Henry Lee a master clock and watch maker born in Bolton in 1802
In 1841 Henry Lee was listed at 132 Spring Gardens with his wife Ellen Parkinson (1800-1899) and children John Lee (1820-1892), James Lee (1823-1903), William Lee (1824-1899), Robert Lee (1827-1892), Henry Lee (1828-1899), and Sarah Lee (1830-1886), all with the exception of James, Henry and 10 month old Sarah were employed in the cotton industry.
Henry Lee started working on watches in 1843 in Spring Gardens and worked there till about 1851, where he was a master watchmaker employing a number of men.
It seems that Henry Lee also became a retailer as well.
An advertisement from one of James Butler’s clocks reads, Henry Lee “Dealer in American, English, German CLOCKS, NO. 3, Top of Spring Gardens, near to Ashburner St, Bolton, Clocks and Watches cleaned and repaired in the best manner on the lowest terms. HENRY LEE, pledges himself to supply the best 24 hours German Clocks for Twelve Shillings each, being precisely the same article, from the same warehouse that hawkers sell to the public for Twenty-five Shillings each; and as he permanently resides here, the Inhabitants of Bolton will see the advantage of purchasing from him in preference to a stranger.” (date unknown)
In 1853 the business became Henry Lee & Son as, a watchmaker, was taken into the business in Ashburner Street.
Henry Lee is listed in the 1855 trade directory as trading as a clockmaker at 3 Newport Street, Bolton.
In 1861 Henry Lee (1802-1870) was listed at 96 Spring Gardens with Ellen Lee (1800-1879), by which time he was a Watchmaker, living with him was John Waring, an Iron Core Maker, (Pattern Maker) who would go in to marry his daughter Sarah Lee (1830-1886), and next door at 94 was Thomas. A French Polisher, who may have been responsible for assisting with cabinet work.
Henry Lee (1802-1870) died at Bradshawgate on 28th March 1870.
The firm of ‘Henry Lee’ would continue with his grandson Henry Lee
Henry moved to 134 Bradshawgate by 1881,
A trade directory for 1895 lists him in the Watch & Clock Makers, Jewellers and Silversmiths section trading at 134 Bradshawgate, Bolton.
A pocket watch signed Henry Lee of Bolton, in a silver case fully hallmarked for Chester 1867/68 by Joseph and John Hargreaves of Slater Street, Liverpool. The serial number on movement and case match.
A 14″ dial fusee wall clock by Henry Lee of Bolton, housed within a turned Mahogany surround
A 14″ dial fusee wall clock by Henry Lee of Bolton, housed within a turned Mahogany surround