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Some Special Interests => Occupation Interests => Topic started by: woodstockaus on Sunday 05 February 12 02:32 GMT (UK)
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My great-great-grandfather, Thomas GAUNT (1829-1890) was a successful jeweller, optician, watch and clock maker and maker of Church plate in Melbourne, Australia. I've been told that he also had shops in London and York. Can anyone please verify this for me? (BTW, the business continued after his death until the 1970s). Business names were T. Gaunt until 1893 and then T. Gaunt & Co. Thanks.
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You could try the trade directories at http://www.historicaldirectories.org/hd/
Stan
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Thanks, Stan. I've spent a fair bit of time going through the directories for York and London in the 1870s, 80s and 90s but not found any record of shops owned by Thomas Gaunt. Either my informant was mistaken or perhaps the British shops happened after the turn of the century. Looks as if this line of inquiry might have to go down as "not verified" for the time being, but thanks for the suggestion.
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Hello, My great great grandfather was also Thomas Gaunt! My mother's father's father (William Stanislaus Spillane from Limerick) was married to Cecilia Gaunt, Thomas's daughter.
I have found out some info about Thomas's business in Melbourne, but have not heard of any businesses he had elsewhere. I have wondered if his father was a watchmaker in the UK - have you found any info about this.
I look forward to hearing from you
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Hi - I'm just wondering which of Cecilia & William's children you are descended from - maybe Ernest? Anyway, in answer to your question I've found out that Thomas' father (also Thomas) was listed on several of the children's birth registrations as a clock case maker - which I think would have been more related to wood and metal working than to being a jeweller/clockmaker. Many years later, on Thomas' death certificate his father's occupation was given as an organ builder so presumably he had more than one occupation over time.
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Hi, Thanks for your reply. This is the first time I've responded on a RootsChat forum, and I was lucky to find your initial message.
My maternal grandfather was Reginald Spillane (William and Cecilia's 4th child), who died in a boating accident on Boxing Day 1938, along with 2 of his sons, a brother-in-law and my mother's then-fiance. A great tragedy.
My brother told me the other day that he found a T. Gaunt clock for sale in a local store - it would be great to have, but it was quite a bit out of my price range! I have a copy of Thomas Gaunt's Will and also have seen a newspaper article which seems to contradict the Will. Do you know about the proceeds from his estate?
I've been using MyHeritage as a tree builder for the last 18 months, and am progressing with building up the tree. I look forward to hearing about our connection in the larger family.
Cheers,
Patrick
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Hi Patrick
The boating accident was actually influential in bringing about the introduction of telescopes into the Victorian life-saving clubs because it was found that the inability to see the situation from the shore had been a significant factor in the tragedy.
Re Thomas Gaunt's estate, I believe that the answer to the confusion lies in the timing of the reports. When Gaunt died in 1890 his estate was valued quite highly. The will allowed the executors to continue running the company, which they did, with the expectation of being able to sell it (and the other assets) in due time and at the prices as valued. The problem was that the Land Boom ended in late 1892-early 1893. This put Victoria into recession and meant that the estate was suddenly much less valuable. It was declared insolvent because the assets couldn't be realised, but in fact they were eventually sold for more than the value of the outstanding debts.
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Thanks for the information. It now makes sense re: the Gaunt estate.
Regarding the drownings, I've seen newspaper articles from The Argus but did not know about the subsequent use of telescopes. Thanks for that info.
I'm wondering what connection you have with the Spillanes.
Cheers,
Patrick
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Dear Patrick,
Thank you for your query re Thomas Gaunt of Gaunt and Company, Jewellers. My connection with your ancestor is through my maternal great grand-father, Henry William Vanheems who trained with him and quite rapidly became trustee of the company. It interests me that you have a copy of Thomas Gaunt's will, as Henry, who replaced Thomas as manager, was also co-executor of his will. This is, at least, my understanding. Would you be so kind as to confirm that Henry Vanheems was one of the executors i.e. his name appears on the will. Also, I should love to have a scanned copy of Thomas' will, if that would be possible. As to evidence of Thomas Gaunt having businesses in London, this may not have been the case and that his reputation for outstanding craftsmanship appears to have dated from his arrival in Melbourne, Australia in 1868. I would be most grateful if we could correspond, as I have other information regarding Thomas Gaunt which may be of interest to you. Yours sincerely, Robin Teese (mother: Veronica Victoria Vanheems)
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Hi Robin - this is Marion, who started the post about Thomas Gaunt. Gaunt arrived in Melbourne in 1855/56 and started his business in 1859. Sometime about 1873 he employed Henry Vanheems, who became the manager of the Royal Arcade shop while Gaunt continued to run the business until his death in 1890. Vanheems was one of three executors of his estate; his will can be downloaded from the Public Records of Victoria (PROV) website.
I have recently published a book about Thomas Gaunt, "Gaunt's Time: Thomas Ambrose Gaunt, 1829-1890" - please PM me or respond via this thread if you'd like any further details. I'm happy to correspond with you and always happy to find out more about Thomas Gaunt!
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Hi Marion, I was wondering how to get a copy of the book on Thomas Gaunt as he was my great,great grandfather? Regards Rachel
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Hi Rachel - I sent you a PM. Have you seen it? Marion.
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Hi Marion, a bit new to this so just checking first I am replying the correct way?
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Hi Rachel - just look across the brown banner near the top of the sheet and use "my messages" to read the message from me and then reply. Looking forward to hearing from you.
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Hi Rachel - I sent you a PM. Have you seen it? Marion.
Please remember woodstockaus that new members are unable to use the private message function until they have made a couple of posts ;)
Welcome to RootsChat Rdshlake
Regards
Sarah
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Sarah - Rachel has already made a couple of posts. Since this is a public forum I really need to be able to contact her privately to arrange for her to get the book, so can you please enable PMs for her? Thanks, Marion.
Please remember woodstockaus that new members are unable to use the private message function until they have made a couple of posts ;)
Regards
Sarah
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Rachel can already reply to your PM as she had done a couple of posts.
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Thanks, Sarah.
Rachel, you should be able to see "my messages" now. Please can you check for the message I sent you earlier? Looking forward to hearing from you.
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Hi Marion, Sorry for the late reply.
Well Eric Spillane one of Cecilia and William Spillane's children was my grandfather. He married Ella Taylor and their daughter was Denise Spillane ( my mother) It is all very interesting isn't it. We live just out of Melbourne and quite often visit Bourke St where the statues are over looking the mall of the old Gaunts Jewellers location. Are you living oseas? Also do you know if there had ever been some sort of family reunion? Regards Rachel
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Hi Rachel - my grandfather was Thomas, the second son of Cecilia and William. We live in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, so I get to "visit" some of Gaunt's clocks as we drive around. I always watch for his town hall clocks when we use Citylink - Emerald Hill (South Melbourne), Sandridge (Port Melbourne) and Hotham (North Melbourne) can all be seen in the distance. It was fascinating to find out their histories, and the stories of many of his other clocks, as part of the research for my book. I'm not aware of any family reunions, but that's not to say that one couldn't be organized...
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Hi again, so very interesting. So in regards to your book how do I get a copy? Also would you be interested in meeting?
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Hi Rachel - I'd love to meet and I could bring the book with me. I live near Knox City shopping centre - perhaps we could find somewhere between our places to suit us both?
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Hi again, I don't work Mondays so was wondering if you would be free 22nd Feb. Is Fountain Gate shopping centre far for you?
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Hi - sorry, I work Mondays so perhaps a weekend? Fountain Gate would be fine.
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Ok,no worries. Are you free this weekend at all? if it's easier to text
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Hello Rdshlake,
I have just passed on your mobile number by personal message ;) it is much safer.
Sarah
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Thankyou Sarah. I can now see what I did wrong.
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Hi. I would like to bring to everyones attention especially to those related to tj gaunt the watch maker... i have come across a very old watch made by tj gaunt with the initials S.J engraved very beautifully on the back of the watch . Contact me if your would like to make some enquiries.. thanks
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Hi,
I have a mounted compass that I purchased from England and imported to Melbourne.
The face is marked " T. Gaunt & Co London and Melbourne" so this answers your question that Gaunt had an outlet/office in London.
Regards
Brian
www.oldsurveyinstruments.com
Hand Held Compasses
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A Thomas Gaunt, son of Joseph, was a member of London Clockmakers' Company in 1815. His brother Joseph was also a member from 1815 to 1824.
Their father Joseph was also a member from 1761 until his death in 1815.
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A Thomas Gaunt, son of Joseph, was a member of London Clockmakers' Company in 1815. His brother Joseph was also a member from 1815 to 1824.
Their father Joseph was also a member from 1761 until his death in 1815.
Hi Rhododendron - it sounds as if these could be the father, uncle and grandfather of my Thomas Gaunt, which would make it very much a family business since the brother of my Thomas, Myott Gaunt, was also a clockmaker. Could you please send me any details you have, or tell me how to track them down for myself? Many thanks!
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Hi,
I have a mounted compass that I purchased from England and imported to Melbourne.
The face is marked " T. Gaunt & Co London and Melbourne" so this answers your question that Gaunt had an outlet/office in London.
Regards
Brian
www.oldsurveyinstruments.com
Hand Held Compasses
Hi Brian - I believe that Thomas Gaunt sourced some instruments from England via an agent, but since your compass is labelled "T. Gaunt & Co" it would have been sold after his death when the business was being run by F. W. Heath (1893-c1947).
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Perhaps this will help
http://adsbit.harvard.edu//full/1863AReg....1..200./0000221.000.html
Astronomical Register, Vol. 1, 1863, p. 200 advertisement for a telescope maker in London called Thomas Gaunt.
Bill.
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Hi Bill - thanks for this. I believe that there was a Thomas Gaunt, clockmaker, in Tintwistle UK as well as the Thomas Gaunt in Melbourne Australia - the Australian one always advertised as "T. Gaunt" so I think perhaps this telescope maker might have been the British Thomas (or even another one, since there seem to have been lots of Gaunts involved in instrument making). Can't be sure, though.
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Hello all,
I am no relative of Thomas GAUNT however I been researching the history/age of a Admiral Fitzroy Barometer (Prize Medal) I am trying to unearth the history of this artefact. The only backstory is a possible 4th generation family heirloom from a ship or boat.
The only marking I can see is below however you could be mistaken to think it was Caunt instead of Gaunt.
"THOs.GAUNT Meteorological INS' Maker
Corner of Royal Arcade
Melbourne."
I was hoping to gain access to the book?
Kind Regards
Irene
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Hi Irene
The Australian version of the Fitzroy barometer was manufactured and sold by Thomas Gaunt at his shop in Melbourne from the 1870s onwards. The print version of Gaunt's Time is unavailable, but you can buy it as an e-book at https://www.books2read.com/u/mZ5QNp
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Hi there -
I am following your thread with interest.
I am not a relative of Thomas Gaunt, however, I am researching his successor F.W.Heath, who is my great-great-great grandfather!
Does anyone here know anything about what happened to the company under his administration?
Or if anyone has any information pertaining to his life, family or any pictures I would be so eternally grateful!
Kindest regards to you all.
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Hi Imbi - My research has been about Thomas Gaunt and so I haven't done any serious work on the life of F.W. Heath. He bought Thomas Gaunt's business in 1892, re-named it "T. Gaunt & Co" in late 1893 and ran it until his death in 1947, seeing it through the Great Depression and two world wars.
You might be interested in an article I've come across, which is available from the State Library of Victoria - 'The jewellery of Willis & Sons of Melbourne' (Heath was a partner there before leaving to buy Gaunt's). It's in the Australiana Society Newsletter, vol 10(1), 1988, p13-18.