George Nazer: History
The Company
This firm was established by George Nazer in 1867[1]
at the Royal Exchange in London. It
first appeared in London city directories in 1870[2]
and was listed that year as a “cutler, razor
maker & pen, pocket & table knife 
manufacturer”. Sometime between 1880[3]
and 1885[4]
the business expanded and added fancy jewelry to their cutlery business as seen
in the 1885 listing pictured above. Then
when George Nazer died in 1886, his son Henry Samuel 
Nazer took over the business which he ran until at
least 1925[5]
when the firm was listed with his initials as seen here.
Exactly what happened to the business after Henry’s
death in 1930 is unclear. Possibly his
second wife Grace Nazer and their son Henry Claud Nazer continued the business
simply as a cutlery because in 1934[6]
the firm was listed as “Nazer, George 
(Mrs.
G. Nazer), cutler, 31 Royal Exchange”.
Then in 1940[7]-1941[8]
the firm became known as Nazer, Geo. (Herbt. Jn. Adams), cutler, 31 Royal
Exchange which 
implies
the company was sold to another person named Herbert John Adams who initially
continued to use the George Nazer name for his cutlery business. It is unknown what happened to the firm after
1941 because no information about it after that date has been located. The Royal Exchange building pictured here[9]
was built in the 1840s and was opened by Queen Victoria in late 1844 although
trading there did not start until the beginning of 1845[10]. Today it is home to many independent
boutiques and fine dining eateries within its majestic central courtyard and is
considered one of London’s most iconic buildings[11].
The following article about the Nazer business was
published in 1893[12]
and it provides interest details about this company during the Victorian Era.
“G. NAZER, MANUFACTURING CUTLER AND FANCY JEWELLER,
Etc.
31, ROYAL EXCHANGE (OPPOSITE BANK OF ENGLAND). E.
C.
In illustration of the present aspect of the
cutler’s craft, in the highest phases of its modern development in the City of
London, no better example could perhaps be indicated than the firm now under
notice. Organized in 1867 by the late
George Nazer in the eligible premises still occupied, the business has, since
the decease of the founder in 1885, been ably and vigorously continued by his
son, Mr. H. S. Nazer, the present proprietor, who still however, retains the
original style and title of the firm.
Eligibly located in the Royal Exchange buildings facing the Bank of
England, Mr. Nazer’s place of business, although of but very limited frontage,
presents a singularly attractive appearance, by reason of the striking array of
choice cutlery, and articles coming under the head of fancy jewellery,
en evidence in his neat show
window. The shop itself, of small
dimensions, is well arranged to hold and display a particularly choice
selection of similar goods, including table cutlery, hunting and sportsmen’s
knives, pocket knives, razors, scissors, and steel goods generally of the best
Sheffield and London makes, in additional to fancy jewellery and bijouteric
of every description, a goodly stock of goods being held in the ware-rooms
of the mezzanine floor, in the same building.
Cutlery, of course, forms the most salient characteristic of Mr. Nazer’s
business, especially in the matter of hollow-ground razors; and repairs of all
kinds are efficiently and economically executed by his staff of expert
craftsmen. The name of Nazer has long
been closely and creditably identified with the last-named department, and it
may safely be stated that there are few firms in London that can complete with
his for excellence of work, particularity in the department of razor grinding
and setting, in which it is estimated that an average of over five thousand
razors are rest per annum. The
high reputation of this typical cutlery establishment has always been its best
advertisement; and it is manifest the Mr. H. S. Nazer spares no effort to
sustain and enhance the high prestige of his house, and to continue to deserve
the confidence and liberal support of the old-established and influential
connection which he now so deservedly enjoys.”
To
date only one Avery style needle case has been found with the G. Nazer
name. The Penny Stamp was registered in
1874 by the Birmingham die sinker and stamper Buncher & Haseler. This Birmingham firm registered 14 Avery
style needle cases designs, the most of any single company in Birmingham area,
second only to William Avery himself.
The G. Hazer name is stamped inside the Penny Stamp and includes the
Royal Exchange London address as seen in the photograph on the right. The registration documents indicate this item
was a case to hold postage stamps and needles.
The Nazer Owners
George Nazer[13]
was born in 1831 in Dover, Kent to Daniel and Maria Nazer. By the time he was 26 years old he moved to
the south London area of Southwark and had 2 children with Amy Race: William
George who died at age 2 and Henry Samuel.
In 1867 he married Amy Race in the Hackney section of north London where
the Nazer family spent the rest of their lives.
Most likely they moved to this area because it was closer to George’s
cutler business at the Royal Exchange. George spent his entire adult life
working as a cutler. He died at age 54
in 1886 of disease of the cerebral arteries and apoplexy in Ramsgate, Kent a
seaside resort, presumably while on vacation.
George’s estate valued at £3,110 was proved by his wife and son Henry. After his death, Amy remained in the Hackney
area moving to Mount Pleasant Lane by 1901 where she lived with her niece. Amy
died there in 1912 at age 76 and left an estate of £284
to her son.
The
only surviving child of George and Amy Nazer was Henry Samuel Nazer[14]
who was born in 1859 in Southwark. Henry
lived with his parents during his youth and in 1883 at age 25 married Clara
Blomfield in Hackney. It seems most
likely that he joined his father’s cutlery business around the time the firm
expanded to include fancy jewelry because Henry was listed as a jeweler on his
marriage record as was his father George. At first the family lived in the West Ham
section of north London where their 2 children were born: Harry Claud, and
Winifred Ethel. By 1891 Henry was working
as a cutler employer and the family moved to Stamford Hill in Hackney where
they remained for many years. In 1912
Clara died at age 49 in Hackney and less than a year later in 1913 Henry married his second wife Grace Gertrude
Sutton in Dover, Kent. Henry and Grace
had 1 child Alice Amy in 1915 in the Edmonton section of north London. Fifteen years later in 1930 Henry died in
Edmonton at age 73 and left an estate of £704 to his wife.
Grace and their daughter Alice were living together in neighboring
Southgate in 1939 with a relative of Grace’s, probably her sister. In 1956 Grace died at age 93 in Aldershop, Hampshire and left her estate of £108
to her daughter Alice.
Harry
Claud Nazer[15]
was born in 1885 in West Ham, the son of Henry and Clara Nazer. He also spent much of his life working in the
cutlery business like his father and grandfather. In 1910 he married Kathleen Winifred
Dacres-Smith in Hackney and they had 4 children
between 1911 and 1920 in the Edmonton and Hackney areas: Margaret, Kathleen
Edith, John Henry and Raymond. At some
point between 1911 and 1939 he became known as Henry Claud Nazer. In 1939 Henry was working as a secretary
which seems to indicate he was no longer associated with the Nazer cutlery
business by then. His wife Kathleen died
in 1941 at age 56 in London and left an estate of £1,012
to her husband Henry who was listed as a political agent that year which is
further proof that he no longer was working as a cutler. A year and a half later in 1943 Henry married
his second wife Jane Roberts in New Forest, a town located 92 miles west of
London near Southampton. Henry died
there four years later in 1947 at age 62 of coronary thrombosis and arteria
sclerosis. His estate of £923
was passed to his wife. Henry’s second
wife Jane died 14 years later in neighboring Christchurch, Hampshire in
1961. Her estate of £8,541
was left to her stepdaughter Margaret.
George Nazer:
Genealogy
Generation 1: George Nazer (1831-1886) and Amy Race
(c1836-1912)
·
Born: September 7. 1831 (S1c).
·
Baptized: September
28, 1831 St. Mary The Virgin, Dover, Kent (S1c). Listed as George Nazer with parents Daniel
and Maria Nazer.
·
1841 Census: not found.
·
1851 Census: not found.
·
1861 Census: not found.
·
Marriage: July 6, 1867
Hackney, London (S8m). Listed as George
Nazer age 35 a bachelor and cutler who resided at 9 Acacis
Villas, Grange Road East whose father was Daniel Nazer deceased a hatter and
Amy Race age 31 a
spinster.
· 1868 Tax Records:
Lists George Nazer as a renter of tenement 31 at the Royal Exchange, page 6 (S=London, England,
Land Tax Records, 1692-1932 available at ancestry.com).
· 1871 Census: 71 Malvern Road, Hackney, London (S4). Listed as George Nazer age 39 a cutler born
in Dover, Kent with wife Amy age 36 born in Stonham, Suffolk with 1 child:
Henry, 1 visitor Sarah Race age 5 and 1 servant.
· 1881 Census: 20
Gore Road, Hackney, London (S4). Listed
as George Nazer age 49 a cutler born in Dover, Kent with wife Amy age 45 born
in Stoneham, Suffolk with 1 child: Henry S., 1 niece Sarah A. Race age 16 and 1
servant.
· Death: July 28, 1886
Ramsgate, Thanet, Kent (S8d). Listed as
George Nazer age 54 a gentleman who died at 13 Paragon, Ramsgate of disease of
the cerebral arteries and apoplexy. July
28, 1886 at 13 Paragon, Ramsgate, Kent (S6).
·
Burial: not found.
· Probate: September
3, 1886 Principal Registry (S6). Listed as George Nazer late of Cromer House
20 Gore-road Victoria Park, Hackney and 31 Royal-Exchange, London, a cutler
with effects £3,110 proved
by Amy Nazer of Cromer House the widow and Henry Samuel Nazer of 31
Royal-Exchange the son also a cutler.
·
1891 Census Wife’s: not found.
· 1901 Census
Wife’s: 14 Mount Pleasant Lane, Hackney, London (S4). Listed as Amy Nazer a widow age 64 living on own means born in Stonham, Suffolk with
niece Sarah Race age 32 born in Ipswich, Suffolk.
· 1911 Census
Wife’s: 14 Mount Pleasant Lane, Upper Clapton, N. E., Hackney (S4). Listed as Amy Nazer a widow age 75 living on private means born in Stonham, Suffolk with
niece Sallie Race age 38 born in Ipswich, Suffolk.
· Wife’s Death: 4th
QTR 1912 Hackney (S5d), listed as Amy Nazer age 76. November 7, 1912 (S6).
·
Wife’s Burial: not found.
· Wife’s Probate:
November 29, 1912 London (S6). Listed as Amy Nazer of 14 Mount
Pleasant-lane, Upper Clapton, Middlesex a widow with effects £284 to Henry Samuel Nazer
cutler.
· Children: (S=a
search of the GRO online index for male and female births between 1851-1886
with a mother’s maiden name of Race and these are the only two found).
1.
William
George Nazer (1857-1859). Born: 2nd QTR
1857 Saint Savior, Surrey (GRO-online index), listed as William George Nazer
with mother’s maiden name Race. Death:
2nd QTR 1859 St. George the Martyr Southwark, listed as William George Nazer
age 2.
2.
Henry
Samuel Nazer (1859-1930). See Generation
2.
Generation 2: Henry Samuel Nazer (1859-1930) and Clara
Blomfield (c1863-1912) and Grace Gertrude Sutton (c1874-1956).
· Born: 1st QTR 1859 St. George the Martyr Southwark
(GRO-online index). Listed as Henry
Samuel Nazer with mother’s maiden name Race.
·
Baptized: not found.
·
1861 Census: not found.
· 1871 Census: with parents (S4). Listed as Henry Nazer age 12 born in
Southwark, Suffolk.
· 1881 Census: with
parents (S4). Listed as Henry S. Nazer
age 22 with no occupation born in Southwark, Suffolk.
· Marriage #1: November 13, 1883 St.
Peter, Hackney, London (S3). Listed as
Harry Samuel Nazer age 25 a bachelor and jeweller who
resided at Buckingham Road whose father was George Nazer a jeweller
and Clara Blomfield age 20 a spinster.
· 1891 Census: 30
East Bank, Stamford Hill, Hackney, London (S4).
Listed as Henry S. Nazer age 32 a cutler employer born in Westminster,
London with wife Clara age 26 born in New Cross, London, 2 children: Harry C.
and Winney E. and 1 servant.
· 1901 Census: 30
East Bank, Stamford Hill, Hackney, London (S4).
Listed as Henry S. Nazer age 41 a cutler working on own account born in
Surrey with wife Clara age 36 born in London, 1 child: Winifred E.
· 1911 Census: 30
East Bank, Stamford Hill, Hackney, London (S4).
Listed as Henry Nazer age 51 a cutler working on own account born in
Surrey with wife Clara age 46 born in Hackney, 1 child: Wininie
Mervin and 2 grandchildren: Frank Mervin and Grace Mervin. Henry and Clara were married 27 years and had
2 children who were both still living. (Note: Henry’s forename is incorrectly
listed in the census index as Hyman).
· Wife #1’s December
1, 1912 Hackney, London (S8d). Listed as Clara Nazer age 49 the wife of
Henry Samuel Nazer a cutler master who died at 30 East Bank, Stamford Hill of
spinal hyperemia.
·
Wife #1’s Probate: not found.
· Wife #1’s Burial: not found.
· Marriage #2:
August 28, 1913 Dover, Kent (S8m). Listed as Henry Samuel Nazer age 53 a widow
and cutler who resided at Brittenham, Palmer Green whose father was George
Nazer decease a cutler and Grace Gertrude Sutton age 39 a spinster.
· Death: 4th QTR 1930 Edmonton, Essex (S5d). Listed as Henry S. Nazer age 73. December 11,
1930 at the North Middlesex Hospital Edmonton (S6).
·
Burial: not found.
· Probate: July 4, 1931 London (S6).
Listed as Henry Samuel Nazer of Oakmead Hazelwood-lane, Palmers Green,
Middlesex with effects £704
to Grace Gertrude Nazer widow.
· 1939 Register: 33
Avondale Road, Southgate, Middlesex (S9).
Listed as Grace. G. Nazer a widow born March 3, 1874
with personal occupation as unpaid domestic duties with Alice A. Nazer Johnson
born March 25, 1915 and Emily S. Sutton born October 16, 1860. (Note: the surname is incorrectly listed in
the census index as Nayer).
· Wife #2’s Death:
1st QTR 1956 Aldershot, Hampshire (S5d).
Listed as Grace G. Nazer age 81. January 11, 1956
at the District Hospital in Yatchley, Hampshire (S6).
·
Wife #2’s Burial: not found.
· Wife #2’s Probate:
May 4, 1956 Norwich (S6). Listed as Grace Gertrude Nazer of Micton Sandhurst-road, Crowthorne, Berkshire a widow with
effects £108 to Alice Amy Johnson
married woman.
· Children: (S=a
search of the GRO online index for male and female births between 1883-1912
with a mother’s maiden name of Blomfield and for male and female births between
1912-1920 with a mother’s maiden name of Sutton and these are the only three
found).
1.
Harry
Claud Nazer (1885-1947). - See
Generation 3.
2.
Winifred
Ethel Nazer (1886-??). Born: 1st QTR
1886 West Ham (S=GRO online index).
Listed as Winifred Ethel Nazer with mother’s maiden name Blomfield.
1891, 1901 and 1911 Censuses: with parents (S4)
3.
Alice
Amy Nazer (1915-??). Born: 2nd QTR 1915
Edmonton (S=GRO online index). Listed as
Alice Amy Nazer with mother’s maiden name Sutton. 1939 Register: with mother
(S9), listed as Alice A. Nazer Johnson born March 25, 1915. Marriage: 2nd QTR 1947 Windsor, Berkshire
(S5m), listed as Alice A. Nazer and Edward W. Johnson.
Generation 3:
Harry Claud Nazer [aka Henry Claud Nazer] (1885-1947) and Kathleen
Winifred Dacres Smith (c1885-1941) and Jane Roberts (c1884-1961)
· Born: 1st QTR 1885
West Ham (S=GRO online index). Listed as
Harry Claud Nazer with mother’s maiden name Blomfield.
·
Baptized: not found.
· 1891 Census: with
parents (S4). Listed as Harry C. Nazer
age 6 born in Walthauston, Essex
·
1901 Census: not found.
· Marriage #1: September 10, 1910
St. Andrew, Stoke Newington, Hackney (S4).
Listed as Harry Claud Nazer age 25 a bachelor and cutler who resided at
St. Thomas, Clapton whose father was Henry Samuel Nazer a cutler and Kathleen
Winifred Dacres-Smith age 25 a spinster.
· 1911 Census: 48
West Hill, Wandsworth (S4). Listed as
Harry Claude Nazer age 26 a visitor and shopkeeper cutler born in Walthauston, Essex with wife Kathleen Winifred Nazer age 25
born in Tottenham, Middlesex. Harry and
Kathleen had been married 1 year.
· 1939 Register: 24
Stamford Hill Mansions, Hackney, London (S4).
Listed as Henry C. Nazer who was born December 20, 1884
a secretary and wife Kathleen born July 4, 1885 an unpaid domestic duty and
Margaret Nazer born September 25, 1911 and Raymond Nazer born April 29, 1920
(Note: The surname is incorrectly listed in the census index as Hazler).
· Wife #1’s Death:
November 30, 1941 at the Metropolitan Hospital, London
M(S6).
·
Wife #1’s Burial: not found.
· Wife #1’s Probate:
February 14, 1942 Llandudno (S6). Listed as Kathleen Winifred Nazer of 24
Stamford Hill Mansions, London and the Old Bakery,
Elmdon, Essex (wife of Henry Claud Nazer) with effects £1,012 to Henry Claud Nazer political agent.
· Marriage #2: October 23, 1943 New
Forest, Southampton, Hampshire (S8m).
Listed as Henry Claud Nazer age 59 a widower and private secretary who
resided as Tresa Paugescourt Road, Barton-on-Sea
whose father was Henry Samuel Nazer deceased a master cutler and Jane Roberts
age 59 a spinster.
· Death: October 24, 1947 Lymington, New Forest, Southampton, Hampshire (S8d). Listed as Henry Claud Nazer age 62 a retired
parliamentary agent who died at Gowers Court Road, Milton of coronary
thrombosis and arteria sclerosis with R. Nazer his son as the informant. October 24, 1947 (S6).
·
Burial: not found.
· Probate: December
17, 1947 London (S6).
Listed as Henry Claud Nazer of Tresa Powerscourt-road, Barton-on-Sea,
Hampshire with effects £923
to Jane Nazer widow.
· Wife #2’s Death: 1st QTR 1961 Christchurch, Hampshire
(S5d). Listed as Jane Nazer age 77. January 21, 1961 at
Christchurch Hospital, Hampshire (S6).
·
Wife #2’s Burial: not found.
· Wife #2’s Probate:
March 14, 1961Winchester, Chester (S6).
Listed as Jane Nazer of Ashley Lodge Nursing Home, Ashley Road, New
Milton, Hampshire with effects £8,541
to Margaret Jay (wife of Kenneth Jay).
·
Children:
(S=a search of the GRO online index for male and female births between 1910-1930
with a mother’s maiden name of Dacres Smith).
1.
Margaret
Nazer (1911-1980). Born: 4th QTR 1911
Edmonton (S=GRO online index), listed as Margaret Nazer with mother’s maiden
name Dacres-Smith. 1939 Register: with
mother (S9), listed as Margaret Nazer born September 25, 1911
single a public library assistant.
Marriage: 1st QTR 1948 Hackney, London (S5m), listed as Margaret Nazer
and Kenneth Jay. Death: (S2).
2.
Kathleen
Edith Nazer (1914-2008). Born: 1st QTR
1914 Edmonton (S=GRO online index), listed as Kathleen Edith Nazer with
mother’s maiden name Daker-Smith. Death:
(S2).
3.
John
Henry Nazer (1915-1969). Born: 3rd QTR
1915 Edmonton (S=GRO online index), listed as John Henry Nazer with mother’s
maiden name Dacres-Smith. Death: (S2).
4.
Raymond
Nazer (1920-1996). Born: 2nd QTR 1920 Hackney
(S=GRO online index), listed as Raymond Nazer with mother’s maiden name
Dacres-Smith. 1939 Register: with mother
(S9), listed as Raymond Nazer born on April 29, 920 single a divinity of St.
undecipherable. Death: (S2).
Avery
style needle cases stamped with the G. Nazer name.
1.
Penny
Stamp - Ornamental design #281428 registered on March 28, 1874
by Buncher & Haseler of Birmingham, UK (S=TNA, Kew).
