GABRIEL –BYCROFT DEALER LINK RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND BACKGROUND
RESEARCH SO FAR.
Jim Hendricks
KT Tools
Kent UK
Mobile: 07855 327261
Email: [email protected]
I recently purchased two rounds from a seller on eBay and when they arrived I
posted them on Facebook “Unplugged Woodworkers” group and a member noticed
that one of the stamps I had previously assumed to be one of the owners was in fact
“Bycroft – Boston” indicating a dealer.
Once I realised this I did some research…as did another TATHS member in the USA
and this is what we found so far:
"Bailey's British Merchants" from 1784 leads me to this entry in Boston Lincolnshire:
"BYCROFT John Ironmonger Boston"
Then in "The Gentleman's Magazine, and Historical Chronicle" Volume 64, Part 1 for
1794 I found that his son "Thomas Bycroft" is recorded as having passed away age
23...so sad.
Further to that research is confirmation of the son's death as quoted in the "Lincoln,
Rutland, and Stamford Mercury"
18/04/1794
A quotation from Job, 5th c. 26th v. On Sunday laft died at Bofton, ih this county, Mr.
Thomas Bycroft, aged 23, foil of Mr. John Bycroft, ironmonger, " of the faid place. His
affiiftion was fo violent that from the time of his being taken, to the time of his
death, was only ten days. < He was defervedly refpefted by all whri knew him.
Further research from Amy Harrington-McAuley (Portland Oregon USA)
John Bycroft, ironmonger.
-on May 12, 1789 took Josh R Morton as apprentice. (Register of Duties Paid for
Apprentice Indentures)
-Thomas Bycroft, son of John the Ironmonger dies at age 23. 13th April 1794.
-Listing in 1791 Universal British Directory. John Bycroft, Ironmonger and Cutler.
These facts and primary sources can with my confidence be attributed to the John
Bycroft stamped on your plane.
Now these other items have a good chance of being our guy but more research
needs to happen to confirm.
-John Bycroft
Baptized 29 January 1745 in Boston Lincolnshire. Parents are Charles and Frances
Bycroft.
(The dates work well for the Ironmonger birth)
-John Bycroft marries Ann Bradford, Boston, Lincolnshire. 18 June 1770.
(Dates also work well with what we know of Ironmonger's son Thomas)
-Ann Bycroft, Boston, Lincolnshire dies in 1802, listed as widow
( could be Ann Bradford)
-a baby named John is born to John Bycroft (Ironmonger?)and Ann on May 6, 1774.
Dies May 21 of the same year.
(This could be their second child as Thomas could be their first. Since we know that
Thomas died at age 23 he would have to be born in 1771. One year after John and
Ann get married. The timeline works well but it is speculation until primary sources
can back this up.)
I have not found any reference to Bycroft being a dealer with Gabriel…so I want to
know if any TATHS member can help with the research.
We need to know more about Bycroft as an ironmonger in Boston Lincolnshire and
also there is a slim chance that Mr J.Cook is contemporary as the stamps for Gabriel
and Bycroft and the presumed owner Mr Cook are surprisingly similar.
Editorial link to photographs:
DIRECTORY OF GABRIEL BYCROFT IMAGES
There is also a sub-directory of high resolution images at that link. These images do
not have the copyright notice. Please credit any photographs if used for publication.