James was born on the 24th August 1874 at 22 Pope Street, All Saints, Birmingham. By the time he had left School his Family had moved to 1 Abbey Street, Hockley, Birmingham, the location of the Lewis Cab Business. James started his working life as an apprentice Jeweller on the 2nd August 1889 to Harlow & Vaughton of 41 Frederick Street, Birmingham for a term of six years.
At the end of his apprenticeship in 1895 his indenture papers were endorsed as follows: “We have great pleasure in saying that James Ernest has most faithfully served the term of his apprenticeship and bids fair to be a first class workman”.
He was employed by Charles Lander Jewellers of 69/70 Great Hampton Street, Hockley as a Craftsman and was later to become Foreman.
In addition to his work, James played Football and progressed to be a part time Professional Player for Nott’s County in the 1880’s, 1890’s and later for Atherstone Town.
James married Lilian Eliza Ashmore at Handsworth Parish Church on 23rd December 1906 and started married life at 71 York Road, Handsworth.
On the 25th May 1909 a son Arthur Ernest was born, they had no other children. James worked all his life in the Hockley jewellery Quarter except for a period during the depression of the 1930’s. As a family the Lewis’s were very hard up at this time and existed on dole money.
In his late 70’s James started to work mornings only, still walking to work as he had always done and continued to do so into his mid 80’s.
At the end of his apprenticeship in 1895 his indenture papers were endorsed as follows: “We have great pleasure in saying that James Ernest has most faithfully served the term of his apprenticeship and bids fair to be a first class workman”.
He was employed by Charles Lander Jewellers of 69/70 Great Hampton Street, Hockley as a Craftsman and was later to become Foreman.
In addition to his work, James played Football and progressed to be a part time Professional Player for Nott’s County in the 1880’s, 1890’s and later for Atherstone Town.
