James Woolley or James Wolley (ca.1695 – 22 November 1786) was a watch and clockmaker from Codnor, Derbyshire.Clock and Watch Makers of Nottinghamshire. Harold H. Mather. Friends of Nottingham Museums. 1979
Life
He was born ca 1695, the son of Samuel Woolley and Abigail Pinegar.
He made turret clocks, one of which was installed in the Nottingham Exchange,Records of the Borough of Nottingham. 9 May 1726 which he gifted to the Nottingham Corporation, and in return he was made an honorary burgess of Nottingham.The Date Book of remarkable and memorable events connected with Nottingham and its neighbourhood. John Frost Sutton. Simpkin & Marshall. Nottingham 1852. He also made longcase clocks known to be signed "J Woolley", brass and silvered face with moon dial c.1780's.
He died at his house on Codnor Common on 22 November 1786,Derby Mercury - Thursday 23 November 1786 a bachelor, and left his fortune to his two nephews.
He signed his clocks "Wolley". Therefore this article should list his name as James Wolley or James Woolley.
Works
Public clocks include: Nottingham Exchange 1726, moved to St Nicholas' Church, Nottingham 1830. Now in the Nottingham Industrial Museum.
References