Samuel Deacon (Clockmaker)

of Barton in the Beans, Leicestershire

Samuel Deacon was the minister of the Baptist chapel in Barton-in-the-Beans or Barton, Leicestershire, but is better known today as a clockmaker of historical significance. Born in Ratby, he set up his workshop in Barton about 1772. His father, also Samuel (1714-1812) was a labourer who served as pastor to both the Ratby and Barton congregations. Deacon the Younger was ordained in 1779 to serve as minister.

'Samuel Deacon is recorded in Hewitt, P.A. THE DEACON FAMILY OF LEICESTERSHIRE CLOCKMAKERS as born in Ratby, Leicestershire on 6th February 1746 and, after initially going in to farm service, he was offered an apprenticeship with the clockmaker Joseph Donisthorpe (as a result of a chance recognition of his practical abilities). In 1769 Deacon was employed as a journeyman to the Leicester clockmaker Thomas Lindley before setting up on his own as a clockmaker in the small hamlet Barton-in-the-Beans in 1771. Whilst in Leicester Deacon became acquainted with the Rev. William Ludlam who went on to tutor Deacon on the theoretical aspects of clockmaking as well as hone his skills on the practical side with particular attention to musical clocks. These skills enabled him to set-up business on his own in a highly cost-effective manner as he was able to make most of his workshop tools rather than buy them. In 1803 his wife, Elizabeth, died after a short illness; Samuel died after a stroke in 1816 leaving the business in the hands of his cousin, also named Samuel. The workshop passed down through successive generations until 1951 when the last of the Deacon clockmakers, Thomas William retired. Leicester Museums acquired the contents of the workshop and archive preserving it as one of the only 18th century clockmaking workshops to remain intact. .....' CONTD.

Description and photograph of a 'pinion engine' (gear cutting machine) made by Deacon in 1775

See Also

Loading...