The
Company
This
needle manufacturing firm was established around 1851[1] by George Townsend of Hunt
End who lived from 1814-1879, although his father, also named George, may have
helped. Townsend named his factory Givry
Works, after a valued friend[2], however, it seems most
likely that the building was actually constructed a bit
later since Townsend only employed 16 workers in 1851[3]. The business expanded
very quickly after 1851, possibly because the 
company’s focus was on
producing sewing machine needles[4]. The firm was first listed in city and trade
directories in 1861[5]
which indicated it had facilities in both Hunt End and at 12 Walbrook in London.
Between 1862 and 1868 they participated in three major exhibitions: the
International Exhibition in London in 1862[6] where they were awarded a
medal for their “superior quality in sewing, machine and other needles”; the
Paris Universal Exhibition in 1867[7] where they received a
bronze medal, the only medal awarded for sewing machine needles; and the Havre
International Exhibition in 1868[8] where they received the
highest award, a silver medal. The Vide
Jurors’ report at Havre described the firm as “Townsend & Co. , by the
superiority and ingenuity of their needles, shuttles, springs, and other
accessories, have largely contributed to the popularity of the sewing machine” [9].
Based
on the drawing from 1869[10] seen here, the Givry
Works factory was a rather large building.
From early maps of the area[11] it is interesting to note
that the structure was located not far from a pub called the Red Lion. Some say the pub was built 
by Townsend and that he
was the proprietor from 1850-1854[12]. During the Victorian Period
many manufacturers had shops or pubs next to their factories where they sold other
goods as well as brewed beer. Often
employees were paid with what were known as pub tokens[13] rather than wages. Individual tokens, like the ones shown here, were
made by each manufacturer and could only be used to
purchase merchandise at that manufacturer’s shop or pub. This way the company was able to get part of
the worker’s wages back, because the cost of the
merchandise they sold was less than what they resold it for, and as a result
was more profitable.
In
an 1869 newspaper, George Townsend & Co. was described as follows: “Here we
might conclude this account of our visit to the Hunt End Works; before we do
so, however, let us bear our testimony to the high degree of perfection to
which Messrs. Townsend have brought the trade of needle-making. We are quite willing, from what we saw at the
Givry Works, to believe that the firm owes its present enviable position to the
energy, perseverance and ability of the senior partner and the founder of the
firm, Mr. George Townsend. Almost all
the beautiful machinery to be seen at the Givry Works was invented by Mr.
George Townsend senior; in point of fact, his own
hands made the greater portion of it. At
Hunt End they do something besides make needles; they manufacture the machinery
with which the needles are made. We saw
many shuttles and reels invented by Mr. Townsend, who has all an inventor’s
honest pride in his designs, and whose faith in all that concerns his
manufactory is so great that he guarantees to make a needle, send it to London,
go to the metropolis, and be measured for and receive a suit of clothes made
with the same needles that were produced at Hunt End, and all in twenty-four
short hours![14]”
The
firm reached its height as a needle manufacturer during the 1860’s and 1870’s
and described themselves in an 1870 exporters guide as
“Inventors of stamping sewing machine needles in 1851. Patentees of the treble
grooved sewing machine needles. Makers to the British Government”[15]. This is confirmed by the fact that they
registered 
patent
#2787 in 1867 which referred to “improvements in the manufacture of machine needles” [16]. In 1871[17] the business was recorded
as having 120 employees. After the death
of George Townsend in 1879 the company was taken[18] over by his son, also
named George, and his step-son, Edward James Foster
Townsend. By 1881[19] the number of employees
was reduced to 75. Sometime during the
early to mid-1880’s the firm expanded again and this
time started making components for bicycles.
Some say the firm actually invented a new
saddle spring for bicycles[20]. Within a few years they were making complete
bicycles as well as needles. In 1890[21] the firm was registered
as a limited liability company with capital of £40,000,
in 8,000 shares of £5 each, to carry on
business as cycle, needle, and general manufacturers. The first subscribers were Edward James
Foster Townsend and his wife, George Townsend and his wife, William Avery, the
needle manufacturer from Headless Cross, and two others. By 1891[22] the firm was
manufacturing the Ecossais cycles shown in the
advertisement here and by 1892[23] was listed as a needle
and cycle manufacturer, the last time they were listed in city and trade
directories. Shortly thereafter the
company suffered a severe financial crisis, the business failed
and the Townsend family lost control[24]. The bicycle part of the business was
purchased by others and eventually became known as Royal Enfield.
Today
the Givry Works factory building not longer exists as
it was destroyed by a fire in the 1960’s[25]. The Red Lion Pub can be found at the south
end of Enfield Road near the intersection with Feckenham Road and Weaver’s Hill[26].
The
Owners
George
Townsend was born c1814 in Alcester to George and Lydia Townsend. His father was a needle maker who was born in
Alcester c1792 where the family lived until the 1830’s. George, who was the second son, had ten
siblings although it is possible some of them died young: Thomas, Mercy,
Caroline, Alfred, Emma, Bulah, Edwin, Charles, Walter and Ellen. The
parents moved around a bit living in Alcester at first, then in Stoke Prior, a
town near Bromsgrove, before returning to Alcester by 1851 and finally residing
in Redditch in 1861. George’s older
brother Thomas appears to have taken over their father’s needle business in the
Alcester area. Although the father was
never listed in any city or trade directories, the brother Thomas was listed as
a needle maker in Alcester in an 1850[27] directory. George’s father died in 1866 in Hunt End
presumably while visiting his son George.
Although
George is listed with his parents as a needle maker in Stoke Priory in the 1841
census, the person who provided that information
appears to have made a mistake. George
was living in Crabbs Cross near Redditch in 1840 when he traveled to Birmingham
to marry Esther Benton, who was also from Crabb Cross. After working in the industry for over ten
years, by 1851 George had established himself in Hunt End as a needle maker
employing 16 men and boys. The 1850’s
must have been a difficult time for the couple, perhaps because George was
focusing most of his attention on building a successful business rather than a
successful marriage. By 1861 they had separated and George was living with a widow named Martha
Foster who was listed as his house keeper, whereas Esther was living by herself
nearby. Martha, who was originally born
in Inkberrow c1822, had married William Foster, a butler, in 1847 and they had
one child together: Edward James Foster, who was born in 1849 in
Inkberrow. Evidently William Foster died
sometime between 1851 and 1861. Although
no marriage record has been found, the relationship between George and Martha
had to be more than work related because they had two children together: George
Jr. and Anne. It seems most likely that
they never married because sometimes Martha and their children were listed with
the surname Foster and at other times as Townsend.
George,
Martha and the children remained in Hunt End and he
expanded his business to include sewing machine needles. In fact the business
grew substantially and by 1871 employed 120 people. Not surprising, Martha was listed as his wife
that year, and the son from her first husband was listed as Edward J. F.
Townsend, indicating George had perhaps adopted him. Also, that year his wife Esther had moved to
the Birmingham area. George died in 1879
at age 64. Further evidence that they
never married was in his will. His
estate, valued at under £4,000, was left to Martha
Foster, widow, her son Edward James Foster Townsend and their son George
Townsend Jr..
George was described in his obituary[28] as follows:
“HUNT END. DEATH OF MR. GEORGE TOWSEND – On Monday last,
Mr. George Townsend, after a protracted and severe illness, died at his
residence at Hunt End, in his 64th year. Mr. Townsend will long be remembered - more
especially in seasons like the one through which we are now passing - as a
generous, charitable, and kindly hearted man.
As a manufacturer, Mr. Townsend’s name is particularly connected with
that of sewing machine needles. On the
introduction of those machines some twenty-five years ago, Mr. Townsend was one
of the first to devote attention to the importance of producing needles
suitable for the sewing machines; and it is in connection with this important
branch of our staple trade that his name will long and honourably
be connected with the needle district.”
Edward
James Foster was born in 1849 in Inkberrow, the son of William Foster and
Martha Buggins. By 1871 he was living with the
Townsend family, using the Townsend surname and working as a manager of a
needle works, presumably at his step-father’s
factory. Later in 1871 he married Laura
Catherine Morrall, the daughter of Abel Morrall, a major needle manufacturer
from Studley. By 1881 he inherited part
of his step-father’s needle business which now
employed only 75 people. In addition,
Edward was farming 175 acres employing 5 men and 21 boys. That year Edward and Laura were living in
Studley near her parents with two children: Lilian and George. By 1891 they had moved to the farming
community named Stock and Bradley, eight miles west of Studley, although Edward
continued to work as a needle manufacturer.
Laura’s sister, Mildred Morrall, lived with them from at least 1891
through 1901. Between 1891 and 1901 the
family’s needle business declined and it was presumable sold. By 1901 Edward and Laura had moved back to
Studley where Edward was listed as a commission agent living on his own
account. Later in 1901 the couple moved
to Bournemouth in Hampshire where Laura died at age 55 in 1905. The year before her death, the couple
separated after a court case described in the local newspaper[29] as follows:
“SEPARATION
ORDER APPLICATION AT BOURNEMOUTH. A PAINFUL CASE. – At the Bournemouth Police-court
to-day, before the Mayor (Alderman J. E. Beale),
Messrs. G. M. Hirons, J. J Allen and W. Hoare.”
“Edward James
Foster Townsend, 55 years of age, uppyeared to a
summons issued upon an information under Section 5 (1) of the Licensing Act,
1902, by his wife, Laura Catherine Townsend, who prayed for a separation order
on the ground of his habitual drunkenness.”
“The Section in
question repeats the definition of an habitual
drunkard, contained in a previous Statute as a person who, though not being
amenable to an jurisdiction in lunacy, is, notwithstanding by reason of his or
her intemperance, at times dangerous to himself or herself, or to others, or
incapable of managing or controlling himself or herself, or his or her affairs.”
“Mr. H. Tattersall
appeared for the complainant, and the defendant was represented by Mr. Harold
Salt.”
“The facts, as
deposed to in evidence, revealed a painful state of affairs.
The defendant was married to the complainant on the 2nd of August
1871, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Studley, Warwickshire, where he carried on
the business of a needle and cycle manufacturer. They lived happily together until about ten
years ago, when he met with monetary misfortunes which led him to take a drink.
At first his excessive drinking habits were not continuous, but subsequently
became so. The parties continued to live
at Studley, until 1901, when the daughter and the complainant came to Bournemouth,
Miss Townsend taking an apartment house on the West Cliff. The defendant, who had promised to reform,
was allowed to come to the house as a boarder, paying 25s, per week for his
board, but he resumed his intemperate habits.”
“Mrs. Townsend
deposed that while at Bournemouth, and within the past six months the defendant
drank intemperately, and there were several rows between them. Just before Christmas, while she was lying in
bed with a broken leg, defendant came into the room quite drunk, and on the 1st March inst., he again came into her room
drunk, and in consequence of his conduct his daughter, Miss Morrell (a lady who
lived in house) and the parlour-maid, put him
out. The defendant was habitually the
worse for drink, and she went in fear of him, while he was in that condition, the
defendant had not contributed anything towards her support for three years.”
“Miss Lilian Mary
Foster Townend, daughter of the parties, corroborated her mother’s statement,
and said that her father was habitually intemperate and created disturbances in
the house.”
“In
cross-examination, she admitted that she owed the defendant £140.”
“In
reply to the Magistrates’ Clerk, witness said her father rarely ever went to
bed sober. He had on two or three
occasions threatened to commit suicide.”
“Miss Winifred E.
Morrall, and Ellen Steel, the parlour-maid, deposed
that on one occasion defendant had a revolver, and threatened to shoot anyone
who came downstairs from his wife’s room, at the time producing a revolver.”
“Both corroborated
the evidence as to defendant’s drunken habits.”
“The defendant
denied that he was an habitual drunkard, and said the
case had been much exaggerated and was in fact, brought forward as the result
of ill-feeling on the part of his daughter, who was not on friendly terms with
him because he had cause to object to her riding about with man whom he did not
approve. As to the revolver incident he
said the weapon was rusty, and unloaded, and he had only said that he should
use it to protect himself. He complained
that his life was made miserable by the action of his daughter, who would not
sit in the same room with him, and left him to take
his meals by himself.”
“Mr. Salt having
addressed the magistrates, the Mayor said they found
that the defendant was a habitual drunkard, and made the order asked for, with a allowance of 10s. per week towards the wife’s
maintenance, defendant to pay costs.”
Edward
James Foster Townsend must have had some close friends in the Bournemouth area,
or perhaps he met others during his drunken escapades. Within a few months of Laura’s death, he
married his second wife Catherina Scanlan, who was twenty-five years younger
than him. Edward spend
the last twenty-two years of his life with Catherina, most of it living in
Romsey, Southampton where he worked as an antique dealer. He died there in 1927 at age 78.
George
Townsend Jr. was born c1855 in Feckenham, the son of George Townsend and Martha
Foster. At age 17, in 1871, he was
working as an assistant manager, presumably at his father’s needle factory in
Hunt End where he lived with his parents.
After his father’s death in 1879 he inherited part of his father’s
estate and became a partner in the needle business with his half- brother
Edward. In 1876 George Jr. married Jane
Anne Morrall in Alcester, the daughter of a major needle manufacturer in
Studley and the sister of his half-brother’s wife. By 1881 they were living at Givry House in
Hunt End, the house next to the Givry Needle Works factory. They moved to Crabbs Cross by 1891. George Jr. and Jane had four children:
Constance, George, Reginald and Winifred. Between 1891 and 1901 the family needle
business declined. As a result, by 1901 the Townsend family had moved to
Edgbaston, a suburb of Birmingham, where George Jr. was listed as a cycle
manufacturer. Unfortunately, after the
move, records related to George Jr. and his family have not been located.
One
of the most interesting facts about the Townsend family is that George Sr.’s
step-son and both of his children’s spouses were from the Abel Morrall
family. Morrall was a major needle
manufacturer who originated in the Studley area before expanding to Redditch.
Edward James Foster Townsend married Laura Catherine Morrall in 1871, George
Townsend married Jane Anne Morrall in 1876 and Anne Townsend married Abel Edgar
Morrall in 1883. For more information
about the Morrall needle business, see Chapter 16.
George Townsend & Co. (G. Townsend &
Co.): Genealogy
Generation 1: George Townsend (c1792-1866) and Lydia Bryon
(c1791-1867)
· Born: c1792 c1794, c1796 (S4).
· Baptized: June 3, 1792
Alcester (S1c). Listed as George
Townsend with parents George and Sarah Townsend.
· Marriage: December
2, 1811 Alcester (S3).
Listed as George Townsend and Lydia Bryon.
· 1841 Census: Stoke
Prior, Bromsgrove (S4). Listed as George Townsend age 45 a needle m born in the
county with wife Lydia age 45 also born in the county with 11 children: Thomas,
George, Mercy, Caroline, Alfred, Emma, Bulah, Edwin,
Charles, Walter and Ellen. (Note:
The first four children are all listed as 20 years old
and the 5th, 6th and 7th are listed as 15 years old which is most likely
because the census takers that year often rounded the age to nearest 5 years).
· 1851 Census: 58 Coughton Road, Alcester (S4). Listed as George Townsend age 59 a publican
born in Alcester with wife Lydea age 60 born in Dunningham, Warwickshire and 3 children: Emma, Edwin, Ellen.
· 1861 Census: 71
Britten Street, Redditch (S4). Listed as
George Townsend age 67 needle maker born in Alcester with wife Lydia age 70
born in Dunningham, Warwickshire and Emma Clark age
39 daughter born in Alcester and George Clark age 29 son-in-law.
· Death: November 8,
1866 Hunt End, Feckenham (S8d). Listed as George
Townsend age 74 a needle manufacturer with the informant listed as George
Townsend of Hunt End.
·
Probate: not found.
· Wife’s Death: c1867
buried January 1, 1868 Feckenham (S1d). Listed as Lydia
Townsend.
· Children:
1.
Thomas
Townsend (c1811/12/-1875). Baptized December 6, 1812
Alcester (S1c) with parents listed as George and Lydia Townsend. Married Ann Wells April 29, 1833 Alcester (S3).
Listed in 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871 censuses as a needle maker in Stoke
Priory, Alcester or Inkberrow with wife Ann born c 1814/15 and 2 children. Died November 23, 1875
Crabbs Cross (S8d) where he is listed as a 63-year-old needle filer whose widow
Ann Townsend was the informant. Their
only son died in 1874 (S2).
2.
George
Townsend (c1814-??). Born in Alcester (S4) - see generation 2.
3.
Mercy
Townsend (c1821-??). Born in the county (S4-1841).
4.
Caroline
Townsend (c1821-??). Born in the county (S4-1841).
5.
Alfred
Townsend (c1826-??). Born in the county (S4-1841).
6.
Emma
Townsend (c1823/25/26-??). Born in Alcester (S4).
7.
Bulah Townsend (c1826-??). Born in the
county (S4-1841).
8.
Edwin
Townsend (c1827-??). Born in Alcester (S4).
9.
Charles
Townsend (c1829-??). Born in the county (S4-1841).
10.
Walter
Townsend (c1830-??). Born in the county (S4-1841).
11.
Ellen Townsend (c1832-??). Born in Alcester
(S4).
Generation 2: George Townsend (c1814-1879) and Esther
Benton (c1819-??)
and Martha Foster (nee Buggins) (c1822-??)
· Born: c1814 (S1c), c1815/16/21 (S4)
· Baptized: December 28, 1814
Alcester (S1c). Listed as George
Townsend with parents George and Lydia Townsend. The father’s occupation is listed as needle
maker.
· Marriage #1: March
30, 1840 St. Martin, Birmingham (S3). Listed as George Townsend a needle maker from
Crabbs Cross and Esther Benton also of Crabbs Cross. George’s father is listed a George Townsend
also a needle maker.
· 1841 Census: with parents (S4). Listed as George Townsend age 20 needle
m. (Note: The first four children are all listed as 20
years old which probably means the census take rounded the ages to the nearest
number divisible by 5).
· Possible Wife #2’s
First Marriage: 2nd QTR 1847 Lichfield, Staffordshire (S5m). Listed as Martha Buggins
and William Foster.
· 1851 Census: 83
Hunt End, Feckenham (S4). Listed as
George Townsend age 35, a needle maker employing 16 men and boys born in
Alcester with wife Esther age 32 born in Feckenham.
· 1851 Census: 70
Ridgway, Inkberrow (S4). Listed as
Martha Foster married age 31 a cher woman born in
Inkberrow living with her mother Sarah Buggins head
age 75 a hurd weaver born in Inkberrow and Sarah’s
grandson James Foster age 2 born in Inkberrow.
·
Marriage #2: not found.
· 1861 Census: 170 Hunt End, Feckenham (S4). Listed as George Townsend age 46, a sewing machine
manufacturer born in Alcester living with a housekeeper Martha Foster widow age 39 born in Inkberrow and 2 children with the surname
Townsend Foster: George and Anne.
· 1861 Census: 31 Crabbs Cross, Feckenham (S4). Listed as Esther Townsend age 46 head married
born in Feckenham.
· 1871 Census: 151
Hunt End, Feckenham (S4). Listed as
George Townsend age 56, a needle manufacturer employing 120 born in Alcester
with wife Martha age 50 born in Inkberrow and 3 children: Edward J. F., George and Annie.
· 1871 Census: 37 Lyndal Street, Birmingham (S4). Listed as Esther Townsend age 49 marital
status undecipherable born in Hunt End.
· Death: 1st QTR 1879 Alcester at age 64 (S5d). January 13, 1879
Hunt End (S6).
· Obituary: Redditch
Indicator newspaper dated January 18, 1879 (S=on microfilm at the Redditch
Library).
· Probate: March 26,
1879 Worcester (S6).
Listed as George Townsend of Hunt End, Feckenham, needle manufacturer
proved by Martha Foster of Hunt End widow, Thomas James Slatter
Redditch county bank manager, Edward James Foster Townsend of Castle View House
Studley needle manufacturer and George Townsend of Hunt End needle
manufacturer. Personal Estate: under £4,000.
· 1881 Census: 22 St. Peter Villa, Droitwich (S4). Listed as Martha Townsend age 62 widow an
annuitant born in Inkberrow living as a lodger in the Thomas and Louisa Dickens
family with Annie Townsend age 26 an unmarried annuitant born in Hunt End.
· 1881 Census: 45
Walford Street, Redditch (S4). Listed as
Esther Townsend age 60 head widow born in Feckenham.
·
Wife’s Death: not found.
· Children:
1.
Edward
James Foster Townsend (1849-??). Born in Inkberrow (S4) - see generation 3
2.
George
Townsend (c1854/55-??). Born in Feckenham (S4) - see generation 3
3.
Anne
Townsend (c1855/60-??). Born in Feckenham (S4). Baptized May 20, 1861 Feckenham (S1c).
Listed as Annie Townsend with parents George Townsend and Martha
Foster. Married Abel Edgar Morrall age
21 July 18, 1883 in London (S3) where Anne is listed
as age 23 from Hunt End whose father was George Townsend (deceased) a needle
manufacturer.
· The Townsend Story by William J.
Soloway, 1966 Redditch. Contains
additional information about George Townsend (S=available at the Redditch
Library).
Generation 3: Edward James Foster Townsend (1849-1927)
and Laura Catherine Morrall (c1850-1905) and Catherine Scanlan (c1873-1948)
(it is unclear exactly how Edward is related to the Townsend
family. According to birth and marriage
records his father was William Foster, however he is listed in the 1871 census
as the son of George Townsend).
· Born: c1849 Inkberrow (S4), March 27, 1849 Inkberrow (S8b) which listed him as Edward James Foster
with parents William Foster, a butler, and Martha (nee Buggins)
Foster. Martha Foster the mother of
Ridgway Inkberrow is listed as the informant.
· 1851 Census: with
mother and grandmother (S4). Listed as James Foster age 2 born in Inkberrow.
·
1861 Census: not found.
· 1871 Census: with
parents (S4). Listed as Edward J. F.
Townsend age 22 a manager of needle works born in Inkberrow.
· Marriage #1:
August 2, 1871 Alcester (S8m). Listed as Edward James Foster age 22 a needle
manufacturer from Hunt End whose father was listed as William Foster (deceased)
and Laura Catherine Morrall age 21 from Studley whose father was listed as Abel
Andrew Morrall a needle manufacturer.
The marriage certificate indicates the marriage was in the presence of
Lewis Peverelle and Mary Teresa Peverelle.
(Note: Mary Teresa Peverelle was the step-other of Miss Morrall).
For more information about the Morrall family see Chapter 16.
· 1881 Census: 33
Castle View, Studley (S4). Listed as E.
J. F. Townsend age 32 a needle manufacturer employing 75 persons also farming
175 acres employing 5 men and 21 boys born in Inkberrow with wife Laura C. age
31 born in Studley and 2 children:
Lilliam M F. and G. J. F.
· 1891 Census: 52
Great House, Stock and Bradley, Worcestershire (S4). Listed as Edward J. F. Townsend age 42 a
needle manufacturer and farmer born in Inkberrow with wife Laura C. F. age 41
born in Studley and 2 children: Lilian
M. F. and George J. F. and sister-in-law Mildred E. Morrall age 22.
· 1901 Census: 123
Station Road, Studley (S4). Listed as
Edward J. F. Townsend age 52 a commission agent own account born in Inkberrow
with wife Laura C. age 51 born in Studley and 1 child: Lilian F. and Mildred Morrell sister-in-law age 32.
· Wife #1’s Death: July
5, 1905 Bournemouth, Christchurch, Hampshire (S8d). Listed as Laura Catherine Foster Townsend,
the wife of Edward James Townsend, a commercial traveler with M. E. Morrall a step-sister listed as the informant.
· Marriage #2: October
23, 1905 Christchurch, Hampshire (S8m). Listed as Edward James Foster-Townsend age 54
a widow and commission agent whose father was William Forster Townsend
(deceased) and Catherine Scanlan age 32 a spinster.
· 1911 Census: 3
Bell Str., Romsey, Hampshire (S4).
Listed as Ed. Jas. F. Townsend age 62 an antique dealer born in Inkberrow
with wife Catherine Foster age 38 born in Hampshire. Indicates they were married 5 years and had
no children.
· Death: September 12, 1927
Romsey, Southampton at age 78 (S8d). Listed
as Edward James Foster-Townsend of 3 Bell Street, Romsey, an antique dealer
with widow C. Foster Townsend present at death.
· Probate: not found.
· Wife # 2’s Death: March
7,1948 at age 75 Alton, Hampshire (S8d).
Listed as Catherine Foster Townsend the widow of James Foster Townsend a
second-hand dealer with E. E. Scanlan, a brother listed as the informant.
· Wife # 2’s
Probate: May 15, 1948 Winchester, Chester. Listed as Catherine Foster Townsend of 4
Oxford Road, Gosport, Hampshire widow at Alton
Infirmary Asley Road, Alton, Hampshire to Ernest Edwin Scanlan naval
Pensioner. Effects. £1,366.
· Children:
1.
Lilian
M. F. Townsend (c1872-??). Born in
Astwood Bank/Feckenham (S4).
2.
George
James Foster Townsend (c1877-??). Born:
1st QTR 1877 Alcester (S5b), Studley (S4).
Generation 3: George Townsend (c1855-after 1901) and Jane Anne Morrall (c1857-after 1901)
· Born: c1855 Feckenham (S4)
· Baptized: June 30, 1856
Feckenham (S1c). Listed as George
Townsend Townsend with parents George Townsend and
Martha Foster.
· 1861 Census: with
parents (S4). Listed as George Townsend
Foster age 7 a scholar born in Feckenham.
· 1871 Census: with
parents (S4). Listed as George Townsend
age 17 assistant manager born in Feckenham.
· Marriage: February
23, 1876 Alcester (S8m). Listed as George Townsend
Foster age 21 a needle manufacturer from Hunt End whose father was listed as
George Townsend a needle manufacturer and Jane Anne Morrall age 19 of Studley
whose father was listed as Andrew Morrall (deceased) a needle manufacturer. The
marriage certificate indicates the marriage was in the presence of Edward J.
Forster. For more information about the
Morrall family see Chapter 16.
·
1881
Census: 125 Givery House, Hunt End, Feckenham
(S4). Listed as George Townsend age 26 needle manufacturer born in
Feckenham with wife Mary I. age 24 born in Studley and 2 children: Constance and George. (Note: The wife’s name appears to be incorrectly
listed in the census).
·
1891 Census: 75 Main Road, Crabbs Cross,
Studley (S4). Listed as undecipherable
Townsend head age 36 a manufacturer employer born in Feckenham with wife Jane
N. age 33 born in Studley and 4 children: Constance, George, Ryna
W, and Wenyria and a sister Mary E. Morrell age 23 born Studley. (Note: the
head is listed as Casey Townsend in the census index).
·
1901 Census: 25 Wheeleaf
Road, Edgbaston (S4). Listed as George
Townsend age 47 a cycle manufacturer employer born in Redditch with wife Jane age 44 born in Studley and 3 children: Constance, Reginald
and Winifred and a sister Mary Townsend age 34 born in Studley. (Note:
The Mary Townsend listed in this census could be a census error, she
could be the sister-in-law Mary Morrall).
·
1911 Census: not found.
·
Death: not found.
·
Probate: not found.
·
Wife’s Death: not found.
· Children:
1.
Constance
Mary Townsend (1877-??). Born: November 12, 1877 Feckenham
(S8b), registered 1st QTR 1878 Alcester (S5b), listed as Constance Mary
Townsend who was born in Hunt End with parents George Foster Townsend a needle
manufacturer and Jane Ann Morrall.
2.
George
Townsend (1880-??). Born: October 25, 1880 Feckenham, Alcester (S8b), listed as George Townsend
who was born in Hunt End with parents listed as George Townsend and needle
manufacturer and Jane Anne Morrall.
3.
Reginald
W. Townsend (1882-??). Born: August 11, 1882 Feckenham,
Alcester (S8b), listed a Reginald Townsend born in Hunt End with parents listed
as George Townsend a needle manufacturer and Jane Anne Morrall.
4.
Winifred
Maud Mary Townsend (1885-??). Born: October 10, 1885
Feckenham, Alcester (S8b), listed as Winifred Maud Mary Townsend who was born
in Hunt End with parents listed as George Townsend a needle manufacturer and
Jane Anne Morrall.
Needle Related
Patents and/or Design Registration made by Townsend
·
Patent: October 3, 1867 #
2787 registered to George Townsend of Hunt End, Redditch needle manufacturer
for an invention for an improvement in the manufacturer of machine needles
S=patent books at books.google.com).
Avery style needle
cases with the Townsend name: Bower and Prince
Needle Preserver.
Endnotes
[1] The Illustrated Midland News, Messrs. Townsend’s
Needle Factory, Hunt End. Near Redditch, September 4, 1869, page 13 (S=Forge
Mill Needle Museum archives). The George
Townsend mentioned in this article was the one born in 1814 because the father
also named George had died in 1868, a year before this article was written.
[2] The Illustrated Midland News,
Messrs. Townsend’s Needle Factory, Hunt End. Near Redditch, September 4, 1869,
page 13 (S=Forge Mill Needle Museum archives).
[3] 1851 census for George Townsend.
[4] The Illustrated Midland News,
Messrs. Townsend’s Needle Factory, Hunt End. Near Redditch, September 4, 1869,
page 13 (S=Forge Mill Needle Museum archives).
[5] Corporation General
and Trades Directory of Birmingham, . . . Redditch . . .and Wolverhampton, by William Cornish,
1861, page 868. Available at
books.google.com.
[6] International Exhibition 1862.
Official Catalogue of the Industrial Department, page 99
and page 69 of the advertisement section. Available at books.google.com. Also, in The
Illustrated Midland News, Messrs. Townsend’s Needle Factory, Hunt End. Near
Redditch, September 4, 1869, page 13 (S=Forge Mill Needle Museum archives).
[7] Paris Universal Exhibition of
1867 Catalogue of the British Section, page 154
and page 15 of the awards section. Available at books.google.com. Also, in The Illustrated Midland News,
Messrs. Townsend’s Needle Factory, Hunt End. Near Redditch, September 4, 1869,
page 13 (S=Forge Mill Needle Museum archives).
[8] The Handbook to the Manufacturers
& Exporters of Great Britain, edited by George Taylor Wright, 1870, page 343. Available at books.google.com. Also, in The Illustrated Midland News, Messrs.
Townsend’s Needle Factory, Hunt End. Near Redditch, September 4, 1869, page 13
(S=Forge Mill Needle Museum archives).
[9] The Handbook to the Manufacturers &
Exporters of Great Britain, edited by George Taylor Wright, 1870, page 343. Available at books.google.com.
[10] The Illustrated
Midland News, Messrs. Townsend’s Needle Factory, Hunt End. Near Redditch,
September 4, 1869, page 13 (S=Forge Mill Needle Museum archives).
[11] 1884 map of the Hunt End area
(S=www.old-maps-co.uk).
[12] From Old Redditch Pubs by
Alan Foxall, 2002. Page 241 says that a
George Townsend was the proprietor of the Red Lion in Hunt End from 1850-1854.
[13] Conversation and visit with Alan
Foxall, a Redditch area historian, in May 2017.
At the time Alan collected pub tokens and he told me the story about pub
shops and manufacturers which I also had read about earlier. The pub tokens pictured here are from Alan’s
collection.
[14] The Illustrated Midland News,
Messrs. Townsend’s Needle Factory, Hunt End. Near Redditch, September 4, 1869,
page 13 (S=Forge Mill Needle Museum archives).
[15] The Handbook to the Manufacturers &
Exporters of Great Britain, edited by George Taylor Wright, 1870, page 343. Available at books.google.com.
[16] #2787 was registered on October 3,
1867 according to patent books. Available at
books.google.com.
[17] 1871 census for George Townsend.
[18] From George Townsends probate
record and later census records.
[19] 1881 census for E. J. F. Townsend.
[20] The Quest for Kind Dick An Exploration of the Abington Works and their Products
by William Whiteley 2017, page 36. Also, from the Royal Enfield page on
Wikipedia and from A Short History of Royal Enfield by Godfrey Vijay. Available at
books.google.com.
[21] The Furniture Gazette, A
Journal Treating of all that Pertains to Art Furnishing, December 15, 1890,
page 349. Available
at books.google.com.
[22] The Board of Trade Journal of the
Tariff and Trade Notices and Miscellaneous Commercial Information, Volume X, January-June, 1891 page xlix of the advertisement section. Available at
books.google.com. The advertisement
pictured here was found on the internet at www.gizmodo.com.au/2014/05/29-wonderful-bike-ads-from-the-golden-age-of-cycling.
[23] The Post Office Directory of Worcestershire, by Kelly and Co., 1892, page 92. Available at
books.google.com.
[24] The Quest for Kind Dick An Exploration of the Abington Works and their Products by
William Whiteley 2017, page 36. Also, from the Royal Enfield page on
Wikipedia and A Short History of Royal Enfield by Godfrey Vijay. Available at
books.google.com.
[25] From
www.myroyalenfields.blogspot.com/2009/07/where-in-redditch-part-xi.html
[26] Personal visit to this area in
2018.
[27] History, Gazetteer,
and Directory of Warwickshire, by Francis White & Co, 1850 (includes Alcester,
Redditch and Studley), page 748 which lists Thomas Townsend a needle maker at
Priory Street in Alcester.
[28] From his obituary in the Redditch
Indictor newspaper on January 18, 1879 (S-on microfilm at the Redditch Library).
[29] The Bournemouth
Daily Echo newspaper dated March 12, 1904 (S=britishnewspaperarchvie.co.uk)
