Joseph Hartill was a Miller who was born on 25 Mar 1805 in Dudley and died on 1 May 1859 in Oldbury. His father was Joseph Hartill, a Dudley pawnbroker and businessman. His mother was Ann Pitt.
Joseph Hartill was baptised on 6 Mar 1808 in St Thomas Dudley, one of three brothers. It would appear that together with his older brother John they set up a Brass founding and fender business in King Street Dudley, adjacent to their father’s own business. On 1 Nov 1831 at All Saints, West Bromwich, he married Sarah Cheshire, whose family were wealthy maltsters and millers in Oldbury..
Pigots directory of 1835 shows the Hartill businesses side by side in King street Dudley. The two sons’ brass founding and fender business also gives a London address of 148 Old Street where it would appear John Hartill the older brother operated and resided.
The Wolverhampton Chronicle 30 Sep 1835 next reveals a damaging blow to the business and its integrity. Joseph Hartill was arrested and charged with being in possession of ‘copper bolts with the bread arrow mark’ discovered in a search of his Dudley premises under warrant. These copper bolts could be directly traced back to Woolwich Arsenal and were government property. Joseph explained that they were bought through his London based brother. He was sentenced to three months prison and a fine of £50,
This led to a petition of clemency backed by 92 signatories of people from Dudley. Although he would maintain his innocence, this was to end his business career in Dudley and pose questions about his relations with his brother John.
The next snapshot of what was going on, comes from the 1841 census. It shows that his father died some time in 1839. Joseph’s mother Ann would appear to be living round the corner with her third son James still engaged in the fender business, His brother, John, was in West Smithfield London, still with the same trade. However, Joseph in a career renewal has moved to Oldbury and is described as a Miller.
The 1851 census shows Joseph’s family in full. He is now described as a Master miller. His children are Joseph Edward (b 1834), Sarah Cheshire (b 1835), John Henry (b 1837), Annie (b 1839), Eliza (b 1841), James (b 1843) and Robert (b 1846). The first two children were born in Dudley, whilst he was still in the Fender business. Indeed Sarah Cheshire Hartill must have been born whilst he was in custody. This fact was alluded to in his plea for clemency in May 1836.
Joseph’s father in law, John Cheshire, a maltster, however, was clearly a generous and wealthy man. He seemed keen to put things right for his Hartill grandchildren and was instrumental in putting his son-in-law into a new career. John Cheshire’s 1844 will gives the house, mill and land, where they had moved to, directly to Joseph and Sarah and their heirs. Indeed, Joseph, by a fourth 1843 codicil to the lengthy will, becomes an executor. He is also executor of his mother-in-law, Priscilla Cheshire‘s will of 1848.
The 1836 plea for clemency also indicates that Joseph did not enjoy good health and he was to die at the age of 54.
The Birmingham Daily Post of 3 May 1859 announced the following death:
On the 1st inst, suddenly of apoplexy, aged 54 years, Mr Joseph Hartill of Oldbury, deservedly beloved by his family, and sincerely respected by all who knew him. He was indeed a good father, a kind husband and sincere firend
Joseph Hartill’s will was proved just four days after his death. His two executors in the original 1854 will were his oldest son Joseph Edward Hartill and his son-in-law Walter Showell. However, in a later codicil these two were substituted by the younger sons John Henry and James.
It would appear that just as John Cheshire helped change the career and retrieve the prospects of his son-in-law Joseph Hartill, so too did Joseph Hartill in turn do much to change the career and fortunes of Walter Showell, who was to go on to create a major brewery.
The 1871 census neatly ties and corroborates the history back in together, as James Hartill is shown residing with his widowed sister in law Sarah (nee Cheshire), both aged 63. She is the miller, born in Oldbury and he the brass and iron founder, born in Dudley.
Sources and Notes
- Will of Joseph Hartill. Probate 4 Jun 1859, PCC
- Will of John Cheshire, Probate 3 Jun 1845, PCC (Father in law)
- Aris Birmingham Gazette 10 Jun 1839 – Sale of King Street properties, including one in the occupation of the late Joseph Hartill – gives an idea of Josephs date of death.
- National Archive Kings Bench Petition HO 17/90/53 1836
- Prisoner name: Joseph Hartill.
- Prisoner occupation: Brass fender maker of Dudley, Worcestershire, on his own account.
- Court and date of trial: Court of King’s Bench, 2 May 1836
- Crime: Having metal government stores in his possession.
- Initial sentence: Three months imprisonment and fined £50.
- Petitioner(s): Joseph Hartill (the convict); 92 inhabitants of Dudley [Worcestershire] known to the convict.
- Grounds for clemency (Petition Details): Previous good character; incaution in his dealings rather than dishonesty; bought the metal from his brother (an ironmonger) in the usual course of business at full value; did not know it was illegal to buy government stores; has a family wholly dependent upon him for support; his business is nearly ruined by his incarceration; is of a delicate constitution; unable to pay the fine and costs.
- Additional Information: Held in the King’s Bench prison; occupations of the numerous petition signatories are given.