Silas Duffield 1846-1903

Silas Duffield was born on 18th June, 1846 at The Crescent, Willenhall the first child of James and Miriam who had been married in West Bromwich on 13th April, 1846. The birth was almost certainly at the house of Miriam’s parents, Charles and Silvey Groves. Silas was baptised at Darlaston on 28th July, 1846.

At the date of the 1851 Census, 5 year old Silas Duffield was staying with his widowed grandfather, Charles Groves a locksmith, on The Crescent, Willenhall. Also in the house were Moses Groves aged 28, son of Charles and also a locksmith. Besides Silas there were three other grandchildren, Ann Tombs (daughter of Fanny Groves who had married Samuel Tombs) aged 20 a house servant with James Scott aged 13 and Henry Scott aged 12 both lock smiths (the children of Mary Groves who had married Thomas Scott). There was a lodger Joseph George, also a lock smith, and a servant, Lydia Shore. Silas's parents, James a cock stamper and Miriam, were living at New Street Darlaston with his younger sister Sylvia aged 3.

In April 1861 Silas, aged 14, a bolt and nut maker, was living with his parents in Bilston Street, Darlaston. His father James was now a 34 year old nut and bolt maker employing two men and a boy, one of whom may have been Silas. Completing the household were James's wife Miriam and three younger children, Silvia aged 11, Phoebe aged 4 and Elizabeth aged 1.

Silas Duffield a gunlock filer and giving his age as 19 married Sarah Whitehouse on 20th Nov. 1864 after Banns at All Saints parish church, Moxley. Moxley is the next parish to Darlaston.

Silas and Sarah's only son, Alfred, was born on 15th January, 1879 at 20 Willenhall Street, Darlaston. The occupation of Silas was given as Master Stamper.

In May 1879 Silas Duffield of Willenhall Street, Darlaston, Stafford, a Manufacturer was granted a Patent relating to "Improvements in the manufacture of gas steam and water fittings, such as tees, elbows and crosses".

Later that year, on 15th June, 1879, Silas's father James, a stamper aged 52, died of Bronchitis at 15 Eldon Street, Darlaston. Silas Duffield reported the death.

On 29th August, 1880 Silas and Sarah had a daughter Gertrude born at Old Park Road, Wednesbury, when Silas gave his occupation as Iron Stamper. They were still there at the time of the 1881 census when their address was as 128 Old Park Road, Wednesbury. This may well have been their first home away from his Whitehouse in-laws who continued to live at 20 Willenhall Street. Silas now described himself as a Stamper, and also in the household were his wife Sarah and their children Hannah aged 15, Floria (actually Florence) aged 7, Alfred aged 2, all born Darlaston, Gertrude aged 8 months born Wednesbury and also Silas's much younger brother Thomas aged 13. Silas had probably given a home to Thomas after the death of their father in 1879.

The Annual Report for 1883 of the United States Commissioner of Patents shows that in this year Silas Duffield of Willenhall in the county of Stafford, England was on 18th July granted two Patents regarding firstly the manufacture of gas and water fittings, and secondly the manufacture of hoes. These would be the same items as granted UK patents in 1878 and 1879 so it must be assumed that Silas was intending to export these items to America.

On 21st June, 1884 Silas and Sarah's oldest daughter Hannah was married after Banns in the Parish Church of St. Anne's, Willenhall. Hannah Duffield was 18 and the daughter of Silas a master general stamper. She married Edwin Josiah Read, a 25 year old bachelor and die sinker, son of Edwin Josiah Read a staplemaker. The witnesses were Silas Duffield, Fred Read and Mary Ann Read. Fred Read was a brother of the groom and Mary Ann Read was possibly his mother. Hannah and Edwin lived in Willenhall until about 1893 when they moved to Wolverhampton and then in about 1900 to Walsall. They had at least eight children.

Kelly's Directory of 1884 shows Silas in partnership with Mr. James. They appear as "Duffield and James, Stampers, Monmer Lane". In February 1885 Silas is named on a further Patent applied for by "Duffield S. and James J. H.", this time for stirrups, and taken out in the joint names of Silas Duffield and Joseph Henry James of Monmer Lane, Willenhall, Stafford, Stampers. Soon afterwards the partnership was dissolved. The London Gazette of 1st December, 1885 contains the announcement: “Notice is hereby given, that the Partnership which has for some time past been carried on by Silas Duffield and Joseph James under the firm of Duffield and James at Alexander Works, Monmer Lane, Willenhall in the County of Stafford, in the trade or business of General Stampers, was this day dissolved by mutual consent – As witness our hands the 27th day of November, 1885. Silas Duffield, Joseph James.

On 4th February, 1886 Silas's wife Sarah, died at the age of 38 of Phthisis (Tuberculosis) at 70 Bloxwich Road, Willenhall. Her daughter Florence of the same address, who had probably been caring for her sick mother and the younger children, reported the death the following day. Silas was left with three children to care for, Florence aged 13, Alfred aged 6 and Gertrude aged 5. His eldest daughter Hannah had married in 1884 so was no longer at home.

A Patent of April 1887 was granted jointly to Silas Duffield and William James. The Patent was granted for "Improvements in the Manufacture of Carriage Springs" and was granted to William James of Alexander Stamping Works, Monmore Lane Willenhall, Stafford, Manufacturer and Silas Duffield of Alexander Stamping Works aforesaid, Stamper. William James may have been a relation of Silas's former partner J. H. James.

Frederick Dent had come to Willenhall as a schoolmaster in 1880 but was made redundant in 1888. It is possible that he then worked for Silas Duffield. Although Florence gave her age as 19 she was in fact just short of her 18th birthday. They were married by licence, probably because Florence's residence at the time was in Crewe. The witnesses at the wedding were J. H. James and Kate James, the former partner of Silas in the Monmer Lane Works and his wife Kate. It is perhaps surprising that Silas himself was not a witness, but this may support the family tradition that Florence did not get on with Silas's new wife.

The 1891 Census shows at Johnsons Buildings, Willenhall Road, Willenhall, Frederick Wilson Dent aged 29 Ironmasters Clerk b. Cambridge, and wife Florence aged 20 b. Darlaston. As Frederick gives his occupation as Ironmaster's Clerk it seems probable that Silas gave him a job, but on the birth of their daughter Gertrude in August 1892 he is again described as a Commercial Traveller.

The 1891 Census also shows Silas Duffield, a 44 year old Stamper (Employer) was at 39 Church Street, Willenhall with his wife Emma and children Alfred aged 11, Gertrude aged 9 and Jeanet (sic) aged 2.

In September 1892 Silas Duffield was involved in another Patent, this time for the jointing of wrought tubes and hollow shafting. The Patent was in the joint names of John Spencer of the Globe Tube Works Wednesbury, Stafford, Tube Manufacturer and Silas Duffield of Bell Street, Darlaston, Stafford, Stamper. Silas must have moved his operations to Bell Street, and directories of 1896 and 1897 show Silas Duffield, General Stamper, Bell Street, Darlaston. Silas's second wife Emma died of pneumonia on 15th May, 1897 aged 49 at Railway Street, Darlaston. The death was reported by her sister Mrs. Taylor of 28 Wood Street, Willenhall. Silas was thus a widower once more, at the age of 51. However, it was not long before he remarried - this time to a much younger woman - Sarah Ann Southall aged 31 daughter of Samuel Southall, Hosier of Darlaston.

The wedding group photograph below has been dated to about 1898 and was almost certainly taken at the time of the marriage. It was taken by T. Cooper-Clarke of Brewood who was listed in a Directory of 1900 as a Chemist in Brewood, and listed in the 1901 Census as a Chemist and Druggist living in Market Place, Brewood. Besides Silas and his bride, only Frederick Wilson Dent, seated next to the bride, and his wife Florence (daughter of Silas) standing towards the left of the back row, can be positively identified.

Silas and Sarah Ann were married in the Little London Baptist Chapel, Willenhall on New Year's Day 1898 by the Minister, George Banks. The witnesses were Arthur G. Smith and Alfred Duffield.

Arthur G. Smith was bookkeeper to Silas Duffield and also a prominent member of the Little London Baptists, becoming both a Sunday school teacher and their Finance Secretary, and later the Church Secretary and a Deacon. At the marriage Silas described himself as an Iron Stamper (Master) and his deceased father James also as Iron Stamper (Master).

On 3rd September, 1899 Silas's only son Alfred, aged 20, a Fitter of Victoria Road, Darlaston married Rhoda Eunice Bratt Dunton. Rhoda was aged 22 of 39 Temple Bar, Willenhall, and the daughter of Francis Dunton, a Whitesmith. They married at the Parish Church, Darlaston and the witnesses were her father Francis Dunton and her older sister Alice Leah Dunton. Their first child was born on 28th November, 1900 at Green Villas, Darlaston and named Alfred Silas. Alfred Duffield was now described as a Stamping Works Manager, almost certainly managing for his father.

In June 1900 Silas was granted a further Patent, this time for "Improvements in and in the Manufacture of Coach Axles". It was granted to Silas Duffield "Crown" Stamping Works, Bell St. Darlaston, South Staffs, Stamper.

Silas's Will that he signed 14th November, 1900, whilst living at 13, Avenue Road, Darlaston shows that he at that time had businesses at the Crown Stamping Works in Bell Street, and at Booth Street, and also owned building land in Station Street., all in Darlaston.

In March 1901 Silas Duffield aged 54, an Iron and Steel Stamper (Employer) was still living at 13 Avenue Road, Darlaston with his wife Sarah Ann aged 34 and children Gertrude aged 20 who was a Stamping Works Clerk (presumably working for her father) and Janet (sic) aged 12.

The Census also shows Alfred Duffield, Manager for General Stamper, his wife Rhoda and their 4 month old son Alfred Silas as visitors in the household of Arthur G Smith, Bookkeeper for a General Stamper and his wife Hannah. Rhoda and Hannah were sisters. This will be the same Arthur G. Smith who witnessed the marriage of Silas Duffield in 1898. No further trace has been found of the Alfred Silas Duffield who was 4 months old in this Census. The family was unaware of his existence until the publication of the 1901 Census, and no death record has been found for him. There was no one at home at their normal address of Green Villas, The Green, Darlaston.

Silas' daughter Florence, who had married Frederick Dent, was in 1901 living at Stringes House, Stringes Lane, Willenhall. Her husband was now a 39 year old schoolmaster and they had four children, Gertrude Maud aged 9, Alfred Walter aged 6, Florence Dorothea aged 5, and John Frederick aged 2, all the children born in Willenhall. Frederick Dent had returned to school teaching in 1893 and continued in various posts at Willenhall schools until his retirement in 1922.

Late in 1902 Alfred Duffield and Rhoda had a second child, Elsie.

Less than 3 years after making his will, Silas Duffield a General Stamper (Master) of 13 Avenue Road, Darlaston died on 23rd March, 1903. He was aged 56 and died of "fatty degeneration of heart and cirrhosis albuminuric". His son Alfred Duffield of 17 Avenue Road, Darlaston reported the death the following day.

The Wolverhampton Express & Star of 25th March, 1903 reported under the headline "Death of a Darlaston Manufacturer":

The Midland Advertiser of 28th March, 1903, again under the headline "Death of a Darlaston Manufacturer", repeated the above story and added:

Silas left effects of £490:1:2d and Probate was granted to Isaac Jones, a schoolmaster and Alfred Duffield, works manager, on 13th August, 1903. His Will is of sufficient interest to reproduce in full:

I Silas Duffield, (Stamper) of 13 Avenue Road Darlaston in the County of Stafford revoke all former wills and codicils and appoint Isaac Jones of Darlaston in the County of Stafford and Alfred Duffield of Darlaston in the County of Stafford to be my EXECUTORS I give and bequeath unto my son Alfred Duffield now of the Green Villas The Green Darlaston all interest goodwill banking account books machinery stock outstanding accounts and every other item appertaining to the business carried on by me at the Crown Stamping Works Bell Street and at the Booth Street Works (late Warings) both in the parish of Darlaston aforesaid to have and to hold at his absolute discretion and control conditionally upon his paying to my wife Sarah Ann Duffield if she outlives me one pound per week for life out of the profits from the said business as long as she remains a widow. If I should at any time purchase the freehold of either or both of the works it is my will that my son Alfred should also have this as part of and belonging to the business.

The Estate Duty Register gives further information on Silas's Estate. It shows the addresses of the Executors as Isaac Jones of Walsall Road, Kings Hill, Wednesbury, Stafford, Schoolmaster and Alfred F Duffield of Green Villas, The Green, Darlaston and the acting Solicitors as John Slater & Co., Butcroft, Darlaston. The Freehold building land in Station Street that Silas left was valued for Probate purposes at £375. He also had a £200 Scottish Widows Life Policy that passed to his widow. After Funeral and other expenses valued at £75..18..4, the Duty Payable on £490..1..2 (Gross), £433..10..10 (Net) plus the £200 Life Policy was on 27th July, 1903 set at £6..8..0. There was ongoing correspondence between the Probate Office and the Patent Office regarding valuation of Patents and also a dispute over the valuation of the Property that went on until 8th February, 1905, when it was decided not to press for any extra duty on either count. This decision may have been because (as below) the business became insolvent at the end of 1904.

The 1911 Census shows Sarah Annie Duffield, the widow of Silas Duffield, as housekeeper to Alfred Leonard Bickerstaff, Clerk in Holy Orders at St. Mary’s Vicarage, Bilston. Sarah Ann Duffield died on 17th August, 1916 in the Workhouse Infirmary, Heath Town U.D., aged 49 following a stroke and her residence was given as St. Mary’s Vicarage, Bilston. On her death the various household effects left to her under Silas's Will should have been sold for the benefit of his surviving children. There is no record of whether this occurred or whether any sum raised was significant. On her death any obligation on Alfred, moral or otherwise implied by Silas's Will, to pay her £1 per week for life would have ceased. As her £1 per week was to have been paid from the profits of the business, the obligation to pay it would technically have ceased when the business became insolvent in 1904. She did, however, have the proceeds of the £200 Scottish Widows Life Policy that Silas had taken out in her favour. Administration of her Estate was granted to her sister Esther Jane Smith, to the value of £145..10s.

After the death of Silas, Alfred would under the terms of his Will have become the owner of the Booth Street and Crown Stamping Works. He is shown in a Directory of 1904 as living at The Poplars, Willenhall Road, Darlaston. Silas Duffield is also shown in the Directory as of the Crown Stamping Works, as Alfred had retained this as a trading name. Business could not have been good, as the London Gazette of 31 January 1905 reports:

A Deed of Assignment for the benefit of Creditors, dated 6th December, 1904 and executed by ALFRED DUFFIELD trading as "Silas Duffield," at The Green, Darlaston, in the County of Stafford.