William Dumbill (or Dumvill) was the son of David Dumbill an Engine Tenter and Ann Shepperd a weaver of Bolton. Born at 51 Back Foundry Street in Great Bolton on 11th December 1857 and Baptised at Holy Trinity on 27th December 1857.
William’s father David died of Pulmonary Consumption (Tuberculosis) on 5th April 1866. Willliam Dumbill was admitted to Chethams Hospital School Manchester on 22nd April 1867, as shown in the admissions registers.
It appears that he and his Brother Matthew were both ‘Charity Boys’ resident in Chetham’s Hospital School and Library in Manchester in 1871. They were also absent from the same census at the family home.
There is a family of Dumbill’s who were clock makers, it is possible that they were helpful in securing the place in Chethams school for two orphans from Bolton, and or possibly offered the apprenticeship.
Hunt’s Bank and Chetham’s Hosptial School and Library
William died on the 7th of March 1876 at 42 Thomas Street in Bolton, the family home from Rheumatic Fever. William was buried at Tonge Cemetery on the 12th March 1876, his records show that he died at 42 Cannon Street.
It is also possible that William was working for Jeremiah Smith or his successor at 42 Cannon Street at the time.
There are no known examples of his work and it’s not believed he produced watches in his own name.
A significant amount of research and information on this page was very kindly provided by members of Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society (Manchester and Lancashire FHS), and information was taken from their archives of the Chethams Hospital Register within the Great Database. Those tracing family trees can find the society and access their wonderful resources here
