LONGTOWN IN THE 1760's
Following completion of his apprenticeship in 1761, John Blaylock (1) is thought to have continued in the employment of his master, Archibald Lawrie of Carlisle until the year 1768 when he moved to Longtown and set-up his own clockmaking business. The actual location of his clockmaking workshop in Longtown has not been established but in his Will proved 18th February 1804 his property is described as follows:-
"I give and Bequeath unto my son John my House adjoining to Mozes Grave (Musgrave?) on the South with one half of the Backyard which belongs now in common to my two dwelling Houses, together with a Row of Office Houses ranging betwixt William Corry Premises And the House that I now occupy, In the next place I give and Bequeath to my Son William my Dwelling House adjoining to Mrs Mary Graham on the South together with an equal share of the Backyard already mentioned in common to both my said Dwelling Houses and the Barn at the Bottom of the said yard fronting North & South. The Gateway I leave share and share alike to my before mentioned sons".
Longtown is situated some nine miles north of Carlisle close to the river Esk and was transformed from a poor village to a modern market town by the endeavours of Dr. Robert Graham.
I am showing here page four of the book "Longtown the last town in England" by Gordon L. Routledge in which Mr Routledge tells the story of the building of the modern Longtown.
Longtown at the time did not have a resident clockmaker so it was an ideal location for the newly qualified John Blaylock to set-up his own business.
Reproduced with the kind permission of Gordon L. Routledge, author of the book "Longtown the last place in England", Bookcase, 17 Castle Street, Carlisle Cumbria, CA3 8TB ISBN0951992118
John Blaylock (1) died in 1803 and his two sons John and William carried on the clockmaking business in Longtown until 1817 or 1818 when they moved to Carlisle.
The following additional clock or watchmakers are recorded by Dr. John Penfold as working in Longtown at the approximate dates specified.
John Bell - uncertain but possibly 1750 or 1760. One brass dial clock recorded.
James Carruthers, senior and junior - working early to mid 1800's
William Corrie, born 1778 or 1779 - possible nephew of John Blaylock (1) to whom he may have been apprenticed. Three clocks with painted dials recorded.
David Little, born 1793 in Arthuret Parish - may have worked in Longtown but moved to Carlisle about 1837.
William and John Murray - probable father and son, working early to mid 1800's
John Nicholson - described as Clockmaker in his burial record 28th July 1802
W. Palmer - one painted dial clock recorded, possibly mid 1800's
Walter Scott, born 1792, died 1867 - one painted dial clock recorded
Since the above list was produced I have become aware of a Regency Double Fusee Bracket Clock signed "Airdes J. Hodgson, Longtown". The 1847 trade directory lists "Captain John Airdes Hodgson of the South Down Militia" and I assume he was the original owner of this clock. He may have been the maker but I would consider this to be unlikely.
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Page last updated
14 March 2003