George Whitfield: Gunmaker.

George Whitfield

Gunmaker

Belfast & Sydney

George Whitfield traded from various addresses within Belfast:

 1819-1824         38 Ann Street

1824-42                 Ann Street

1831                 Skipper Lane

In 1834 he sailed to Australia on the Princess Victoria to start a new life.

As can be seen from the street plan below George Whitfield opened a new Gunmaking establishment in King Street, Sydney. However, he not only started his new life there but also ended his life on the pavement outside this shop.

See Link: 

https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1301&dat=18641121&id=pbEQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=F5EDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7260,6438309&hl=e

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King Street, Sydney 1848

Street Plan as published in Sydney in 1848 by J Fowles. By Courtesy:  Berkelouw Books, 3020 Old Hume Highway, Berrima. N.S.W 2577., Australia.

Interestingly, Patrick McGlynn was an ex employee of George Whitfield and he went onto open a gunmaking establishment in close proximity in York Street. Opposite at 72 King Street is "Pattison" (William Pattison: 1844-1851) .William Pattison having left Newtown Limavady, Co: Londonderry, Ireland in 1827. He established his new gunmaking business in  King Street , Sydney in 1828 to the annoyance of Mr George Whitfield. He obviously also had issues with Patrick McGlynn. The man who would ultimately take George Whitfield's life!


George Whitfield trading addresses in Sydney:

85 King Street 1844-1845
83 King Street 1846-1851
6   King Street  1855
3   King Street  1857.

These dates and other references courtesy of Firearmsmuseum.org.au

                                         4th Model,  54 Bore Tranter Revolver Retailed by George Whitfield.                                                   Cannon House, King Street, Sydney, Australia. 

 Tranter 4th Model showing George Whitfield's  address. Private Collection.


As with other major cities and towns at this time the urban expansion led to door number changes rather than the complete moving of premises.

The period between 1834-1844 looks to have been the  period when George Whitfield and John Samuel Lambard were in partnership?

A sad and tragic story but one of so many throughout the Irish diaspora.

My thanks to all the aforementioned for material.

Dave Stroud. ramrodantiques.co.uk