Lot Essay
Samuel Stretch is thought to be related to one Peter Streetch who was born in about 1670 and worked in Leek, about 30 miles south of Manchester. Peter then emigrated to Philadelphia where he joined a fellow Quaker by the name of Abel Cottey from Devon and became one of America's pioneer clockmakers. They had a shop on the corner of Front and Chesnut Street which became known as 'Peter Stretch's corner'. Samuel is thought to have worked in Leek for a time before joining Peter in Philadelphia in 1711.