Thomas D. Naylon (tobe1722 @t msn.com) asks I have a clock with Thomas Birch's name on it and would like to know if there was a clockmaker in the 1800's by that name in Hoddesdon.

The 1823/4 Pigot's Directory for Hertfordshire lists two watch and clockmakers in Hoddesdon. There were Thomas Birch and John Hammond. Neither are listed in the town in the 1839 Pigot's Directory. There are no watchmakers called Birch listed in the 1851 Post Office Trade Directory for Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Middlesex, Surrey and Sussex, but there is an Edward Hammond, watchmaker, High Street, Hoddesdon, in the 1850 Post Office Directory for Herts but not in the 1882 Kelly's Directory for Herts

The posting GATWARD, Hemel Hempstead & Hitchin, from 1760 mentions an 18th century watchmaker from Hoddesdon and includes details of several books on clock and watchmakers which may well contain information about Thomas Birch and other Hoddesdon watchmakers.

If you can add to the information given above tell me.