pulrose, on 14th October, 1816 ‘ (MS ? 24 Oct.).

MOUGHTIN, Thomas. 1832.

A watchpaper marked ‘ 7/3/32, cleaned 1/6d.’ in Manx Museum; 1837, Ballaugh (PD) ; 1840. ‘ a few ozs. of silver, in a broken-up state and which has all the appearance of having been a cup, was offered for sale at Messrs. Lemon, Duke St. ; they thought it proper to acquaint the High Bailiff with the facts as they had purchased 2 similar parcels before and were becoming apprehensive that all was not right. The silver came from a watchmaker in Ballaugh.’ (14 July). 1847, death, aged 42 (MS. 7 Aug.); Catherine, his daughter, married Wm. Oates, of Ballalionney, Michael, at Liverpool (MS. June), 1849.

MUNCASTER, William. 1810.

Representative sent from Whitehaven (MA. 27 Sept.) ; 1813 arrival on Island from Whitehaven (MA. 18 Dec.), opens a shop at Castletown; 1841, Factory Lane, Douglas (HG) ; in business with son (John ?), 1846 (WG) ; 1830, death of his wife, Mary, aged 50 (MS. 23 Feb.) ; 1833, married Miss Hannah Miller, of Netherwarsdale, Cumberland (MS. 22 Jan.) ; 1833, death of eldest daughter, aged 25, in Workington (MS. 9 Aug.) ; 1851, on 25 Nov. his own death occurred at the age of 75 (MS. 29 Nov.).

MUNCASTER, John. 1824.

In business in Ramsey (PD) ; 1837, in Factory Lane, Douglas (PD) ; 1846, 13 Factory Lane; attempt at robbery of premises (MS. 7 Feb.) ; 1853, 13 Factory Lane (SD) ; married in 1837 to Miss Jane Lewin at Kk. Braddan (MS. 22 Aug.) ; 1847, death of 2nd daughter, aged 6½ years (MS. 18 Sept) ; 1847, death of son John, aged 4 (MS. 4 Oct.) ; 1851, death of his wife, Jane Margaret, aged 35 ( ? May 15); 1857, Glenwillan, Kk. Michael (SD) ; 1858, ‘death in village of Kk. Michael, of Mr. J. Muncaster, late of Douglas, in his 47th year ‘ (MS. 13 Dec.).

MUNCASTER, William. 1835.

In business in Castletown (MH. 7 Nov.) ; 1837, in business with his father, William, in Arbory St., Castletown (PD) ; 1843, Malew St., Castletown (PD) ; 1846, Castle St. (PSD). In 1853 he and his brother, George, were in business together in Douglas ‘ . . . W. Muncaster & G. Muncaster, watch & clock makers &c. inform the public that they have succeeded to the Business & premises of their relative, Mr. J. Muncaster ‘ (MS. 3 Dec.) ; 1857, Factory Lane (SD) ; 1858, ‘ the partnership between Wm. & Geo. Muncaster has been dissolved by mutual consent ‘ (MS. 16 Jan.) ; ‘ Wm. M . . . announces that the business will be carried on in all its various branches, in his premises, Factory Lane, as formerly, having engaged a superior workman from England ‘ (MS. 16 Jan.) ; 1859, apprentice required, ‘ will be treated as one of the family ‘ (MS. 15 Oct.) ; ‘ W. M. informs the inhabitants of Castle-town that he has taken the premises in Arbory St. (Castletown), lately occupied by Mr. T. Rogers, as a Branch Establishment. W. M. solicits a share of the patronage which was so liberally bestowed upon him when in former occupation of the premises, for a period extending over 20 years ‘ (MS. 17 Dec.); 1862, 18~ Duke St. (LD) ; 1863, 22 Duke St. (T.D.). 1836, married Miss Eliza Kinveg, of Castletown; 1858, death of infant daughter, buried at Malew (MS. 16 Jan.) ; [1864, married at Nelson, New Zealand, on 13 June, Mr. Thomas Muncaster, Watch-maker &c., eldest son of Mr. William Muncaster, of Douglas, to Miss Emily Hughson, of Nelson (MS. 24 Sept.)] ; 1864, death of William, aged 50 (MS. 31 Dec.).

MYERS, Henry. 1843.

Parliament St., Ramsey (PSD) ; also 1857 (PSD); 1863, ‘ . . . & photographic artist ‘ (T.D.). Married on 27 June, 1848, at the Cathedral, Manchester, to Miss Alice Callow, of Ramsey (MS. 5 July) ; 1857, death of Wm. Bridson, Ballaquinney, Kk. Marown, apprentice to Myers (MS. 27 June) ; death on 30 Nov. of George Henry, 3rd son of Myers, aged 3 years (MS. 5 Dec.) ; 1872, married on 21 Nov., at Baltimore, U.S.A., Mary Theresa, eldest daughter of Myers, late of Ramsey, to Wm. Henry Gregg, of Baltimore (MH. 10 Jan.).

NESBITT, James. 1843.

Market St., Peel (PSD).

SAYLE, Daniel. 1843.

Lezayre St., Ramsey (PSD) ; 1857, Parliament St. (SD) ; also 1863 (TD). Married on June 3rd, 1851, to Mary Ann, daughter of Wm. Teare, of Ballawhane, Andreas (MS. 7 June).

STEPHEN, Philip. 1816.

Death on Aug. 13, in Douglas, ‘ only 19 years of age’ (MS. 16 Aug.).

SHEARER, William. 1802.

Death, at Peel, of Wm. Shearer, watchmaker, 3rd Dec. (MA.).

SMITH, I. 1793.

‘ He makes and repairs all sorts of watches ‘ (MM. 5 Nov.) ; in 1794, I. changes to E. Smith, this is perhaps a typographical error (MM. 3 May).

STOCKS, Peter. 1810.

Appointed representative of Wm. Muncaster (MA. 27 Sept.) ; 1816, sale of his watch-making utensils (MA. 11 Jan.).

WATTLEWORTH, Charles. 1846.

Died in Liverpool, Chas. Wattleworth, watchmaker, aged 68, formerly of the Island (MS. 31 Jan.).

J. M. STEVENSON.

* Smith (1793), Crawford (1794), Stocks (1810), Archer (1817), etc. Earliest reference in each case..

Abbreviations as follows:—

HG. — Haining’s Guide.
LD. — Leech’s Directory.
MA. — Manks Advertiser (1801-1842).
MH. — Mona’s Herald (1833- ).
MM. — Manks Mercury (1793-1801).
MS. — Manx Sun (1826-1906).
PD. — Pigott’s Directory. (presume 1823/4 but another in 1837)
PSD. — Pigott & Slater’s Directory.
RS. — Rising Sun (1821-1824).
SD. — Slater’s Directory.
TD. — Thwaites’ Directory.
WG. — Weekly Gazette (1812-1819).