GUNSMITHS INDEX


ABBEY	Robert	Gunsmith	1823: Robert Abbey, gunsmith. Listed as a gunsmith on his son's (George Thackery Abbey) baptism in 1823. A few articles about him are on the internet. Contact Jeff by
ABEL	John	Gunsmith	1785: John Abel, gunsmith, farmer 20 acres. Born about 1785, Lingen, Herefordshire, England. The 1841 UK census lists John as 55yrs, living at Dearfold, Lingen, with wife Ann 60yrs. Also listed is Eliza Abel 20yrs. 1851: John is 66yrs, Ann 72yrs. Now farming 20 acres. In 1861 John is 76yrs, a widower, living at Wigmore, Hereford with granddaughter Emma Price unmarried 21yrs old, housekeeper (born Lingden). John died 29 Feb 1868 aged 84yrs at Deerfold, Lingen. Contributor umknown.
ANNELY / ANNERLEY	Thomas	Gunsmith	1775: Thomas Annely (Annerley), gunsmith. Annerley’s Gun Warehouse. No: 14, Small Street, Bristol. Taken from a list of metal workers in the 1775 Bristol Directory, published by the Temple Local History Society. Thomas Annely was a gunsmith from Bristol, an ancestor on my husbands side; the spelling of Annerley (seen in list of metal workers 1775) could be attributed to the local accent, or maybe the current spelling is a less west country version. I have pictures (somewhere) of guns made by Annely, it seems the whole family were engineers, inventors, metal workers. An Annely was involved with the invention of fizzy water along with Bowlers in Bath (UK), but sold the rights, hence no fame. Contact Sally by
CALLOWAY	Thomas	Gunsmith	1775: Thomas Calloway, gunsmith. No: 2, Key, now Quay Street, Bristol. Taken from a list of metal workers in the 1775 Bristol Directory, published by the Temple Local History Society. I have no other information.
CAUNTER ?	Henry	Gunsmith	1836: Henry Caunter, gunsmith. Born about 1836, Devon, England. The 1851 UK census lists Henry as 15yrs, living at 22 Breton Side, Plymouth Parish of St Charles the Martyr; with gun maker Thomas & Mary Hooker. I can’t find any more info in census!
COLEMAN	Daniel	Gunsmith	1846: Daniel Coleman, gun maker. Born about 1846, Whitwell,Hampshire, England. The 1861 UK census lists him as 15yrs, living at ?Node Hill, Carisbrooke, Hampshire; with uncle William and aunt Elizabeth Woolbridge plus his cousins.
COLLIOTT	Hill	Gunsmith	1775: Colliott Hill, gunmaker. No: 62, Redcliffe Street, Bristol. Taken from a list of metal workers in the 1775 Bristol Directory, published by the Temple Local History Society. I have no other information.
COMPTON	John	Gunsmith	1784: John Compton, gunsmith, whitesmith. High Street, Winchester, Hampshire 1784 - 1792. See Whitesmiths Index.
CUMING	William	Gunsmith	1911: William Cuming, gunsmith. Seen on marriage of son William Barrons in Spreydon, Christchurch 1911. William's (snr) wife was Eliza Ann nee BARRONS. I also research surnames Baker, Colquhoun, Glasson, Musker, Barwick, Stedman. Contact Ann by.
DARRAN	Joseph (Jnr)	Gunsmith	1822: Joseph Darran (Jnr). Gunsmith, armourer. Born about 1822, Chatham, Kent. The 1891 UK Census lists him as 69yrs, living at Rainham, Kent with wife Mary. A. 65yrs and son Alfred.G. Darren, 24yrs (coach builder). Joseph (Jnr) joined the 40th foot in 1840 as armourer sergeant. He was discharged 1862 and was gun maker in Essex (see 1871 census). In 1876 became an armourer in Chatham Kent for ten years and gave 32 years service as armourer to army. He later worked as a gunsmith, until his death 1899. Listed in the Whitesmiths Index, the Gunsmiths and the Military Indexes. Contact Paul by
DARRAN	Joseph (Snr)	Gunsmith	1784: Joseph Darran (Snr), whitesmith, gunsmith, armourer. Born 1784, Lancaster. Joseph joined the marines 1811 as a whitesmith became armourer in marines and in 1847 after 35 years became a gunmaker in Chatham Kent. Listed in the Whitesmiths Index, the Gunsmiths and the Military Indexes. Contact Paul by
DOWNE	Robert	Gunsmith	1791: Robert Downe, brightsmith (whitesmith), gun maker, clock maker. Born about 1791 in Bideford, Devon, England. The 1841 UK Census lists him as 50yrs, a brightsmith living in High Street, Bideford with wife Ann 45yrs. Children: Elizabeth 13yrs; Ella 9yrs; Henry 8yrs. Robert worked all his life on the High Street in Bideford. Genuki-Bideford shows him on two trade directories. Clock and watch maker 1830. Clock maker and gun maker 1857. Death cert shows he was a Master gunsmith, info given by a non-relative. If at Robert's death he was in business as a master gunsmith, surely this would mean he had to apprentice? Or would he just have been someone who repaired guns, which would not necessitate a license or apprenticeship? He is listed in the Brightsmith, Clockmaker & Gunsmith Indexes To share information please contact Pamela by
DURY	Unknown	Gunsmith	1959: The Dury family has been in the gunsmith trade in San Antonio and the South Texas region since 1959. To share Dury ancestry contact email
EARL	Thomas	Gunsmith	1822: Thomas Earl, gun maker. Born about 1821-22, Plymouth, Devon, England. The 1841 UK census lists Earl as 29yrs, living (lodging) at 14 Queen Street, Plymouth Parish of St.Charles the Martyr. With wife Ann. B. Earl 29yrs (American/British Cit).
FALCONER	Duncan	Gunsmith	1801: Duncan Falconer, gunsmith. Baptized 28 Jan. 1801 in Dunkeld, Perthshire, the son of Helen Simpson and Thomas Falconer (who was also a gunsmith). Directories and birth records of his children show that Duncan was a gunsmith in Dunkeld, Forfar, Angus and Coupar Angus. Around 1842 he emigrated to Toronto, in Canada West, to serve as a gunsmith and armourer for the British Ordnance Department. Directories show that he also maintained a private gunsmith business in Toronto. Around 1852, Duncan apparently retired from gunsmithing, and set up a nursery business with two of his sons in Perth County, Canada West. He died there in 1866. http://dunkeldfalconer.tribalpages.com/ Contact David by
FALCONER	Thomas	Gunsmith	1791: Thomas Falconer was a gunsmith in and near Dunkeld, Perthshire. He may also have been a blacksmith. There is no firm information about his birth and death, but he married Helen Simpson in Dunkeld on 19 March 1791. He was admitted as a burgess and guild brother in Edinburgh in 1804. His son Duncan, born in 1801 in Dunkeld, also became a gunsmith. http://dunkeldfalconer.tribalpages.com/ Contact David by
GOLELOR	Edward	Gunsmith	1766: Edward Golelor (?spelling) , gunsmith journeyman. Born about 1776, Ireland. The 1841 UK census lists Edward as 65yrs, living at Stillman Street, Plymouth Parish of St Charles the Martyr. Also listed is Mary Golelor 39yrs; Nancy 5yrs; Will Golelor 3yrs. Plus Jane Dixon 45yrs and George Dixon 7yrs.
HEARD	Robert	Gunsmith	1807: Robert Heard, born 1807 Beaford. Son of the older Robert also worked as a gunsmith in Beaford Devon in 1839 (baptism of son Thomas) until 1871 From 1851 his address is given as The Gunsmith's Arms although he is not mentioned as a licencee on any census. Contact Hazel by .
HEARD	Robert	Gunsmith	1814: Robert Heard worked as a gunsmith in Beaford Devon in 1814 (baptism of son William until 1851 his brother George was also a gunsmith and brothers William & Edward were both blacksmiths. Contact Hazel by .
HEARD	William	Gunsmith	1775: William Heard, gunsmith. No: 95, Redcliffe Street, Bristol. Taken from a list of metal workers in the 1775 Bristol Directory, published by the Temple Local History Society. I have no other information.
HINDE	William	Gunsmith	1860: William Hinde, gunsmith,was born about 1860 in Rampton, Nottinghamshire. He is listed in the 1881 Census as a journeyman Gunmaker in the household of Eliza West in East Retford, Notts. Information provided by John who is not related to these Wests but would be happy to help if he can,contact by .
HOLLOWAY	James	Gunsmith	1810: James Holloway, gunsmith journeyman. Born about 1810, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. The 1851 UK census lists James as 41yrs, living at Leechwell Street, Totnes, Devon, with wife Elizabeth 31yrs (born Barnstaple, Devon). Children: William 6yrs, Charles 1y infant.
HOOKER	Thomas	Gunsmith	1806: Thomas Hooker, master gun maker. Born about 1806, Devon, England. The 1851 UK census lists Thomas as 45yrs, living at 22 Breton Side, Plymouth Parish of St Charles the Martyr; with wife Mary 45yrs (born Devon) . Also listed is apprentice gun maker Henry Caunter 15yrs born Devon.
HORTON	John	Gunsmith	1810: John Horton, gunsmith, master blacksmith/whitesmith, employs 2 men. Born about 1810-1811, Ashburton, Devon, England. The 1841 UK census lists him as 30yrs, at West Street, Ashburton; with wife Ann 30yrs and daughter Mary Ann 1yr. In 1851 John is 40yrs, still at West Street; Ann 40yrs. Children: Mary Ann 11yrs;Elizabeth 7yrs; Jane 5yrs. 1861: John is 50yrs; Ann 52yrs. Daughter Elizabeth 17yrs and son Henry 9yrs. Living at West Street with Mary Horton,70yrs, widow and house owner. 1871: John 60yrs (whitesmith; Ann 63yrs; son Henry 19yrs (whitesmith), still living at West Street. This family is listed in Blacksmiths of Devon, Whitesmith and Gunsmiths Indexes.
INMAN	Thomas	Gunsmith	1775: Thomas Inman, gunsmith. No: 2, St. John’s Bridge, Bristol. Taken from a list of metal workers in the 1775 Bristol Directory, published by the Temple Local History Society. I have no other information.
JONES	Charles	Gunsmith	1806: Charles Jones, gunsmith journeyman. Born about 1806, Devon, England. The 1841 UK census lists Charles as 35yrs, living in Stillman Street, Plymouth Parish of St Charles the Martyr.
LANCASTER	Charles (Jnr)	Gunsmith	1822: Charles Lancaster (Jnr), born about 1822, St. Pancras London. A gunmaker,he had his own business in London. Census 1841: at new bond street ?17yrs old. Parents: Charles 50yrs(gun maker), Mary 45yrs. Siblings: Mary 20yrs, John 15yrs, Charlotte 9yrs. 1851: 29yrs, at 151 New Bond Street, St.Pancras,London, employing ?60 men. 1861: he is 39yrs, unmarried, living/working at 151 New Bond Street, St.Pancras,London, employing several men. 1871: 49yrs still at same address. Has “M” for married but no wife shown (transcription error); suspect he is still unmarried. If you have information to share please contact Tony by.
LANCASTER	Charles (Snr)	Gunsmith	1791: Charles Lancaster (Snr), gun maker. Born about 1791, Middlesex, England. The 1841 UK census lists Charles as 50yrs, living atSt Georges Hanover Square, Middlesex with wife Mary 45yrs. Children: Mary 20yrs, Charles 17yrs (a gun maker), John 15yrs, Charlotte 9yrs. If you have information to share please contact Tony by.
LISLE	Thomas	Gunsmith	1775: Thomas Lisle, gunstock maker. No: 35, Back Street, Bristol. Taken from a list of metal workers in the 1775 Bristol Directory, published by the Temple Local History Society. I have no other information.
LONDON	Edward	Gunsmith	1796: Edward London, gun maker. Born about 1796 in All Hallows, London Wall, London. The 1841 UK census lists him as 45yrs living at London Wall, London with wife Maria 45yrs. 1851 census Edward is 55yrs at 51 London Wall, London Gun maker & wife Maria 57yrs. 1861 Edward 65yrs, Maria 67yrs still at same address. 1871 census – not found them here. There is a report of an Edward London, a gunmaker, of London Wall who in 1734 appeared as a witness in a murder case. This Edward may have may have been Edwad’rs(born 1796) father or uncle or even grandfather. The only other reference I have is for Edward London gun maker of 51 London Wall being insured with the Sun Fire Office. Contact Paul by
MORECOCK / MOORECOCK	William Charles	Gunsmith	1870: William Charles Morecock, gunmaker. Born in London, about 1870 possibly White Chapel or, Bethnal Green. His family has moved to Birmingham area, where he Married. William emigrated, alone, to New Zealand, 1904, the extended family of William seemed to have strong links to the Gunmaking Trade. William died Wellington, New Zealand, in Hospital, age 74 years. Contact Mary by
MORGAN	Rich.	Gunsmith	1775: Rich. Morgan, gunsmith & victualler, The Cooper’s Inn. No: 32, Broad Street, Bristol. Taken from a list of metal workers in the 1775 Bristol Directory, published by the Temple Local History Society. I have no other information.
PRESTON	George	Gunsmith	1848: George Preston was born about 1848 in Louth, Linconshire. He is listed in the 1871 Census as a Gunmaker, boarding with George West (1823) in East Retford, Nottinghamshire. Information provided by John who is not related to these Wests but would be happy to help if he can,contact by .
RAY	Thomas	Gunsmith	1800; Thomas Ray, gunsmith. Born 800-1801, Sutton, Worcestershire, England. The 1851 UK census lists Thomas as 50yrs, living at Summer Lane, Birmingham, with wife Eliza 40yrs. William Hodson 9rs and Sarah Hodson 8yrs are Eliza’s children from previous marriage. Thomas had been a gun stock maker in 1841 in Birmingham. Contact Hazel by .
REDDALL	Mary & Sons	Gunsmith	1780: Mary & Sons Reddall, gunmakers. Born about 1780, Ridgemount, Bedfordshire, England. The 1841 UK Census lists Mary as 60yrs, a widow, at Eversholt, Bedfordshire . Children: William 40yrs (clockmaker); Ann 30yrs; Thomas 30yrs (bell hanger); Robert 25yrs. 1851: Mary is 71yrs, housekeeper. Son William 51yrs (unmarried) and Thomas 42yrs (unmarried). House servant Mary Beal 17yrs. See Kellys Directory, Eversholt. Mrs Mary & Sons, gunmakers, Froxfield and see also 1847-1848 Post Office Driectory, Reddal, Mrs Mary & Sons, gunmakers. In 1861 Mary is 83yrs, a fund holder at Froxfield, Bedfordshire with granddaughter (companion) Rachel.A. Reddall, 22yrs, unmarried.
SHELL	Martin	Gunsmith	1584: Martin Shell, gunsmith. Martin was 'One of the Queens majesties cannoneers of the great ordinance', at his death in 1584 he left his son Rowland 'all my Tooles the which I wrought withall in my Smythes shopp' in Marygate, Berwick upon Tweed (DPRI/1/DPRI/1/1584/S4). Contact Catherine by
SHELL	Robert	Gunsmith	1549: Robert Shell, gunsmith. Robert worked for Berwick's garrison, Northumberland, England and died in 1549 (DPRI/1/149/S5). He left 'all his shop gear and 10 stone of iron' to Thomas Shell of Alnwick, as guardian of his young son, and also 20 stone of iron to WIlliam Shell, a relative based in Berwick. Contact Catherine by
SOPER	Giles	Gunsmith	1797: Giles Soper, blacksmith, ironmonger, gunmaker, whitesmith. Born 1797 Died 1871 Worked in Aldermaston, Berkshire, Basingstoke and Ashford hill Hampshire. In Mill records as having made nails etc for Aldermaston Mill. In 1851 and 1861 census, In Pigot's Directory 1852 ect. Contact Nigel by
SOPER	John	Gunsmith	1758: John Soper, blacksmith, whitesmith, gunmaker. Born 1758, Died 1821 Worked in Aldermaston, Berkshire, England. Advertised for a journeyman post 1792 in Jackson's Oxford Journal, Paid tax for an apprentice 1804. Listed in Blacksmiths of Berkshire; Whitesmiths; Gunmakers Indexes. Contact Nigel by
STRIBLING	Branwhite	Gunsmith	1820: Branwhite Stribling, gunsmith. Born about 1820 Mildenhall, Suffolk, England. The 1841 UK census lists Branwhite as 20yrs, living in Lavenham, Suffolk with his family. See parents Nathaniel and Elizabeth Stribling plus siblings in the Blacksmiths of Suffolk & Cartwrights Indexes. In 1851 Branwhite is 33yrs, living High Street Mildenhall with wife Rebecca 24yrs (born Mildenhall) and son Branwhite 9yrs. Also listed is visitor Mary Bridgeman 22yrs, unmarried, dressmaker. Contact Charles by
SYLVEN	Thomas	Gunsmith	1824: Thomas Sylven, born about 1824 in Birmingham. He worked as a gunmaker for Charles Lancaster before setting up his own business in 1864 at 33 Leicester Square,and 10 Panton Street, Haymarket, London. Later moved to 44 Bedford Street off the Strand, London. He was known for converting muzzle loaders into breech loaders, and patented a design for a striker, for converting pin fire to centre fire. I think he retired about 1880 and died in Hastings Sussex at the age of 70yrs. If yu have information to share please contact Tony by.
TUCKER	Trevor	Gunsmith	1817: Trevor Tucker , gunsmith. Born about 1817, Dorset, England. The 1851 UK census lists Trevor as 34yrs, unmarried, a Lodger at Back Lane, Barnstaple, Devon. Can’t find him on any census after that (Jan2014).
VERCOMBE	Unkown	Gunsmith	1775: Vercombe, (given name not recorded), gunsmith. No: 73, Lewin’s Mead, Bristol. Taken from a list of metal workers in the 1775 Bristol Directory, published by the Temple Local History Society. I have no other information.
VERNCOMB	Hugh	Gunsmith	1775: Hugh Verncomb, gunsmith. No: 21, Clare Street, Bristol. Taken from a list of metal workers in the 1775 Bristol Directory, published by the Temple Local History Society. I have no other information.
WEST	Eliza	Gunsmith	1843: Eliza West, gunsmith. Born about 1843 in Quadring, Lincolnshire, England. Eliza first appears in the 1871 Census as the second wife of George West (born 1823), Gun Maker, in East Retford, Nottinghamshire. By 1881 she is a Gunmaker in her own right, still in East Retford, where she also appears in 1891 as a Gunsmith. Contact George by
WEST	Frederick Howlett	Gunsmith	1854: Frederick Howlett West , gunsmith. Born 1854 and died 1922 Louth, Lincolnshire,. The 1861 UK census lists Frederick as 7yrs living in Louth. See Gunsmiths Index for his father George West plus siblings. Frederick is my great grandfather and I am curious about any relations in the Retford , Nottinghamshire, England area . He married Ellen Hugill in Ney Jersey, USA. Hoping someone can share information, thank you. Contact George by
WEST	George (Jnr)	Gunsmith	1847: George West (Jnr), gunsmith. Born about 1847, Louth, Lincolnshire, England. The 1851 UK census lists George as 4yrs old with parents gunsmith George (1823) and Mary Ann nee Howlett and siblings at Louth, Lincolnshire. In 1861 George (Jnr) is 14yrs, an apprentice with his father, still in Louth. Contact George by
WEST	George (Snr)	Gunsmith	1822: George West (Snr), gunsmith, bell hanger. Born about 1822 and died 1880 in East Retford , Nottinghamshire, England. George lived most of his life in Louth Lincolnshire. He and his first wife Mary Anne Howlett (born 1823-1859) had the following children: Amelia 1844-1930; George born 1846 (gunsmith); Henrietta born 1848; Susanna born 1850; Mary Ann born 1852; Fredrick Howlett (great grand father) 1854-1922 and William Edward born 1857. The 1851 UK census lists George (Snr) as 29yrs, living in Louth Lincolnshire with wife Mary Ann 27yrs and 4 of this children. Also listed is apprentice gunsmith Ebenezer 17yrs (born Fothebey, Lincs)and Mary Hornley 14yrs(house servant). The 1861 UK census lists George as 38yrs, widower, living at Louth, Lincolnshire with children: Amelia; George; Henrietta; Susanna; Mary Ann; Martha and Frederick. George and his second wife Eliza (gunsmith), had the following children: Cecil Max born 1866; Edith Mary born; 1869; George Henry born 1871; Frank Oldershaw born 1874; Margaret born 1877. Contact George by
WILKINSON	James	Gunsmith	1775: James Wilkinson, gunsmith. No: 14, Thomas Street, Temple, Bristol. Taken from a list of metal workers in the 1775 Bristol Directory, published by the Temple Local History Society. I have no other information.
WILLIAMS	James. B.	Gunsmith	1827: James. B. William, gunmaker. Born about 1827 in Aldgate, Middlesex, England. The 1851 UK census lists James as 24yrs, living in St Paul, Shadwell, Middlesex with wife Mary. A. 24yrs (born Stepney, Middlesex). In 1861 James is 34yrs, living in Aston, Warwickshire, England with wife Mary Ann 35yrs and niece Mary Major 7yrs.