Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue

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Reference
X935
Title
Papers loaned by Charles Jolly
Date free text
1738-1890
Production date
From: 1738 To: 1890
Admin/biog history
The Clare family clock and watchmaking business traded in Bedford for almost 150 years. They had premises at 82, High Street, Bedford. Thomas Pinkerd Clare (b.1812 d.1882) inherited the business from his father Thomas Clare (b.c.1784 d.1862). Thomas Pinkerd Clare became a partner with his father c.1840-50. The business was later run by his sons Charles Thomas Clare (b.1848 d.1930) and Alfred Howard Clare (b.1850 d 1925) who traded as ‘Clare & Sons’. The brothers had retired by 1901 , selling the business (but not the premises) to John Bull & Co. The name Clare & Sons survived until the shop finally closed in 1956. The Clare family had strong connections with the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, where Charles Thomas Clare and Alfred Howard Clare were baptised. For further information on the family see ‘Bedfordshire Clock & Watchmakers’ by Christopher J Pickford (Bedfordshire Historical Record Society Volume 70; published 1991) pp 103 – 105, available in the Searchroom.
Mr Charles Jolly
Level of description
fonds