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From: Keith Hedley Spoors <>
Subject: Occupation-Painter and Glazier
Date: Sun, 5 Mar 2006 15:12:32 +0100 (CET)


Hi list
On a recent episode of the Antiques Roadshow there was a Sunderland glazed pot/mug enscribed with "Percival Spoors, Seaham Harbour".
The expert said that the enscription would have been done by the painter as an advertisement of his work.
My Greatgrandfather was said Percival Spoors, born 1825 and is recorded as a Painter and Glazer in various Census', and in various directories 1841,1873-4,1877-1888 . I have always assumed that this was a house painter and window glazier! He was successful and employed or apprenticed various family members in to this business.My research has uncovered the following-
In 1841,the Census shows Percival as a Painter, living at Back North Terrace, Seaham with his family.
My Greatgreatgrandfather Percival born 1791 was working a s a Trimmer, (Spread out the coal in the hold of a ship to "trim " it.)
Also present: Jane aged 50,wife;Ann, 20 daughter;Percival,16,Painter; (My Great grandfather) Mary,11.
IGI has date of birth 1799, and Census known to be inaccurate.

1851 Census at South Terrace Dawdon township, GGGrandfather Percival was 61 years old, with wife Jane, still coal trimming.
In 1871GGrandfather Percival was at 116, Herrington Street, Sunderland.
(-RG10/5009 Enumeration District 13, Municipal area: Bishopwearmouth, Ecclesiastical District: St Pauls, Folio 35, entry 27,) Source: Sunderland Local Studies Library, film 'new reel 5'
Percival SPOORS, head, mar, 46, Painter and Glazer, born Rainton, Durham
Mary SPOORS, wife, mar, 43, born Cumberland
Thomas P SPOORS, son, un, 20, Painter and Glazer (app), born Seaham
Robert SPOORS, son, un, 18, Painter and Glazer (app), born Seaham
Margaret SPOORS, dau, un, 16, Scholar, born Seaham
George SPOORS, son, 14, Scholar, born Seaham ............. My Grandfather.
Mary J SPOORS, dau, 6, born Seaham
Jane BELL, sister in law, un, 41, born Cumberland
1871-1872, Wards Directory shows a Percival Spoors living at 4, South Terrace, Seaham,occupation, Ship Owner.(Can't decide whether this is him!)

1873-4,Ward Street,Sunderland, business address- Painter,whilst his home address is Linden St, Sunderland.

1877-8, He maintained an office at 1, Ward Street, Painter.
This is why I thought it must be house rather than pot painting as theer would be some sort of production /manufacturing/furnace area surely?

By 1879 Percival was living at 31 Vincent Street, Bishopwearmouth, Court Directory describes him as " Gentleman, to be addressed as Esquire."

By 1881 he was at:
Dwelling: 31 St Vincent St
Census Place: Bishopwearmouth, Durham, England. Source: FHL Film 1342202 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 4997 Folio 117Page 49
Marr Age Sex Birthplace
Percival SPOORS M 56 M E Rainton, Durham, England
Rel: Head
Occ: Painter & C
Mary SPOORS M 53 F Cumberland, England
Rel: Wife
Margt. SPOORS U 26 F Seaham Harbour, Durham, England
Rel: Daur
George SPOORS U 24 M Seaham Harbour, Durham, England
Rel: Son
Occ: Clerk
Mary J. SPOORS U 16 F Seaham Harbour, Durham, England
Rel: Daur
According to 1889-90, 1893-94 Wards' Directories, Percival Spoors was registered as Gentleman, living at 17, High Barnes Terrace, Sunderland.
and by 1898 he had built 'Fairholme' , West Park Rd , Cleadon, to live, which proves he had the income available I suppose.
Has anyone any ideas as to whether the Antiques expert was right in light of my (strong) arguement above?
Regards
Keirth.
Ps I'm still searching for information on the Margaret Spoors, born 1855 Seaham and Mary Jane Spoors, born 1865 above!!
.





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