James Oatley

James Oatley Snr (c. 1769–1839) was a British-born colonial Australian watch and clock maker and one-time convict.

He is considered one of Australia’s most important early clock and watchmakers who was best known for his longcase clocks as well as for the building the turret clock at Sydney's Hyde Park Barracks.

On 25 October 1821, he was given a conditional pardon. In this record, Oatley is mentioned as a "native of Warwickshire", and a physical description is also provided; he is described as being pale, with dark brown hair, grey eyes, 5'5", and "stout" (with the remainder of the instrument of pardon being difficult to read). the Parish record of his burial gives James' age as 70 years.

Additionally Oatley and his family's and his children's legacy has been reflected via geography. In 1903, the southern Sydney suburb of Oatley was named after the family. Prior to that, the area west of the railway line was known as New Oatley's, which was a sub-district of Hurstville, and Oatley Platform; east of the railway line was known as Oatley's, which was a sub-district of Kogarah. In 1905, Frederick Street, Oatley, named after Frederick Stokes Oatley, was constructed as the main street of the new suburb. James Oatley (1817–1878) was a coach builder and engineer by trade. James married Eleanor Johnson (also known as Ellen, Helena, and Emily), with whom he had eight children. After Eleanor's death, James married Margaret Curtis, with whom he had one daughter Frederick Stokes Oatley (1819–1890) was a watchmaker and Inspector of Abattoirs. James Snr gave to Frederick his watchmaking business in George Street, Sydney, and Needwood Forest. Frederick "Dudley" Weedon Oatley (1884–28 March 1919) was the grandson of Frederick Stokes Oatley. Frederick actually died from a massive hydatid cyst in his thoracic cavity, compressing his heart and lungs and resulting in widespread gangrene (Death Certificate).