He is first listed working close by in Fold Street during 1828 with his father William. James West traded alone as a watch and clockmaker from his premises at 13 Bradshawgate.
The premises at 13 Bradshawgate remain today as a timbered building next to the public house.
By 1838-1861 he was at 135 Bradshawgate, and after loosing number 135 Bradshawgate to demolition for the new tram sheds, he was then trading from 5 Manor Street in 1873.
A silver fusee watch by West Bolton bearing the Watch paper from James West in Bradshawgate, likely made by his father William at Fold Street, and returned to his son James for repair or service.
As well as domestic clocks he also made Turret Clocks, and one survives to this day, made specifically for Saint Paul’s Church Halliwell Road in 1848. This is said to be the last example of its type surviving in Bolton. The clock was fully restored in 2011.
In 1869 James West was listed as trading from 13 Bradshawgate.
In 1870 he moved to Manor Street Little Bolton, as his Bradshawgate property was demolished.
Bolton News September 1870
James West the watchmaker died on 31st August 1877 at the age of 81 years. He was described in the ‘Annals of Bolton’ as one of the oldest tradesmen in the town.
James was also reputed to have been the last dedicated clockmaker in Bolton.
A 19th century oak cased drop dial wall clock, the 12″ dial signed West Bolton, A frame brass movement with single wire driven fusee and anchor escapement, total length 55.5cm.
St Paul’s showing the face of its historic clock.
Mr West offered the Guardians in Bury the opportunity to commission a clock for their new workhouse, to strike the hours £45, or to strike the quarters also £68, excluding bells, the matter was left open for decision in July 1855. The Bury Union Workhouse, also known as the Jericho Workhouse, opened its doors on January 21, 1857, with space for around 400 inmates and an additional 60-bed hospital at a total cost of £20,481