KERR James Smith

Name James Smith KERR
Country Of Origin Scotland
Born 1850
Died 1912
Birth/ Baptism 28 April 1850, Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire, Scotland
Parents William and Janet Kerr (formerly Smith)
Apprenticeship With Charles Mahler at Oxford Street, Sanquhar, Dumfriesshire, and Argyle Street, Glasgow, Scotland
Skills Watchmaker, Jeweller
Work Locations Launceston, Latrobe, Queenstown
Street Address
103 Brisbane Street, Launceston
Gilbert Street, Latrobe
McNamara Street, Queenstown
Orr Street, Queenstown
Marriage/Spouse 30 August 1882, at Mr C Day’s residence, Launceston, to Alice Mary Day
Arrival 18 July 1876, Melbourne, Victoria, on the Sir Walter Raleigh
Other 1864: James was a witness in a court case in Glasgow, Scotland, and newspaper reports stated he was 15 years of age. His employer, Charles Mahler, had been charged with ‘wilful fire raising’ with the intent to defraud an insurance company.

1880s: Advertised business in Launceston.

1887: Opened a second store in Latrobe, managed by watchmaker and jeweller James White.
October 1887: Bankruptcy.

Colonies and India (London, England) 6 January 1888:
‘TASMANIA,
The second meeting of creditors in the estate of James Smith Kerr, of Launceston, watchmaker, has been held. The resolution at the first meeting was confirmed, accepting a composition of  1s. in the pound.’

February 1888: J S Kerr announced reopening in his old premises, Brisbane Street, and had repurchased ‘the old working and manufacturing plant.’

From approx. 1899: Watchmaker and jeweller, Queenstown

Approx. 1905: Moved to Victoria

Death 21 April 1912, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria
References
Tasmania Post Office Directory (Wise) 1890-1894, 1899, 1901.
TAHO: RGD37/1/41 no 663 Marriage 1882.
Web: National Records of Scotland, Old Parish Registers Births 848/ Sanquhar;
Ancestry: Victoria, Australia, Assisted & Unassisted Passenger Lists 1876; Australia Vital Newspaper Notices, The Age, 22 April 1912.
Renfrewshire Independent 31 December 1864 & Paisley Herald & Renfrewshire Advertiser 31 December 1864 (British Newspaper Archive), Telegraph (Launceston) 19 November 1881, The Examiner (Launceston) 28 March 1882, 5 September 1882, 24 February 1888; Daily Telegraph 31 May 1884, 16 July 1887, 22 December 1894; Devon Herald 7 January 1887, Tasmanian News 6 October 1887; The North West Chronicle 8 February 1888; Mt Lyell Standard & Strahan Gazette 22 November 1902; Age 22 April 1912.