"Complete"More Glass Manufacturers--Mumbles sorting

[mumbles]

This Richard Mills connects to Webb and Stuart family and was Registrar of Births Deaths and a Licensed Victualler ( Vine Inn of Wordsley)

http://www.bcconnections.tribalpages.co ... =425814633

1853 Was a partner in the new Mills, Webb and Stuart at the Albert Glassworks, Wordsley. Edward Webb, was a cousin, Richard Mills was married to Elizabeth Webb. Frederick Stuart was the Stuart partner and Thomas Webb together with his cousin were Webb partners

Partnership dissolved in 1868 and each went off ( or sons ) to set up rival Glassworks

Frederick James Mills son of Richard was one son who set up rival Glassworks and he married a Mary Ann Webb

Questions :-
1 )Can anyone find marriage of Richard Mills to Elizabeth Webb and what relationship if any to other Webb families ?
2) Frederick James Mills married a Mary Ann Webb in 1863 Holy Trinity Wordsley ( proven by National Archive Record of marriage settlement where she is noted as from Ashfield House Wordsley) Can anyone find what branch of Webbs she came from ?
3) Found Frederick James Mills on 1841,1851 and 1871 but nothing for 1861 or later ?
4) Who was Walker who George Mills ( another son of Richard) formed company with ( note George Mills shot himself)

This might help :-
1853: Richard Mills, Edward Webb, Frederick Stuart and Thomas Webb form the firm of Mills, Webb & Stuart, the partnership being for a term of 21 years. Richard Mills purchased the Wordsley Iron Foundry, behind the Red House glassworks, and changed its name to the Albert Glassworks (presumably named after the Prince Consort). The cone they build was the last of the traditional type to be built in the Stourbridge district.

1854: Thomas Webb leaves the partnership to build Dennis Glassworks.

1856: Richard Mills, Edward Webb and Frederick Stuart agree new articles of partnership for a term of 14 years.

1858: In response to the almost complete unionisation of labour in the glass industry, Frederick Stuart became a founder member of the Flint Glass Manufacturers Defence Association.

1860: Richard Mills dies. His wife, Elizabeth inherits his partnership in Mills, Webb and Stuart, but she renounces it as she was permitted to do under the terms of the will. Instead, their son, George Mill, becomes a partner. In the same year, Edward Webb dies, leaving his business interest under trust or mortgage to his brother-in law, Henry Smith.

1868: The 14 year term of the Mills, Webb and Stuart partnership expires, and the partnership is dissolved. Frederick Stuart and George Mills wish to carry on the business, but it has to be refinanced for George Mills to take on a 50% stake. Stuart and Mills buy the stock in trade of the Albert Glassworks. They establish a new partnership in September 1868, and to raise further capital they take out a mortgage secured on the Albert Glassworks.

1875: Contention develops between the partners concerning the style of glass they should make. George Mills prefers making chandeliers and lighting, whereas Frederick Stuart and his sons are fascinated by Philip Pargeter’s virtuoso glassmaking next door at the Red House. The relationship becomes so bad that they eventually refuse to speak to each other and only communicate in written messages.

1876: A trade directory entry shows the large range of products manufactured – “Stuart and Mills (late Mills, Webb and Stuart), manufacturers of cut glass chandeliers, lustres, wall lights, hall lamps, moons &c. & cut, engraved, etched and ornamental glass ware, Wordsley.”
Stuart and Mills supply a large order for the steam ship, the ‘Great Eastern’, and subsequently become major contractors to the shipping trade.

1881: Frederick Stuart takes over the lease of the Red House glassworks, and several of his sons become involved in his business there.

1882: Mills seeks a new partner familiar with chandelier manufacturing. In May 1882, he agrees with Philip Walker to buy the assets and goodwill of William Walker and Sons at the Heath Glassworks and to form a partnership with his nephew James Harry Walker as Mills and Walker. James Harry Walker is an experienced glassmaker and designer, and with capital from his father, forms the partnership of Mills, Walker & Co. George Mills buys Frederick Stuart’s share of the business in the name of Mills, Walker & Co.
The partnership between George Mills and Frederick Stuart expires on 25 August 1882. In September 1882, George Mills buys the Hatton gardens showrooms in London from Frederick Stuart. Stuart and Mills finally part company in October 1882, and Stuart moves to the adjoining Red House glassworks which he had leased the previous year.

1884: George Mills’ mental health begins to deteriorate. He had been entrusted with the financial management of the company, trade begins to decline, stock increases, and the financial situation of the company raises concerns. Mills quarrels with his partners, is unreasonable with customers, and is violent towards workmen. James Walker seeks to oust George Mills from the business and reduce his share of its profits. A meeting is held in September and it was agreed that the partnership should be dissolved. By 7 November, the partnership has still not been dissolved and the company has completely run out of cash.

1885: These problems are dramatically increased when George Mills shoots himself on 13 November.

1886: The glass trade is in the midst of a financial depression, and glassworks, tools and stock are virtually unsaleable. Liquidation will not raise sufficient money to clear George Mills’ liabliities, some of which were to members of the family, so a decision is taken to try trade out of difficulty. On 17 March, Mills’ widow conveys her interest in the Albert Glassworks to James Harry Walker, in return for which he undertakes to repay monies owing to the bank and his father. The business is saved and continues to trade as Mills, Walker & Co., though the agreement still recognises that capital due to the estate of George Mills remains in the business.
The firm introduces Corolene decorated glass called Verre de Neige, or snowflake glass that looks like coral. (It was described in Pottery Gazette and appeared in the Silver and Flemming catalogue of 1889).

1888: Carrara ware is introduced, an imitation of marble. A trade directory of 1888 shows the firm still to have an interest in lighting ware – “ Mills, Walker & Co., Glass chandelier and lamp manufacturers, Wordsley”

1889: A further deed of agreement and partnership is agreed on 26 February 1889. The various interested parties in the Mills and Walker families give their agreement for James Harry Walker to enter into partnership with John Bolton in the firm of Mills, Walker and Co. for a term of 21 years. John Bolton had been a partner in John Davis and Co. at Dial glassworks but dissolved the partnership in 1888.

[BC Wench]

Questions :-
1 )Can anyone find marriage of Richard Mills to Elizabeth Webb and what relationship if any to other Webb families ?
2) Frederick James Mills married a Mary Ann Webb in 1863 Holy Trinity Wordsley ( proven by National Archive Record of marriage settlement where she is noted as from Ashfield House Wordsley) Can anyone find what branch of Webbs she came from ?
3) Found Frederick James Mills on 1841,1851 and 1871 but nothing for 1861 or later ?
4) Who was Walker who George Mills ( another son of Richard) formed company with ( note George Mills shot himself)

Hope this helps, from the same book.

1) Richard Mills (bapt 27 Dec 1812 Oldswinford, son of Thomas Mills a chairmaker of Stourbridge and Sarah Howells), married Elizabeth Webb (bapt 30 April 1815 Kingswinford, dau of Richard Webb a glass packer & Mary Stamford) 5 August 1834 at West Bromwich.

If this is of any help, two of Elizabeth Webb’s brothers were Richard Webb bapt 16 May 1802 at Wolverley and Joseph Webb bapt 17 Jan 1813 at Kingswinford.

2 & 3) I can’t see any mention of who Frederick James Mills married. Frederick James Mills died 12 January 1908 aged 73yrs at his home 101 Gloucester Terrace, Hyde Park, London, buried at Wordsley. Frederick’s wife predeceased him and they did not have any children. His Will is dated 21 February 1908.

4) James Harry Walker bapt 13 Jan 1859 Oldswinford.

His parents were James Walker (bapt 8 Apr 1832 Oldswinford) & Mary (Unknown)
James Walker shot himself 2 March 1891.

2 of James Walker’s brothers were
William Walker bapt 30 Dec 1833 Oldswinford
Philip Walker bapt 21 Dec 1837 Oldswinford

The parents of the 3 brothers was William Walker (bapt 27 Dec 1801 St Thomas, Dudley) and Jane Floyd who married 2 Apr 1831 at Oldswinford. This William Walker’s parents were James Walker & Sarah Unknown

[mumbles]

Thanks Bc Wench that all ties up

[Northern Lass]

Ok to archive mumbles?

[mumbles]

Still working on NL