JOHN WAINWRIGHT OF NOTTINGHAM (1751-1798)

Wainwright Family of Nottingham

Wainwright, Humphrey of Bunny and later Nottingham. This maker, baptised in 1724, married in 1747 and carried on working until about 1797. Mather records a musical Longcase clock by him and states that a longcase clock by Humphrey is in Anne Hathaway’ cottage near Stratford Upon Avon. He was also a watch maker as there is a silver cased verge pocket watch (1757 No. 2309) in the Leicester Museum.

Wainwright, John of Nottingham. This maker, baptised at Bunny in 1751, was working from about 1779 at Bridlesmith Gate. According to Mather, he took his son, William from his second marriage to Hannah Harpur, into his business and became John Wainwright and Son in 1798 still working at Bridlesmith Gate, Nottingham. Unfortunately, John died later that year. A watch by John is in the Nottingham museum dated c1780, other know clocks by him are, a 30 hour longcase clock with a round dial and a 8 day longcase clock with a square brass dial. This last clock was signed ‘Wainwright Nottingham’. On 9 Sep 1794, John took on George Milnes as an apprentice clockmaker for 7 years for a fee of £20.

Wainwright, John & Son of Nottingham. John and William went into partnership in 1798 and although John died that year, William carried the name on until about 1820.

Wainwright, Samuel of Nottingham. Mather records a longcase clock with this makers name on it, but no other information.

Wainwright, William of Nottingham. William, son of John, was born about 1781 according to Mather or 1772 according to the Antiquarian Horology. I suspect the1781 date is probably the correct date. As stated above, he went into partnership with his father in 1798. Loomes states that William was only working from 1814 to 1828. William married Elizabeth Hornbuckle and they had several children. William died in 1831.

The Family continued in clock making for several more generations and the last recorded member of the Wainwright family still in the trade was in the Hyson Green district of Nottingham around 1915. His workshop was over a bakers but no Christian name was mentioned.