In looking at William Eley & William Fearn, we should look at the two different periods that they were working together. The first period was between 1797 and 1808 and the second period was between 1814 and 1824. William Eley was apprenticed to William Fearn on 7th November 1770. He entered his first mark in partnership with William Fearn on 4th January 1797. They were registered as plate-workers. This first partnership lasted until 9th April 1808 and then resumed again on 6th October 1814. By this time William Fearn was 66 but the partnership appears to have lasted until 1824. Presumably by this time he will have been doing very little actual silver work.

William Eley I & William Fearn were prolific makers of flatware. They were in fact an integral part of the early Chawner company and much of their work is still available to collect.

Click here to see tongs by William Fearn.
Click here to see tongs by William Eley.
Click here to see tongs by William Eley, William Fearn & William Chawner.