Since at least the mid eighteenth century Halesworth has had a strong association with the watch and clockmaking industry. One of the earliest recorded watchmakers, William Dowsing, can be found in the 1793-8 Universal British Directory. He was born in Saxmundham in 1774. Following his father’s death, he moved to Halesworth and secured premises for his watchmaking business in the Market Place (next to the Lincoln Family of Drapers). He traded there for over 50 years until his death in the 1850’s.
George Suggate, was also enumerated in the 1793 Universal Directory. Together with his son, George, they dominated the clock, watch and jewellery trade in Halesworth for almost a century. George Suggate, Senior was born at Great Bealings Suffolk in 1720. Soon after marrying Ann Holgate in 1742, he settled in Halesworth and established himself as a watchmaker. The business flourished – as his advertisement in the Ipswich Journal in 1764, for ‘a good hand’ suggests. After his death in 1807 his son George successfully continued his father’s trade until his own demise on the 5th February 1844. George Suggate Junior owned and occupied the house and garden in the Thoroughfare, subsequently utilized by Lloyds Bank. There is a wall clock in the Angel Hotel, Halesworth signed George Suggate.
John Johnson, who was born in 1781, first appears in Robson’s Directory as Watch & Clockmaker in 1839 and then in other directories until 1846 where he is listed in the Post Office Directory as trading in the Thoroughfare. However, there are also apprentice documents available which refer to a John Johnson, watchmaker of Halesworth two years earlier on the 6th January 1779 which suggests his father also traded in Halesworth and died in 1789. Recently several examples of John Johnson Senior’s work have been made available to purchase via auction.
Another early watchmaker in the town was, Framlingham born, Samuel Taylor, firstly listed in Halesworth in Pigot’s 1830 Directory. The 1841 census informs us he traded in the Market Place. However, his presence in the town was short lived because sometime before 1851 he returned to his hometown with his wife Rachel.
Peter Canova was born in Italy in 1796. By 1858 he had created his watchmaking and jewellery business in the Thoroughfare, Halesworth, with his Suffolk born wife Susanna. Although they had four children, it was John his eldest son who took over the business when his father, Peter, died on the 3rd December 1882. The 1901 Census informs us they traded at 49 Thoroughfare, Halesworth. John Canova died on the 30th October 1906 age 62.
William Wigg was born in Wissett on the 5th August 1818 and baptised at Halesworth Independent Church a year later. After his marriage in 1839 he established his watchmaking business in the Thoroughfare, Halesworth. He continued trading there until his death in 1890 aged 72.
Nelson Wellington Newson was also a major watchmaker in Halesworth. He was born to Stephen and Mary Newson in Chediston Street. After training as a watchmaker, he acquired his own premises at 13 Thoroughfare, Halesworth. By 1861 he had developed his skills further, describing himself on the Census as ‘Watchmaker, Silversmith, Jeweller. He continued working in Halesworth until his death in 1904 aged 75.
Thomas John Parsons was born in Ballencollig, Cork, Ireland. He trained as a watchmaker in Woolwich. The 1881 Census informs us he was lodging at the Station Hotel, Bungay Road, Halesworth working as a watchmaker. By 1891 he had moved to lodgings at 41 Chediston Street where he established himself as a watchmaker in his own right working from his own abode. He continued to live and work in Chediston Street, remaining single, until his death in 1925.
Sutton Ashford was born in Saxtead, Suffolk in 1851. After training in Stoke Newington, London he returned to Suffolk, married Louisa Simpson, and began working in Framlingham. By 1900 he had established his own business at 8 London Road, Halesworth where he developed his business to include clock repair. He died in 1924 age 74.
This is a brief outline of the main watchmakers of Halesworth from the late eighteenth century until the mid 1920’s when Robert William Bishop appears to be the last watchmaker listed in Kelly’s Directory at 15 Thoroughfare. The son of a Norfolk gardener, he established his business in Bungay before moving to Halesworth around 1911. Further information on any of the watchmakers mentioned above can be found at the Halesworth Museum or ascertained on request via email: office@halesworthmuseum.org.uk.
The museum will be grateful for any additional information regarding the watch and clockmakers of Halesworth, particularly photographs or images of any items made by these individuals.
Watch & Clock Makers of Halesworth sourced from Local Directories
These directories are available in the Museum’s Local History Room
1793 – Universal British Directory
William Dowsing
George Suggate
1823 – Pigot’s Directory
Robert Bullock
William Dowsing
George Suggate
1830 – Pigot’s Directory
William Dowsing
George Suggate
Samuel Taylor
1839 – Robson’s Directory
William Dowsing
John Johnson
John King
George Suggate
Samuel Taylor
William Wigg
1844 – Whites Directory
William Dowsing, Market Place
John Johnson, Thoroughfare
George Suggate, Thoroughfare
Samuel Taylor, Market Place
William Wigg, & Jeweller, Thoroughfare
1855 – Whites Directory
William Dowsing, Watchmaker
William Ellis (Cutler) Watchmaker
Nelson Newson, Watchmaker
William Wigg, Watchmaker
1858 – Suffolk Directory
Peter Canova, Jeweller, Thoroughfare
William Ellis, Watchmaker, Thoroughfare
Nelson Newson, Watchmaker, Thoroughfare
William Wigg, Watchmaker, Thoroughfare
1868 – Suffolk Directory
Peter Canova, Watch & Clock maker & Jeweller, Thoroughfare
Nelson Newson, Watch & Clock maker & Jeweller, Thoroughfare
William Wigg, Watch & Clock maker & Jeweller, Thoroughfare
1879 – Post Office Directory
John Canova, Watchmaker, Thoroughfare
Nelson Newson, Watchmaker, Thoroughfare
William Wigg, Watch & Clockmaker, Thoroughfare
1885 – Post Office Directory
John Canova, Watchmaker & Jeweller, Thoroughfare & Southwold
Nelson Newson, Thoroughfare
Thomas John Parsons, Watchmaker, Pound Street (London Road)
William Wigg, Watchmaker & Jeweller, Thoroughfare
1892 – Kelly’s Directory
James Bishop, Watch & Clockmaker, Thoroughfare
John Canova, Watchmaker, Thoroughfare
Nelson Newson, Watchmaker, Thoroughfare
Thomas Parsons, Watchmaker, Queen Street (Chediston Street)
1900 – Kelly’s Directory
Sutton Ashford, Watchmaker, London Road
John Canova, Watchmaker, Thoroughfare
Nelson Newson, Watchmaker, Thoroughfare
Thomas Parsons, Watchmaker, Chediston Street
1904 – Kelly’s Directory
Sutton Ashford, Watchmaker, 8 London Road
Thomas Parsons, Watchmaker, 41 Chediston Street
Stanley John Wright, Watchmaker, 16 Station Road
1916 – Kelly’s Directory
Sutton Ashford, Watchmaker, 8 London Road
Robert William Bishop, Watchmaker, 15 Thoroughfare
Thomas Parsons, Watchmaker, 41 Chediston Street
1925 – Kelly’s Directory
Robert William Bishop, Watchmaker, 15 Thoroughfare