The Collings (Collins) Family
Clockmakers of Thornbury
Samuel Collings or Collins.
Samuel was most probably born in Mangotsfield and was one of the most famous clockmakers
in Thornbury. He seems to have been known as Samuel
Collings junior.
Some records also mention that he lived in Downend. The possible Downend connection is very interesting as there was another Samuel Collings who was a clockmaker in Downend and who was producing clocks in 1780's and 1790's (CF "Gloucestershire Clock and Watchmakers by Graham Dowler). According to A J Moore "Clockmakers of Bristol 1650-1900," a clockmaker called Samuel Collings was also responsible for maintaining the church clock in nearby Stapleton in 1789. This suggests that Samuel may have been the son of another Samuel Collings who was also a clockmaker.
Clocks with the inscription 'Samuell Collings Mangotsfield' can be found dated as early as 1759. This would have been an earlier generation still than Samuel Collings who lived in Thornbury and may even have been his grandfather. It certainly seems likely that Samuel Collings from a long established clockmaking family.
We have details of watch made in 1786 which was a "Collins" watch and which was made for James Eley who was living in Thornbury at that time. Click here to read about it. We do not know whether the father of the Thornbury clockmaker Samuel Collings junior had moved to Thornbury by this time or whether (as seems more likely) he was selling watches and clocks to the residents of Thornbury.
We know from the accounts of the Feoffees of Thornbury Grammar School that Samuel Collings rented a property from them as early as November 1806. The entry says "memorandum; let the house garden and premises that was occupied by Edward Thurston deceased to Samuel Collins clockmaker for fourteen pounds a year the rent to be paid quarterly if demanded. The fixtures belonging to the said house are a grate and Dutch tiles in the best room upstairs. Grate Hobbs Dutch tiles and iron fender in the kitching." We believe that this property may have been in the High Street next to the Swan. This may have been used as a shop rather than a residence as when Samuel Collings married Elizabeth Harris on 3rd May 1814 in Thornbury his abode was said to have been Chipping Sodbury. "Samuel Collings the younger" was also mentioned in the deeds of Stokefield Cottages as one of the inhabitants of that property.
One reason why we know that Samuel was known as Samuel Collings junior was a court case of 4th July 1829 (Gloucester Records Office reference 48/D/86) in which Henry Herbert alias Walker was accused of assaulting a clock and watchmaker Samuel Collings junior on 18th June 1829. We do not know what the dispute was about, but Samuel's attacker was found guilty and fined 14/-.
Samuel was the best known of the four members of his
family who were clockmakers in
Thornbury and Chipping Sodbury. There
is a fine example of his work in the Town Hall in Thornbury High Street.
The clock there was made in 1836 and is very sophisticated. It has an
eight day movement and shows not only the date and time but also indicates
the phases of the moon and the time of the next high tide. The two
photographs shown here of clocks made by him are thumbnails so please click
on them for larger images.
The clock in the Town Hall had inside it a note from John Chambers one of the owners of the clock and it describes its history.
"This clock was especially made for George Cossham by Samuel Collings. The case was made by George Cossham himself, who was an amateur cabinetmaker, in the workshop that adjoins my garden (note that Chambers lived at Rosemount. George Cossham lived at 60 High Street, two doors away, but the gardens were adjoining). The bell was selected by my father at Mr Cossham's request out of twelve which were sent from Bristol for Mr Cossham's approval. The date on the back of the clock is 1836 (this house was built the same year). My father purchased the clock at the public auction of furniture after the death of Mr Cossham's widow, who died the 19th July 1876 and gave it to me in August 1876."
This is interesting because it is a reminder that the clockmaker's art was often restricted to the assembly of the clock. The Wilkes clock in Thornbury Museum made a little earlier for example would have had a case made by a local carpenter and had a dial and a movement made in a Birmingham factory.
Robson's directory of 1839 had Samuel and Joseph Collings both trading in the High Street as watch and clock makers. The 1841 Census shows Joseph Collings aged 43 a watchmaker living with Elizabeth Collings a 29 year old straw bonnet maker and Louisa Collings aged four living at what is now 71 High Street. We do not know at present who this Joseph was but we assuming he may have been a brother of Samuel Collings. See below to read more about Joseph Collins.
The 1841 Census shows that Samuel was aged about 50 and was a clockmaker in the High Street near the junction with Silver Street. The Tithe Apportionment of 1840 indicates that this was plot 181 and owned by the Feoffees He was living there with Ann aged 20, Samuel aged 18, Joseph aged 16 and Elizabeth aged 14. Elizabeth Collings aged 50 was living with them. Although the order is unusual we are assuming that Elizabeth Collings was Samuel's wife. The 1842 Pigots shows that Samuel Collings was a watchmaker in Sodbury.
Elizabeth Collings, Samuel's wife died in 1859.
In the 1859 Rate Book and the 1861 census Samuel was living in Silver Street. In the census he was described as a widower aged 69 who was still trading as a clock maker. Also in 1861 Samuel was chairman of the jury in the case of the suicide of Edward Gill, Dr Long's assistant. In 1867 Rate Book Samuel had moved to 7 Castle Street.
The 1870 Post Office Directory showed that Samuel Collings was a watchmaker trading in the High Street. His son Harris Collings was a beer retailer in Castle Street and Alfred Collings, his other son, was also trading in the High Street as a clock and watchmaker. By 1871 Samuel now aged 79 was living next door to the Black Lion with his daughter Elizabeth aged 43 and his grandson Alfred Samuel aged 16 who was his assistant in the clock making business.
There is a charming story (reported in the Society of Thornbury Folk Bulletin number 3 of 1947) that Samuel Collings invented the solid head to the straight pin. The story is that he made one for a lady who wanted a decorative brooch and thought the idea would be universally useful. He was said to have patented this idea and sold the patent for about £100. We have no idea of the truth behind this tale. We can only refer you to the excellent website on how things were made; Straight Pin - How Products are Made. This site explains that Adam Smith reported on the process of pin making in his book of 1776, "The Wealth of Nations." Here he specifically refers to the attaching of a head on the pin. This process did present problems and in the early to mid-1800s, American inventors Seth Hunt and John Ireland Howe and British inventors Lemuel Wright and Daniel Foote-Taylor patented machines that produced pins with a solid head from a single piece of wire. We do not know what, if any, place in the history of pins Samuel Collings would have had.
Samuel died July 20th 1878 at the age of 87 and was buried in the churchyard of St Mary's Church with Elizabeth his wife who had died July 17th 1859 aged 73 years. Also buried there were their daughters Elizabeth Harris Collings who died February 17th 1879 aged 51 years and Ann Harris Collings who died 15th May 1890 aged 73.
The will of Samuel Collings who had a personal estate of £20 was proved on 20th September 1878 by his daughter Elizabeth Harris Collings the sole executrix.
The children of Samuel Collings and his wife Elizabeth (nee Harris)
Ann Harris Collings was baptised on 26th November 1816 in Thornbury. Her father Samuel was a clockmaker at that time. She was a a "nurse " in the 1861 Census in Clifton. In the 1871 she was a nurse in Knightsbridge in London for a merchant Albert G Sandeman who traded in Portugal and Spain and was presumably one of the famous wine family. The Rate Book of 1876 shows that she had returned to Thornbury and then owned and occupied the property that is now 46 High Street. The Trade Directory said she was a shop keeper in the High Street at that time. Number 46 High Street was formerly owned by her brother Harris Collings and then by his widow Harriett who owned the Black Lion in Castle Street and who appeared to be in financial difficulties. In the 1881 Census she is still living at 46 High Street. She died 15th May 1890 aged 73. Her will written on the 9th May 1890 devised her property at 46 High Street to her brother Samuel Collings who was living in Cowbridge in Wales.
Harris Collings born in 1818 appears to have been born in Downend. In the 1841 Census was living in Lydney. He was a clock maker. Click here to read more about Harris Collings.
Alfred Collings was baptised on 29th July 1820 in Thornbury. The Census
of 1841 shows that Alfred, then aged about 20, was trading as a
watchmaker
in the High Street at the corner of Soaper's Lane. The trade
directory of 1844 shows Alfred, Samuel and Joseph Collings all traded as
watch and clockmakers in Thornbury High Street. Alfred married Sarah Hawtin on 28th April 1840. She was the daughter of
Robert Hawtin the schoolmaster.
The records of the trustees of Thornbury Grammar School show that in 1844
the house let to Samuel Collings was to be let to Alfred Collings.
The 1851 Census shows Alfred Collings aged 31 with his wife Sarah aged 29. Alfred
was a watch and clock maker in the High Street near where the arcade
is now. On July 7th 1849 the Bristol Mercury reported that Thomas Nash
had been sentenced to ten years for stealing watches from Alfred Collings. Alfred seems
to have been unlucky as
there was another case on 29th March 1856 when Ann Eley was sentenced to
four months imprisonment for stealing from him.
In the 1871 Census Alfred and Sarah were living in the
High Street. His address seems to be confirmed by the receipt shown
here which says "Market Place, Thornbury" and which would have been in the
centre of the High Street opposite the Market Hall. It is noticeable
that the business seems to be trading as "Alfred Collings" rather than
Samuel Collings. We do not know why as Samuel does not seem to have
retired and father and son would hardly compete. Perhaps Samuel was a
clockmaker whereas his son, Alfred, was the retailer. The 1876 and 1877 Rate Books show that Alfred
Jenner Collings (as he was called, presumably to differentiate him from
Alfred Samuel Collings) now lived in 3 Castle Street,
but by 1881 Census the family had moved back to live in the High Street near the
Police Station.
It seems that Alfred Collings also took over the business premises from his father. In 1880 "A. Collings" was paying rent to the Feoffees of the Grammar School for a house and shop in the High street (part of Gayners). Both of the pair of shops, each with accommodation over, were put up for sale in 1881 for £700. The accounts for 1881 show that one of the shops must have sold but "A Collings" was continuing to rent his shop and house from the governors of the Grammar School. Alfred was buried in Thornbury on March 6th 1882.
Samuel Collings was baptised on 7th November 1822 in Thornbury. He moved to Wales and the 1851 Census shows him in Brecon St Mary. He married Mary Wilmott in Glamorgan in 1855. The 1861 Census shows him in Cardiff with his wife Mary and three young children; Elizabeth Samuel and Albert. In later life Samuel went to live in Cowbridge Glamorgan. The 1901 Census showed him aged 78 and still trading as a jeweller and shopkeeper. He was living with his unmarried daughter Elizabeth aged 42 and son Harry aged 34. He died in Glamorgan in 1906.
Joseph Collings was born about 1825. Joseph married Margaret McIntosh daughter of John McIntosh on 12th March 1850 in Clifton. The 1851 Census shows that he moved to Usk in Monmouthshire where he was living with his wife Margaret and daughter Catherine aged two months. Joseph was another clock and watchmaker. The 1871 Census shows that he stayed in Wales and now lived in Cardiff. He had become a silversmith and photographer. Catherine now aged 20 was his assistant and two other children Martha aged 17 and Joseph aged 15 were also apprenticed to the trade. William aged 13 and Margaret aged 9 were still at school.
Elizabeth Harris Collings was baptised in 1828. In 1841 she was living with her family in the High Street in Thornbury. Although she remained unmarried, she appears to have been the mother of Alfred Samuel Collings (see below) who was born in 1854. She died February 17th 1879 aged 51 years.
Alfred Samuel Collings
Alfred Samuel Collings was born 25th December 1854. He was the grandson of Samuel and Elizabeth Collings. In 1861 he was living in Silver Street with his grandfather Samuel Collings the watchmaker and what was probably his mother, Elizabeth Collings aged 33 and unmarried who was Samuel's daughter. In 1871 Alfred was still living with (and helping in the business of) his grandfather and his mother Elizabeth but they were living in what is now 7 Castle Street next door to the Black Lion. Alfred Collings junior was trading in Thornbury High Street in 1876.
Alfred Samuel Collings married Helena (or Eleanor) Blanche King in Bristol on 21st March 1877. Eleanor was baptised on 22nd July 1855 in Thornbury according to the Scribe's Alcove website. A family tree on the Ancestry website says Eleanor was born on 29th June 1855.
Their children were said to be Edith Collings registered in Thornbury in 1878, Alfred Clement Collings registered in Thornbury in 1879 and Agnes Collings 1881.
Helena Collings apparently died in Darlinghurst New South Wales on 7th December 1883. Alfred Collings returned to England on 26th May 1920 on the "Persic" of the White Star Line which sailed from Sydney to London. Alfred who gave his address as "Post Office, Thornbury" was 65 and retired by this time and was accompanied by his daughter Edith, who was a teacher.
The family tree on the Ancestry website says that Alfred Samuel Collings died at Northleigh in Devon on 11th November 1929. His death at the age of 74 was registered in Barnstaple in the December quarter of 1929. The probate record reads "Collings Alfred Samuel of Northleigh Goodleigh near Barnstaple Devonshire died 11 November 1929. Probate London 9th December to Edith Collings spinster. Effects £1754 17s 3d."
We believe that Joseph Collings may be a brother of Samuel Collings, the
first of the Collings clockmakers in Thornbury. Dr Dowler tells us that Joseph Collings had a
business in Thornbury High Street in the period 1836 to 1842. There
was a clock for sale on the internet in 2010 with Joseph's name on it.
It was described as "A mahogany 8-day longcase cloc
k,
signed Joseph Collings, Thornbury, the painted arched dial with subsidiary
seconds and date aperture, moon phase in the arch, the front plate and moon
phase stamped W. Finnemore & Son, the 8-day movement striking on a bell, and
the case with inlaid decoration, on bracket feet, with pendulum and weights,
87in (223.5cm) high." An image of his clock is shown on the right
please click on the thumbnail to see a larger photograph.
Joseph Colling's name appears in the trade directories for Thornbury for 1839 and 1842. His wife was born Elizabeth Virgo in Itchington on 11th October 1811. She was the daughter of John Virgo a carpenter, and his wife Sarah.
Joseph and Elizabeth had a daughter Louisa who was baptised 17th August 1836 in Thornbury. The 1840 Tithe Map and the 1841 Census shows that they were living at what is now 71 High Street. Joseph Collings was a watchmaker aged 43. His wife Elizabeth was aged 29 and a straw bonnet maker. Their daughter Louisa was aged four.
Joseph died in 1846. His widow Elizabeth moved to live in 38 High Street and the 1851 Census shows that she was a milliner aged 39 living with her young daughter Louisa and her mother Sarah Virgo. Louisa died aged 19 and was buried on 6th June 1856. Elizabeth Collings died in 1858 aged only 46.
We have the court record of Henry James Abrahall who was a journeyman clock and watchmaker. In a court case of 1854 in which he was tried for receiving 11lb of potatoes knowing them to be stolen his record said he was a clock and watchmaker in Thornbury for twenty years. The record of his wife Sarah said Henry Abrahall once worked for Joseph Collings.
Click here to read about other clockmakers in Thornbury.
This page was last updated: 08/05/2012