William Hall & Co. (aka W. Hall & Co.):  History

 

The Company

According to the advertisement pictured below from the Victorian Period[1], William Hall & Co.  was established in 1820[2], however, the company was not listed in city and trade directories until 1842[3].  There was a William Hall listed in 1840[4] as one of fifty-seven needle manufacturers from the Redditch area who signed a memorial presented to the House of Commons Board of Trade.  An article, written in 1914[5] about the company, indicates it was founded in 1825 by William Hall, who was succeeded by John Morgan in 1848, followed by John Morgan and George Chambers Morgan (sons) in 1890 and was incorporated as a limited Company in 1895.   The directors in 1914 were listed as John Morgan, Harry Herbert Knowles and George Charles King.  In the early 1900’s Hall took over a number of other needle companies in the Redditch area and in the 1920’s became known as Amalgamated Needles and Fish Hooks[6].  In 1930 they joined the firm of H. Milward and Sons which became known as ENTACO (English Needle and Fishing Tackle Co, Ltd).  This business was renamed Needle Industries in 1946 and was purchased by Coats Patons Ltd in 1973[7]. 

 

During the 1870’s and 1880’s the firm had two needle factories[8], Central Works in Studley and Ragley Mills in Alcester, two towns not far from Redditch.  Central Works, which was Hall’s main factory, occupied a large space on the east side of High Street and the west side of the Alcester Road just north of Marble Alley near the center of Studley, south of Prior Square[9].  Ragley Mills was located four miles further south on the Arrow River just east of the Birmingham Road on Ragley Mill Lane in Alcester.  Hall acquired Ragley Mills sometime prior to 1870[10] and most likely used this building to scour needles until the mill passed to new owners near the end of the 19^th century[11].  In 1871 the firm employed 120[12] people which increased to 150[13] by 1881.  Hall registered the elephant as their trade mark[14].  The company acquired or established a third factory, Minerva Works, on Mt. Pleasant in Redditch sometime before 1912[15].  In 1914 the Hall factory in Studley covered about two acres and had 400-500[16] employees. The Central Works factory was demolished at the beginning of World War II[17].  As of 2019 the space where the building originally stood is under construction.  The Ragley Mills millhouse and other buildings were remodeled in the late 1980’s[18] into a series of townhouses which exist to this day.  It is unclear exactly where their Minerva Works factory was located as the only needle factories found on Mt. Pleasant on old maps were Crescent Needle Mills and Mt. Pleasant Needle Mills.

 

The Owners

William Hall was born circa 1806 possibly in Ireland[19].  He was living in Studley in 1829 when he married Francis Hunt.  William and Francis had eight children who were all baptized in Studley except the first one who was baptized in Alcester: Jane (1), Ann (1832-1892), William (1833-1892), Helen, Thomas (1), Henry, Jane (2) and Thomas (2).  Jane (1) and Thomas (1) died as children.  If William, in fact, established the company it is unlikely he did so in 1820 as he would have only been fourteen years old that year.  It seems much more likely that he arrived in the Studley area that year and entered some aspect of the needle trade establishing the company several years later.  He is listed in the 1841 census as a “Needle M” in Studley.  Frances died in 1850 at age 42 and William died a year later in 1851 at age 45.  In his will William was listed as a needle manufacturer from Studley who left “all the real and personal estate” to his “son William Hall of Studley aforesaid needle maker and John Morgan of the same place commercial clerk”.

 

The eldest daughter, Ann Hall, who was born in Studley in 1832, married John Morgan in 1851, six months after her father’s death.  John was born in Poplar, Middlesex in 1829[20] and moved to the Studley area prior to 1851.  Unfortunately, because Morgan is such a common name and because Poplar is a village in East London, a highly populated area, it is extremely difficult to locate additional information about the origin of the Morgan family.  In 1861 John was listed as a commercial clerk however by 1871, he became a needle manufacturer employing 120 which increased to 150 by 1881.  Sometime between 1861 and 1871 John took over the W. Hall & Co business probably around the time his brother-in-law, William Hall, left the U.K.  The needle display[21] shown here was most like created during this time.  Mr. John Morgan was listed as the head of the company in 1884 when he and others represented the Redditch manufacturers at a meeting of the Worshipful Company of Needle Makers in London[22].  The Worshipful Company of Needlemakers was originally organized as a trade association in London and was given a Letters Patent by Oliver Cromwell in 1656, and a Royal Chart in 1664[23].  The Morgan family lived on Henley Street in Alcester at first but moved to Alcester Road in Studley by 1871.  John and Ann had nine children: Emma, Helen, John (1858-1916), Kathleen, William, Carrie, George (1865-1904), Mary and Ethel.  Sometime between 1881 and 1891 the Morgan family moved to Moseley Lodge on Alcester Road in Moseley, about 13 miles north of Studley and 3 miles south of the Birmingham city center.  John died there in 1890, at age 61 and was listed as a needle manufacturer in his will.  John left his estate, valued at £18,138, to his sons John Morgan of Hyde House Redditch and George Chambers Morgan of Mosley Lodge, both needle manufacturers who took over the W. Hall & Co. business.   Ann continued to live in Moseley with several of her children, including her son George, until her death two years later in 1892 at age 60.  John’s obituary[24] reads as follows:

 

“DEATH OF MR. JOHN MORGAN. – We have, with deep regret, to announce the death of Mr. John Morgan, of Studley, which took place at his residence, Moseley Lodge, Birmingham, at ten o’clock on Monday morning.  It is now forty-two years since Mr. John Morgan came to Studley from London, as manager to the firm of George Chambers and Sons.  Some thirty years ago he acquired, by purchase, the business of Messrs. William Hall and Co., which he had since carried on.  Until about three years ago he resided at the Manor House, Studley.  Exactly ten weeks ago last Monday Mr. Morgan was in his hall, preparing to start as usual to business when he fell down stricken by paralysis.  Three or four days subsequently, mortification set in, and although the sufferer was attended by Dr. Bennett May, Dr. Suckling, Dr. Page of Redditch, and Dr. Underhill, of Moseley, there was never any prospect of his recovery.  He lingered much longer than usually happens in such cases, suffering but little pain, and being frequently unconscious, “passing thought nature to eternity,” as has been stated above, exactly ten weeks, almost to the minute, after he was first attacked by the fatal malady to which his death was attributable.  In the forty-two years during which he had resided in Studley, he had deservedly gained general respect, and it is safe to assert that, while many will deeply feel his loss, he has not left behind him a single enemy,  The most sincere sympathy will be entertained for the members of his family, who are all well-known in the district, in their heavy bereavement.  On Thursday, January 30^th, the remains of the deceased gentleman were interred in the family vault in Studley Churchyard.”   

 

The oldest son William Hall (pictured on the next page[25]) was born in Studley in 1833.  When the census was taken after his father died in 1851, he was listed as 18 years old, the head of the household, a needle manufacturer living on Alcester Road in Studley with his 19-year-old sister Ann and two younger sisters.  At some point after 1851, possibly in 1854 in order to take part in the gold rush, William immigrated to Victoria, Australia where he married Catherine Taprell in 1872 in Melbourne.  William and Catherine had 10 children:  William, Henry, Isabella, Frances, Catherine, Edward, Frederick, Arthur, a daughter who passed away at birth and Helen.  He died at Kangaroo Flat, Victoria, Australia at age 59 in 1892.

 

John Morgan, who was born in 1858 in Studley, joined his father, also named John Morgan, in the family business by 1881, the first year in which he was listed as a needle manufacturer.  At the time he was living with his parents at the Manor House (pictured below[26]) in Studley.  In 1886 he married Annie Charlotte Hartridge in Survey.  By 1891 the Morgans had settled on Bromsgrove Road in Redditch and had one child, Margorie, who was born in 1889 in Redditch.  They moved to Plymouth Road in Bromsgrove by 1901 and later settled on Plymouth Road in neighboring Barnt Green.  In 1911 the Morgan family was vacationing in Bournemouth where John was listed as the director of a needle company.  At the time Bournemouth was known for its great natural beauty and as a health resort which attracted many middle and upper class vacationers.   John died at age 58 in 1916 at St. Leonard-on-Sea near Hastings, another seaside resort area and was buried in the cemetery surround the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin in Studley where his gravestone can be found[27].  He left his estate valued at £25,774 to his wife and Charles Eric Addington Hartridge barrister-at-law (probably a nephew-in-law) and Harry Herbert Knowles (a brother-in-law and needle manufacturer from Alcester who may have taken over the W. Hall & Co business) and Gerald Beesley[28] (aka Bessly) another manufacturer.  Annie moved to the Kensington, Middlesex (the London area) and passed away in 1921 leaving her assets of £1,461 to her daughter.  John’s obituary[29] below gives a much more detailed account of his life:

 

“DEATH OF MR. JOHN MORGAN, J.P. – CLOSE OF AN ACTIVE LIFE – With regret which will be felt throughout the district, we have to record the death of Mr. John Morgan J.P., of Holme Mead, Barnt Green, who passed away at St. Leonard’s-on-Sea on Saturday, after a long illness.  Although the fact of Mr. Morgan’s indisposition was well known, few were prepared for so sad an outcome closing so busily spent and useful a life, and the news of his death came as a shock to all in the town and neighbourhood.  As one of the leading manufacturers of the district he was prominently connected with its business life, and was as highly respected for his considerate fairness and unfailing tact and courtesy as he was admired for his very marked abilities.  For several decades he has been one of the best known men in local public life. He has figured prominently among those to whose efforts is due the industrial development of Redditch and district and for this, and for other most useful public work, his name must always stand high in the list of those whose names and memories are honoured.”

 

“Mr. Morgan, who was 58 years of age, was the son of the late Mr. John Morgan, Manor House, Studley, and received his education at the old Alcester Grammar School and at Cambridge House, Birmingham.  After leaving school he entered his father’s business – Messrs. William Hall and Company, Studley.  Upon the death of his father the business came under his control, and under his capable direction showed rapid expansion.  Mr. Morgan possessed in a very marked degree all those qualities which go to the making of a successful business man, showing a quick and accurate judgement, a grasp of technicalities which had more the appearance of intuition than of ordinary intelligent comprehension, and anticipation of public taste and needs, an inflexible will, and the rare and invaluable gifts of order and organization.  His powers of intellect were of an unusually high order and these powers were employed successfully not only in business but in the furtherance of the large amount of public work he undertook.  In addition to the firm of Messrs. William Hall and Company, Limited, Studley, Mr. Morgan was interested in many other business undertakings. He was the chairman of the directors of Amalgamated Needles and Fish Hooks, Limited, of Messrs. T. Harper and Sons, Limited, and was for some years chairman of the directors of the Redditch Indicator Company, Limited.”

 

“Heavy as were his business responsibilities, and closely as he attended to them, Mr. Morgan found time to devote to much important public work.  His appetite in this direction appeared insatiable.  From quite an early age, he showed a keen interest in political questions and he had scarcely reached manhood ere this interest manifested itself in the public advocacy of the principle of his political faith. He held strongly formed Liberal views, his attention being directed principally to economic and fiscal questions.  His range of readings upon these matters was wide and to his knowledge of authoritative utterances he brought a mass of experience which made him a strong opponent in debate.  As a public speaker he displayed considerable forensic power, had an extraordinary memory, a clear and effective delivery, marshalled his points and facts in a style which evidenced careful preparation, and spoke with a force and animation carrying that conviction of sincerity which never failed to compel the attention of an audience.  Upon no subject was Mr. Morgan a more forceful and convincing speaker than upon the land question, and in this direction, at least, he proved his sincerity by giving practical application to the principles he advocated.  He purchased the Holt estate at Studley and set it out in allotments of suitable size for cottage homes and considerable garden ground, apportioning it to the employees of his firm upon easy terms of purchase.”

 

“At the general election of 1906 Mr. Morgan was invited to become the Liberal candidate for East Worcestershire, but was defeated by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.  At subsequent elections he contested Worcester City – against Mr. E. A. Goulding – and Walsall – against Sir R. A. Cooper – in the Liberal interest, but was unsuccessful. On several occasions since then Mr. Morgan was invited to become the Liberal candidate in other constituencies, but the state of his health prevented his acceptance of the invitations,  Mr. Morgan never stood for his “home” division – South West Warwickshire – but always gave the weight of his influence and advocacy to the Liberal candidate of that constituency and was the principal speaker at may importance Liberal meetings at Stratford-on-Avon, Alcester, and other towns in the division.  For some years he held the office of vice-chairman of the Midland Liberal Federation.”

 

“The extension of the range of Mr. Morgan’s political and other pubic activities over so wide an area was never allowed to lead to the neglect of more purely local interests.  He was one of the founders of the Redditch and Studley Liberal Clubs, was for some time president of each, and was a frequent speaker at both institutions.  Liberal as Mr. Morgan was, he had too good a knowledge of history and was too broad in his views to be a “Little Englander.”  From his public utterances it may be gathered that he had strong suspicions as to the Germany’s aggressive and avaricious intentions and on more than one occasion declared that his reply to Germany’s construction of one Dreadnought would be to build five for England.  In the early days of the war he rendered valuable help in recruiting work, as a speaker at public meetings.  For many years Mr. Morgan lived at the Manor House, Studley, and to the end of his life always showed the keenest interest in the business and social affairs of his native village.  He was a generous supporter of educational and philanthropic movements and institutions and showed a close personal interest in the employed of his firm.”

 

“About thirty years ago Mr. Morgan with a few other political friends started a halfpenny Liberal newspaper at Redditch, but its life was not a long one.  In one of the notices of Mr. Morgan’s death it has been stated that he founded the Redditch Nursing Association.  This is an error, and we correct it because we are sure Mr. Morgan would have been the last to claim credit for work not done by him.  He was a subscriber to the funds of that association, and was for some years, we believe, a trustee, but the initiators of the movement which lead to the founding of the association were the late Colonel V. Milward, the late Mr. J. F. Milward and the late Mr. S. Allcock.”

 

“Upon the passing of the Local Government Act in 1888 Mr. Morgan was nominated for the representation of the Studley division upon the Warwickshire County Council, being opposed by the late Mr. T. Eades Walker, of Studley Castle.  Mr. Morgan was elected, and represented Studley for nearly twenty years.”

 

“Mr. Morgan was on the Commission of the Peace for both Warwickshire and Worcestershire.  For many years he attended the meetings of the Alcester magistrates, but in recent years has attended more at Redditch.  Upon the retirement of the late Mr. J. F. Milward, about four years ago, Mr. Morgan was appointed chairman of the Redditch Bench of magistrates, and held that position until the time of his death.”

 

“Mr. Morgan married in 1886 Miss Annie C. Hartridge, daughter of Mr. F. C. Hartridge, of the firm of Hill and Hartridge, merchants, London and Birmingham.  He leaves a widow and one daughter, to whom in their heavy bereavement, the sympathy of the whole of the residents of the town and district is now extended.” 

 

George Chambers Morgan was born in 1866 in Alcester.  In 1881 he was attending the Hagley Road Proprietor School in Edgbaston, a suburb of Birmingham.  By 1891 he was living with his mother and sisters in Moseley where he was listed as a needle manufacturer, presumably managing the W. Hall & Co business with his brother John.  By 1901 he was living in neighboring Kings Norton.  George never married and he died in 1904 at age 39 in Birmingham leaving effects of  £7,129 to Ernest Chawner Bewlay architect (his brother-in-law from Kings Norton) and Theodore David Neal (aka Neale) a chartered accountant from Harbone, near Birmingham.

 

 

William Hall & Co. (aka W. Hall & Co.):  Images

 

Drawing of Central Works in Studley, c1873.

 

Drawing of Ragley Mills in Alcester, c1873.

 

 

This dog was another trade mark registered by William Hall & Co. (S=needle display at the Forge Mill Needle Museum in Redditch), 2019.

 

Central Works, Studley, c1900 (photograph courtesy of Karen Cording).

 

Townhouse at Ragley Mills, Alcester, 2018.

 

Prior Square roundabout needle statue in Studley, 2018.

 

Priory Square road sign in Studley, 2018.

 

Prior Square roundabout east side, 2018.

 

Priory Square roundabout north side, 2018.

  

 

Priory Square southwest side, 2018.

 

Construction site in 2017 on the west side of Alcester Road in Studley where Central Works was originally located.

 

High Street just west of the intersection with Priory Square, 2019.

 

High Street road sign near Priory Square in Studley, 2019.

 

West side of High Street just west of Priory Square, 2019.

 

East side of High Street near the intersection with Marble Alley, 2019.

 

East side of High Street near Priory Square where Hall’s Central Works factory was originally located, 2019.

 

East side of High Street west of Priory Square where Hall’s Central Works factory was originally located, 2019.

 

High Street at the intersection with Marble Alley, 2019.

Buildings on the north side of the Manor House on Alcester Road in Studley, 2019.

 

 

Close up of the Manor House, 2019.

 

The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the countryside east of Studley, 2019.

 

The Manor House on Alcester Road in Studley, 2019.

 

 

Plaque on the wall near the entrance to the Manor House, 2019.

 

Detail of John Morgan’s (1858-1916) gravestone in the cemetery at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Studley, 2019.

Ragley Mill sign in Alcester, 2018.

 

Crescent Needle Mills on Mt. Pleasant in Redditch, possibly the location of Hall’s Redditch factory in 1912, 2019.

 

W. Hall & Co.’s Organ Grinder Avery style needle case (side view).

 

Another view of the Ragley Mill town-houses, 2018.

 

Another view of Crescent Needle Mills on Mt. Pleasant in Redditch, 2019.

 

W. Hall & Co’s Organ Grinder Avery style needle case (front view).

W. Hall & Co.’s Raised Wheat Avery style needle case (front view closed).

 

W. Hall & Co.’s American Eagle Avery style needle case (front closed).

 

W. Hall & Co.’s Basket needle case (closed).

 

W. Hall & Co.’s Trunk with Grain and Straps Avery style needle case (front view closed).

 

W. Hall & Co.’s American Eagle Avery style needle case (open).

 

 

William Hall & Co. (aka W. Hall & Co.):  Genealogy

 

Generation 1:  William Hall (c1806-1851) and Francis Hunt (c1808-1850)

·       Born:  c1806 (S4) possibly in Ireland.

·       Baptism:  Not found.

·       Marriage: Oct. 24, 1829 Alcester (S3). Listed as William Hall and Frances Hunt.  Frances was born c1808/11 (S4).

·       1841 Census: Studley, Alcester (S4).  Listed as William Hall age 35 needle m born in Ireland with wife Frances age 30 born in the county and 4 children all born in the county: Ann, William, Ellen and Henry. 

·       Wife’s Death: burial date Jan. 30, 1850 Studley (S1burial) at age 42 (aka born 1808).  Listed as Frances Hall.

·       William’s Death: burial date March 15, 1851 Studley (S1burial) at age 45 (aka born 1806).  Listed as William Hall.

·       Probate: Proved April 9, 1851 London, written March 8, 1851 (S6). Listed as William Hall needle manufacturer from Studley to son William Hall needle maker and John Morgan commercial clerk.  Value not listed. 

·       Children: (parents are listed as William and Frances Hall in baptism records).

1)     Jane Eliza/Elizabeth Hall (c1831-1837) baptized Jan.  23, 1831 Alcester (S1c) and buried July 26, 1837 Studley (S1burial).

2)     Ann Hall (c1832-1892) (S4) - see generation 2.

3)     William Hall (c1833-1892) (S4) - see generation 2.

4)     Helen/Ellen Hall (c1835/36-??) (S4) baptized Aug. 2, 1835 Studley (S1c).

5)     Thomas Hall (c1836-1838) baptized October 5, 1836 Studley (S1c) and buried July 1, 1838 Studley (S1burial).

6)     Henry Hall (c1838-??) (S4) born 1^st QTR 1838 Alcester (S5b) and baptized March 11, 1838 Studley (S1c).

7)     Jane Hall (c1837/41-/?) (S4 with brother in 1851 and with sister in 1861) born 2^nd QTR 1840 Alcester (S5b) and baptized July 5, 1840 Studley (S1c).

8)     Thomas Hall (c1841-??) baptized Sept 8, 1841 Studley (S1c).

 

Generation 2:  Ann Hall (c1832-1892) and John Morgan (1830-1890)

·       Born: c1832 in Studley (S4).

·       Baptism:  March 24, 1833 Studley (S1c).  Listed as Ann Hall with parents William and Frances Hall.

·       1841 Census: with parents in Studley (S4).  Listed as Ann Hall age 9 born in the county.

·       1851 Census: with brother William Hall at 23 Alcester Road, Studley (S4).  Listed as Ann Hall age 19 needle maker born in Studley.

·       Marriage: Sept. 28, 1851 Studley (S1m).  Listed as Ann Hall and John Morgan.

·       1861 Census: 140 Henley Street, Alcester (S4).  Listed as Ann Morgan age 29 born in Studley with husband John Morgan age 31 commercial clerk born in Poplar, Middlesex and 4 children: Emma, Helen, John and Kathleen and one sister-in-law Jane Hall age 24 born in Studley. 

·       1871 Census: 75 Alcester Road, Studley (S4).  Listed as Ann Morgan age 39 born in Studley with husband John Morgan age 41 a needle manufacturer employing 120 born in Poplar, Middlesex and 5 children: John, Kathleen, William Had, Carrie and George C.  

·       1881 Census: 49 Alcester Road, Studley (S4).  Listed as Anne Morgan age 49 born in Studley with husband John Morgan age 51 a needle manufacturer employing 150 hands born in Poplar, Middlesex and 7 children:  Emma, John, Kathleen, William H., Carrie, Mary J. and Ethel A.

·       Husband’s Death: 1st QTR 1890 King’s Norton, Worcestershire at age 60 (S5d).  Listed as John Morgan.  Jan. 27, 1890 Moseley Lodge, Moseley (S6).      

·       Husband’s Obituary: The Alcester Chronical newspaper dated February 1, 1890, page 4, column 5 (S=britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) and Redditch Indicator newspaper dated February 1, 1890 (S=Microfilm at the Redditch Library).

·       Husband’s Probate:  March 26, 1890 Worcester (S6).  The will of John Morgan late of Mosley Lodge Mosley in the County of Worcester needle manufacturer who died January 27, 1890 at Mosley Lodge was proved at Worcester by John Morgan of Hyde House Redditch in the said county and George Chambers Morgan of Mosley Lodge needle manufacturers the sons two of the executor.  Personal estate  £18,138.

·       1891 Census: 74 Moseley Lodge, Moseley, Worcestershire (S4).  Listed as Ann Morgan living on her own means born in Studley with 4 children: Carrie, George C., Jessie M and Ethel A. and 1 granddaughter: Ethel M.   Son George C. is listed as a needle manufacturer employer.  Also living in the household was Harry H. Knowles, a visitor, a clerk in a needle manufacture born in Birmingham.

·       Ann’s death: 4th QTR 1892 Alcester (S5d) listed as age 60 and born about 1832.

·       Children:

1)       Emma Morgan (c1855-??) born in Studley (S4).

2)       Helen/Ellen Morgan (c1856-??) born in Studley (S4).

3)       John Morgan (c1858-??) born in Studley (S4) - see generation 3.

4)       Kathleen Morgan (c1860-??) born in Studley (S4).

5)       William Hall Morgan (c1863-1884) born in Alcester, his middle name is incorrectly listed in the census index as Had (S4) and died 4th QTR 1884 in Alcester (S5d).

6)       Carrie Morgan (1864-??) born in Alcester (S4), 2^nd QTR 1864 Alcester (S5b).  Married Harry Herbert Knowles 3rd QTR 1891 in Stratford on Avon (S5m). The family lived at The Holt on Alcester Road in Studley in 1901 where Harry was listed as a needle manufacturer (S4).  The family lived at Church House in Alcester in 1911 where Harry was listed as a needle manufacturer (S4).

7)       George C. Morgan (c1867-??) born in Alcester (S4) - see generation 3.

8)       Mary J./Jessie Morgan (c1872-??) born in Studley (S4).

9)       Ethel/Dorothy Ann Morgan (1874-??-??) born in Studley (S4), born 2nd QTR 1873 in Alcester (S5b). Married Ernest Chawner Bewley 2^nd QTR 1899 in Bromsgrove (S5m).  The family lived in Moseley in 1911 where Ernest is listed as an architect (S4).

 

Generation 2:  William Hall (1833-1892) and Catherine Taprell

Born: c1833 in Studley (S4), 1833 (S=Ancestry.com - Australia Death Index 1787-1985).

·       Baptism: Feb. 22, 1833 Studley (S1c).  Parents are listed as William and Frances Hall.

·       1841 Census: with parents, Studley (S4).  Listed as William Hall age 8 born in the county.

·       1851 Census: 23 Alcester Road, Studley (S4).  Listed as William Hall age 18 a needle manufacturer born in the Studley with 3 of his sisters all born in Studley: Ann age 19 needle maker, Ellen age 16 needle maker and Jane age 10 scholar.

·       Emigration: possibly in 1854 to Victoria, Australia to take part in the Gold Rush and later owned a store (S2).

·       Marriage: 1872 Victoria, Australia (S=Ancestry.com - Australia Marriage Index 1788-1950). Lists William Hall and Catherine Taprell.

·       Death: 1892 Kangaroo Flat, Victoria, Australia at age 59 (S=Ancestry.com - Australia Death Index 1787-1985).  Listed as Wm Hall with parents Wm Hall and Frances Hunt.

·       Probate: Not found

·       Children: all born in Kangaroo Flat, Australia (S2).

1.     William Hall (1873-1912)

2.     Henry Hall (1874-1954)

3.     Isabella Hall (1877-1939)

4.     Frances Hall (1879-1950)

5.     Catherine Hall (1881-1881)

6.     Edward Hall (1882-1920)

7.     Frederick Hall (1883-1969)

8.     Arthur Hall (1886-1958)

9.     Girl Hall (1888-1888)

10.  Helen Hall (1889-1973)

 

Generation 3:  John Morgan (1858-1916) and Annie Charlotte Hartridge (1856-1921)

·       Born: 1st QTR 1858 Alcester listed as John Morgan (S5b), 1858 Studley (S4).  February 3, 1858 (S=gravestone at the cemetery of the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgein Mary in Studley).

·       1861 Census:  140 Henley Street, Alcester (S4) with parents.  Listed as John Morgan age 3 born in Studley.

·       1871 Census: 75 Alcester Road, Studley (S4) with parents.  Listed as John Morgan age 13 scholar born in Studley.

·       1881 Census: 49 Alcester Road, Studley (S4) with parents.  Listed as John Morgan age 23 needle manufacturer born in Studley.

·       Marriage: 1st QTR 1886 Croydon, Surrey (S1m) (S5m).  Listed as John Morgan and Annie Charlotte Hartridge.

·       1891 Census: 26 Bromsgrove Road, Redditch (S4) Listed as John Morgan age 33 a needle and fish hook manufacturer employer born in Studley with wife Annie C. age 34 born in Lewisham, Kent and 1 child: Marjorie H.

·       1901 Census: 164 Plymouth Road, Holm Mead, Barnt Green (S4). Listed as John Morgan age 43 a needle and fish hook manufacturer employer born in Studley with wife Annie Charlotte age 45 born in Hoke Newington, Middlesex and 1 child: Margorie Hartridge.                   

·       1911 Census: Royal Bath Hotel, Bath Road, Bournemouth (S4). Listed as John Morgan age 53 a company director, needles, employer born in Studley with wife Annie Charlotte age 55 born in London and 1 child: Marjorie Hartridge. The family was listed as visitors and John and Annie had been married 25 years and had only 1 child who was still alive.

·       Death: November 4, 1916 St. Leonard-on-Sea (S6).  Listed as John Morgan.       

·       Buried: Gravestone for John Morgan indicates he died November 4, 1916 (S=cemetery at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgein Mary in Studley).

·       Obituary: Redditch Indicator newspaper dated November 11, 1916 (S=Microfilm at the Redditch Library).

·       Probate: March 7, 1917 London (S6).  Listed as John Morgan of Holm Mead Plymouth Road Barnt Green Worcestershire died 4 November 1916 at St. Leonard-on-Sea.  Probate London 7 March 1917 to Annie Charlotte Morgan widow, Charles Eric Addington Hartridge barrister-at-law and Harry Herbert Knowles and Gerald Beesley manufacturers. Effects £23,610, Resworn £25,774.  According to the 1911 census Hartridge was a law student in Stanmore, Middlesex, Knowles was a needle manufacturer in Alcester and Beesly was an engineering director of Wildless Steel Tube Co in Barnt Green (S4).

·       Wife’s Death:  Feb. 11, 1921 (S6).

·       Wife’s probate: June 18, 1921 London (S6).  Listed as Annie Charlotte Morgan of 83 Campden Hill Court Kensington, Middlesex widow died 11 February 1921.  Probate London 18 June 1921 to Marjorie Hartington Morgan spinster. Effects £1,461. 

·       Children:

1.     Marjorie Hartridge Morgan (c1889-??) born in Redditch (S4).               

 

Generation 3:  George Chambers Morgan (1866-1904)

·       Born: 2nd QTR 1866 Alcester listed as George C. Morgan (S5b), 1866 Alcester (S4). 

·       1871 Census: 75 Alcester Road, Studley with parents (S4).  Listed as George C. Morgan age 4 born in Alcester.

·       1881 Census: 120 Hagley Road Proprietor School, Edgbaston, Birmingham (S4). Listed as George Morgan age 14 a scholar born in Alcester.

·       Married: never married.

·       1891 Census: 74 Moseley Lodge, Mosley, Worcestershire with mother and siblings (S4). Listed as a George C. Morgan age 24 a needle manufacturer employer born in Alcester.

·       1901 Census: 31 Alcester Road, Moseley, Worcestershire (S4).  Listed as George C. Morgan age 34 a needle manufacturer employer born in Alcester living in the John Shaw household as a lodger.

·       Death: 2nd QTR 1904 Kings Norton, Worcestershire (S5d) at age 39 and born about 1865.  Died June 2, 1904 Birmingham (S6).   

·       Probate: July 7, 1904 Worcester (S6).  George Chambers Morgan of 63 Alcester Road, Moseley, Worcestershire, needle manufacturer died 2 June 1904 at 56 Bristol Road Birmingham. Probate Worcester 7 July to Ernest Chawner Bewlay architect and Theodore David Neal chartered accountant.  Effects: £7,129.  According to the 1911 census Bewlay was an architect in Mosley and Neale was a chartered accountant in Harborne near Birmingham (S4).

·       Children: None.

 

Needle Related Patents and/or Design Registration made by Hall

·       1862 Design Registration: #151599 for a metal crochet hook dated May 12, 1862 (S=The National Archive, Kew).

·       1876 Design Registration:  #301328 for a metal crochet needle handle dated June 21, 1876 (S=The National Archive, Kew).

·       1876 Design Registration:  #302032 for a metal crochet needle and handle dated July 21, 1876 (S=The National Archive, Kew).

·       1876 Design Registration:  #303814 for a handle and slide of crochet needle dated September 23, 1876 (S=The National Archive, Kew).

·       1878 Design Registration:  #320881 for a metal subject not given dated April 30, 1878 (S=The National Archive, Kew).

·       1878 Design Registration:  #327705 for a metal crochet hook dated October 17, 1878 (S=The National Archive, Kew).

·       1880 Design Registration:  #347013 for metal clip dated February 28, 1880 (S=The National Archive, Kew).

·       1880 Design Registration:  #354008 for metal needle case dated August 20, 1880 (S=The National Archive, Kew).  Also known as the American Eagle and Chinoiserie needle cases.

·       1883 Design Registration:  #392912 for a metal crochet handle dated January 17, 1883 (S=The National Archive, Kew).

 

Avery style needle cases patented/registered by Hall or with the Hall name: American Eagle, Basket, Bow and Arrows on Heart, Bower, Butterfly, Chinoiserie, Louise - Folding, Organ Grinder, Raised Wheat and Trunk with Grain and Straps.