by  PETER JAMES SIMON

James Barlow was born February 1st 1754,  his father being  John Barlow  the clockmaker.   Like his father he too be-
 came a clockmaker and would have been  apprenticed to his father.  Unfortunately  James died at the early age of 34
on June 16th 1788.   This  early death  of  James is  reflected  in the  very few James Barlow clocks  that I have come
across in relation to  the number of clocks that I have found by the other members of the Barlow family. James Barlow
is recorded as James Barlow of Dostile, Dostile was renamed Bow Street which can be found  half way down Yorkshire Street and runs towards Union Street,  there are now only a few buildings still remaining on this street.

James  married  Betty  Brierly at  St. Marys Church  Prestwich on  December 21st 1778  and in  the ten years of  their marriage they had four children :
 

Edward   August 1st 1779    To become a clockmaker and named after James’s uncle

Jane        April 6th  1783            Named after James’s mother

Roger     There is no trace of a birth for Roger Barlow, but his death is recorded as May 18th 1784 and it is possible he
              died at birth and only the death was registered.

Molly     March 20th 1785
 

When James Barlow died at such an early age, he left a young wife with three children aged nine, five and three years.
I have not yet traced the death of his wife Betty, and it may well be that she was remarried and took on another name.

There is no other information available for James probably because of his premature death and any clocks made by him are rare.
 

• Clockmakers of Oldham Index

• England Index

• Clearinghouse Index

• Home