John Edward Massey
c.1831 Born in Clerkenwell, son of Francis Joseph Massey and grandson of Edward Massey
1851 Edward Massey 83, nautical instrument maker lived in Clerkenwell with his daughter-in-law, Susanna Massey 45, pallett maker, and her children Joseph Massey 23, John Massey 20, Lewis Massey 14, Francis Massey 11, Susanna Massey 7, James Massey 9, and her nephew Thomas Massey 13[1]
1857 Massey's ship's log was used for depth sounding tests in preparation for the laying of the Atlantic Telegraph[2]
1857 Thomas Massey and others made a case in law against John Edward Massey and others, all persons claiming to be creditors of Edward Massey, late of No. 17, Chadwell-street, Myddleton-square, in the county of Middlesex, Watch Manufacturer, who died in or about the month of May, 1852[3]
1865 Maker of Massey's frictionless propeller ship log with conical end[4]
1865 Patent to John Edward Massey, of Number 17, Lower Chadwell-street, Myddleton-square, London, in the county of Middlesex, Manufacturer of Patent Logs and Sounding Machines, for an invention of "improvements applicable to ships' logs and sounding machines."[5]
1868 Patent to John Edward Massey, of No. 17, Chadwell-street, Clerkenwell, in the county of Middlesex, Manufacturer of Patent Logs and Sounding Machines, for the invention of "improvements in machines for taking soundings (known as Massey's Sounding Machines)"[6]
1871 Susan Massey 65, lived in Clerkenwell with Joseph F Massey 44, watch maker, John E Massey 41, ship's log maker employing 4 men and 1 boy, Louis Massey 34, clerk (merchant), and Caroline Massey 30 Daughter-in-law[7]
1875 Patent to John Edward Massey, of 17, Chadwell-street, Clerkenwell, in the county of Middlesex, Manufacturer of Patent Logs and Sounding Machines, has given the like notice in respect of the invention of " improvements in date and other stamps having moveable type, in the mode of securing or fastening the face to the body of the stamp when closed and to the handles thereof"[8]
1876 The petition of John Edward Massey, of 17, Chadwell-street, Clerkenwell, in the county of Middlesex, Manufacturer of Patent Logs and Sounding Machines, praying for letters patent for the invention of "improvements in ships logs, and the apparatus for holding same," was deposited and recorded in the Office of the Commissioners on the 30th day of August, 1876, and a complete specification accompanying such petition was at the same time filed in the said office[9]
1881 Ship Log Maker (Phil. Inst. Maker) lived in Holborn[10]
1891 Died at 17 Chadwell Street, Clerkenwell, a bachelor; administration of his estate was to be by Louis Massey, his brother, a ship's log maker of Finsbury Park[11]