J. J. Welsh Grandfather Clock

Q: I would like some information about my grandfather clock. It was made by by J.J. Welsh from Heton Lehole, Scotland (not sure of the spelling). I have tried to look up the name of the clockmaker and the town but have had no luck. The clock must be about 200 years old. A previous owner painted the clock’s face plate, which was rusted out, so the face is not original.

A: Your clock may have been made by John James Welch, a clockmaker who worked in Hetton-le-Hole, Durham County, England, from 1877 to 1884. His last name is sometimes spelled “Welsh.” He worked in Seaham Harbour, also in Durham County, England, in 1864. We did not find a town in Scotland called Heton Lehole. Maybe when the dial was repainted, the name and location were mislabeled.