Of Aldergate Street London Jeweller
Owned 137 and 138 Aldersgate Street London and lived in 19 Charterhouse Square
A register of Silversmiths and Goldsmiths records:
Son of Solomon Hougham free by redemption 7 June 1786 as goldsmith. He was already an established worker since Henry son of Henry Hougham was apprenticed to him in 1789. He was elected to livery, February 1791. Partner with Charles Hougham froom 1790 the latter dying 18 January 1793. First mark entered as plateworker 1 February 1793 Address Aldersgate Street. Second Mark (two sizes) 6 February 1793. Third Mark (two sizes) 13 November 1812. Fourth mark in partnership with Solomon Royes and John East Dix 13 September 1817, Address 138 Aldersgate Street. The partnership apparently dissolved by 19 September1818 when Royes and Dix entered a separate joint mark. Hougham died between 1818 and 1822 ( actually 17 Aug 1818 hence dissolvement of partnership - RY) His marks should be distinguished from those of Samuel Hennell.
Silver Forums at 925-1000.com (
http://www.925-1000.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=74&t=23390):
Apprentices taken by him were
William Bennet (1784)
William Ward (1786)
Robert Jones (1787)
Thomas Franklin (1788)
Soloman Royce (nephew) (1789) [Royce is used in the goldsmith records for Solomon Royes]
Henry Hougham (1789)
James Ede (1794)
John East Dix (1795)
In 1792 he was a signatory to the London Bucklemakers Petition to the Prince of Wales and one of the deputation of six who presented a petition to the King himself .
On 19th February 1800 the Proceedings of the Old Bailey ref t18000219-9 reports:-
SOLOMON HOUGHAM sworn. - I live in Aldersgate-street , I am a very large manufacturer of gold and silver plate : I have lately lost a considerable quantity of spoons out of the manufactory.. .. the spoons that are produced; I know them to be my property, they are in an unfinished state, never having been completely manufactured; they have the initials of my name at the back, and likewise the workman's mark, two dots, underneath.
His mark of 13th September 1817 was in partnership with two of his ex-apprentices, Solomon Royce, a nephew, and John East Dix.
Died 17th August 1818 at the age of 72
The will of Solomon Hougham, Merchant of Aldersgate Street London, Middlesex was proved at PCC on 27th August 1818.
It includes a legacy of £500 to William Ward, one of his journeymen and an ex-apprentice. Also "to each of my journeymen of seven years standing and upwards who at the time of my decease shall work in my factory in Aldersgate Street Five guineas and to each of those under seven years standing Two guineas "
A full transcript is on the royroyes site (under Notes)
http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/html_sessions/T18000219.html ...
BENJAMIN BRIND, theft : simple grand larceny [from Solomon Hougham].
The Proceedings of the Old Bailey Ref: t18000219-9
Trial Summary:
• Crime(s): theft : simple grand larceny,
• Punishment Type: imprisonment : House of Correction, fine,
(Punishment details may be provided at the end of the trial.)
• Verdict: Guilty,
• Other trials on 19 Feb 1800
• Name search for: BENJAMIN BRIND,
• Crime Location: Aldersgate-street
• Associated Records...
Original Text:
168. BENJAMIN BRIND was indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 12th of February, twelve silver tea spoons, value 30s. the property of Solomon Hougham .
DAVID PERRYMAN sworn. - I am a pawnbroker, No. 92, St. Martin's lane; I manage the business of Berry and Patmore: On Wednesday evening last, between eight and nine o'clock, the prisoner offered six tea spoons to pledge; I asked him where he lived; he told me he lived at No.12, Castle-street, that he kept a house, and that he was a jeweller by trade; from his manner of answering these questions, I suspected him, and sent my lad to the house to enquire; and while he was gone, the prisonener wanted very much to go, but I would not let him go till he returned; I asked him how he came by the spoons; he said he bought them at a shop in the Strand; I asked him if he could take me to the shop where he bought them; and he said he coulld not; he then said he did not live in Castle-street, and went out of the box; I ran round, and locked the door, and took him into the shop; I suspected he was the servant of some silversmith; I told him he need not hesitate, for I knew the mark upon the back of the spoons, I told him they belonged to Mr. Hougham; he said if I would let him go, he would take the spoons and put them from whence he took them; he said that he lived with Mr. Hougham, and hoped I would let him go, for it was the first time he had ever taken any thing; I told him I could not let him go; I sent for an officer, and he was taken into custody; the officer searched him in my presence; he said he had nothing more about him; but in his pocket he found eleven duplicates, eight of them were of spoons, which he said he had taken from his master.
SOLOMON HOUGHAM sworn. - I live in Aldersgate-street, I am a very large manufacturer of gold and silver plate: I have lately lost a considerable quantity of spoons out of the manufactory; last Thursday morning a messenger came to my house, to innform me that a man was stopped, and that I might see him at Bow-street, with some of my property; I went to Bow-street, and saw the prisoner there, and the spoons that are produced; I know them to be my property, they are in an unfinished state, never having been completely manufactured; they have the initials of my name at the back, and likewise the workman's mark, two dots, underneath; the prisoner worked for me several years.
Q. Had you missed these spoons? - A. Yes, I had; I have here no less than fifty duplicates, eleven of them were taken from his person, and the rest from his clothes in his trunk; they consist of fifteen dozen of spoons, among other things.
BENJAMIN-BAILEY THOROGOOD sworn. - I work at Mr. Hougham's: These spoons are my work, they were taken out of my box where my work is kept, I missed them last Tuesday evening; they were in the box on the Saturday before.
Prisoner's defence. I have nothing to say.
GUILTY (Aged 54.)
Confined six months in the House of Correction , and fined 1s.
Tried by the first Middlesex Jury, before Mr. Justice ROOKE.
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