The
Company
Although
the firm known as W. W. Gould & Sons was first listed as such in 1870[1], its history goes back
much further than that. In fact, it was
recorded in a 1906[2]
history of Worcestershire as one of the oldest needle manufacturers in the
Redditch area. William Gould was listed
as a needle making firm or needle manufacturer from Redditch in city and trade
directories from at least 1820[3] through 1828/29[4]. Then in 1835[5] the business became
William Gould & Son. It was
presumably renamed when William Warner Gould, who was born in 1809, came of age
and joined his father, William Gould, who was born in 1771. It continued as such in 1842[6], however by 1850[7] the business became known
as W. W. Gould. Apparently, the son took
over the business by that time. That
same year Gould had an address in the London area as well,
because the firm appeared in an 1850[8] London directory as from
Redditch and of 72 Wood Street in Cheapside.
Sometime
during the early to mid-1850’s[9] the firm moved from
Redditch to Feckenham, approximately seven miles to the southwest. By then Gould acquired the needle factory
known as Feckenham Mills from George Webb and Sons[10], a Feckenham area needle
manufacturer dating back to 1743[11]. The descendants of George Webb lived near
Feckenham at Brook House during the first half of the 19th century. There originally was an old corn mill near
their home, which presumably was used at one time by the Webb’s to make
needles. This building may have been the
needle scouring mill located at the western end of Mill Lane which was
referenced on old maps of the Feckenham area[12]. The Webb family built a new needle mill
adjacent to Brook House around 1830 which used water power
for needle scouring or pointing. Both
the Webb’s home at Brook House and their Feckenham Mills needle factory became
part of W. W. Gould and the Gould family moved into Brook House sometime before
1871[13]. The Gould firm continued
to be listed as such in 1861[14], however by 1870[15] (see advertisement on
this page) it became known as W. W. Gould & Sons, indicating William
Charles Gould and John Alfred Gould joined their father William Warren Gould in
the business sometime between 1861 and 1870.
In 
1870 the company’s London address was
4 Huggin Lane on Wood Street in Cheapside[16]. After William the
father’s death in 1868, the two sons carried on the business as partners. In 1872[17] they registered a design,
#266573, for a metal needle case which in the registration drawing was named
the Merveille. Unfortunately, no example of it has
ever been located, therefore it is unknown whether it actually
was produced or not. In 1874[18] the Gould firm went to
the High Court of Chancery and had an injunction ordered against a needle maker
in Redditch, also named George Webb, who was using the Webb name and trade mark to create imitations of George Webb & Sons
original needles. Evidently when Gould
acquired the Webb firm, they also acquire the sole rights to produce Webb’s
needles and fish hooks.
William
Charles Gould was selected in 1876[19] by the Worshipful Company
of Needle Makers in London to represent the Feckenham needle manufacturers on a
Committee of Manufacturers at Redditch.
The committee was created to help develop a scheme of prizes that could
be awarded to encourage and develop the art of needle making. The Gould firm continued business throughout
the 1880’s, however the youngest son John moved out of the area by 1891 and the
older son William managed the business by himself until his death in 1907. It is unclear exactly what happened to the firm
after 1907 or who controlled it, but it continued to be listed in a trade
directory in 1912[20]. It appears that the business was eventually
sold to Abel Morrall, another Redditch area needle manufacturer, sometime
before 1927[21],
a time when many of the Redditch area needle manufacturers were being merge to form larger organizations.
Although
much of the Feckenham Mills factory was demolished some years ago, Brook House
still exists today with several outbuildings.
It sits on the west side of the Bow Brook on the north side of Droitwich
Road, a few blocks west of the town of Feckenham. Just east of the house one finds the river
and pond which originally provided power to the factory. In 2015 a replica of the early 19th
century water wheel was placed on the site in its original position and
historic plaques were added to explain the area’s history and provide
information regarding how the factory operated.
In addition, an arched bridge was constructed to take visitors cross the
river to a lovely and peaceful tree lined meadow. Parts of the old scouring mill on Mill Lane
still exist as well and the area is assessible via a
pedestrian walkway from the town’s center.
Photographs of both areas are included in the Images section of this
chapter.
The
Owners
William
Warner Gould was born c1809 in Redditch.
His parents William Gould and Sarah Milward were married at St.
Bartholomew in Tardebigg in 1796 and shortly after their marriage they lived
for a few years in Coventry where their first child was born. However, by 1802 the parents were living in
the Redditch area where they spent the majority of
their lives although William, the father, was originally born in Studley
c1771. William junior presumably learned
the needle business from his father who was listed in census records and trade
directories in Redditch as a needle manufacturer from at least 1820 until at
least 1851. William’s parents had three
children: two older daughters Mary and Helen/Ellen and William junior who was the
youngest. Both Gould families, William senior and William junior, lived next to each other
on Beoley Street in Redditch in the 1840’s and early 1850’s. The mother Sarah died there in 1847 at age 75
and William senior died at age 85 in 1856. Presumably junior inherited his father’s
needle business because the firm was listed as William Gould & Son in 1842
and became W. W. Gould by 1850.
It
appears that William Warner Gould married Elizabeth Gould in 1834 in Tonbridge, Kent. Why
they married so far from home is unknown as are their family ties since they
had the same surname. Perhaps she was a second cousin or had been married to a
relative who passed away, which is possible because she was approximately five
to seven years older than William. Elizabeth
was born in Coundon, Warwickshire, a small town near Coventry. For approximately their first 20 years
together they lived in Redditch where their six children were born: Elizabeth,
William Charles, John Alfred, NK, Emily, and Frank, and where William worked as
a needle manufacturer. Sometime between
1850 and 1855 William and Elizabeth and their children moved to Feckenham where
William acquired Feckenham Mills from the Webb family. Originally the Gould family lived a few
blocks further north of town in the countryside at a place known as Berrow Hill House.
William died there in 1868 at age 59 and he left his estate to his two
sons William Charles Gould and John Alfred Gould who were by then partners in
the family’s needle business. Elizabeth
lived another eighteen years in Feckenham, part of the time she resided with
her son William and his family and her last years were spent with her unmarried
sister-in-law Mary Gould. Elizabeth died
there in 1886 at age 84.
William Charles Gould was born in c1838
in Redditch and lived there with his parents and siblings until around 1855
when the family moved to Feckenham. By
1861 William and his brother John were living on their own on Bridge Street in
Feckenham with their two unmarried aunts, Mary Gould
and Ellen Gould, where they were working as needle manufacturers presumably in
their fathers’ needle factory. By 1871
the two unmarried brothers had moved into Brook House and their mother was
living with them and now their needle factory employed 21 workers. The post
card shown here contains an early photograph of Brook House with Feckenham
Mills on the right side, taken sometime in the early
1900’s[22]. Evidently the brothers or their father made
some type of business arrangement with the owners of the needle factory at that
site, which was originally known as George Webb & Sons Feckenham
Mills. The Webb needle business and the
family farms in the area seem to have passed down from George Webb who died in
1812 to his son Thomas Walker Webb. When
Thomas died in 1861 it passed to his younger brother also named George Webb and
then when George died in 1862, to Thomas’s son-in-law William Foster. In 1862 the Webb estate was valued at £12,000,
which is equivalent to about £1,450,000[23] today.
William
Foster’s daughter, Frances Elizabeth Webb Foster, married William Charles Gould
in 1871 further increasing the bond between the Gould and Webb families. William and Frances lived at Brook House for
the rest of their lives and raised nine children there: William Foster, Irene,
Horace Charles, Hubert Walker W., Norman Webb, Albert George Webb, Reginald
Warner, Edward Octavius and Francis Douglas. William continued to work as a needle
manufacturer employer until his death in 1907 at age 69. He left his estate to his wife who died 15
years later in 1922 at age 69. In turn
Frances left her estate to their two sons William Foster Gould and Norman Webb
Gould. Frances was buried in the
Webb/Foster vault at the church in Feckenham.
William was described as follows in his 1907 obituary[24].
“DEATH OF MR.
WILLIAM C. GOULD. - FUNERAL AT FECKENHAM.
– With much regret we announce the death
of Mr. William Charles Gould, of The Brook, Feckenham, which occurred at his
residence on Friday morning in last week. Mr. Gould had not been in the best of
health for some months, and recently he went to Birmingham and entered an
institution for the purpose of undergoing an important internal operation. Owing to the fact that
his heart was weak it was deemed inadvisable to use an anesthetic, and only a
minor operation was performed. After
leaving the institution Mr. Gould was confined to his bed at his residence, and
the end came somewhat suddenly on Friday morning.”
“The deceased
gentleman would have been 70 years of age had he lived until the day of his
funeral. Mr. Gould was senior partner of
the firm of Messrs. W. W. Gould and
Sons, and Gould and Farr, needle and fish hook
manufacturers, Feckenham Mills. The firm
he was associated with was one of the oldest in the trade, having been started
in 1743, under the style of “George Webb and Sons”. The Gould portion of the
business was formerly carried on at “The Grove,” Redditch, where the Liberal
Club now stands, and was transferred to Feckenham over 40 years ago. Mr. Gould was a well-known personality in the
village and neighborhood around, and was held in high
esteem by a large circle of friends. He
was a kind-hearted man, of a genial disposition, and was always ready to assist
in any deserving cause. Mr. Gould was a
staunch Churchman, and for many years held the position of churchwarden of the
parish church. He was also correspondent
to the managers of the National School, and formerly took a part in the
administration of the parochial charities.
In politics Mr. Gould was a Conservative. He took an active interest in all the
political, social, and religious affairs of the parish, and his loss is mourned
not only by his widow, eight sons and one daughter, but by the whole of the
residents in the village.”
“Amid
many manifestations of regret and sympathy the funeral took place on Tuesday
afternoon. As a mark of respect for the
deceased gentleman blinds were lowered at most of the houses in the village,
and there was a large attendance of parishioners at the church. . . Two of the
deceased gentleman’s sons – Messrs. H. C. and H. W. Gould – were unable to
attend, as they were in South Africa.”
At
least seven of the eight sons of William and Frances Gould did not work in the
needle business and at least six of them moved out of the Feckenham area. William Foster Gould left the area and
settled in Solihull near Birmingham where he worked as a bank manager. When he died in 1964, his remains were
returned to Feckenham and were buried in the Webb/Foster vault at the church
there. Hubert and Reginald immigrated to
South Africa and Horace[25] may have moved there as
well. Norman move
to Bradley a town west of Feckenham where he became a school attendance
officer. Albert was killed in Flanders
in 1917 during World War I and Francis immigrated to the USA settling in
Detroit, Michigan.
John
Alfred Gould, the youngest son of William Warner Gould, was born in 1839 in
Redditch. He lived with his parents in
his early years, then with his older brother William Charles Gould in his
middle years where he was a partner with his brother in their needle
manufacturing business in Feckenham.
John married Fanny Gilbert in 1874 in Bradley. Fanny was originally from somewhere in
Warwickshire, but was living in Hanbury, a town a few miles northwest, at the
time of their marriage. The couple lived
at Bradley Villa in the neighboring town of Stock and Bradley where John
continued to work as a needle and fish hook
master. John and Fanny had no
children. By 1891 John and Fanny had moved
to Kings Norton near Birmingham were John worked as a commission agent. Fanny died there in 1893 at age 42. John died six years later in 1899 at age 59
at Balsall Heath near Birmingham where he was listed as a wine merchant and
traveler.
William W. Gould & Sons (W. W. Gould &
Sons): Genealogy
Generation 1: William Gould (c1771-1856) and Sarah Milward
(c1776-1847)
· Born: c1771 Studley (S4).
·
Baptized: not found.
· Marriage: January
14, 1796 St. Bartholomew, Tardebigg (S1m). Listed as William Gould and Sarah Milward.
· 1841 Census: Beoley
Street, Redditch (S4). Listed as Wm
Gould age 70 needle m, not born in the county with Sarah age 65 born in the
county and Helen age 35 not born in the county.
· Wife’s death: March 31, 1847
Bromsgrove at age 75 (S8d). Listed as
Sarah Gould who died in Redditch and was the wife of William Gould a
manufacturer.
· 1851 Census: 31
Beoley Street, Redditch (S4). Listed as William Gould age 80 needle
manufacturer, born in Studley with daughter Ellen age 49 born in Redditch.
(Note: surname is incorrectly listed in the census index as Gauld).
· Death: November 22, 1856
Bromsgrove at age 86 (S8d). Listed as
William Gould a needle manufacturer who died in Redditch.
·
Probate: not found.
· Children:
1.
Mary
Gould (c1797-after 1881) born in Coventry (S4).
Living with her brother in 1851, with her nephew in 1861, and with her
sister-in-law Elizabeth Gould in 1881 (S4).
2.
Ellen/Helen
Gould (c1802/06-after 1861) born in Redditch (S4). Living with her nephew in
1861.
3.
William
Warner Gould (c1809/11-1868) - see generation 2.
Generation 2: William Warner Gould (c1809-1868) and
Elizabeth Gould (c1802-1886)
· Born: c1809/11 (S4) (S6).
·
Baptized not found:
· Marriage: 1834 Tonbridge, Kent (S1m).
Listed as William Warner Gould and Elizabeth Gould.
· 1841 Census: Beoley Street, Redditch (S4). Listed as William Gould age 30 needle m, not
born in the county with wife Elizabeth age 35 not born in the county and 4
children all born in the county: Elizabeth, Wm, John and NK and Mary Gould age
40 not born in the county. (Note: this
family is only a few households away from William’s parents).
· 1851 Census: 32
Beoley Street, Redditch (S4). Listed as William W. Gould age 42 needle
manufacturer, born in Redditch with wife Elizabeth age 49 born in Caunden, Warwick and 3 children all born in Redditch:
Elizabeth, Emily Mary and Frank and sister-in-law Mary Gould age 54 unmarried
born in Coventry. (Note: surname is misspelled as Gauld
in the census index. This Gould family
was living next door to William’s father).
· 1861 Census: 32 Berrow Hill House, Feckenham (S4). Listed as Willm
Warner Gould age 52 needle and fish hook ??
(undecipherable), born in Redditch with wife Elizabeth age 59 born in Couden, Warwick and 1 child: Emily Mary.
· Death: 2nd QTR 1868 at age 59 Alcester (S5d). Listed as
William Warner Gould. June 22, 1868 Feckenham (S6).
· Probate: August
26, 1868 Principal Registry (S6). Listed as William
Warner Gould formerly of Redditch late of Feckenham needle manufacturer prove
by William Charles Gould and John Alfred Gould of Feckenham needle manufacturer
the sons. Effect: under £4,000,
resworn 1871 under £5,000.
· Burial: June 25, 1868 Feckenham (S7).
· Death Notice: June
27, 1868 Redditch Indicator newspaper, listed as
William Warner Gould (S=on microfilm at the Redditch Library).
· 1871 Census:
living with her son William C. Gould (S4).
Listed as Elizabeth Gould a widow age 69 an
annuitant born in Coundon, Warwickshire.
(Note: the surname is incorrectly
listed in the census index as Goula).
· 1881 Census: 4 Lan Ave, Feckenham (S4). Listed as Elizabeth Gould age 79, a widow
annuitant born in Camden, Warwickshire with a sister Mary Gould age 84
unmarried born in Coventry. (Note: The sister appears to be her sister-in-law).
· Wife’s death:
April 7, 1886 Alcester at age 84 (S8d). Listed as Elizabeth Gould who died in
Feckenham and was the widow of William Warner Gould.
· Children:
1.
Elizabeth
Gould (c1836-??) Born in Redditch (S4).
2.
William
Charles Gould (c1838-1907) - see generation 3.
3.
John
Alfred Gould (1839-1899) - see generation 3.
4.
NK
Gould (c1841-??) Born in Redditch (S4).
5.
Emily
Mary Gould (c1842-??) Born in Redditch (S4).
6.
Frank
Gould (c1843-1864) Born in Redditch (S4).
Baptized: February 4, 1845 Redditch, listed as
Frank Gould with parents listed as William Warner Gould and Elizabeth (S1c).
Buried: December 10, 1864 Feckenham (S7). Listed as Frank Gould.
Generation 3: William Charles Gould (c1838-1907) and Frances
Elizabeth Webb Foster (1852-1922)
· Born: c1838 Redditch (S4) (S6).
· Baptized: April 17, 1838
Redditch (S1c). Listed as William Charles Gould with parents William Warner
Gould and Elizabeth Gould.
· 1841 Census: with
parents (S4). Listed as Wm Gould age 3
born in the county.
·
1851 Census: not found.
· Wife’s Birth: born July 27, 1852, listed as Francis
Elizabeth Webb Foster only daughter of William and Anne Foster (S=Webb/Foster
Vault inside the St. John the Baptist Church in Feckenham).
· 1861 Census: 50
Bridge Street, Feckenham (S4). Listed as
William Charles Gould unmarried age 23 needle manufacturer born in Redditch and
brother John Alfred Gould unmarried age 21 needle manufacturer born in Redditch
with 2 unmarried aunts, Mary Gould age 64 born in Coventry and Ellen Gould age
59 born in Redditch.
· 1871 Census: 156
Brook House, Feckenham (S4). Listed as
William C. Gould unmarried age 33 a needle and fish hook
manufacturer employing 21 work people born in Redditch with brother John A. and
mother Elizabeth. (Note: the surname is
incorrectly listed in the census index as Goula).
· Marriage: 3rd QTR
1871 Alcester (S5m). Listed as William
Charles Gould and Frances Elizabeth W. Foster.
· 1881 Census: 133
Brook House, Feckenham (S4). Listed as
William Charles Gould age 43 senior partner firm W. W. Gould & Sons needle
and fish hook manufacturer employing 40 work people
born in Redditch with wife Francis Elizabeth Webb age 28 born in Feckenham with
6 children all born in Feckenham: William Foster, Irene May, Horace Charles,
Hubert Walker W., Norman Webb and unnamed baby one month old.
· 1891 Census: 126
Brook House, Feckenham (S4). Listed as
William C. Gould age 53 needle and fish hook
manufacturer born in Redditch with wife Fanny E. W. age 38 born in Feckenham
with 6 children all born in Feckenham: William F., Horace C., Hubert W. W.,
Reginald W., Edward O. and Frances D.
· 1901 Census: 1
Alcester Road, Feckenham (S4). Listed as Wm C. Gould age 63 needle and fish hook manufacturer employer born in Redditch with wife
Francis E. W. age 48 born in Feckenham with 6 children all born in Feckenham:
Wm F., Irene M., Horace C., Hubert W. W., Norman W. and Reginald W.
· Death: August 2, 1907 (S6).
· Obituary: August
10, 1907 Redditch Indicator newspaper (S=on microfilm
at the Redditch Library).
· Probate: June 9, 1910 London (S6).
Listed as William Charles Gould of Brook Feckenham to Francis Elizabeth
Webb Gould widow. Effects: £1,386.
· 1911 Census: The Brook, Feckenham (S4). Listed as Frances Elizabeth Webb Gould age 57
a widow living on private means born in Feckenham. Indicates she had 9 children
of which all 9 were still living.
· Wife’s Death: July
19, 1922, listed as Frances Elizabeth Webb Gould, wife of W. C Gould of Brook
House and only daughter of William and Anne Foster (S=Webb/Foster Vault inside
the St. John the Baptist Church in Feckenham).
July 19, 1922 (S6).
· Wife’s
Burial: July 22, 1922
at age 69 Feckenham (S7).
· Wife’s Probate: November
17, 1922 Worcester (S6). Listed as Frances Elizabeth Webb Gould of
Brook House Feckenham to William Foster Gould bank manager and Norman Webb
Gould school attendance officer. Effects:
£1,620.
· Children:
1.
William
Foster Gould (1872-1964). Born in
Feckenham (S4). Baptized: November 28, 1872 Feckenham listed as William Foster Gould with parents
William Charles Gould and Frances Elizabeth Webb (S1c). 1911 Census: Solihull,
Warwickshire (S4) listed as age 38 a bank manager at Lloyds Bank Ltd. with wife
Lillian and 2 children: William Ronald
and Henry Alan. Died March 21, 1964 (S=Webb/Foster
Vault inside the St. John the Baptist Church in Feckenham). Probate: June 4, 1964
Birmingham (S6), listed as of 17 Ashleigh Road, Solihull who died March 21,
1964 to William Ronald Gould a commercial manager and Henry Alan Gould a
chartered surveyor. Effects: £6,131.
2.
Irene
May Gould (c1874-??) Born in Feckenham (S4).
3.
Horace
Charles Gould (1875-??). Born: 3rd QTR
1875 Alcester (S5b) listed as Horace Charles Gould. Baptized: October 10, 1875
Feckenham listed as Horace Charles Gould with parents William Charles Gould and
Frances Elizabeth Webb (S1c).
4.
Hubert
Walker W. Gould (1877-1940). Born: August
24, 1877 Feckenham, Alcester (S8b) listed as Hubert
Walker Webb Gould who was born at The Brook in Feckenham with parents William
Charles Gould a needle manufacturer and Frances Elizabeth Webb Foster. Sailed to South Africa in 1905 and died there
in 1940 (S=ancestry.com ship passenger lists and South Africa Estate Death
Notice Index and S=2. Listed in death
notice as Hubert Walker Webb Gould).
5.
Norman
Webb Gould (c1879/80-1971) in Feckenham (S4). 1911 Census: The Villa, Bradley
Villa, Bradley Green, Droitwich listed as age 31 a school attendance officer
born in Feckenham with wife Sarah who was born in India (S4). 1939 England
Register: The Villa, Bradley Green, Droitwich, listed as born May 12, 1879 a school attendance officer with wife Sarah and son
William (S=ancestry.com). Death: 4th QTR
1971 at age 92 Evesham (S5d) listed as born May 12, 1879. Probate: April 13, 1972
Oxford (S6). Listed as Norman Webb Gould
of The Ville Bradley Green, Redditch who died November 28, 1971, Effects: £2,370.
6.
Alfred
George Webb Gould (1881-1917). Born March 25, 1881
Alcester (S8b) listed as Alfred George Webb Gould who was born at The Brook in
Feckenham with parents William Charles Gould a needle manufacturer and Frances
Elizabeth Webb Foster. Death: June 7, 1917 in France
and Flanders, listed as Alfred George Webb Gould born in Feckenham (S=UK
Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-1919 on Ancestry.com and in the Fallen
Soldiers Walk leaflet available at www.feckenhamww1.org.uk).
7.
Reginald
Warner Gould (1883-1967). Born: 2nd QTR 1883 Alcester (S5b) listed as Reginald
Warner Gould. Death: 1967 South Africa,
listed as Reginald Warner Gould (S=ancestry.com South Africa Estates Death
Notice Index).
8.
Edward
Octavius Gould (c1887-??) Born in Feckenham (S4). 1901 Census: Christs Hospital, Newgate Street, London listed as Edward Octavius Gould age
14 a scholar born in Feckenham with a disability (S4).
9.
Francis
Douglas Gould (1890-??). Born: May 13, 1890 Alcester
(S8b) listed as Francis Douglas Gould who was born at The Brook in Feckenham
with parents William Charles Gould a needle manufacturer and Frances Elizabeth
Webb Foster. 1911 Census: Portsmouth, Hampshire listed as age 20 an able seaman
born in Feckenham (S4). Naturalized in Detroit, Michigan USA on November 8,
1927, listed as Frances Douglas Gould who was born May 13, 1890
in Feckenham (S=acestry.com).
Generation 3: John Alfred Gould (1839-1899) and Fanny
Gilbert (c1852-1893)
· Born: 4th QTR 1839
Bromsgrove (S5b) Listed as John Alfred Gould.
· Baptized: December 27, 1839
Redditch (S1c). Listed as John Alfred
Gould with parents William Warner Gould and Elizabeth Gould.
· 1841 Census: with parents (S4). Listed as John Gould age 1 born in county.
·
1851 Census: not found.
· 1861 Census: with
brother William Charles Gould (S4). Listed as John Alfred Gould age 21 needle
manufacturer born in Redditch.
· 1871 Census:
living with brother William C. Gould (S4).
Listed as John A. Gould unmarried age 31 a partner born in Redditch.
(Note: the surname is incorrectly listed
in the census index as Goula).
· Marriage: August 13,
1874 Bradley, Droitwich (S8m). Listed as John Alfred Gould and Fanny
Gilbert. John is listed with no
occupation and his father is listed as William Warner Gould also listed with no
occupation. Fanny is listed as from Hanbury.
· 1881 Census: 3
Bradley Villa, Stock and Bradley, Droitwich (S4). Listed as John Alfred Gould age 41 needle and
fish hook master born in Redditch with wife Fanny age
29 born in Needley??, (undecipherable) Warwickshire.
· 1891 Census: 98
New Road, Kings Norton (S4). Listed as
John Alfred Gould age 51 commission agent born in Redditch with wife Fanny age
39 born in Yardley?? (undecipherable), Warwickshire. (Note: wife’s name is incorrectly listed in
the census index as Hanny).
· Wife’s death: May
29, 1893 at age 42 Aston, Warwickshire (S8d). Listed as Fanny Gould who died at 236 Albert
Rd. in Aston Manor and who was the wife of John Albert Gould who was of
independent means and who was the informant.
· Death: June 24, 1899 Kings
Norton (S8d). Listed as John Alfred
Gould age 59 of Dennis Road Balsall Heath, Birmingham a wine merchant and
traveler with Amy Sara Bayley present at death.
·
Probate: not found.
· Children: None
Additional information about Thomas Webb, George Webb
and William Foster showing the connection between the Webb and Gould Families.
· Probate:
September 18, 1882 Worcester (S6): Listed as
William Foster of Dunstall Court Feckenham, gentleman who died December 2, 1879
at Dunstall Court proved by William Charles Gould Feckenham Needle manufacturer
the surviving executor. Personal estate £20.
· Death and Burial: died December 24, 1879 William Foster of Dunstall Court and died December 6,
1881 Anne wife of William Foster and only daughter of Thomas Walker Webb (S=Webb/Foster
Vault inside the St. John the Baptist Church in Feckenham).
· Marriage: 3rd QTR 1871 Alcester (S5m). Listed as William Charles Gould and Frances
Elizabeth W. Foster.
· 1871 Census: 15 Dunstall Court, Feckenham (S4). Listed
as William Foster age 64 a farmer of 120 acres employing 6 labourers born in
Pershore with wife Ann age 589 born in Feckenham and 2 children: Edward W. W. age 22 and Frances El. Webb age 18
both born in Feckenham. (Note: the census index incorrectly lists Frances as
Henry E. H. Webb Foster).
· Probate: February 21, 1862
Worcester (S6): Lists as George Webb
late of Astwood Court in Feckenham gentleman deceased September 5, 1861 at
Astwood Court proved by Reverend Richard Hunt Ingram of Upper Arley in the County of Stafford clerk Thomas Tomkins of
Droitwich gentlemen and Willian Foster of Feckenham gentleman, the
executors. Effects: under £12,000
· Death and Burial: died September 5, 1861 George Webb Esq. of Astwood Court (S=Webb/Foster Vault
inside the St. John the Baptist Church in Feckenham).
· Probate: March 22, 1861
Worcester (S6): Listed as Thomas Walker
Webb late of Feckenham gentlemen deceased December 23, 1860 at Feckenham proved
by George Webb of Feckenham gentlemen the brother and Thomas Tomkins of
Droitwich gentleman, two of the executors.
Effects: under £7,000.
· Death and Burial: died December 23, 1860 Thomas Walker Webb Esq. late of Brook House and
Dunstall Court (S=Webb/Foster Vault inside the St. John the Baptist Church in
Feckenham).
· 1861 Census: 124 Silver Street, Feckenham (S4). Listed as William Foster age 53 a farmer of
90 acres employing 4 lab. born in Pershore with wife
Ann age 49 born in Feckenham and 2 children:
Edward age 12 and Frances Elizabeth age 8 both born in Feckenham.
· 1861 Census: 34 Astwood Court,
Feckenham (S4). Listed as George Webb
unmarried age 73 a farmer with 400 acres employing 5 labourers and 3 boys born
in Feckenham.
· Baptism: October 11, 1853
Feckenham (S1c). Listed as Frances
Elizabeth Webb Foster with parents William and Ann Foster.
· 1851 Census: 90, Feckenham (S4). Listed as Thomas W. Webb age 70 widow a needle
and fish hook manufacturer born in Feckenham with
William Foster son-in-law age 42 born in Pershore and Anne Foster wife age 39
born in Feckenham and Edward W. W. son 2 born in Feckenham.
· 1851 Census: 10 Astwood Court, Feckenham (S4). Listed as George Webb unmarried age 63 a farmer
with 420 acres employing 13 labourers born in Feckenham.
· Baptism: September 20, 1849
Feckenham (S1c). Listed as Edward Walker
Webb Foster with parents William and Ann Foster.
· Will: March 7, 1812 Feckenham (S6).
Listed as George Webb of Feckenham with wife Sarah and 5 children: Ann,
Thomas Walker, Joseph Walker, John and George.
· Baptism: December 29, 1787
Feckenham (S1c). Listed as George Webb
with parents George and Sarah Webb.
Needle Related Patents
and/or Design Registrations made by Gould
· 1872 Provisional
Design: #1068 March 11, 1872 and Registered Design:
#266573 September 24, 1872 metal needle case.
The design drawing indicates this needle case has the word “Merveille” on it.
(S=The National Archives, Kew).
Listed as W. W. Gould & Sons Feckenham Mills.
· 1878 Patent: #9876
a class 13 item registered between 11 am 17 January 1878. Listed as W. W. Gould
and Sons (S=patent journals at books.google.com).
Avery style needle
case patented/registered by Gould: Merveille.
