Gazetteer of Plasterers - O

OKER, Richard (fl. 1616-30)

A Plasterer presented by Richard Graves (8 June 1608), who was freed (30 April 1616) and paid his beadleship fine (30 January 1617/18). Oker was fined for: bad work at Holborn Bridge (29 April 1618); absence (25 July 1618); lateness (13 October 1618). On 15 February 1627/8 he received charity from the Company but continued to pay arrearage of quarterage until 25 January 1629/30. Oker made his will as a parishioner of St Sepulchre on 7 November 1630, leaving £10 to his son, Stephen, to be held for him by his mother, Anne; unless she remarries, when it is to be entrusted to Thomas, his uncle, until Stephen is 21 years old. In the case of his son’s decease, the money is to be shared between Richard’s nieces and nephews. Thomas Oker was bequeathed Richard’s best suit and cloak; 5s was left to their sister, Anne; and the residuary legatee was his widow, Anne. Probate was granted on 14 February 1630/1.[1]

OLDHAM, Adam (fl. 1577-90)

A Plasterer who paid his abling and admission fines on being freed (15 February 1576/7). He presented William Lambe as his apprentice (25 July 1581) and paid for his pattern on entering the Livery (17 September 1585). He was last recorded paying arrearage of quarterage on 26 January 1589/90. Adam’s son, Anthony, was also a Plasterer.

OLDHAM, Anthony (fl. 1618-20)

Although Anthony was the son of Adam Oldham, he was not freed by patrimony, but served an apprenticeship with Henry Stanley, from 23 April 1610 until 29 April 1618. He was listed among the Yeomanry in the Quarterage Accounts until his name was crossed through in 1620.

OLDHAM (ODAM), Richard (fl. 1595)

A plasterer who was among those working on ‘the newe building of the parlour’ at the Clothworkers’ Company hall in 1595. On 13 June he received 4s for 3 days’ work at the going rate of 16d per day.[2]

OLDHAM (OULDUM), Roger (fl. 1614-55)

A Plasterer who was made free by patrimony (17 July 1614) and who is likely to have been the son of Thomas Oldham. Roger was admitted to the Livery on 5 September 1621. He was paid for glazing ‘the newe howse’ (13 October 1631) and made a free gift towards the rebuilding of the Company’s corner house (9 December 1631). Oldham was unsuccessful in the elections for Junior Warden for 1631-2 and 1632-3 (12 September 1631 and 10 September 1632). When the successful candidate turned down the position, Roger Oldham was equally reluctant and asked to be taken off the list of Assistants. He made the Company a gift of £6 in compensation, which was accepted ‘as he followed the trade of Glazier, not Plaisterer’. Nevertheless, he was elected Senior Warden for 1634-5 (15 September 1634). He was able to sign his name in support of a Company memorandum concerning ‘fitting and decent … apparell’ to be worn at meetings (5 February 1634/5). Samuel Brunt, son of a Hertfordshire cooper, apprenticed himself to Oldham for 7 years (20 November 1635). Mr Oldham was paid for glazing the windows of the Company’s hall (20 September 1638 and 11 September 1640). He failed to be elected Master for 1639-40 and 1640-41 (9 September 1639 and 14 September 1640). Once again he asked not to be put forward as Master as he followed the trade of glazier and was ‘altogether unskilfull in the arte of plaistering’. This request was granted in return for 40s and he was additionally allowed precedence over subsequent Masters. Mr Oldham’s man was paid 10s for two glazed coats-of-arms in the parlour window, probably those of the Company and the City (11 September 1640). He was fined for absence (7 May 1641) and for lateness (13 October 1642). He again supplied glass to the Company (3 February 1641/2) and received an unspecified payment, probably in the same connection (30 April 1644). Further payments for glazing work were made (25 January 1644/5); for mending the glasses (26 October 1646); for glazing work in the hall (30 September 1647). Edward Varnam, son of a Joiner of the Parish of St Clement Danes, Middlesex, was apprenticed to him for 8 years (19 May 1647). On 23 June 1654 he was one of those signing a memorandum concerning the need for an assessment to rescue the Company from its debts of about £40. A fine of 20s was levied because he had employed ‘a forraigne plaisterer’ contrary to Company ordinances (25 January 1654/5). When Varnam was made free, Oldham was fined for not enrolling his man (26 October 1655), the last occasion on which his name appeared in the Court minutes.

OLDHAM, Thomas (fl. 1584-1607)

A Plasterer who was apprenticed to John Walfleet on 13 October 1576. He was freed and paid his abling fine and made a donation to the poor (25 January 1583/4) and paid his beadleship fine (29 July 1586). Together with Nicholas Bolland he was fined for ill work in Paul’s Churchyard (11 November 1591). George Mason and Oldham were fined for using ill language to each other (17 March 1592/3). He paid for his pattern on entering the Livery on 14 August 1598. Fines were levied for keeping an unnamed boy above six months unbound (11 August 1604); for ‘settinge a forryner on worke’ (25 April 1606); and for setting his man to work contrary to Company orders (11 September 1606). Oldham was nevertheless elected Junior Warden for 1606-7 (15 September 1606). Oldham presented an anonymous apprentice (29 August 1589); Richard Fisher (11 October 1590); William Robinson, son of a Northamptonshire carpenter, for 8 years and 1 year as a journeyman (30 January 1599/1600); John Rowe (6 November 1606); John Taylor (26 November 1606). When Robinson was freed he was described as the apprentice of Thomas Oldham, deceased (12 February 1607/8). The Quarterage Accounts are annotated ‘died’ for 1607, to be replaced by Widow Oldham for 1608, who is recorded as ‘died’ in 1609.

OLIVER (OLYVER), Griffin (fl. 1603-5)

A Plasterer presented by Ellis Crompton (17 March 1594/5) and freed on 19 May 1603. He paid his beadleship fine on 25 July 1605, the last occasion on which his name appears in the Company’s records.

OLIVER (OLYVER), Thomas (fl. 1562)

A plasterer who acted as one of the witnesses to the will of Thomas Monkes.[3]

ORLAGE (ORLIDGE), Thomas (fl. 1622-28)

A Plasterer from Northamptonshire presented for 8 years by Roger Spooner (13 January 1614/15). Orlage was freed, after his master’s death, on 28 November 1622. He was last recorded paying arrearage of quarterage on 1 September 1628.

OWEN, Griffin (fl. 1604)

A Plasterer whose name only appears when he was admitted to the freedom on 29 September 1604.

OWEN, James (fl. 1589-1609)

A Plasterer who paid his abling and admission fines on Court Day, November 1589. Owen was one of the plasterers employed by the Skinners’ Company on their new building and carrying out repairs to the hall in 1595-6. Owen worked for 3 days in March 1595/6 at 18d per day and on 29 June that year he provided colours and size for the work.[4] Owen and Hugh Meyborne were fined for abusing each other (25 April 1605). He presented George Coleman (28 November 1605) but Coleman left his master between 1 March 1606/7 and 12 February 1607/8 and never completed his term. It transpired that an earlier apprentice William Rowntree (originally apprenticed to Thomas Ancell) had been turned over from Owen to Mr [Henry] Willis (10 July 1607). James Owen presented Edward Perkins (8 December 1609) but in the quarterage accounts for 1610 his name is annotated as ‘died’.


 

[1] LMA DL/C/B/004/MS 09171/026, f. 120v.

[2] The Clothworkers’ Company: Quarter and Renter Wardens’ Accounts: CL/D/5/3 (1578-98).

[3] LMA DL/C/B/004/MS 09171/015, f. 88r.

[4] LMA CLC/L/SE/D/007/MS 30727/004, ff. 298v and 306.

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