James Butler of Great Bolton was established as a Watch Maker working at 56 Deansgate, on the corner of Market St.
He was born in 1740 and is listed as working 1760-1795.
James makes a number of clocks with both Brass and painted dials, but often with a moonphase. He is also known to have made watches too.
He is listed working with Jacob Butler his nephew from his brother John in 1785.
In 1804 he was listed as working in Acresfield.
He died in October 1810 and is buried in Bolton Parish Church.
His wife carried on the business till 1822
James Butler of Bolton, 8 day longcase clock.
Quarter sawn oak case with swan-neck pediment, with carved wooden rosette paterae.
Turned and fluted columns to the hood, capped with turned wooden capitals.
Long trunk door, flanked with quarter turned fluted columns.
Canted base, with ogee bracket feet.
Square brass dial with silvered chapter ring, silvered calendar and seconds.
Matted and well executed engraving to the dial centre
Finely cast gilded “question mark” spandrels to the corners.
Fine quality original blued steel hands.
Excellent 8 day movement, striking the hours on a single bell.
A fusee pocket watch by Butler of Bolton, most likely to be one of James Butler’s work.
A Dutch home for one of James Butler’s Long-case Clocks, clearly loved, with Date aperture strike and 30 hour movement.
(Photo’s from Wibo Raven)
Even President Donald J. Trump owned one of James Buttler clocks at his Mar-a-lago resort. See the presidents clock here