Samuel Thorpe

The Clock Maker Samuel Thorpe was born in Madeley, Shropshire, and was baptised on 6th January 1765. He was the eldest of three children born to parents of modest means. At the age of fifteen and a half, he was apprenticed to the renowned Shrewsbury Clock Maker Robert Webster. Starting an apprenticeship at such a late age was indicative of a full time education. It is likely that he attended Wellington Grammar School and Sunday schools sponsored by Abiah Darby.

Technological Advances

When the Iron Bridge was erected he was 16 years old. He must have been amazed at the technological advances taking place around him. The pungent smell of lime kilns and the roar of blast furnaces would have been well known to him. Why he left this exciting crucible of the Industrial Revolution for the relative obscurity of Abberley, Worcestershire remains a mystery.

Mary Newall

On the 20th December 1790 he married Mary Newall at Ford in Shropshire. The union produced a family of seven children - two dying in infancy. His son Thomas took over his clock making business and died six months before his father.

Abberley Churchyard

Samuel Thorpe died in 1838 and was buried in Abberley Churchyard on 15th Feb. Mary joined him there on 19th February 1843.

Fine Examples

He was a clock maker of some renown, his abilities equaling those of his London counterparts. Many fine examples of his workmanship survive. These include pocket watches, long case clocks, 30 hour cottage clocks, eight day regulators and bracket clocks.