John_Alker

John Alker

John Alker

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John Alker (1775[1]–1850[2]) or simply Alker of Wigan, was a renowned long case clock and pocket watch maker and member of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers[3] active in Wigan, Lancashire.[4]

Quick Facts Born, Died ...

Life and career

John Alker, son of James Alker, was baptised on the 15th of April 1775 at All Saints' Church, Wigan.[1] He was first recorded as a clockmaker in his marriage to Margaret Hickman in 1794.[5] John and Margaret would go on to have six children together, with several also becoming reputed clock and watch makers, before her death of consumption in 1808.[6]

Market Place in 1860, depicting the former Alker store in the lower right.

From their storefront on Market Place in central Wigan, John and his family would craft intricate longcase clocks for use in the home and large turret clocks for public spaces.[7][8] In 1813 he installed one such turret clock at St Wilfrid's Church in Ribchester.[9]

John was described as having a preference for the newer fashions of his time, as shown through his use of painted dials.[10] A number of his clocks survive, and frequently present features of special interest.[11] One of his longcase clocks, dated to around 1830, was featured on Antiques Roadshow and valued between £7,000 and £10,000.

John passed away at his home in Scholes and was buried on the 14th July 1850 at All Saints' Church, Wigan.[2]

Legacy

John Alker began a legacy of clock and watch manufacturing within his family, spanning over 100 years. The original storefront in Wigan was in operation from at least 1794[5] to 1860,[12] being run by John and subsequently his sons and extended family. Eventually expanding to a second store in Chorley that was active until the late 1800's.[13]

  • Thomas Alker (1794[14] - 1847[15]) Son of John Alker. Clockmaker in Wigan.[4]
  • Nicholas Alker (1803[16] - 1871) Son of John Alker. Watchmaker in Wigan and Chorley.[17][4]
  • James Alker (1818[18] - 1889[19]) Son of Thomas Alker. Clockmaker in Wigan and Chorley.[4]
  • John Alker (1819 - 1859[20]) Son of Thomas Alker. Clockmaker in Wigan.[4]
  • Nicholas Alker (b. 1828[21]) Son of Thomas Alker. Watch finisher in Chorley.[22]
  • Dial and hood of clock by John Alker, c.1794.
  • Mahogany longcase clock by John Alker, early 1800's.
  • Example of John Alker's use of painted dials.
  • Signed John Alker pocket watch, early 1800's.

References

  1. [1]
    Wigan Baptisms Register 1754-1778. 15 April 1775. p. 192.
  2. [2]
    Wigan, England, Church of England Burials, 1813-1979. 14 July 1850. p. 198.
  3. [3]
    Hawkes, Arthur J (1950). The Clockmakers & Watchmakers of Wigan (1650-1850). pp. 69–72.
  4. [4]
    Davies, Edmund (25 January 2007). Greater Manchester Clocks and Clockmakers. Mayfield Books.
  5. [5]
    Wigan Marriage Registers 1787-1799. Wigan Archives. 21 April 1794. pp. 141, Entry 566.
  6. [6]
    Wigan Burials 1779-1809. Wigan Archives. 9 December 1808. pp. 461, Entry 7.
  7. [7]
    Wigan Election Poll Book. Lancashire Archives. 1832.
  8. [8]
    Pigot's Directory. 1832. pp. Watch and Clock Makers.
  9. [9]
    The History of the Parish of Ribchester in the County of Lancaster. Lancashire Archives. 1890. pp. Chapter 103.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  10. [10]
    Hawkes, Arthur J. (1950). The Clockmakers & Watchmakers of Wigan (1650-1850). p. 70.
  11. [11]
    Hawkes, Arthur J. (1950). The Clockmakers & Watchmakers of Wigan (1650-1850). p. 82.
  12. [12]
    "The Oldest Establishment in the Neighborhood". Wigan Observer and District Advertiser. 7 December 1860. p. 4.
  13. [13]
    "Partnerships Dissolved". Morning Herald (London). 16 December 1857. p. 3.
  14. [14]
    Wigan Baptisms 1779-1799. Wigan Archives. 2 November 1794. p. 365.
  15. [15]
    Wigan Burials 1847-1848. 26 December 1847. pp. 55, Entry 436.
  16. [16]
    Wigan Baptisms Register 1799-1812. 21 August 1803. p. 121.
  17. [17]
    "Serious Charges Against a Chorley Pawn-Broker and Another". Preston Herald. 30 January 1864. p. 12.
  18. [18]
    Wigan Baptisms 1799-1812. Wigan Archives. 3 May 1807. p. 236.
  19. [19]
    England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1837-1915. 26 December 1889. p. 383.
  20. [20]
    Wigan Burials Register 1858-1867. 7 April 1859. pp. 46, Entry 367.
  21. [21]
    Wigan Baptisms Register 1830-1833. 1 November 1830. pp. 12, Entry 94.
  22. [22]
    "England Census, Lancashire, Chorley, District 22". Ancestry.com. 1901.

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