Henry Lee – (1843 -1853)

Henry Lee a master clock and watch maker born in Bolton in 1806

Henry started working in 1843 in Spring Gardens and world there till about 1851.

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)

Confusingly are three generations of Henry Lee’s!

Henry Lee II is listed in the 1855 trade directory as trading as a clockmaker at 3 Newport Street, Bolton. A trade directory for 1895 lists him in the Watch & Clock Makers, Jewellers and Silversmiths section trading at 134 Bradshawgate, Bolton. 

In 1853 the business became Henry Lee & Son as Henry Lee II, a watchmaker, was taken into the business in Ashburner Street. 

Henry II moved to 134 Bradshawgate by 1881

Henry Lee watchmaker of 74 Moncrieffe Street Bolton died on the 26th April 1902.

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.

The interesting story of the travels and exploits a Henry Lee Watch:

Harold Hindle from Bolton (photo) was at one time a merchant seaman. On a trip to the USA, he left his ship to spend some time in America. During that time to make ends meet, he got a job working on the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Whilst working on the bridge, he dropped his pocket watch, which fell into the water. As luck had it, a diver working on the foundations, saw the watch falling and recovered it. Unfortunately it was damaged and the watch never ran again.

(Story courtesy of Adrian Drummond-Hill)

A 14″ dial fusee wall clock by Henry Lee of Bolton, housed within a turned Mahogany surround