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James Douglas, Clockmaker
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James Douglass of Chertsey ca 1733 - 1805 was a watch and clockmaker. He was born around 1730-1733 to John Douglas(s ).

It seems lilely that the Douglasses originally came from Scotland), though when is uncertain.

James Douglass married Letitia Joyce on 20 May 1761 in Godalming. Letitia, born in 1733, was the daughter of Joshua Joyce (a baker and formerly Warden of Godalming) and Elizabeth, née Chitty.

James, though from Chertsey, had been apprenticed to learn watchmaking from Richard Stedman in Godalming in October 1747. At the time he started this apprenticeship, his future father in law, Joshua Joyce would have be the out going or previous Warden of Godalming. The Guidelines for apprenticeships in the Ordinances of Godalming suggest that apprenticeships should end at 24 years old, so James Douglass could have bee born as early as 1730. He must have met Letitia during this period. However he did not marry her until 7 years after the end of his apprenticeship, in 1761. Four children were born by the end of 1769. Letitia received legacies from the following: – her father in 1760, her uncle William Chitty in 1769, and her unmarried sister Mary Joyce in 1792 See Mary Joyce’s Will. It is noticeable that the latter will is phrased (written as it was after James’s bankruptcy) to safeguard the legacy from external control. Her uncle William was extremely wealthy and powerful, and may have been one of the William’s who was also Warden of Godalming, and a Maltster by trade.

James had an apprentice, James Front(?), on 29 April 1767.

James died at Chertsey in 1805.

James Douglass, 1765-1835 was their son.

See also:
•  Douglas watch and clockmakers

Source

 

Sources for this article include:
  • Tribe Joyce
  • Chertsey Museum


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    Last modified: Monday, 25 March 2024