Gunsmith/Gun Maker 1840s - 1870s

[JustLooking]

Hi

I wonder if any one could help me please.

I'm trying to find out where one of my ancestors was employed. In the censuses he is listed as a Gun Maker. He does not appear to have been self employed. Early on he seems to have moved quite a bit and then settled in Worcester (Claines).

Name - Edward Matthews, b.c. 1808, Plymouth

His movements -

1830s -Gloucester then Manchester - marriage and birth of first child
1841 - Gloucester - births of children
1841+ - Chester - birht of child
1851 - onwards - Worcester - census info

I was wondering if he might have been connected to the army in any way.

Thanks for any help.

Just

[Crinoline]

Hi Justlooking,

And welcome to RootsChat!

There is a little info about Gun Makers at:

http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/Occupations.html

Also:

http://www.chambersgunmakers.co.uk/company.htm

HTH.

Best Wishes, Romilly.

[JustLooking]

Hello Romilly 

Thanks ever so much for the links.

He (and the rest of this line) are vey odd. They seem to move around quite a lot early on and then settle in Worcester.

I did wonder about any gunmakers listed in Worcester but couldn't find him listed in the Trade Directories there, so I thought it might be military.

Many Thanks - that is a lovely photo you have as your avatar 

JL

PS - you all seem a very friendly bunch 

[Crinoline]

Hi Again JustLooking,

You could try asking on one of the Armed Forces Messageboards on here, - they might be able to help.

Yes, everyone is very friendly on here, - you'll find out if you "StayLooking":-)

Best Wishes, Romilly.

[JustLooking]

Romilly

Thanks for that and for your previous help.

I'll try the Armed Forces board but I thought that was mainly for tracing ancestors who were miltary and battles and so forth rather than ancilliary occupations.

I mught also put something on the Worcestershire Board. There might be someone there who may know of gunsmiths there in the 19th century or has access to trade directories that I haven't been able to access.

You are so very kind

JL

[veritypearson]

I too am looking for a Gun maker/ Gunsmith by the name of John Robins.

His son was my great great grandfather and I have got Johns details from james wedding certificate. James was living in Poplar at the time of his marriage in 1891, and was born in either Whitechapel/ Spitalfields or Bethnal Green in 1862 (circa).

John was not detailed as deceased on the wedding certificate.

I am trawling Ancestry as we speak, but could do with some help!

Moderator comment: if you can help Verity please reply on her other thread: http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,190624.0/topicseen.html

[Shropshire Lass]

John Perrins was a famous gunsmith in Worcester.  There's an article about him here:
http://archive.worcesternews.co.uk/2003/2/15/225163.html

It mentions the Arms and Armour Society which might have more information.

Monica

[JustLooking]

Hello Monica

Thank you for that link. Unfortunately the site is down at the moment but it certainly looks promising.

JL

[wearyprincess]

See my posting today on London board: Gunmakers....apprenticeship records.

Hope this helps someone. Please let me know if you have someone on this list.