William N Terry was the curator of the Northampton Museum and Art Gallery from the 1960s until 1986. He had a wide range of interests and subject matter expertise – shoemaking and shoemakers, coins, watch and clockmaking, all associated with Northamptonshire. In 1966, his watch and clockmaking expertise was demonstrated in an extensive exhibition that he curated from the museum’s collection, supplemented from many private sources. For many years, the exhibition catalogue was the definitive listing of known makers in the county. It was the starting point of my own much extended online Clock and Watchmakers Index. This has continued to grow as more documentary sources have become accessible. The index is also added to from time to time as items come to light in private hands or appear in auction sales.
Walter George Bartle
One such item was a silver pocket watch appearing recently for sale1
It was probably manufactured in the 1880s at Bartle’s premises in St Giles Street, Northampton.
Walter G Bartle was born in Kirton in Lindsey, Lincolnshire in October 1847. His parents were William and Mary Bartle (nee White). William, also was a watchmaker in Kirton, as was his father, George. Mary’s father John White was another watchmaker in Kirton. Sadly, Mary died in 1850 aged just 21. Mary’s younger sister, Maria White, joined the family as housekeeper, whilst her brother Charles White was apprenticed to William.
William and Maria married in 1851. Subsequently, two more children arrived, Charles and Leonora. However, Maria also died in 1855 aged 23. Charles also followed his father’s occupation as a watchmaker. However, both young men, after serving their apprenticeships with their father, eventually settled in Northamptonshire. Charles to Silver Street, Wellingborough and Walter to 9 St Giles Street, Northampton.
Walter married Louisa Fanny Robinson in Derby in 1873, where Walter had been working since at least 1871. Walter and Louisa had four children: Reginald (1874), Edith (1876), Maud (1880) and Maria (1881). About 1875, they moved from Derby to Northampton. Walter seems to have originally worked with John A Hill a jeweller and silversmith in Bridge Street. By early 1878, he opened his own business at 9 St Giles Street.
In April 1879, Walter’s brother was married in St Giles, Northampton to Catherine Augusta Atkin; both gave their address as St Giles Street. It is reasonable to assume Charles was working with Walter at the time. By 1881, Charles had moved to 16 Midland Road, Wellingborough and was working independently in Silver Street, Wellingborough. Charles died in 1907.
Walter moved to larger premises two doors away at 13 St Giles Street in 18802.
Notice of move to 13 St Giles Street. Northampton Mercury – Saturday, 8 May 1880
Subsequently, in about 1893, Walter moved his shop to The Drapery, one of the more prominent streets in the town, where he should have enjoyed greater footfall. However, this seems not to have been a commercial success, since in July the same year, his whole stock is put up for sale for the benefit of his creditors.3 Walter seems to have picked himself up and re-established his business at 173 Kettering Road, at the time know as Brockhall Parade4 by 1901.
Watchmaking was not the only dimension of Walter and Louisa’s life. In politics, Walter was a Liberal and a member of the Northampton Reform Club. However, during the Bradlaugh crisis in 1884, Walter resigned his membership.
Both Walter and Louisa were accomplished musicians and members of the Northampton Choral Society. Walter was a frequent soloist, including popular songs like The Village Blacksmith in his repertoire. In later life, Walter and Louisa lived at 5 Adams Avenue, Northampton.
Walter died in July 1910, and Louisa in 1922.
- Sutton Hill Farm Country Auctions, Coventry Road, Broughton Astley, Leicester LE9 6EY. 14 November, 2025
- Both these premises had been demolished by 1992 for the extension to the Guildhall.
- “Peremptory Notice of the sale of the whole stock of Walter G. Bartle”, Northampton Chronicle and Echo – Tuesday, 10 July 1894
- On the north side of the Kettering Road, between Cowper Street and Hood Street.
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