Was Tom Owen a clockmaker?

[clancam37]

My apologies if this question breaks any rules.

A few weeks back I posted a message asking for any information re a Tom Owen who manufactured long case clocks.  I received not one reply.

I thought it strange for someone to sign a clock as "Tom" rather than "Thomas" for a clock made in the 17 or 1800s.   
Can anyone please give me some clues where to look --- Wales, England, Ireland, America?
Regards
clancam37

[BushInn1746]

Any paperwork or old receipt, or hidden in the clock case?

No T. or Tom Owen listed on this website:- UK and Irish
https://www.clockswatches.co.uk/showindex_o.php/

There is also a possibility that Tom Owen was a Joiner, Cabinet Maker, etc and only made the case of the clock and purchased the clock part from a Clockmaker with the Joiner's name on the face. Any case marks?

There are a few homemade clocks made by Engineers, etc., and one-off clocks made by employees of Clockmakers who had their own name put on.

Clock Repairers have also been known to change the face with their own name on.

Old Dealers Catalogues and Sale Catalogues in Archives etc., might mention a Tom Owen Clockmaker, but extensive research might go to a dead end.

Trace its Provenance
If I were you, I'd want to know who owned the clock previously and place acquired from? There might sometimes be one person in an extended previous owner's family that might know about the clock?

A Clock might be mentioned in a Will or in surviving Estate documents.

[maddys52]

Is this the post you mean:
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=810783.45

It's probably best to start a new thread (as you have done now) so that more people will see it. 

Is it possible to post an image of the inscription? "Llanfordam" doesn't appear to be a place, is it possibly Llanforda, Oswestry?

[cath151]

There is a piece in the North Wales Weekly News 3rd August 1972 entitled "Mecca of Clockmakong in the 18th and 19th Centuries".
Mentions clockmakers around LLanwrst of which "The name Owen continued to be the most common for the Llanwrst makers"
Denbigh Street had several clockmakers named Owen.
Names mentioned, William, Griffith, Watkin, John, Humphrey and a "Thomas Owen  , to whom we can ascribe a long case clock now at Llangefni".
Not quite sure how that could fit in with Llannfordham ? as mentioned in previous post.
Cathy

[Old Bristolian]

Could it be that the inscription was intended in latin? Tom the abbreviation for the latin for Thomas and Llanfordam as the genitive case?

Steve

[BushInn1746]

Is this the post you mean:
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=810783.45

It's probably best to start a new thread (as you have done now) so that more people will see it. 

Is it possible to post an image of the inscription? "Llanfordam" doesn't appear to be a place, is it possibly Llanforda, Oswestry?

Listed on the Shropshire Grand Jury, 1898,
J. Owen, Llanforda.

http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/23058
 ----------
Added:
1868
Samuel Owen,
Juror, Llanforda, Oswestry, Shropshire.

Llanforda in the Parish of Oswestry.

[BushInn1746]

I wonder if this Thomas Owen is linked to your clock?

Newspaper, 8th April 1836
A Watch with a Gold Chain,
LOST,
On Monday Last, between Montford Bridge and Ensdon House.
 ... information to Mr Clark, Fox Inn, Shrewsbury, Mr Blanford, Montford Bridge, or Mr Owen, Watchmaker, Oswestry ... The Maker's name "Humphrey Jones", Oswestry.
 ----------
Newspaper, 2nd March 1838
Births
Mrs Owen, wife of Mr Owen, Watchmaker, Oswestry, of twins; both of whom died soon after.

1838 Baptisms
Francis Davis Owen
Martha Maria Owen,
Son & Dau'r of William Owen & Martha, Clockmaker, The Cross, Oswestry.

1838 Burial Oswestry
Martha Maria Owen.
Francis Davis Owen.

1835 William Owen & Martha Margaret Davis, Married at Leominster (not seen, transcription only)
 ----------
Eddowes, 10th July 1844
Deaths
On the 7th ult. at Newtown, Montgomeryshire, ... Mr Thomas Owen, Watchmaker, of the Cross, Oswestry.
 ----------
Thomas Owen, Watchmaker, Oswestry, in 1841 Census, born Out of County.

1841 Borough of Oswestry
Cross Street.
William Owen, 30, Watchmaker, N.
Martha Owen, 30, N.
Clemont Owen, 4, Y.
William Owen, 1, Y.
Thomas Owen, 20, Watchmaker, No.
Samuel Davies, 15, No.
Jane Salmon, 15, F.S., Y.

Added:
1851 Oswestry
Salop Road.
William Owen, Head, Marr, 40, Master Watchmaker, Born Montg, Llanllwchiarn.
Martha Margaret Owen, Wife, Marr, 40, Born Leominster.
and Children

Llanllwchaiarn is near Newtown, so it looks like Thomas Owen, Watchmaker, of Oswestry, dying Newtown 1844 might also be from the Newtown area?
 ----------
Added; for future reference for Oswestry Clock and Watch Makers

Other Clockmakers at Oswestry
1800 & 1801
Mr Evans, wanting 4 Journeymen Clockmakers.

1805
Robert Hall, Clockmaker, Oswestry.

1832
Thomas Jones, Watchmaker, Oswestry.

1835 Property for sale occupied by
Mr Stanton, Watchmaker, Oswestry

1837 Sale ... Lot 1 ... Oswestry
Robert Hall, Watchmaker
1838 Mrs Hall, wife of

[clancam37]

Yes Maddy this is the original item I wrote.  You helped me find it again.  It puzzles me -- a clock signed as Tom rather than Thomas.  Bushinn may be close to mark with his/her comments.  Will follow up on Bushinns suggestions, receipts etc inside clock perhaps.
Thanks Rootschatters youa re very helpful
clancam37

Is this the post you mean:
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=810783.45

It's probably best to start a new thread (as you have done now) so that more people will see it. 

Is it possible to post an image of the inscription? "Llanfordam" doesn't appear to be a place, is it possibly Llanforda, Oswestry?

[clancam37]

Another apology, truly I am not going doolally.

The name on the clock face is T. Owen of Llanfordurn and underneath there are paintings of fields in each corner.  The previous Owner claimed it was about 1795.
Thanks for any assistance, very much appreciated.

clancam37