Mappin Brothers and Mappin & Webb: History

 

(Note:  Several histories of these two Mappin companies[1] are available on the internet and in other places, however there are a number of discrepancies between them.  Because the authors did not document all of the sources for their information, there is no way to know which is correct without doing additional research.  Therefore, unless otherwise noted, the company history in this chapter only includes information that was verified in records created around the time an event occurred, such as newspaper articles, advertisements, court cases, city directories, census records, etc.  Additionally, this history is mostly limited to what happened during the Victorian and the Edwardian periods (1837-1910) because that is when these firms had Avery style needle cases stamped with their names or when most of the founders of these companies lived.)

 

The Company

Although these two companies were not official established with the names Mappin Brothers or Mappin & Webb until the mid-1800’s, their history as cutlers goes back to their father.  Joseph Mappin became a cutler around 1810[2] and together with another man named George Arundel[3]    started a business in Sheffield, Yorkshire.  The firm was listed in an 1833[4] Sheffield trade directory as “Arundel & Mappin, merchants, and razor and table, pen and sporting knife manufacturers, Eyre lane”.  At the time Sheffield[5] was one of two places in the UK known for the manufacture of cutlery and silver-plated items.  Cutlery[6] included knives, spoons, forks and other hand tools used for preparing and eating food.  The Arundel and Mappin partnership was dissolved in 1835[7] and Joseph Mappin carried on the business under his own name[8].  Also, that year his eldest son, Frederick Thorpe Mappin[9] joined his father’s business at age 14.  When the father died in 1841[10] Frederick became the manager of the family’s cutlery business.  From 1835 until September 1849 the firm was consistently listed in newspapers simply as Joseph Mappin[11].  Around 1845[12] or shortly thereafter two other brothers joined the family business, Edward Mappin and Joseph Charles Mappin.  Then in September 1849[13] the firm started placing advertisements in newspapers with the name Joseph Mappin and Brothers as seen in the 1850[14] advertisement pictured here.  Sometime between 1852[15] and 1855[16] it became officially known as Mappin Brothers. Presumably these changes in the name were due to the fact that Joseph Mappin was a well-known cutlery business, and the brothers did not want to change the name until all of their customers realized they were carrying on their father’s business.

In 1857[17] at age 21 the youngest brother, John Newton Mappin, joined his three older brothers and became a partner in Mappin Brothers.  This partnership did not last very long because it was dissolved two years later in 1859[18].  Some say there was a dispute between the eldest and youngest brothers, Frederick and John.  As a result, both of these brothers left the Mappin Brothers business.  Frederick became a senior partner in a Sheffield steelmakers firm named Thomas Turton & Sons[19], whereas by 1860[20] John established his own cutlery business with his brother-in-law George Webb which they named Mappin & Co.  Mappin Brothers was carried on by the two middle brothers Edward and Joseph.  In addition to their operations in Sheffield, both firms established businesses in the London area, Mappin Brothers at King William Street and Mappin & Co. at 78-79 Oxford Street[21].  The disputes between the brothers apparently continued, most likely because the two companies were competing against each other, which resulted in a lawsuit in 1860 entitled Mappin v. Mappin[22].  The Mappin Brothers firm accused Mappin & Co. of false advertising and of using the older company’s name to obtain more business.  The end result of the lawsuit was that there was not enough evidence to prove Mappin & Co. did anything illegal.  Sometime during 1862[23] Mappin & Co. changed their name to Mappin & Webb.  Also, in 1862 both firms participated in the International Exhibition in London[24] in the steel and cutlery section.

 

Both Mappin companies expanded their business operations to include cutlery, electro-plating, silversmithing and jewelry and continued operations for the rest of the 19th century.  However, Mappin & Webb was significantly more successful as seen in the two advertisements[25] pictured here, whereas Mappin Brothers was sold to other parties.  In 1873[26] the partnership between the brothers Edward Mappin and Joseph Charles Mappin ended and Joseph retired from Mappin Brothers and Edward continued on his own.  Two years later in 1875[27] Edward died at age 49.  After his death, Mappin Brothers was sold in 1876[28], and was later sold again in 1890[29].  Mappin and Webb expanded their operations considerably during the last two decades of the 19th century under the direction of John Newton Mappin, because his partner George Webb died in 1881.  New shops were opened in foreign countries and the business was incorporated into a limited liability company in 1898[30].  Four years later Mappin & Webb Ltd. purchased Mappin Brothers and the two firms were amalgamated in 1902[31].  The company placed the following announcement in a local newspaper in 1908[32] which shows the degree of success it attained.

 

“AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.

The well-known firm of Mappin & Webb (1908), Limited, are issuing a Prospectus of a New Company to take over the business concern which was incorporated in 1898 and which took over the business of Mappin Brothers in 1902.  The business of Mapping Brothers, which is incorporated with Mappin & Webb, Limited, was established in 1810.  In 1860, Mr. John Newton Mappin, one of the partners of Mappin Brothers, left that firm, and together with the late Mr. Webb founded the firm of Mappin & Webb.  In 1898, for private reasons, the business of Mappin & Webb was converted into a limited liability Company, no shares being offered to the public, and in 1902 the businesses of Mappin & Webb, Limited and Mappin Brothers were amalgamated.

 

Up to 1903 the dividend was 10 per cent, and since then it has been 7½ per cent, the directors having adopted the prudent policy of thus reducing the dividend in view of the handsome new premised which they were erecting and the general extension of their business.

 

The profits for the year 1907 were £52,212 13s. 4d., and for the past three years have averaged the large amount of £49,048.  This item included rentals of sublet properties.  The balance of undivided profit at the end of 1907 had accumulated to the amount of £48,215.

 

An Issue is now made to the public of £133,334 in 5½ per cent.  Preference Shares, a like amount in Ordinary Stares of £1 each, and £166,667 in 4½ per cent.  Debenture Stock.

 

The new Company will take over the business now carried on at 158-162, Oxford Street, 2, Queen Victoria Street, and 220, Regent Street, London; 23, Boulevard des Capucines, Paris; 8, Avenue Massena, Nice; 16, Rue Mazagran, Biarritz; and Norfolk House, Johannesburg; and the factories at Winsley Street, London and Sheffield.

 

It will be seen from the above figures that the Company has been trading with uniform success, and the shares now offered of all classes should be a sound and profitable investment, especially when one considers that the list of Directors of the new Company include all the named that have been so closely associated with the prosperity of the firm in the past.

 

Mr. John Newton Mappin, the founder of the business of Mappin and Webb, will act as chairman of the Company without remuneration.  Messrs. W. J Mappin, H. J. Mappin and S. A. Mappin have agreed to act as Directors for a period of five years, and to hold during such period no less than £20,000 Shares each.  Mr. W. T. Haddock, who had been identified with the business since 1883, and Mr. Henry Portlock, who has been Secretary of the Vendor Company since 1901, will also act as Directors.  All of the above Directors are appointed by the Articles of Association first Directors of the new Company.”

 

John Newton Mappin served as the chairman of Mappin & Webb Ltd. until shortly before his death in 1911.  His three sons, Walter Joseph Mappin, Herbert Joseph Mappin and Samuel Arthur Mappin, remained directors of the firm for many years.  Walter became the chairman by 1911 and Herbert was the chairman in 1939[33].  Today the firm still exists and is a well-known jeweler with boutiques throughout the UK including three in the London area, one at Old Bond Street, one at 132 Regent Street (pictured below on the left) and another at Fenchurch Street[34].  This firm also has a shop at the Argyll Arcade in Glasgow, Scotland, seen below on the right[35].

  All of the Avery style needle cases stamped with Mappin company names were registered by William Avery of Redditch.  Three of these needle cases are stamped with the Mappin Brothers name: the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a Quadruple Golden Casket - Butterfly on Leaf and the Temple Bar.  And five have the Mappin and Webb name: Butterfly, Ladies Companion, Postal Weight, Quadruple Golden Casket - Fleur de Lis and the Temple Bar.  Of these designs, the Leaning Tower of Pisa is the most unique as only one needle case like this has been found to date (pictured on the right).  It is an exact match to the design registration drawing #337524 (pictured on the left) which was registered by William Avery in 1879[36].  Also, the name on the bottom is a bit different from the others as it clearly states “Mappin Bros 67 & 68 King William St London Bridge” whereas the others say Mappin Bros King William Street and Regent St London”.  The name stamped on most of the Mappin & Webb needle cas es displays “Mappin & Webb London & Sheffield” although the Ladies Companion needle case has the firm’s London addresses “76-77 Oxford St & 71-74 Cornhill” and the Postal Weight has “76 Oxford Street London”.  Additional examples of these needle cases be found in the Images section of this chapter.

 

The Mappin Owners

Joseph Mappin was born c1794 in Yorkshire, mostly likely in or near the city of Sheffield.  At some point before 1821 he married Mary Ann Thorpe[37] who was the daughter of a land agent from Haynes, Bedfordshire.  Joseph and Mary Ann had four children between c1821 and c1835: Frederick Thorpe, Edward, Joseph Charles and John Newton.  The Mappin family lived on Broomgrove Road in the Ecclesall Bierlow section of Sheffield where Joseph spent his entire life working as a cutler after establishing his business in 1810.  Joseph died in Ecclesall Bierlow of disease of the stomach and liver at age 47 in 1841 and was buried at the Sheffield General Cemetery.  Eight years later in 1849 his wife Mary Ann died at age 49 of apoplexy in the Lambeth section of London, approximately 168 miles southeast of Sheffield, where she was living at the time.  Her remains were returned to Sheffield and she was buried at the Sheffield General Cemetery, presumable next to her husband. 

 

  The eldest son of Joseph and Mary Ann Mappin was Frederick Thorpe Mappin[38] who was born in 1821 in Ecclesall Bierlow in Sheffield.  At age 14 in 1835 he joined his father’s cutlery business and became the manager of it after his father passed away in 1841.  In 1845 Frederick married Mary Crossley Wilson in Sheffield a nd they had four children: Frederick Wilson (aka as Frank), Wilson, Frederick Samuel (aka Samuel William) and Frederick Edward who died within months of his birth.  The family lived in the Sheffield area until at least 1871 where Frederick worked as cutler manufacturer until 1859 when he left the Mappin family business and began working as a steel and edge tool manufacturer at Sheaf Works in Sheffield.  By 1861 his firm employed 600 men and boys and in 1871 he was listed as a merchant and manufacturer.  Frederick became an MP prior to 1881 and he and his wife moved to Westminster in London where they remained until at least 1901.  Frederick was visiting his eldest son Frank in Sheffield in the 1891 census.  Frederick was very successful and by 1891 was listed as a baronet and M.P. living on his own means.  At some point between 1901 and 1908 Frederick and Mary returned to Thornbury in the Sheffield area where they spent the rest of their lives.  Mary died there in 1908 at age 86 and left as estate valued at £55,826 to her eldest son and two others.   Frederick died there two years later at age 89 in 1910 and his estate valued at £944,563 (£73,838,568 today[39]) was left to the same three men as his wife’s.  More details about Frederick’s life can be found in his 1910[40] obituary which is listed below.

 

“DEATH OF SIR FREDERICK THORPE MAPPIN.  A Great Sheffield Citizen.

We regret to announce the death of Sir Frederick Thorpe Mappin, Bart., of Sheffield, which occurred at twenty minutes past two on Saturday morning.  Sir Frederick had been removed from his haunts for only a brief period.  Indeed, during the last eighteen months, save for an occasional lapse, he had been in a state of bodily health that had been surprising to those about him.  Almost daily he had taken a constitutional, being seen in the chief streets of the city and in the parks, where he never failed, with his old-time courtesy, to acknowledge the respectful salutations of young and old.  Only a few weeks ago he drove down to Sheaf Works to which much of his commercial enterprise was devoted.  A few weeks ago an operation affecting his tongue was found necessary.  This was performed with all the skill that eminent surgeons could exercise, but unfortunately the benefit which was deemed to be possible did not accrue, or failed to be lasting, the patient slowly and peacefully passing away when little short of attending his ninetieth birthday.

 

Sir Frederick Thorpe Mappin was a Sheffield man by birth, education, business connections, and life work, in fact in every attribute which completes the sum of citizenship.  He was the eldest son of the late Joseph Mappin, of Broomgrove, a well-known Sheffield cutler, his mother being Mary Ann, daughter of Thomas Thorpe, land agent, of Haynes, Bedfordshire.  Born at Sheffield on 16th May 1821, at the time of his death was in his 89th year.

 

The foundations of Sir Frederick Mappin’s prosperous career were laid in 1835, when at the age of 14, he left school in order to enter his father’s business.  His father had in that year terminated partnership in the firm of Arundel and Mappin, and started trading alone.  Six years later Mr. Joseph Mappin died, and it thus came about that Frederick Thorpe Mappin, before he was 21, had to take over the management of the firm.   He was eventually successful in the conduct of business.  At the age of 24 he married, and about this time his younger brother joined him, the business being conducted by the brothers until 1859 when Frederick retired from the firm of Mappin Brothers, and became senior partner in the firm of Thomas Turton and Sons, Sheaf Works, Sheffield.  Shrewd, hard-headed and of unfailing industry, always acting up in a high standard of commercial probity, Sir Frederick Mappin seemed to succeed in every trading enterprise he entered upon. While in the civic and political life of the town he gained an influence excelled by few men of his generation.  Besides being at the head of Thomas Turton and Sons, he became connected with numerous other trading companies.  One of the largest of these undertakings was the Sheffield United Gas Light Company.  He joined the Board in 1863, and in 1873 became chairman.  Sir Frederick was also for many years a director of the Midland Railway Company and director of the Bridgewater Navigation.

 

In the civic and political life of Sheffield, Sir Frederick Mappin played worthily a distinguished part, fulfilling honourably, unselfishly, and with much acceptance to the city of his birth, the duties pertaining to citizenship.  He was 33 when he first entered the Town Council.  He did not stay long then, for at the next triennial election, he was in America, and though re-nomination for St.  Peter’s Ward he was defeated.  But twenty years later he was returned for Eccelesall Ward, and in the following, 1877, was chosen Mayor, and raised to the aldermanic bench.

 

In politics Sir Frederick was a somewhat advanced Liberal, and came to the help of Yorkshire Liberalism with great liberality.  He was, however, nearly three score years of age before he attempted to enter Parliament.  It was at the general election in 1888, and the constituency which he selected was Bassetlaw.  Mr. Mappin captured the second seat from the late Mr. William Beckettt, and he held it until the Redistribution Act, when he became a candidate for the newly created Hallamshire Division.  Here he secured the support of the miners, and with it an easy victory.  He retained the seat until 1905, his advanced age compelled him to relinquish Parliamentary life.

 

Sir Frederick was an ardent friend of education.  He contributed largely to the support of Voluntary schools for elementary instruction, while secondary and technical education filled him with a more consuming zeal.  When the establishment of the Sheffield Technical School was mooted he was unceasing in his advocacy of the project, and subscribed £2000 to the fund, following this by other handsome endowments of scholarship.  All the other efforts for the promotion of higher education in Sheffield met with his enthusiastic support, and the movement which has culminated in the establishment of a University of Sheffield owed much to his munificence and pubic spirit.  The Mappin Art Gallery, in Weston Park, owes its origin to the bequests of his kinsman, the late Mr. John Newton Mappin, but Sir Frederick co-operated heartily in the carrying out of the bequest, and he added very largely to the fine collection of pictures by his own generous purchases and gifts.  Sir Fredericks own portrait and that of Lady Mappin, who died in 1908, were placed in the gallery by public subscription in 1891.  Sir Fredericks’s being the work of Mr. Ouless, R. A. and Lady Mappin’s of Mr.  J. Shannon.

 

The baronetcy conferred on Sir Fredrick in 1896 was an honour to a Sheffield citizen which was heartily appreciated.  Of local honours he received many, beside the Mayoruity already alluded to.  More than fifty years ago he was Master Cutler; he was a Magistrate for the city and for the West Riding, and a Deputy Lieutenant for the County.  The honorary Freedom of the City was conferred on him in 1900.  He was the head of the Sheffield Town Trust, holding the somewhat archaic title of Town Collector, and also one of the Sheffield Church Burgesses.

 

Sir Frederick Mappin married in 1845 Mary Crossley Wilson, daughter of John Wilson, of Sheffield.  To them was vouchsafed the inestimable blessing of nearly sixty years of happy married life.  They had three sons, of whom the eldest, Mr. Frank Mappin, succeeds to the baronetcy.  Mr. Frank Mappin was born in 1846, but is unmarried.”

 

Edward Mappin, the second son of Joseph and Mary Ann Mappin, was born in Sheffield c1826.  He joined the family’s cutlery business around 1845 and spent the rest of his life working for and after 1859 managing the company with his younger brother Joseph Charles Mappin. In 1850 Edward traveled to the Lambeth section of south London and married Charlotte Hunter whose father was also a cutler from Sheffield.   Edward and Charlotte had 7 children between 1853 and 1861: Ernest Edward, Sophia Hunter, Joseph Charles, Ada Charlotte, Mary Thorpe, Kate Elizabeth and Frederick Thorpe.  The family lived in the Lambeth and neighboring Wandsworth sections of south London where Edward worked as a cutler master who in 1851 employed 150 men.  By 1861 he was listed as a cutler and silver plater with 25 assistants and in 1871 as a silversmith and cutler.  It seems most likely that he moved to the London area because he thought that would be more profitable than remaining in Sheffield because of the larger population and exposure to more potential customers.  Possibly his business success decreased after his brother Joseph Charles Mappin retired from the family business in 1873 and Edward had to carry on on his own.  His wife Charlotte died in Wandsworth in 1874 at age 47 of breast cancer followed three weeks later by Edward who died of softening of the brain at age 49 in 1875.   Both were buried at the Norwood Cemetery in Lambeth.  In his probate record Edward was listed as residing in both London and Sheffield and his estate of £70,000 (£4,632,929 today[41]) was proved by his brothers Frederick Thorpe Mappin and Joseph Charles Mappin and a lawyer.  His 1875[42] death notice and obituary read as follows:

 

“Deaths

MAPPIN- Jan. 11, at his residence, Wharncliffe House, King’s road, Clapham Park, London, Edward Mappin, Esq, of the firm of Mappin Brothers, London and Sheffield, in the 49th year of his age, having survived his wife only three weeks.”

 

“DEATH OF MR. EDWARD MAPPIN

We regret to announce the death of Mr. Edward Mappin, of the firm Mappin Brothers, London and Sheffield.  Mr. Mappin, who had for some time back been in delicate health, died from effusion on the brain, at his residence Wharncliffe House, Clapham, on Monday morning, having survived his wife by only three weeks.  Mr. Mappin, who was the brother of Mr. Frederick Thorpe Mappin, of Sheffield, represented a firm of great local and general reputation, both in the electro-plate and in the cutlery trade.  By his energy and integrity he had given the establishments both in London and in Sheffield a high character, and his loss will be widely felt.”

The third son of Joseph and Mary Ann Mappin, Joseph Charles Mappin, was born c1827 in Sheffield.  In 1851 he was surely working for his father’s business as he was listed in the census that year as a cutler living at 37 Moorgate Street in Sheffield, the same address as the Mappin Brothers firm[43].  In 1853 Joseph married Catharine Ann Radford in Rotherham, Yorkshire, a town 7 miles northeast of Sheffield.  Possibly because Catharine was born in the London area, the family only lived in the Sheffield area for a few years, then moved to the London area sometime between 1861 and 1871.  Joseph and Catharine had 3 children while living in Sheffield: Isabel Ann, Edith and Charles Edward.  By 1871 they were living in the Clapham section of Wandsworth, south London.  Catharine died unexpectedly at age 48 in 1878 while in the Battle section of Sussex, 64 miles southeast of London and was buried at a churchyard in Mountfield.  After her death Joseph and his children Isabell and Edith settled in the town of Reigate, 23 miles south of London.  From 1851 until 1873 Joseph worked in the Mappin Brothers cutlery business and was listed as a cutler manufacturer or manufacturing silversmith in 1861 and 1871.  Then by 1881 and thereafter he was listed with either no occupation or retired or living on own means indicating he had reached a high level of financial success.  In 1882 he married his second wife, Mary Kate Hewell, a widow who was 22 years younger than him and whose father was Henry Clark a gentleman.  At the time of their marriage Joseph was considered a gentleman as well further proof of his level of success.  Between 1881 and 1888, Joseph and Mary had 5 children: Violet Maud, Blanche Wilson, twins Muriel and Mary Thorpe, and Joseph.  The family lived in Westminster for a few years before moving to the seaside resort town of Hove in Sussex, 53 miles south of London on the coast.  Joseph died there in 1901 at age 74 and his estate of £33,972 (£2,655,666 today)[44] passed to his wife.   He was buried at the same cemetery in Mountfield as his first wife.  After his death his wife Mary returned to the London area where in 1915 she married Thomas F. E. Kinnell.  Mary died at age 79 in Southsea, Hampshire in 1930 and left an estate of £185 to her youngest son Joseph Mappin.  Joseph Charles Mappin’s 1901[45] obituary reads as follows:

 

“DEATH OF MR. J. C. MAPPIN

We regret to record the death of Mr. Joseph Charles Mappin, younger brother of Sir Frederick Thorpe Mappin, M.P.  The deceased gentleman, who had been for some time in failing health, had only recently returned from Harrogate to his residence in Brunswick Square, Brighton, where he expired yesterday morning.  He was formerly a member of the firm of Mappin Bros., silversmiths and cutlers, of London and Sheffield, but had for many years retired from business, and only last year gave up his residence in London, hoping to benefit in health by the change to the seaside.  Mr. Mappin was noted for sound business capacity, and in private life was greatly respected and esteemed by a numerous circle of friends.  He was in his 74th year.”

 

John Newton Mappin[46] was the youngest son of Joseph and Mary Ann Mappin.  John was born c1835 in Sheffield.  When he was 15 years old he was living with and working as a clerk in his eldest brother Frederick T. Mappin’s cutlery business.  In 1857 he became a partner in the Mappin Brothers firm but left two years later to establish his own cutlery business by 1860.  In 1860 John married Ellen Elizabeth Webb in the Lambeth section of London.  Also, that year Ellen’s brother George Webb joined John to established Mappin & Co, which was renamed Mappin & Webb a couple years later.  Between 1862 and 1879 the couple had 12 children: an unnamed son who did within a few hours of birth[47], Constance Ellen, Beatrice, Walter John, George Frederick, Herbert Joseph, Arthur Stanley who was known as Stanley Arthur, Douglas, Horace Adrian who died shortly after birth, Florence Christine, Howard and Margaret Sybil.  From 1862 until 1869 the family lived in the Wandsworth section of south London where five of their children were born.  Then they moved to Charlton in Woolwich just east of Greenwich where they remained from around 1869 until around 1877 and where six of their children were born.  Around 1879 they moved to Edmonton in north London where their last child was born.  At some point after 1881 John and Ellen moved to the small village of Headley, 23 miles south west of London, where they spent their final days.  During all those years, until his retirement around 1910, John managed the Mappin & Webb company as his partner George Webb died in 1881.  John expanded its operations, converted the company to a limited liability firm and permitted three of his sons to join the business.  He also amalgamated his business with the business previously owned by his brothers, Mappin Brothers, and as a result became extremely successful.  John died in Headley in 1913 at age 78 and left an estate valued at £824,860 (£48,660,306 today[48]) to his wife, eldest son Walter and to another man.  He was buried at the local cemetery in Headley.  His wife Ellen lived an additional 12 years and passed away in Marylebone, London in 1925 at age 88.  She was buried in Headley, presumably next to her husband and left an estate of £18,808 (£772,236 today[49]) to her sons Walter and Herbert.  John Newton Mappin’s 1913[50] obituary reads as follows:

 

“MR. JOHN NEWTON MAPPIN

The death of Mr. John Newton Mappin, of Headley Park, Epson, occurred yesterday afternoon.  Mr. Mappin was the donor of the Mappin Terraces, which are being constructed at the Zoological Gardens for the representation of the natural habitats of many of the animals kept there.  He was in his seventy-eighth year, and was one of the founders of the well-known silver-plate firm of Mappin and Webb, of Sheffield and London, of which, until a few years ago, he was chairman.”

 

Three of the sons of John Newton and Ellen Mapping: Walter John, Herbert Joseph and Arthur Stanley, joined the Mappin & Webb business most likely during the 1890’s.  Walter John Mapping was born in 1868 in Wandsworth.  He married Mildred Howard Smith in 1894 in Berkhamstead, Hertfordshire, a town 33 miles north west of London. In 1908 he became a director at Mappin & Webb and by 1911was the chairman.  Walter and Mildred had 3 children: Walter Graham, John Reginald and Mildred Audrey.  At first they lived in the London area, later moving to Folkestone along the southern coast before moving on to the north west section of Surrey just south west of London.   Walter died there in 1943 at age 75 and his wife Mildred died in that area seven years later in 1950.  John left an estate valued at £1,264 to his wife and Mildred left £2,588 to their daughter Mildred and her husband.  Herbert Joseph Mappin was born in 1871 and married Mary Emily Irene Topham in London in 1905.  They had no children and spent their entire lives in the London area.  Herbert became a directory of Mappin & Webb in 1908 and by 1939 was the chairman.  He died in Westminster in 1946 at age 74 and left an estate valued at £142,041.  His wife died 11 years later in 1957 in Kensington and left as estate of £96,160.  Arthur Stanley Mappin was born in 1872.  He married Constance Violet Marquerite Topham in 1900.  It seems most likely that these two Mappin brothers married Topham sisters as one sister was born in New Zealand and the other in Australia.  Arthur and Constance remained in the London area and had 1 child: Beryl.  Arthur also worked as a directory at Mappin & Webb for a number of years.  When he died in 1924 at age 51 of pneumonia and cardiac failure in Marylebone he left an estate of £921 to his brother Henry.  After his death his wife moved to Cannes, France where she died 40 years later in 1964 leaving an estate valued at £1,899 to her daughter.  One of the most interesting things about Arthur took place in 1911.  When the census taker came to his house that year he refused to provide details regarding the members of his household.  He simply gave his name and said there was a wife, 1 daughter and 5 servants living there.  He wrote the following statement on the census form “As a protest against the attitude of the government in denying women the rights of citizenship I refuse to fill in or sign this paper – Stanley A. Mappin 12 Alberts Hall Mansions”.

 

The Webb Owners

George Webb who was born c1833, the son of George and Elizabeth Webb, was baptized that year at St. Martin in East Horsely, Surrey, an area just southwest of London.  In 1851 and 1861 he was living in the London area with his parents and by 1861 became a manufacturer of plates of cutlery and silver working as a partner in the Mappin & Webb company until his death.  In 1864 he married Annie Theresa Bennett in Hove, Sussex and they had 8 children between 1865 and 1877: Lilian Ann, Ethel Mary, Mabel Elizabeth, Gertrude Ellen, George Harold, Bernard Hugh, Ronald Edward and Elsie Gwendolen.   The family lived in Clapham in the Wandsworth area of south London from about 1865 until 1871, then moved to the Hendon area of north London.  George died in Hendon in 1881 at age 47 of Brights Disease and pleurisy and left an estate of £117,295 (£7,763,134 today[51]) proved by his wife and several others.  Annie, his wife, remained mostly in the London area where she died 47 years later in Kensington at age 89.  She left as estate of £4,071 to her daughters Lilian and Gertrude.  George Webb’s 1881[52] obituary reads as follows:

 

“DEATH OF MR. WEBB

We regret to announce that Mr. George Webb, of Downage, Hendon, died on Tuesday, at about noon.  The deceased gentleman has been suffering for some months past, and his end was not quite unexpected.  Mr. Webb was, to all appearance, only a short time since in the prime of life.  He was a member of the great firm of Mappin and Webb, of Oxford-street, Queen Victoria-street, and Sheffield.  At Hendon Mr. Webb has been a resident for about ten years.  He was well-known as a most liberal minded man, and although more or less attached to the Congregational body, he nevertheless was, with his family, a frequent attendant at the parish church, and we understand a personal friend of the vicar.  Besides being a liberal supporter of several charities in the district, Mr. Webb also gave a contribution of 50 guineas to the New Chapel of Ease in Brent-street.  He leaves behind him a widow and several children.  He was in his 47th year.  The funeral will take place at Hendon, on Saturday (this day), at noon.”

 

 

Mappin Brothers and Mappin & Webb: Images

 

The Butterfly needle case.

 

The Ladies Companion needle case.

 

Top of the Temple Bar needle case with the Mappin & Webb name (S=David Chatterley).

 

Bottom of the Butterfly needle case with the Mappin & Webb name (photo from eBay).

 

 

Top of the Ladies Companion showing the Mappin & Webb name (S=David Chatterley).

 

 

Top of the Temple Bar needle case with the Mappin Bros name (S=Sandi Falconer).

Postal Weight needle case.

 

Quadruple - Butterfly on Leaf needle case.

 

Quadruple - Fleur di Lis needle case.

 

Bottom of the Postal Weight needle case with the Mappin &Webb name (S=the salesroom).

 

Quadruple - Butterfly on Leaf with the Mappin Bros name (S=eBay).

 

Quadruple - Fleur di Lis with the Mappin & Webb name (S=eBay).

 

The current Mappin & Webb store at 132 Regent Street in London is on the northeast corner of Regent Place and Regent Street, 2023.

 

Another view of the current Mappin & Webb store at 132 Regent Street in London, 2023.

 

External view of Argyll Arcade in Glasgow, Scotland with the Mappin & Webb shop on the ground floor on the right, 2023.

 

Interior view of the Argyll Arcade with a close up of the Mappin & Webb shop on the right, 2023.

 

Interior view of the Argyll Arcade in Glasgow, 2023.

 

Oxford Street sign, London, 2023.

What follows are some of the more interesting older buildings along Oxford Street in London near where the Mappin & Webb or Mappin Brothers businesses were originally located.

 

Corner of Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road, 2023.

 

Corner of Oxford Street and Harewood Place, 2023.

 

Corner of Oxford Street and Argyll Street, 2023.

 

Corner of Oxford Street and Winsley Street, 2023.

 

Corner of Oxford Street and Berwick Street, 2023

 

105-107 Oxford Street, 2023.

 

King William Street, London with the building at 68 King William Street in the center, 2023.

 

Mappin Brothers and Mappin & Webb:  Genealogy

 

Mappin Generation 1:  Joseph Mappin (c1794-1841) and Mary Ann Thorpe (c1800-1849)

·       Born: c 1794 (S7), c1796 (S4).

·       Baptized:  not found.

·       Marriage:  not found.

·       1841 Census: Broom Grove, Ecclesall Bierlow, Sheffield, Yorkshire (S4).  Listed as Joseph Mappin age 45 a cutler born in the county with Mary Ann Mappin age 40 not born in the county and 3 children: Frederick, Edward and John and 2 others 1 named Elizabeth Thorpe age 9 not born in the county.

·       Death: September 14, 1841 Ecclesall Bierlow, Yorkshire (S8d).  Listed as Joseph Mappin age 48 a merchant who died at Broom Grove of disease of the stomach and liver.  September 14, 1841 (S7).

·       Burial: Sheffield General Cemetery (S7), listed as Joseph Mappin who was born in 1794 and died September 14, 1841.  Gravesite Details: Age 47, Description: penknife cutler, Residence: Broomsgrove, E.B., Cause: Consumption, Birth: Sheffield 1794, Parents: Joseph and Elizabeth Mappin, Parents Description: Gentleman, 17 Sep 1841 is the internment date (S=https://www. findagrave.com).

·       Probate: not found.

·       Wife’s Death: January 30, 1849 Kennington 2nd Part, Lambeth, Surrey (S8d), listed as Mary Ann Mappin age 49 the widow of Joseph Mappin a cutler who died at 8 Bowhill Terrace, North Brixton of apoplexy.  January 30, 1849 (S7).

·       Wife’s Burial: Sheffield General Cemetery (S7), listed as Mary Ann Mappin who was born 1800 and died January 30, 1849.  Gravesite Details:  Age: 49, Description: relict of Joseph Mappin, cutlery manfr., Residence: Brixton, Surrey, Cause: apoplexy (S=https://www.finda grave.com).

·       Wife’s Probate: not found.

·       Children:

1.     Frederick Thorpe Mappin (c1821-1910) - See Mappin Generation 2.

2.     Edward Mappin (c1826-1875) - See Mappin Generation 2.

3.     Joseph Charles Mappin (c1827-1901) - See Mappin Generation 2.

4.     John Newton Mappin (c1835-1913) - See Mappin Generation 2.

 

Mappin Generation 2:  Frederick Thorpe Mappin (c1821-1910) and Mary Crossley Wilson (c1822-1908)

·       Born:  May 16, 1821 (see obituary for source information), c1822 (S4) (S5d).

·       Baptized:  not found.

·       1841 Census: with parents (S4).  Listed as Frederick Mappin age 20 born in the county.

·       Marriage: September 24, 1845 Sheffield, Yorkshire (S8m).  Listed as Frederick Thorpe Mappin age 24 a bachelor and merchant who resided in Highfield whose father was Josh Mappin a merchant and Mary Crossley Wilson age 25 a spinster. (Note: Mary’s middle name is incorrectly listed in the marriage index as Cropley).

·       1851 Census: 123 Highfields, Ecclesall Bierlow, Sheffield, Yorkshire S4).  Listed as Frederick T. Mappin, age 29 a manufacturer of cutlery born in Ecclesall, Yorkshire with wife Mary C. age 29 born in Ecclesall, 2 children: Frank and Wilson, 1 brother John N. and 3 servants. (Note: the census index incorrectly lists the surname as Brappin and Frederick’s middle initial as J.).

·       1861 Census: 24 Belle Vue Road, Sheffield, Yorkshire (S4).  Listed as Frederick Thorpe Mappin age 39 a steel and edge tool manufacturer employing 600 men and boys born in Sheffield with wife Mary Crossley age 39 born in Sheffield, 1 child: Samuel William Mappin age 6, 1 visitor and 3 servants.

·       1871 Census: 3 Thornbury, Ran Moor, Sheffield, Yorkshire (S4).  Listed as Fred Thorpe Mappin age 49 merchant and manufacturer born in Sheffield with wife Mary Crossley age 49 born in Sheffield, 2 children: Frank and Wilson, 1 butler and 4 servants. (Note: the wife’s middle name is incorrectly listed in the census index as Crawley).

·       1881 Census: 44 Prince’s Gate, Westminster, London (S4).  Listed as Frederick T. Mappin age 59 M.P. Magistrate Alderman and manufacturer of hardware cutler born in Sheffield with wife Mary C. age 59 born in Sheffield, 1 butler, 1 footman, 1 cook, 2 housemaids and 1 lady’s maid.

·       1891 Census: 22 Fulwood Road, Birchlands, Ecclesall Bierlow, Sheffield, Yorkshire (S4).   Listed as Sir Frederick T. Mappin a married father and visitor age 69 a baronet and M.P. living on own means born in Sheffield visiting his son Frank Mappin age 44 and 4 servants.

·       1891 Census for Wife:  38 Prince’s Gate, Westminster, London (S4).  Listed Mary C. Mappin age 69 married living on own means born in Sheffield and 8 servants.

·       1901 Census: 38 Duncas Gale, St. Margaret & St John the Evangelist, Westminster, London (S4).  Listed as Fred T. Mappin age 79 M.P, J.P. and D.L. living on own means born in Sheffield with wife Mary C. age 79 born in Sheffield, 1 butler, 2 footmen, 1 cook, 3 housemaids and 1 lady’s maid.,

·       Wife’s Death: 2nd QTR 1908 Ecclesall Bierlow, Yorkshire West Riding (S5d).  Listed as Mary Crossley Mappin.  April 10, 1908 (S6).

·       Wife’s Burial: not found.

·       Wife’s Probate: June 1, 1908 Wakefield (S6).  Listed as Dame Mary Crossley Mappin of Thornbury, Sheffield, wife of Sir Frederick Thorpe Mappin baronet, with effects £55,826 to Frank Mappin esquire, Henry Kenyon Stephenson esquire and Robert Leader esquire barrister-at-law.

·       Death:  1st QTR 1910 Ecclesall Bierlow, Yorkshire West Riding (S5d).  Listed as Frederick T. Mappin age 88.  March 19, 1910 (S6).

·       Burial: not found.

·       Obituary: Death of Sir Frederick Thorpe Mappin at age 89 born on May 16, 1821 in the Eckington, Woodhouse and Staveley Express newspaper dated March 26, 1910, page 3, column, 3 (S=https://www.british newspaperarchive.co.uk).

·       Probate: March 19, 1910 London (S6).  Listed as Sir Frederick Thorpe Mappin of Thornbury, Sheffield baronet with effects £931,086 resworn £944,558 and £944,563 to Sir Frank Mappin baronet, Robert Leader barrister-at-law and Henry Kenyon Stephenson type founder.

·       Children: (S=a search of the GRO online index for male and female births between 1845-1870 with a mother’s maiden name of Wilson was done and these are the only ones found that were born in the area where this family lived because Wilson is a common name in the UK).

1.     Frederick Wilson Mappin aka Frank Mappin (1846-??).  Born: September 6, 1846 Ecclesall Bierlow Union, Yorkshire (S8b), listed as Frederick Wilson the son of Frederick Thorpe Mappin a merchant and manufacturer and Mary Crossley Mappin formerly Wilson who was born at Highfield, Ecclesall Bierlow.  1851 and 1871 Censuses: with parents (S4), listed as Frank Mappin.  1891 Census: father visiting him, listed as Frank Mappin age 44. 

2.     Wilson Mappin (1848-??).  Born: 1st QTR 1848 Ecclesall Bierlow Union (S=GRO online index), listed as Wilson Mappin with mother’s maiden name Wilson.  1851 and 1871 Censuses: with parents (S4).

3.     Frederick Samuel Mappin aka Samuel William Mappin (1854-??).  Born: October 12, 1854 Sheffield Park, Sheffield, Yorkshire (S8b), listed as Frederick Samuel the son of Frederick Thorpe Mappin a merchant and Mary Mappin formerly Crossley Wilson who was born at Belle Vue, Sheffield.  1861 Census: with parents (S4), listed as Samuel William Mappin.

4.     Frederick Edward Mappin (1858-1859).   Born: December 19, 1858 Sheffield Park, Sheffield, Yorkshire (S8b), listed as Frederick Samuel the son of Frederick Thorpe Mappin a merchant and manufacturer and Mary Crossley Mappin formerly Wilson who was born at Belle Vue, Sheffield.   Death: 2nd QTR 1859 Sheffield (S=GRO Online index), listed as Frederick Edward Mappin age 0.

 

Mappin Generation 2:   Edward Mappin (c1826-1875) and Charlotte Hunter (c1827-1874)

·       Born:  c1826 (death notice says he was 49 in 1875), 1827 (S4), (S5d) (S7).Baptized:  not found.

·       1841 Census: with parents (S4).  Listed as Edward Mappin age 14 born in the county.

·       Marriage:  June 6, 1850 St. Mary, Lambeth, London (S3).  Listed as Edward Mappin a bachelor and cutler who resided at 20 Habert Square whose father was Joseph Mappin deceased a cutler and Charlotte Hunter a spinster who resided in Sheffield whose father was also a cutler.

·       1851 Census: 26 S. Lorn Road, Kennington Second, Lambeth (S4).  Listed as Edward Mappin age 24 a manufacturing cutler master employing 150 men born in Sheffield, Yorkshire with wife Charlotte age 23 born in Sheffield, 1 niece, Mary Emma Raynor age 8 and 1 servant. (Note:  the surname is incorrectly listed in the census index as Meppen).

·       1861 Census: 26 Cedars, Lambeth (S4).  Listed as Edward Mappin age 34 a cutler and silver plater employing 25 assistants born in Sheffield, Yorkshire with wife Charlotte age 33 born in Sheffield, 6 children: Ernest E., Sophia H., Joseph C, Ada Charlotte, Mary Thorpe and Kate E. and 3 servants. (Note:  the surname is incorrectly listed in the census index as Nappin and Edward’s age is incorrectly listed as 36).

·       1871 Census: 54 Wharncliff House, Clapham, Wandsworth, Surrey (S4).  Listed as Edward Mappin age 44 a silversmith and cutler born in Sheffield, Yorkshire with wife Charlotte age 43 born in Sheffield, 6 children: Ernest E., Sophia H., Ada C., Mary T., Kate E. and Frederick T. and 4 servants.

·       Wife’s Death: December 20, 1874 Clapham, Wandsworth, Surrey (S8d), listed as Charlotte Mappin age 47, the wife of Edward Mappin a cutler, who died at Wharncliffe House, Kings Road, Clapham Park of breast cancer.   December 20, 1874 (S7).

·       Wife’s Burial:  West Norwood Cemetery, Lambeth (S7).  Listed as Charlotte Mappin born in 1827 and died December 20, 1874.

·       Wife’s Probate: not found.

·       Death:  January 11, 1875 Clapham, Wandsworth, Surrey (S8d).  Listed as Edward Mappin age 48 a cutler who died at Wharncliffe House, Kings Road, Clapham Park of softening of the brain.  January 11, 1875 at Wharncliffe House (S6).

·       Burial: January 14, 1875 Norwood Cemetery, Lambeth (S7).  Listed as Edward Mappin of Kings Road, Clapham Park age 48.

·       Death Notice:  Deaths MAPPIN Edward died at age 49 in the Sheffield Independent Newspaper dated January 14, 1875, page 3, column 6 (S=https://www.britishnewspaper archive.co.uk).

·       Obituary: Death of Mr. Edward Mappin in the Sheffield Daily Telegraph newspaper dated January 16, 1875, page 12 column 1 (S=https://www.british newspaperarchive.co.uk).

·       Probate:  February 19, 1875 Principal Registry (S6).  Listed as Edward Mappin late of London and Sheffield, York and of Wharncliffe House Clapham Park, Surrey electro silver plate manufacturer with effects under £70,000 proved by Frederick Thorpe Mappin of Thornbury near Sheffield and Joseph Charles Mappin of Woodlands near Battle, Sussex esquires the brothers and Frederick Clifford of Elm-court Temple and of 9 St. Johns-road Brixton, Surrey esquire barrister-in-law the surviving executors.

·       Children: (S=a search of the GRO online index for male and female births between 1850-1874 with a mother’s maiden name of Hunter was done and these are the only ones found that were born in the area where this family lived because Hunter is a common name in the UK).

1.     Ernest Edward Mappin (1853-??).  Born:  1st QTR 1853 Lambeth (S=GRO online index), listed as Ernest Edward Mappin with mother’s maiden name Hunter.  1861 and 1871 Censuses: with parents (S4).

2.     Sophia Hunter Mappin (1854-??).  Born: May 19, 1854 Brixton, Lambeth, Surrey (S9b), listed as Sophia Hunter with parents Edward Mappin a merchant and Charlotte Mappin formerly Hunter.  1861 and 1871 Censuses: with parents (S4).

3.     Joseph Charles Mappin (1856-??).  Born: 3rd QTR 1856 Lambeth (S=GRO online index), listed as Joseph Charles Mappin with mother’s maiden name Hunter.  1861 Census: with parents (S4).

4.     Ada Charlotte, Mappin (1857-??).  Born: 3rd QTR 1857 Lambeth (S=GRO online index), listed as Ada Charlotte Mappin with mother’s maiden name Hunter.  1861 and 1871 Censuses: with parents (S4).

5.     Mary Thorpe Mappin (1858-??).  Born: 3rd QTR 1858 Lambeth (S=GRO online index), listed as Mary Thorpe Mappin with mother’s maiden name Hunter.   1861 and 1871 Censuses: with parents (S4).

6.     Kate Elizabeth Mappin (1859-??).  Born: 3rd QTR 1859 Lambeth (S=GRO online index), listed as Kate Elizabeth Mappin with mother’s maiden name Hunter.  1861 and 1871 Censuses: with parents (S4).

7.     Frederick Thorpe Mappin (1861-??).  Born: 2nd QTR 1861 Lambeth (S=GRO online index), listed as Frederick Thorpe Mappin with mother’s maiden name Hunter.  1871 Censuses: with parents (S4).

 

Mappin Generation 2:   Joseph Charles Mappin (c1827-1901) and Catharine Ann Radford (c1831-1876) and Mary Kate Hewitt {nee Clarke} (c1851-1930)

·       Born:  1827 (obituary says he was 74 in 1901), August 3, 1828 (S7).

·       Baptized:  September 10, 1828 St. Peters, Sheffield, Yorkshire (S1c).  Listed as Joseph Charles Mappin with parents Joseph and Mary Ann Mappin.

·       1841 Census: not found.

·       1851 Census:  37 Moorgate St., St. Stephen, London (S4).  Listed as Joseph Mappin unmarried age 23 a cutler born in Sheffield with 2 servants.

·       Marriage #1:  October 26, 1853 Rotherham, Yorkshire West Riding (S8m).  Listed as Joseph Charles Mappin age 24 a bachelor and merchant who resided in Sheffield whose father was Joseph Mappin a merchant and Catharine Ann Radford age 21 a spinster.  The marriage took place in the presence of John Newton Mappin. 

·       1861 Census: 2 Endcliffe Cres., Ecclesail Bierlow, Sheffield, Yorkshire (S4).  Listed as Joseph C. Mappin a son-in-law age 32 a cutlery manufacturer born in Sheffield, Yorkshire with wife Catharine A. age 29 a daughter born in St. Pancreas, Middlesex living with the household of Ann Turton age 55 a gentlewoman born in Southwark, Surrey and 2 Mappin grandchildren: Isabel A. and Edith.

·       1871 Census: 55 The Herns, Clapham, Wandsworth, Surrey (S4).   Listed as Joseph Charles Mappin age 42 a manufacturing silversmith born in Sheffield, Yorkshire with wife Catharine Ann age 40 born in London, 2 children: Isabel A. and Edith and 2 servants.  (Note: the wife’s middle name is incorrectly listed in the census index as Conn).

·       Wife #1’s Death: June 21, 1878 Battle, Sussex (S8d), listed as Catherine Ann Mappin age 48, the wife of Joseph Charles Mappin a landowner, who died at Woodlands, Battle of disease of the brain with Joseph Charles Mappin the widower of the decease present at her death. June 21, 1878 (S7).

·       Wife#1’s Burial: St. John the Baptist Churchyard, Mountfield, Rother District, East Sussex (S7).  Listed as Catherine Ann Mappin who died June 21, 1878 the spouse of Joseph Charles Mappin.  Gravestone lists the death date as June 21, 1878 (S=https://www.findagrave. com).  (Note: the find a grave index incorrectly lists the death year as 1876, however the gravestone which is pictured says 1878).

·       Wife #1’s Probate: not found.

·       1881 Census:  185 Reigate Road, Reigate, Surrey (S4).  Listed as Joseph C. Mappin a widow age 52 with no occupation born in Sheffield, Yorkshire with 2 children: Isabel and Edith and 3 servants.

·       Marriage #2: June 3, 1882 St. James, Piccadilly, Westminster, London (S3).  Listed as Joseph Charles Mappin a widower and gentleman who resided at 52 Iemyn St whose father was Joseph Mappin a deceased manufacturer and Mary Kate Hewitt a widow whose father was Henry Clarke a gentleman.

·       1891 Census: 38 Harrington Gate, Kensington, London (S4).  Listed as Joseph C. Mappin age 62 living on own means a retired silversmith born in Sheffield with wife Mary K. age 40 born in Ipswich, Suffolk, 5 children: Violet M., Blanch W., Muriel, Mary T. and Joseph, 1 step-son James R. Hewitt and 8 servants.

·       1901 Census: 9 Brunswick Sq., Hove, Sussex (S4).  Listed as Joseph C. Mappin age 72 a cutler manufacturer own account born in Sheffield with wife Mary K. age 50 born in Ipswich, Suffolk, 5 children: Violet M., Blanch W., Muriel, Mary T. and Joseph and 6 servants.

·       Death:  3rd QTR 1901 Steyning, Sussex (S5d), listed as Joseph Charles Mappin.  August 15, 1901 (S6).

·       Burial: St. John the Baptist Churchyard, Mountfield. Rother District, East Sussex (S7).  Listed as Joseph Charles Mappin born August 3, 1828 and died August 19, 1901 with wife listed as Catherine Ann Mappin.

·       Obituary: Death of Mr. J. C. Mappin at age 74 in the Sheffield Evening Telegraph newspaper dated August 15, 1901, page 3 column 7 (S=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk).

·       Probate: September 9, 1901 London (S6).  Listed as Joseph Charles Mappin of 9 Brunswick-square, Brighton with effects £33,972 to Mary Kate Mappin widow.

·       1911 Census for Wife #2: 157 Victoria Street, Flat 6, Westminster, London (S4).  Listed as Mary Kate Mappin age 59 a widow living on private means born in Ipswich and 1 son Joseph Mappin and 1 daughter-in-law Mary Rita Mappin and 3 servants.

·       Wife #2’s Marriage:  1st QTR 1915 St. Martin, London (S5m).  Listed as Mary K. Mappin and Thomas F. E. Kinnell. 

·       Wife #2’s Death: 4th QTR 1930 Portsmouth, Hampshire (S5d), listed as Mary K. Kinnell.  December 20, 1930 (S6).

·       Wife#2’s Burial: not found.

·       Wife #2’s Probate:  January 21, 1954 formerly grant January 27, 1931 London (S6).  Listed as Mary Kate Kinnell of The Royal Pier Hotel, Southsea, Hampshire widow with effects £185 to Joseph Mappin retired civil servant.

·       Children: (S=a search of the GRO online index for male and female births between 1853-1876 with a mother’s maiden name of Radford and from 1881-1901 for births with the mother’s maiden name Clarke and 1st husband’s name Hewett was done and these are the only ones found that were born in the area where this family lived because Clarke is a common name in the UK).

1.     Isabel Ann Mappin (1855-??).  Born: 4th QTR 1855 Ecclesall Bierlow (S=GRO online index), listed as Isabel Ann Mappin with mother’s maiden name Radford.  1861, 1871 and 1881 Censuses: with parents (S4).

2.     Edith Mappin (1857-??).  Born: 4th QTR 1857 Ecclesall Bierlow (S=GRO online index), listed as Edith Mappin with mother’s maiden name Radford.  1861, 1871 and 1881 Censuses: with parents (S4).

3.     Charles Edward Mappin (1859-??).  Born:  3rd QTR 1859 Ecclesall Bierlow (S=GRO online index), listed as Charles Edward Mappin with mother’s maiden name Radford. 

4.     Violet Maud Mappin (1883-??).  Born:  2nd QTR 1883 Ipswich (S=GRO online index), listed as Violet Maud Mappin with mother’s maiden name Clarke.  1891 and 1901 Censuses: with parents (S4).

5.     Blanche Wilson Mappin (1884-??).  Born: 4th QTR 1884 Reigate (S=GRO online index), listed as Blanche Wilson Mappin with mother’s maiden name Clarke.  1891 and 1901 Censuses: with parents (S4).

6.     Muriel Mappin (1886-??).  Born: 4th QTR 1886 Kensington (S=GRO online index), listed as Muriel Mappin with mother’s maiden name Clarke.  1891 and 1901 Censuses: with parents (S4).

7.     Mary Thorpe Mappin (1886-??).  Born: 4th QTR 1886 Kensington (S=GRO online index), listed as Mary Thorpe Mappin with mother’s maiden name Clarke.  1891 and 1901 Censuses: with parents (S4).

8.     Joseph, Mappin (1888-??).  Born: 3rd QTR 1888 Kensington (S=GRO online index), listed as Joseph Mappin with mother’s maiden name Clarke.  1891, 1901 and 1911 Censuses: with parents (S4).

 

Mappin Generation 2:   John Newton Mappin (c1835-1913) and Ellen Elizabeth Webb (c1837-1925)

·       Born: 1835 (obituary says he was 78 in 1913), c1836 (S4) (S5d) (S7).

·       Baptized:  not found.

·       1841 Census: with parents (S4).  Listed as John Mappin age 6 born in the county.

·       1851 Census: with brother Frederick T. Mappin (S4).  Listed as John N. Mappin age 15 a clerk to merchant born in Sheffield.  (Note:  the surname s incorrectly listed in the census index as Brappin).

·       Marriage:  September 25, 1860 Brixton Unitarian Chapel, Lambeth (S8m).  Listed as John Newton Mappin age 24 a bachelor and cutler who resided at Queen’s Road, Clapham whose father was Joseph Mappin deceased a cutler and Ellen Elizabeth Webb age 23 a spinster.  The marriage took place in the presence of George Webb and Fredk. Thorpe Mappin.

·       1861 Census: not found.

·       1871 Census: 117 Blackheath Park, Charlton. Woolwich, London (S4).  Listed as John N. Mappin age 35 a cutler born in Yorkshire with wife Ellen age 31 born in Surrey, 4 children: Constance, Beatrice, Walter and George and 7 servants.  (Note: the census index incorrectly lists one of the servants as a son).

·       1881 Census: 105 Southgate House, High Street, Edmonton, Middlesex (S4).  Listed as John N. Mappin age 45 an export merchant born in Sheffield, Yorkshire with wife Ellen E. age 42 born in London, 10 children: Constance, Beatrice, Walter, George, Herbert, Stanley, Douglas, Christine, Howard and Sybel, 1 cousin Margaret Thorpe age 46 and 8 servants.  (Note: the census index incorrectly lists the wife’s forename as Ellar).

·       1891 Census: not found.

·       1901 Census: not found.

·       1911 Census: not found.

·       Death:  2nd QTR 1913 Epson, Surrey (S5d), listed as John N. Mappin age 77.  June 29, 1913 (S6).

·       Burial:  July 3, 1913 Headley, Surrey (S7).  Listed as John Newton Mappin of Headley age 77.

·       Obituary: Death of John Newton Mappin at age 78 in the London Evening Standard newspaper dated June 30, 1913, page 10 column 4 (S=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk).

·       Probate: July 25, 1913 London (S6).  Listed as John Newton Mappin of Headley Park, Epson, Surrey with effects £824,860 to Ellen Elizabeth Mappin widow, Herbert Joseph Mappin jeweller and Edward William Grimwade J. P.

·       Wife’s Death: 1st QTR 1925 Marylebone, London (S5d), listed as Ellen E. Mappin age 88.  March 16, 1925 at 29 Wimpole-street Middlesex(S6).

·       Wife’s Burial: March 19, 1925 St. Mary the Virgin, Headley, Surrey (S7), listed as Ellen Elizabeth Mappin of The Park Headley age 88.  Gravestone lists her spouse as John Mappin S=https://www.findagrave.com). 

·       Wife’s Probate:  May 5, 1925 London (S6).  Listed as Ellen Elizabeth Mappin of Headley Park, Epson, Surrey widow with effects £18,808 to Walter John Mappin and Herbert Joseph Mappin esquires.

·       Children: (S=a search of the GRO online index for male and female births between 1860-1885 with a mother’s maiden name of Webb was done and these are the only ones found that were born in the area where this family lived because Webb is a common name in the UK).

1.     Unnamed son Mappin (1862-??).  Born: 2nd QTR Wandsworth (S=GRO online index), listed as unnamed with mother’s maiden name Webb.

2.     Constance Ellen Mappin (1864-??).  Born: 3rd QTR 1864 Wandsworth (S=GRO online index), listed as Constance Ellen Mappin with mother’s maiden name Webb.  1871 and 1881 Censuses: with parents (S4).

3.     Beatrice Mappin (1866-??).  Born: Born: 4th QTR 1866 Wandsworth (S=GRO online index), listed as Beatrice Mappin with mother’s maiden name Webb. 1871 and 1881 Censuses: with parents (S4).

4.     Walter John Mappin (1868-1943).   

·       Born: 2nd QTR 1868 Wandsworth (S=GRO online index), listed as Walter Mappin with mother’s maiden name Webb. 

·       1871 Census: with parents (S4).   Listed as Walter Mappin age 3 born in Surrey.

·       1881 Censuses: with parents (S4).  Listed as Walter Mappin age 13 a scholar born in Clapham, Surrey.

·       1891 Census: not found.

·       Marriage: October 18, 1894 Berkhamstead, Hertfordshire (S8m).  Listed as Walter John Mappin age 27 a bachelor and gentleman who resided at Kensington House, Bayswater whose father was John Newton Mappin a gentleman and Mildred Howard Smith age 19 a spinster.

·       1901 Census: not found.

·       1911 Census: Castle Glen, Sandgate, Folkestone (S4).  Listed as Walter J. Mappin age 42 the chairman of Mappin & Webb Ltd employer born in Tunbridge Wells with wife Mildred H. age 35 born in Gt. Berkhamstead who had been married 16 years and had 3 children still living with 1 daughter Audrey age 7 and a niece and 6 servants (note:  the census index incorrectly lists his middle initial as I).

·       1939 Register: Garden Cottages, Priory Rd, Bagshot, Surrey (S9).  Listed as Walter J. Mappin born February 16, 1868 retired and incapacitated with wife Mildred H. born September 13, 1875 and 3 servants.

·       Death: 1st QTR 1943 Surrey North Western (S5d), listed as Walter J. Mappin age 75.  February 19, 1943 at Holloway Sanatorium Virginia Water Egham, Surrey Administration (S6).

·       Probate: March 30, 1943 Llandudno (S6).  Listed as Walter John Mappin of Garden Cottage Priory-road, Sunningdale, Berkshire with effects £1,264 to Mildred Howard Mappin widow.

·       Wife’s Death: 4th QTR 1950 Hampstead (S5d), listed as Mildred H. Mappin age 75.  October 6, 1950 at Hawthorn House Hampstead Heath, London (S6).

·       Wife’s Probate:  November 23, 1950 London (S6).  Listed as Mildred Howard Mappin of Ashway Grand-avenue Camberley, Surrey widow with effects £2,588 to Mildred Audrey Oldham (wife of Eustace Alfred Skinner Oldham) and said Eustace Alfred Skinner Oldham member of stock exchange.

·       Children:

a)     Walter Graham Mappin (1898-??). Born: 2nd QTR 1898 Kensington (S=GRO online index), listed as Walter Graham Mappin with mother’s maiden name Howard-Smith.  

b)     John Reginald Mappin (1900-??).  Born: 3rd QTR 1900 Barnet (S=GRO online index), listed as John Reginald Graham Mappin with mother’s maiden name Smith.

c)     Mildred Audrey Mappin (1903-??).  Born: 4th QTR 1900 Barnet (S=GRO online index), listed as Mildred Audrey Mappin with mother’s maiden name Smith.  1911 Census (S4): with parents (S4), listed as Audrey age 7.

5.     George Frederick Mappin (1869-??).  Born: 4th QTR 1869 Wandsworth (S=GRO online index), listed as George Frederick Mappin with mother’s maiden name Webb.  1871 and 1881 Censuses: with parents (S4).

6.     Herbert Joseph Mappin (1871-1946). 

·       Born: 4th QTR 1871 Woolwich Union (S=GRO online index).  Listed as Herbert Mappin with mother’s maiden name Webb. 

·       1881 Census: with parents (S4).  Listed as Herbert Mappin age 9 a scholar born in Blackheath, Kent.

·       1891 Census: not found.

·       1901 Census: not found.

·       Marriage: June 8, 1905 St. Peter Pimlico, Eaton Square, London (S3).  Listed as Herbert Joseph Mappin esquire a bachelor who resided at 47 Ebony Street whose father was John Newton Mappin esquire and Mary Emily Irene Topham. 

·       1911 Census: Ifield Court Lodge, Crawley, Sussex (S4).  Listed as Herbert Joseph Mappin age 39 director of manufacturing gold and silversmith employer born in Blackheath, Kent with wife Mary Emily Irene age 34 born in Westport, New Zealand who were married 5 years and had no children with 4 servants. 

·       1939 Register: The Barn, Deans Lane, Banstead, Surrey (S9).  Listed as Herbert J. Mappin who was born October 24, 1873 married the chairman of Mappin & Webb goldsmith and silversmith and wife Mary E. I. who was born June 9, 1876 with 1 butler, 1 cook and 1 houseman.

·       Death: 4th QTR 1946 Westminster (S5d), listed as Herbert J. Mappin age 74.  October 14, 1946 at 48 Grosvenor-square, London (S6). (Note: the probate index incorrectly listed the death year as 1943). 

·       Probate: February 13, 1947 London (S6). Listed as Herbert Joseph Mappin of 48 Grosvenor-square and 156-162 Oxford-street both in London with effects £142,041 to Midland Bank Executor and Trustee Company Limited.

·       Wife’s Death: 4th QTR 1957 Kensington (S5d), listed as Mary E. I. Mappin age 82.  October 22, 1957 at 31 Queens Gate, London (S6).

·       Wife’s Probate: January 3, 1958 London (S6).  Listed as Mary Emily Irene Mappin of 58 Knightsbridge Court Sloan Street, London widow with effects £96,160 to the Midland Bank Executor and Trustee Company Limited.

·       Children: none found (S=a search of the GRO online index for male and female births between 1900-1911 with a mother’s maiden name of Topham was done and only one was found which was the daughter of Arthur Mappin).

7.     Arthur Stanley Mappin aka Stanley Mappin (1872-1924).

·       Born: 4th QTR 1872 Woolwich Union (S=GRO online index).  Listed as Arthur Stanley Mappin with mother’s maiden name Webb. 

·       1881 Census: with parents (S4).  Listed as Stanley Mappin age 8 a scholar born in Blackheath, Kent.

·       1891 Census: not found.

·       Marriage: October 24, 1900 St. Peter Pimlico, Eaton Square, London (S3).  Listed as Stanley Arthur Mappin age 24 a bachelor and esquire who resided at Headley Park, Epson whose father was John Newton Mappin an esquire and Constance Violet Marquerite Topham a spinster.

·       1901 Census: 40 Porchester Terr, Paddington, London (S4).  Listed as Stanley Mappin age 28 a silversmith and gold employer born in Blackheath with wife Constance V. age 20 born in Australia. (note: the census index incorrectly lists the wife’s middle initial as J.).

·       1911 Census:  12 Albert Hall Mansions, Kensington Gore, London (S4).  Listed as Stanley A. Mappin, who had 1 child who was still living, with wife, a daughter and 5 servants, who wrote on the form “as a protest against the attitude of the government in denying women the rights of citizenship I refuse to fill in or sign this paper Stanley A. Mappin 12 Ablert Hill Mansions”.

·       Death: March 9, 1924 Marylebone, London (S9d), listed as Stanley Arthur Mappin age 51 the directory of a limited company silversmiths who died at 15 Regents Court of pneumonia and cardiac failure with his daughter Beryl L. Mappin present at his death.  March 9, 1924 (S6).

·       Probate: May 13, 1924 London (S6).  Listed as Stanley Arthur Mappin of 15 Regents Court Marylebone, Middlesex with effects £921 to Herbert Joseph Mappin esquire.

·       Wife’s Death: August 24, 1963 at 85 Avenus du Petit Juas, Cannes (S6).

·       Wife’s Probate: May 1, 1964 London (S6).  Listed as Constance Violet Marquerite Mappin otherwise Constance Violet of Hotel Martinez La Croisette, Cannes, France with effects £1,899 in England to Beryl Lorraine Harrison widow.

·       Children: (S=a search of the GRO online index for male and female births between 1900-1911 with a mother’s maiden name of Topham was done and only one was found)).

a)     Beryl Mappin (1901-??).  Born: 3rd QTR 1901 St. George Hanover Square (S=GRO online index), listed as Beryl Mappin with mother’s maiden name Topham.  1911 Census: with parents (S4), no forename listed as her father refused to complete the census form.

8.     Douglas Mappin (1874-??).  Born: 1st QTR 1874 Woolwich (S=GRO online index), listed as Douglas Mappin with mother’s maiden name Webb.   1881 Censuses: with parents (S4).

9.     Horace Adrian Mappin (1875-1875).  Born: 3rd QTR 1875 Woolwich (S=GRO online index), listed as Horace Adrian Mappin with mother’s maiden name Webb.  Death: 4th QTR 1875 Woolwich (S=GRO online index), listed as Horace Adrian Mappin age 0. 

10.  Florence Christine Mappin aka Christine Mappin (1876-??).  Born: 3rd QTR 1876 Woolwich (S=GRO online index), listed as Florence Christine Mappin with mother’s maiden name Webb.  1881 Censuses: with parents (S4), listed as Christine.

11.  Howard Mappin (1877-??).  Born: 4th QTR 1877 Woolwich (S=GRO online index), listed as Howard Mappin with mother’s maiden name Webb.  1881 Censuses: with parents (S4).

12.  Margaret Sybil Mappin aka Sybil Mappin (1879-??).  Born: 3rd QTR 1879 Edmonton (S=GRO online index), listed as Margaret Sybil Mappin with mother’s maiden name Webb.  1881 Censuses: with parents (S4), listed as Sybel.

 

Webb Generation 1:   George Webb (c1833-1881) and Annie Theresa Bennett (c1839-1928)

·       Born:  c1833 (S1c), c1834 (obituary says he was 47 in 1834),

·       Baptized:  January 4, 1833 St. Martin, East Horsley, Surrey (S1c).  Listed as George son of George and Elizabeth Webb of East Horsley with father’s occupation tailor with birth year listed as 1833 private.

·       1841 Census: not found.

·       1851 Census: 111 High Street, St. Judes Whitechapel, Tower Hamlet (S4).  Listed as George Webb age 17 a son and payford to architecture born in Middlesex living with his parents George Webb age 50 a wine and spirit merchant born in Southwark, Surrey and Elizabeth Webb age 42 born in Middlesex and 2 sisters: Sarah age 19 and Ellen age 12 and 4 servants.

·       1861 Census:  40 Stove Lodge, Clapham, Wandsworth, Surrey (S4).  Listed as George Webb age 28 a son and manufacturer plates of cutlery and silver born in St. Ethelburge, London living with his parents George Webb age 60 a wine and spirit merchant born in Southwark, Surrey and Elizabeth Webb age 52 born in Cripplegate, London and 2 servants.

·       Marriage: May 19, 1864 Hove, Steyning, Sussex (S8m).  Listed as George Webb a bachelor and gentleman who resided at Clapham, Surrey whose father was George Webb a gentleman and Annie Theresa Bennett a spinster.  The marriage took place in the presence of Ellen Mappin.

·       1871 Census: 19 Victoria Road, Clapham, Wandsworth (S4).   Listed as George Webb age 37 a silversmith and cutler born in London with wife Annie T. age 31 born in Streatham, Surrey and 5 children: Lillian, A., Ethel M., Mabel E., Gertrude E. and George H. and 4 servants.

·       1881 Census: 37 Downage, Hendon, Middlesex (S4).   Listed as George Webb age 47 a manufacturer and ironmonger born in London with wife Annie Theresa age 41 born in Streatham, Surrey and 4 children: Mabel Elizabeth, Bernard Hugh, Ronald Edward and Elsie Gwendolen and 8 servants

·       Death:  September 13, 1881 Hendon, Middlesex (S8d), listed as George Webb age 47 a silversmith and cutler who died at Downage, Hendon of Brights Disease and pleurisy.   September 13, 1881 at Downage (S6).

·       Burial: September 17, 1881 St. Mary, Hendon, Barnet (S7).  Listed as George Webb age 47.

·       Obituary: Death of Mr. Webb at age 47 in the Hendon & Finchley Times newspaper dated September 17, 1881, page 4, column 5 (S=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk).

·       Probate: October 26, 1881 Principal Registry (S6).  Listed as George Webb late of Downage, Hendon with effects £117,295 proved by Annie Theresa Webb of Downage widow the relict Thomas Alfred Bennett of Stanley Lodge Ryecroft-road, Lewisham, Kent a banker’s clerk, Charles Thomas Blackman of 4 Highbury-grove, Middlesex a surgeon and Arthur Henry Snell of Hendon merchant the executors.

·       1891 Census:  32 The Rectory, High Omgar, Essex (S4).  Listed as Annie Webb age 50 born in Streatham, Surrey a visitor in the Wm. Hy. Bond household with her daughter Lilian Webb age 26.

·       1901 Census: not found.

·       1911 Census: 29 Phillmore Gardens, Kensington (S4).  Listed as Annie Theresa Webb age 71 a widow with no occupation listed born in Streatham, Surrey with 1 sister: Mary Bennett, 3 children: Ethel Mary, Gertrude Ellen, and Bernard Hugh and 5 servants.

·       Wife’s Death: 3rd QTR 1928 Kensington, London (S5d). listed as Annie T. Webb age 89.  September 19, 1928 (S6)

·       Wife’s Burial: not found.

·       Wife’s Probate: October 25, 1928 London (S6).  Listed as Annie Theresa Webb of 7 Cumberland House Kensington, Middlesex with effects £4,071 to Lilian Annie Richards widow and Gertrude Ellen Webb spinster.

·       Children:

1.     Lilian Ann Webb (1865-??).  Born:  1st QTR 1865 Wandsworth (S=GRO online index), listed as Lilian Ann Webb with mother’s maiden name Bennett.  1871 and 1891 Censuses:  with parents (S4).

2.     Ethel Mary Webb (1866-??).  Born:  3rd QTR 1866 Wandsworth (S=GRO online index), listed as Ethel Mary Webb with mother’s maiden name Bennett.  1871 and 1911 Censuses: with parents (S4).

3.     Mabel Elizabeth Webb (1867-??).  Born: 3rd QTR 1867 Wandsworth (S=GRO online index), listed as Mabel Elizabeth Webb with mother’s maiden name Bennett.  1871 and 1881 Censuses:  with parents (S4).

4.     Gertrude Ellen Webb (1869-??).  Born: 2nd QTR 1869 Wandsworth (S=GRO online index), listed as Gertrude Ellen Webb with mother’s maiden name Bennett.  1871 and 1911 Censuses: with parents (S4).

5.     George Harold Webb (1870-??).  Born: 3rd QTR 1870 Wandsworth (S=GRO online index), listed as George Harold Webb with mother’s maiden name Bennett. 1871 Census:  with parents (S4).

6.     Bernard Hugh Webb (1873-??).  Born:  1st QTR 1873 Hendon (S=GRO online index), listed as Bernard Hugh Webb with mother’s maiden name Bennett. 1881 and 1911 Censuses: with parents (S4).

7.     Ronald Edward Webb (1874-??).  Born:  2nd QTR 1874 Hendon (S=GRO online index), listed as Roland Edward Webb with mother’s maiden name Bennett.  1881 Census: with parents (S4).

8.     Elsie Gwendolen Webb (1877-??).  Born:  4th QTR 1877 Hendon (S=GRO online index), listed as Elsie Gwendolen Webb with mother’s maiden name Bennett.  1881 Census: with parents (S4).

 

 

Avery style needle cases stamped with the Mappin Brothers name.

1.     Leaning Tower of Pisa:  Ornamental Design #337524 registered July 26, 1879 by W. Avery & Son of Redditch (S=TNA, Kew).  Stamped Mappin Bros 67 & 68 King William St London Bridge.

2.     Quadruple Golden Casket - Butterfly on Leaf: Mechanical Patent #3517 registered November 19,1868 by William Avery, needle manufacturer, and Albert Fenton, machinist, from Redditch (S=British Library - Business and Intellectual Property Centre, London).  Stamped Mappin Bros King William St & Regent St London.

3.     Temple Bar:  Ornamental Design #319723 registered March 27, 1878 by W. Avery & Son of Redditch (S=TNA, Kew).  Stamped Mappin Bros King William St & Regent St London.

 

Avery style needle cases stamped with the Mappin & Webb name.

1.     Butterfly:  Ornamental Design #254656 registered August 4, 1871 by William Avery & Son of Redditch (S=TNA, Kew).   Stamped Mappin & Webb London & Sheffield.

2.     Ladies Companion:  Mechanical patent # 2998 registered October 14, 1869 by William Avery and Albert Fenton, Redditch (S=British Library - Business and Intellectual Property Centre, London).  Stamped Mappin & Webb 76-77 Oxford St & 71-74 Cornhill London & Sheffield.

3.     Postal Weight: Ornamental Design #299244 registered March 18, 1876 by W. Avery & Son – Redditch (S=TNA, Kew).  Stamped Mappin & Webb 76 Oxford Street, London.

4.     Quadruple Golden Casket - Fleur di Lis: Mechanical patent #3517 registered November 19,1868 by William Avery, needle manufacturer, and Albert Fenton, machinist, from Redditch (S=British Library - Business and Intellectual Property Centre, London).  Stamped Mappin & Webb London & Sheffield.

5.     Temple Bar:  Ornamental Design #319723 registered March 27, 1878 by W. Avery & Son of Redditch (S=TNA, Kew).   Stamped Mappin & Webb London & Sheffield Ouse Buildings City & Oxford St.