The Staffordshire General & Commercial Directory for 1818 This is a copy of the Darlaston entry in the Staffordshire General & Commercial Directory for 1818. Although brief, it does list most of the more prominent businesses in the town, and gives a good impression of the town's commercial life in the early part of the nineteenth century. This was a time before the appearance of large factories. Most of the metal workers would have had a small workshop, often in a yard behind their house. They might have employed a few people, or have been helped by their immediate family. Although the Napoleonic wars had ended three years before this directory was published, and the demand for gunlocks had fallen, the directory lists twenty two businesses associated with them. Transport relied upon the horse. The list includes fourteen stirrup, bridleware and saddle makers, two blacksmiths, and two coach harness buckle tongue makers. Roads were slowly beginning to improve. There were two sett makers. The infant screw making industry included four screw makers. King Street was still a mixture of shops and workshops, and a good variety of shops were to be found in the town. The main shopping areas were in Church Street, Cock Street (later High Street), King Street, and Pinfold Street, much as in recent times. There were fourteen public houses, and two doctors. Although two schoolmasters are included, the list does not include the day schools and Sunday schools which existed at the time. The day schools catered for 365 boys and girls, and the Sunday schools catered for 180 boys and girls.

A busy shopping day in King Street in the early years of the 20th century. From an old postcard.
  

Adams, Charles  solicitor, Darlaston Allen, Joseph  butcher, Pinfold Street Bailey, Thomas  baker and flour dealer, Pinfold Street Bailey, William  stirrup, bridle bits, sets, etc. manufacturer, The Green Bailey, Matthew  victualler, Nag's Head, The Green Bailey, Nancy  victualler and maltster, Waggon and Horses, King Street Bailey, George  carrier, The Green Bailey, James  bricklayer, New Street Bailey, John  locksmith, Pinfold Street Baker, Richard  bricklayer, New Street Banks, George  watch and clock maker, Church Street Barnes, David  bridle bit maker and plater, near Bilston Street Bayley, Thomas  linen draper, Pinfold Street Bayley, George  baker and maltster, King Street Bayley, William  locksmith, Church Street Bayliss, Thomas  shopkeeper, King Street Best, Joseph  file cutter, Bilston Street Bills, Richard  iron master, Church Street Bills, Samuel  shopkeeper and lock forger, Church Street Blakemore, Joseph  sett maker, Blockall Botteridge, Thomas  lock filer, Great Croft Street Bowen, David  gunlock filer, Hampton Street Bowen, David  bridle bit and stirrup maker, Hampton Lane, Catherines Cross Brevitt, James  shoemaker and shopkeeper, Bilston Street Brevitt, Thomas  butcher, Church Street Brevitt, William  butcher, Pinfold Street Brewerton, William  hasp lock, dog collar, handcuffs, etc. maker, Darlaston Brewerton, John  joiner and shopkeeper, New Street Brewerton, John  shopkeeper, Cock Street Brewerton, Abel  bed screw maker, New Street Brewerton, William  clerk of the parish, Darlaston Bridgewater, William  whip thong manufacturer, Blockall Bridgewater, Job  boot and shoemaker, Blockall Bunch, Joseph  coal agent, New Street Butler, Richard  governor the house of industry, The Green Butler, James  gunlock forger, Cramp Hill Bank Butler, Joseph  butcher, Cock Street Butler, Samuel  stirrup and bridle bit maker, Catherines Cross Butler, Simeon  collier, Great Croft Street Carter, William  stirrup, snaffle, and girth buckle maker, Great Croft Street Carter, James  stirrup and bridle bit maker, Great Croft Street Carter, William  roller buckle manufacturer, Croft Street Cartwright Abel  hinge manufacturer, King Street Cockran, Joseph  butcher, Catherines Cross Colman, Thomas  saddle spring bar manufacturer, & nail ironmonger, Church Street Cooper Thomas  farmer, Cramp Hill Bank Cottrell, Alexander  sett maker, Burr Croft, King Street Cresswell, Joseph  roller buckle maker, New Street Curtis, John  gunlock maker, Pinfold Street Dangerfield, Edward  gunlock filer, Hampton Lane, Catherines Cross Davies, John  gentleman, Darlaston Davies, William  tailor, Pinfold Street Devis, Jonathan  flour dealer, Pardoe's Lane Dickenson, William  surgeon, New Street Dixon, Joseph  plumber and glazier, Darlaston Dorsett, James  smith and nail ironmonger, Darlaston Duffield, William  baker and flour dealer, Bilston Street Duffield, William  nail ironmonger, and gunlock manufacturer, Bilston Street Duncomb, John  gun locksmith, Pinfold Street Elwell, Samuel  iron master, Priory Elwell, Maria  gentlewoman, Park Street Elwell, William  saddlers ironmonger, Park Street Foster, Fielding  stirrup and bridle bit manufacturer, New Street Foster, William  victualler, Blue Bell, Church Street Foster, John  fire iron manufacturer, Pinfold Street Foster, George  butcher and farmer, Church Street Foster, Elizabeth  victualler, Old Bush, The Green Foster, Benjamin  screw manufacturer, The Green Foster, Moses  lock forger, Bilston Street Garratt, Anne  victualler, Boat, The Green Gibbons, Thomas  collier, King Street Golcher, William  gunlock filer, King Street Grainger, Joseph  shoemaker, Catherines Cross Green, George  victualler and maltster, White Lion, King Street Greensell, John  wheelwright, Bull Stake Gresty, Elizabeth  tailor, Church Street Griffith, John  gunlock manufacturer, King Street Griffiths, John  snuffer maker, Pinfold Street Guest, John  gunlock maker, Pinfold Street Harper, Elizabeth  shopkeeper, Bilston Street Harper, Joseph  lock filer, Bilston Street Hatton, Sarah  victualler, Britannia, Bilston Road Hemmingsley, John  buckle maker, New Street Hemmingsley, John  inlet and roller buckle maker, Pinfold Street Hitch, William  coach harness, buckle tongue maker, King Street Horton, Thomas  boot and shoemaker, Pinfold Street Horton, Walter  joiner and builder, Darlaston Howell, John  tin saddlery manufacturer, Blockall Howell, William  ground wood screw maker, New Street Hubbard, William  carrier to Birmingham and Wolverhampton, Darlaston Hughes, John  file manufacturer, Pinfold Street Hughes, John  plumber, glazier, and painter, Pinfold Street Humpage, William  baker and flour dealer, Church Street Humpage, Ephraim  lock filer, Croft Street Jackson, Thomas  gentleman, Pinfold Street Jones, John  shopkeeper, Woods Bank Jones, William  schoolmaster, Pinfold Street Jones, James  victualler and carpenters tool maker, Red Lion, Church Street Lingard, Thomas  gunlock filer, New Street Longmore, Ralph  victualler, Nelson Tavern, Catherines Cross Longmore, James  gunlock forger, Catherines Cross Lort, Henry  tailor, Pinfold Street Lowe, Revd. Samuel  Rector of Darlaston, Rectory Martin, Richard  gunlock filer Cramp Hill Bank Meek, Richard  boot and shoemaker, and shopkeeper Bilston Street Meek, Samuel  baker, Cock Street Meek, John  butcher, King Street Mills, Mrs. Mary  Bilston Street Minchin, Joseph  saddler and coach proprietor, King Street Navy, Richard  warehouseman, King Street Orton, William  file cutter, Great Croft Street Page, Thomas  victualler, Swan, Bilston Road Partridge, Thomas  shoe dealer, King Street Partridge, Thomas  victualler, Dog and Partridge, King Street Pedley, Stephen  victualler and padlock manufacturer, Crown, Cramp Hill Bank Pedley, Mary  shopkeeper, King Street Perrins, Thomas  corn miller and baker, The Green Perry, William  stirrup & bullet mould manufacturer, The Green Perry, Henry  baker and flour dealer, Pinfold Street Prince, Thomas  blacksmith, Pardoes Lane Proffit, John  buckle maker, Bilson Street Proud, Thomas  linen and woollen draper, King Street Riley, Ezekiel  shopkeeper, Catherines Cross Robinson, Joseph  stirrup maker, Stafford Road Robinson, William  lock forger, King Street Rooker, Abel  surgeon, King Street Rubery, Thomas  trunk lock maker, Cross Street Rubery, William  gunlock filer, Croft Street Shaw, Zachariah  mercer and draper, The Green Sheldon, Henry  keeper of the toll gate Shore, Mary  shopkeeper, King Street Skidmore, Benjamin  victualler and miner, Duke of York, Catherines Cross Slater, Thomas  schoolmaster, bookseller, stationer, bookbinder, and vender of patent medicines, New Street Small, Mark  bricklayer and builder, Pinfold Street Smith, George  corn miller, Darlaston Windmill Spittle, Joseph  butcher, King Street Taylor, Richard  joiner and builder, auctioneer and land surveyor, Great Croft Street Thornhill, Charles  gunlock manufacturer and linen draper, Cock Street Turner, Mrs. Hannah  Bird Croft Turner, Emanuel  gunlock forger, Bird Croft Twigg, Jacob  land surveyor, Bar Croft Unitt, James  druggist, grocer, and tallow chandler, Bilston Street Wardell, William  cooper, Bilston Street Warrender, Thomas  boot and shoemaker, Croft Street Watson William  gunlock manufacturer, King Street Weaver William  screw maker, The Green Wilkes, Thomas  stirrup and bit maker, Blakemore Lane Wilkes, John  coach harness buckle tongue maker, Bank Wilkes, Job  gunlock manufacturer, Bilston Street Wilkes, Job  gentleman, Bilston Street Wilkes, Josiah  file cutter, Great Croft Street Wilkes, John  iron and brass founder, Catherines Cross Wilkes, George  file cutter, Church Street Wilson, Edward  victualler and locksmith, King’s Head Inn, King Street Wood, Abraham  brick maker, Catherines Cross Wood, Thomas  baker and flour dealer, Church Street Yardley, Joseph  wrought thumb latch maker, Blakemores Lane Yates, Mrs. Mary  Church Street Yates, William  grocer, draper, and maltster, Church Street A Coach from the White Lion To Birmingham every morning at nine o'clock; returns at seven in the evening. Carriers George Bailey to Birmingham every  Thursday and Saturday William Hubbard from Darlaston Green to Birmingham every Tuesday and Saturday, to Wolverhampton every Wednesday.

King Street in the early 20th century. From an old postcard.

A break-down of the occupations and trades in the list

10 Bakers and Flour Dealers Bailey, Thomas; Bayley, George; Devis, Jonathan; Duffield, William; Humpage, William; Meek, Samuel; Perrins, Thomas; Perry, Henry; Smith, George; Wood, Thomas 2 Blacksmiths Dorsett, James; Prince, Thomas 1 Brick Maker Wood, Abraham 5 Boot and Shoe Makers Bridgewater, Job; Grainger, Joseph; Horton, Thomas; Meek, Richard; Warrender, Thomas 5 Bricklayers and Builders Bailey, James; Baker, Richard; Horton, Walter; Small, Mark; Taylor, Richard 5 Buckle Makers Carter, William; Cresswell, Joseph; Hemmingsley, John; Hemmingsley, John; Proffit, John 7 Butchers Allen, Joseph; Brevitt, Thomas; Brevitt, William; Butler, Joseph; Cockran, Joseph; Foster, George; Meek, John; Spittle, Joseph 2 Carriers Bailey, George; Hubbard, William 2 Coach Harness Buckle Tongue Makers Hitch, William; Wilkes, John 1 Coal Agent Bunch, Joseph 2 Colliers Butler, Simeon; Gibbons, Thomas 1 Cooper Wardell, William 3 Drapers Bayley, Thomas; Proud, Thomas; Shaw, Zachariah 2 Farmers Cooper Thomas; Foster, George 5 File Makers Best, Joseph; Hughes, John; Orton, William; Wilkes, Josiah; Wilkes, George 1 Fire Iron Maker Foster, John 2 Grocers Unitt, James; Yates, William 9 Gunlock Filers Botteridge, Thomas; Bowen, David; Dangerfield, Edward; Golcher, William; Harper, Joseph; Humpage, Ephraim; Lingard, Thomas; Martin, Richard; Rubery, William 5 Gunlock Forgers Butler, James; Foster, Moses; Longmore, James; Robinson, William; Turner, Emanuel 8 Gunlock Makers Curtis, John; Duffield, William; Duncomb, John; Griffith, John; Guest, John; Thornhill, Charles; Watson William; Wilkes, Job 1 Hinge Maker Cartwright Abel 1 Iron and Brass Founder Wilkes, John 2 Ironmasters Bills, Richard; Elwell, Samuel 1 Latch Maker Yardley, Joseph 4 Locksmiths Bailey, John; Bayley, William; Brewerton, William; Rubery, Thomas 2 Plumbers and Glaziers Dixon, Joseph; Hughes, John 14 Public Houses Bailey, Matthew. The Nag's Head; Bailey, Nancy. The Waggon and Horses; Foster, William. The Blue Bell; Foster, Elizabeth. The Old Bush; Garratt, Anne. The Boat; Green, George. The White Lion; Hatton, Sarah. The Britannia; Jones, James. The Red Lion; Longmore, Ralph. The Nelson Tavern; Page, Thomas. The Swan; Partridge, Thomas. The Dog and Partridge; Pedley, Stephen. The Crown; Skidmore, Benjamin. The Duke of York; Wilson, Edward. The King’s Head 2 Schoolmasters Jones, William; Slater, Thomas 4 Screw Makers Brewerton, Abel; Foster, Benjamin; Howell, William; Weaver William 2 Sett Makers Blakemore, Joseph; Cottrell, Alexander 1 Shoe Dealer Partridge, Thomas 10 Shopkeepers Bayliss, Thomas; Bills, Samuel; Brevitt, James; Brewerton, John; Brewerton, John; Harper, Elizabeth; Jones, John; Pedley, Mary; Riley, Ezekiel; Shore, Mary 1 Snuffer Maker Griffiths, John 1 Solicitor Adams, Charles 14 Stirrup, Bridleware and Saddle makers Bailey, William; Barnes, David; Bowen, David; Butler, Samuel; Carter, William; Carter, James; Colman, Thomas; Elwell, William; Foster, Fielding; Howell, John; Minchin, Joseph; Perry, William; Robinson, Joseph; Wilkes, Thomas 2 Surgeons Dickenson, William; Rooker, Abel 1 Surveyor Twigg, Jacob 3 Tailors Davies, William; Gresty, Elizabeth; Lort, Henry 1 Warehouseman Navy, Richard 1 Watch and Clock Maker Banks, George 1 Wheelwright Greensell, John 1 Whip Thong Maker Bridgewater, William

King's Hill in the early years of the 20th century. From an old postcard.

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