John Welsby, born in Kearsley Moor in 1849 was originally a carpenter, and married his wife Alice Worthington on 11th December 1869.
On 1 May 1880 he was listed as a Watch-Maker at the Baptism of his Daughter Martha. Then on 27th Apr 1882 he was listed as a Watchmaker at the Baptism of his son William.
In 1891 son Jonas Welsby was listed as a watchmaker’s Apprentice, whilst living at home with the family, although by then John was listed as a Stationary Engine Driver at the mines. by 1901 Jonas was also working at the mines.
It seems that watchmaking was only ever a sideline to his main employment, and for Jonas it never materialised into a profession.
John Welsby died on 14th March 1912.
There are no known examples of his work.