Later he reported that they had been unsuccessful in the auction.
The 1823 Pigot's Directory records a Samuel Gatward, Watch and Clock Maker, Hemel Hempstead and the IGI (familysearch) records that Anna Maria Gatward was baptised on 26 May 1822 at St Mary's, Hemel Hempstead, the daughter of Samuel Gatward and Ann Francis. A Samuel Gatward, son of Samuel and Catherine Gatward, was born on 8th March 1800, and is recorded in the Luton Baptist records (source familysearch) but there is no way of knowing whether there is a connection.
There may well be a link with the Gatward family of watchmakers of Hitchin. A search of the World Wide Web using www.google.com came up with some interesting references.:
The Hitchin town website revealed that James Gatward open his doors for business in 1760. Originally clock and watchmakers, James and his son Benjamin are mentioned in G H Ballie's Watch Makers of the World. Today Anna and Lisa Gatward, the seventh generation, also stock gems and gold jewellery, silverware and giftware.
Gatward the Jewellers as it is today
Believed formerly to have been an old Drovers' Inn.
Established in 1760 by James Gatward as a Jewellers.
Remaining in the family to the present day.
Holloway, the auctioneers recently sold a late 18th century oak longcase clock, the moulded hood with gilt metal ball finials and the arched painted dial with date aperture and seconds subsidiary dial signed John Gatward Hitchin and with four pillar, eight day movement, striking on a bell, the trunk with arched moulded door, 224cm (88in) high overall £400-500.
The 1794 Hitchin directory lists Benjamin Gatward, watchmaker, while familysearch shows that several children of Benjamin Gatward are recorded in the records of the Tilehouse Street Baptist Church, and the National Burial Index shows that a James Gatward was buried on 28th June 1801, while 69 year old Benjamin was buried on 3rd July 1837.
In the 19th century trade directories contain further information on the Hitchin family.. The 1823 Pigot's Directory lists a John Gatward, Watch and Clockmaker, Sun Street, Hitchin, together with Benj. Gatward, Fancy Warehouse, Sun Street. The 1839 Pigot's Directory lists John Gatward, Watch and Clockmaker, Cock Street, Hitchin, and Frances Gatward, Toy Dealer, Sun Street Hitchin. [This may be the old meaning of toy - which in the 18th century could include things such as snuff boxes and might have included automata.] The 1850 Post Office Directory lists Mrs Frances Gatward, toy warehouse, Sun Street; John Gatward, ironmonger, Cock Street; and John Gatward, watchmaker & jeweller, Sun Street. By 1882 John (Bancroft) and Joseph (Queen Street) were listed as private residents while under commercial there were Gatward & Jeeves, linen drapers, Market Square; Cornelius William Gatward, jeweller, Market Square; and John Gatward & Son, general and furnishing ironmongers, kitchen range & stove manufacturers, gas, hot water and steam fitters, engineers, iron and brass founders & agricultural implement makers, High Street.
The 1881 census lists the following heads of households and their families:
Benjamin Gatward (71) was a master Watchmaker born in Hitchin and living in Welwyn
Joseph Gatward (66) was a draper born and living in Hitchin
John Gatward (58) was an Ironmonger born and living in Hitchin
Cornelius W Gatward (56) was a Watch and Clock maker born and living in Hitchin
Henry Gatward or Galward (47) was a Watchmaker born and living in Saffron Walden.
Gatwards circa 1900, by E. A. Phipson, in Hitchin Museum
I picked up two miscellaneous 20th century references. Reginald Hine, in his book Confessions of an Uncommon Attorney, describes a visit of the Rev. L. W. Denman to buy spectacle from Bradley Gatward's shop in Hitchin. The Tilehouse Street Baptist Church website reveals that in 1935 their organist and choirmaster, W. B. Gatward, felt that a quiet stop in the Great organ would be a worthwhile acquisition.
The following table combines the Gatward entries from Britten's Old Clocks & Watches, 9th edition, 1982; Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World by G H Baillie, 3rd edition 1951, and Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World Volume 2, by Brian Loomes, 2nd edition 1989.
|
Benjamin |
1795 |
Hitchin |
|
Benjamin |
1839 |
Ware |
|
Benjamin |
1851-74 |
Welwyn |
|
Charles |
1877 |
Huntingdon |
|
Cornelius W |
1859-74 |
Hitchin |
|
E |
1866 |
Saffron Walden |
|
Henry |
1861-74 |
Saffron Walden |
|
J |
1800 |
Hitchin, from London |
|
John |
1828-51 |
Hitchin |
|
Joseph |
1785 |
Bristol, watchmaker |
|
Joseph |
1790 |
39 West Smithfield, London, watchmaker |
|
Joseph |
1802 |
Tonbridge, watchmaker |
|
Joshua |
1784 |
Clockmakers Company, Sevenoaks, watchmaker |
|
Samuel |
1751 |
Clockmakers Company, son of Samuel Warren, shopkeeper of Hoddesdon, Herts. Apprenticed London |
|
Samuel |
1828 |
Hemel Hempstead |
|
Samuel |
1830-64 |
Huntingdon |
|
Thomas |
1693 |
Apprenticed, London |
|
Thomas |
1802-1863 |
Saffron Walden |
|
Thomas |
1830-46 |
Linton |
If anyone can link this interesting Hitchin family with Samuel Gatward of Hemel Hempstead I will be delighted to hear from you.
December 2001
John Gatward wrote: From my research of the Gatward Family the Samuel referred to as a Watchmaker, was the son of Benjamin Gatward & Katherine Yates & therefore a brother of James Gatward who started the Jewellery business in Hitchin. I did not know he was a watchmaker. He married Ann Francis. As far as I know they had two children Anna Maria Gatward & Harriett Gatward and I did not know they had a son Samuel b:25 Feb 1799.
See also GATWARD, Hitchin, late 19th century
If you can add to the information given above tell me.