George Etherington

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George Etherington was a clockmaker and watchmaker operating in London in the last quarter of the 17th century and the first quarter of the 18th century.

Clockmaker artisan who makes and repairs clocks

A clockmaker is an artisan who makes and/or repairs clocks. Since almost all clocks are now factory-made, most modern clockmakers only repair clocks. Modern clockmakers may be employed by jewellers, antique shops, and places devoted strictly to repairing clocks and watches. Clockmakers must be able to read blueprints and instructions for numerous types of clocks and time pieces that vary from antique clocks to modern time pieces in order to fix and make clocks or watches. The trade requires fine motor coordination as clockmakers must frequently work on devices with small gears and fine machinery.

Watchmaker artisan who makes and repairs watches

A watchmaker is an artisan who makes and repairs watches. Since a majority of watches are now factory made, most modern watchmakers only repair watches. However, originally they were master craftsmen who built watches, including all their parts, by hand. Modern watchmakers, when required to repair older watches, for which replacement parts may not be available, must have fabrication skills, and can typically manufacture replacements for many of the parts found in a watch. The term clockmaker refers to an equivalent occupation specializing in clocks.

London Capital of the United Kingdom

London is the capital and largest city of both England and the United Kingdom. Standing on the River Thames in the south-east of England, at the head of its 50-mile (80 km) estuary leading to the North Sea, London has been a major settlement for two millennia. Londinium was founded by the Romans. The City of London, London's ancient core − an area of just 1.12 square miles (2.9 km2) and colloquially known as the Square Mile − retains boundaries that follow closely its medieval limits. The City of Westminster is also an Inner London borough holding city status. Greater London is governed by the Mayor of London and the London Assembly.

The date of his birth is not known, but his admission to the Clockmakers' Company took place on 1 December 1684. [1]

Worshipful Company of Clockmakers

The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. The Clockmakers were formed by a Royal Charter in 1631. Originally, no person was allowed to sell clocks unless they were a member of the Company. However, such requirements have since been relaxed and later removed. The Company now exists as a charitable institution, as do a majority of Livery Companies.

Etherington is shown as living in Fleet Street with a Mr and Mrs Warton, with his workshop also in Fleet Street, at the sign of the Dial. In October 1714, he transferred to "the Dial over against the New Church in the Strand", almost certainly St Mary le Strand, which had begun to be built in that year. [2]

Fleet Street street in the City of London, England

Fleet Street is a major street mostly in the City of London. It runs west to east from Temple Bar at the boundary with the City of Westminster to Ludgate Circus at the site of the London Wall and the River Fleet from which the street was named.

St Mary le Strand Church in London

St Mary le Strand is a Church of England church at the eastern end of the Strand in the City of Westminster, London. It lies within the Deanery of Westminster within the Diocese of London. The church stands on what is now a traffic island to the north of Somerset House, King's College London's Strand campus, and south of Bush House. It is the official church of the Women's Royal Naval Service, and has a book of remembrance for members who have died in service. The nearest tube station is Temple, with the now-closed Aldwych station nearly opposite the church. It is known as one of the two 'Island Churches', the other being St Clement Danes.

On 23 July 1701, Etherington took his place as Assistant of the Court of Clockmakers Company and in September 1706, he won the election, against Dan Quare and Jonathan Puller, for the post of the "Youngest Warden". In 1707 he was elected Renter Warden, who had responsibility for handling the Company's finances and in 1708 he became Upper Warden. In what he may have considered the peak of his career, in 1709, he was chosen Master of the Clockmakers Company.

Etherington , and continued his service to the company until 1728. On 20 January 1728/29, a note in the records of the Clockmakers Company states: "Etherington dead." He was probably buried in St. Mary-le-Strand, but the burial register for that year has been lost. [3]

His clocks are held in museum and private collections. [4] [5] [6] [7]

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References

  1. ↑ http://m.vam.ac.uk/collections/item/O158228/longcase-clock-etherington-george/
  2. ↑ Antiquarian Horology, December 1955, Vol 1, page 133
  3. ↑ Antiquarian Horology, December 1955, Vol 1, page 133
  4. ↑ http://m.vam.ac.uk/collections/item/O158228/longcase-clock-etherington-george/
  5. ↑ http://www.vicarageclocks.com/bracket-clocks/george-etherington/
  6. ↑ http://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/959829
  7. ↑ https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/a-william-and-mary-repousse-brass-mounted-5426419-details.aspx
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