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#1 Oct 2020
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Gilson Watch and Clockmakers
The name of Gilson Watch and Clockmakers has been seen in Market Place for over 150 years, and which the shop sign said was founded in 1828. Thomas Gilson first appears in a 1844 trade directory. His son William Gilson had taken over by 1881 and William was succeeded by his son Percy who carried on trading under the name of William Gilson & son for much of the 20th century. Sadly, in 2011, the name disappeared but the shop still continues as a Jewellers under the name of Guest & Phillips. Now Gilson Jewellers becomes part of Pocklington history.

Gilsons 2006
Gilsons shop taken in 2006, 180 years after the shop was opened
 
Thomas Gilson
Thomas Gilson
A watch insert of Thomas Gilson from the scrapbook of William Watson DDX1445/3
 
Letter Head
A letter head
 

Thomas Gilson started to appear in trade directories from 1844 onwards as a Clock and Watchmakers. Thomas Gilson is incorrectly named as Gibson in Walkers' Hull and East Riding Clocks. The confusion occurs because of a mistype in one trade directory, which seems to have propogated in many clock publications. His son William took over the Pocklington shop and his other son Walter opened a shop in Market Weighton.

1861 Census - Pocklington Market Place
Name Relation Status   Age Born Occupation Parish born
GILSON, Thomas Head Married M 50 1811 Watchmaker
Linby
Yorkshire
GILSON, Jane Wife Married F 45 1816
Holme on Spalding Moor
GILSON, Richard Son Unmarried M 19 1842 Watchmaker
Pocklington
GILSON, Mary Daughter Unmarried F 17 1844
Pocklington
GILSON, Walter Son M 15 1846 Watchmaker
Pocklington
GILSON, John Thos Son M 14 1847 Scholar
Pocklington
GILSON, Alice Daughter F 12 1849 Scholar
Pocklington
GILSON, William Son M 9 1852 Scholar
Pocklington
GILSON, Jane A Daughter F 4 1857 Scholar
Pocklington

1871 Census - Pocklington Market Place
Name Relation Status   Age Born Occupation Parish born
GILSON, Thos Head Married M 61 1810 Watchmaker Lumby
GILSON, Jane Wife Married F 56 1815 Holme on Spalding Moor
GILSON, Walter Son M 24 1847 Watchmaker Pocklington
GILSON, Mary Daughter F 26 1845 Pocklington
GILSON, John T Son M 23 1848 Pawnbroker Pocklington
GILSON, Jane A Daughter
F 13 1858 Pocklington
RUBIN, Thos Grandson M 4 1867 Whitby
GILSON, Wm Son M 18 1853 Bricklayer Pocklington

1901 Census - Pocklington Market Place
Name Relation Status   Age Born Occupation Parish born
GILSON, William Head Married M 48 1853 Watch Maker Shopkeeper
Pocklington
Yorkshire
GILSON, Sarah Wife Married F 45 1856
South Elmsall
Yorkshire
GILSON, Jane Daughter Single F 25 1876
South Elmsall
Yorkshire
GILSON, Percy W G Son Single M 23 1878 Watch Maker's Asst
South Elmsall
Yorkshire
GILSON, Reginald T Son Single M 21 1880 Solicitor's Clerk
South Elmsall
Yorkshire
GILSON, Daisy Daughter F 11 1890
South Elmsall
Yorkshire
1901 Census - Market Weighton High St.
Name Relation Status   Age Born Occupation Parish born
GILSON, Walter
Head Married M 56 1845 Watchmaker
Pocklington
Yorkshire
GILSON, Elizabeth Wife Married F 55 1846
Selby
Yorkshire
GILSON, Alice M Daughter Single F 26 1875
Brayton
Yorkshire
GILSON, Ethel M Daughter Single F 18 1883
Mkt Weighton
Yorkshire
GILSON, Hilda Daughter F 16 1885
Mkt Weighton
Yorkshire
GILSON, Elizabeth Daughter F 14 1887
Mkt Weighton
Yorkshire
Gilson
We think this is Percy and William Gilson circa. 1910 outside their shop in Market Place, Pocklington
 
 

If you wish to add to the story of Gilsons or any other clock watchmaker, or correct any of the above information, then please contact me.

Ref: Hull and East Riding Clocks by J.E.S. Walker