Mr. D. D. Pierce, Watchmaker, Jeweller, Optician and Medalist, Hope Street.
D. D. Pierce Watchmaker, Wrexham
Mr. D. D. Pierce has been established in Wrexham in 1874. At present he occupies what may be fairly described as a leading position amongst the jewellers of the town. For many years he had done an extensive local trade, augmented by the execution of practical work in various parts of the country. In this latter connection we may mention that quite recently after a competition between London, Liverpool, and Wrexham clock makers, Mr. Pierce succeeded in obtaining the order for a turret clock for Brymbo Welsh Church, which clock was manufactured throughout at Mr. Pierce’s workshops in Wrexham.
It has a black and gold dial, best quality movement, dead beat escapement and steel wire lines. All the wheels and pinions are cut out of the solid material, and the clock strikes the hours on the bell used in the old church. Another branch of business in which Mr. Pierce has been particularly successful, is the manufacture of gold, silver, and bronze medals for football clubs, sports committees and the like.
Here again, in open competition Mr. Pierce’s designs have proved victorious. Some time ago he forwarded for presentation to the Prince of Wales, a reproduction in gold of the medal struck to commemorate his Royal Highness’s Marriage; receiving the following letter of acknowledgment from Sir Francis Knollys – the Prince’s private secretary: –
“Marlborough House, Pall Mall, S.W., April 8th, 1892.
Mr. D. D. Pierce, Wrexham.
SIR, I am desired by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to inform you that, on the recommendation of the Hon. G. T. Kenyon, M.P., he has been happy to accept the gold medal you have forwarded to him.
I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, Frances Knollys.
Acknowledgment from Sir Francis Knollys – the Prince’s private secretary
Mr. D. D. Pierce, Wrexham.” Mr. Pierce was also the designer, patentee and presenter of the Welsh Jubilee Medal, presented to her Majesty the Queen in honour of her Jubilee. The medal itself was presented through a committee owing to it being contrary to Court etiquette for the Queen to accept presents from private individuals. Quite outside these specialties, however, Mr. Pierce has a large connection as a general watch and clock maker, jeweller and optician.
His shop in Hope Street will be found replete with the best class of gold, silver, and jewelled goods, whilst as regards spectacles, pince-nez, &c., the stock maintained is admittedly the best and cheapest in Wrexham, Mr. Pierce’s well-known Periscopic spectacles being especially in demand.
It was reported in the North Wales Times of a break in at the Hope Street shop.
DARING SHOP ROBBERY AT WREXHAM.
£2,000 WORTH OF JEWELLERY STOLEN.
Sometime during the night of Saturday of early on Sunday morning, the shop of Mr. D. D. Pierce, watchmaker and jeweller, street, Wrexham, was broken into, and jewellery to the value of quite £2,000 was stolen there from. The rifled establishment is in one of the principal business thoroughfares of the town, and in a most exposed position, facing an open space and an important junction.
It is somewhat strange, therefore, that the thieves were able to effect their purpose unnoticed and to get safely away with their booty. They not only did so, however, but left no onward trace of their visit, which was only discovered in a rather singular manner nine o’clock on Sunday morning Police constable John Shone was on duty in Hope street and stopped against the entrance of Mr. Pierces shop.
He rested with his back against the door, and to his great astonishment it swung open suddenly. On looking for a reason this he found that the locks on the door been forced, and an entrance thus gained into, the shop, which had been pretty well of its contents.
He at once gave information to his superior officers, and Mr. Pierce, who resides in Grove Road, was also informed. A close inspection of the premises was made, it was found that the shop, which had been well stocked with goods ready for the Christmas show, had been rifled of everything that could be easily carried away.
In fact, everything of any value except the heavy goods such as clocks, &c., had been cleared away, the value of the stolen property being upwards £ 2,000. Inspector Bagshaw and a large staff of police officers have been busily engaged in the endeavour to capture the thieves, but without success.
The only clue – if it amounts to one – that has been obtained is supplied by a coachman, who states that about seven o’clock the Sunday morning he met two men going in the direction of Bersham one of them was carrying a bag and the other a parcel.
The stolen jewellery was not insured, and Mr. Pierce has received many sympathising visits and messages expressing sympathy with him in his great loss.
North Wales Times 24th December 1898
Source: Wrexham Jubilee
