Watch Case Maker in Liverpool

[gnorman]

Hi everyone, some time ago (with the help of Rootschat) I found the following baptism record;

'St Nicolas’ C of E Church, Liverpool (Now Our Lady and St Nicholas’):
Born 27th December 1770, Maria, Daughter of John Wakefield, Watch Case Maker, Grange Street. Baptised 21st January 1771'.

I was just wondering if anybody could help me to trace John Wakefield - I was wondering if, as he has a trade, he may be listed somewhere or may have had a shop?

Thanks for any help, Luke

[bevo]

There is some information on the Liverpool Horology database

http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml/collections/horology/database.aspx

[gnorman]

Wow Bevo, that sight gives me info on siblings I didn't know about, mothers full name and information I couldn't have dreamed I'd ever find.

Thank you, you've really made my week!

luke

[bevo]

Yes, it's a great site. I've also found lots of things on it...

[andrewalston]

A watch case maker would be unlikely to have a shop of their own.

Someone else (or a team of people) would be making the movements, a third person would be making the watch faces and the finished watches would be sold by a fourth party who had an actual shop.

Very few people have ever made the whole watch from start to finish. I know of only one working at present - Roger Smith in the Isle of Man, who was taught by the late George Daniels. George Daniels is said to have made a total of 27 watches in his lifetime.

[gnorman]

Thank you Andrewalston, I didn't realise this was the case; I assumed one person would make and sell the full thing and wow only 26 that seems quite astonishing really for his whole career. On the same site I found another relative Ralph Wakefield - he is listed as a Watchmaker and Watch Case Maker - would this be the clock face and the cases do you think rather than the workings?
Many thanks, Luke