Genealogy Forum UK

Hello everyone,

Over the past few days I've made an unexpected family discovery through my paternal Smith line. I've done a Google search and it's not given me much at all. I thought perhaps someone here could direct me to discover more information and reading.

My gt. gt. aunt Emma Smith married Joseph Smart in 1851, he was glass manufacturer. He along with his sons who were born in the 1850's and 1860's began the Smart Brothers Glass Works. I understand it was at Round Oak in Brierley Hill near the steel works. They made epergne glass.

Can someone reference any souces of further information? I'd like to get to know more about the family.

Thank you,
Robyn

do you have any date of births for them or their kids

Emma Smith was born in 1832 in Staffordshire
Joseph Smart was born in 1830 in Worcestershire.

Children:
William James Smart b. 1853 in Aston, Nr. Birmingham
Joseph John Smart b. 1855 in Stourbridge
George Thomas b. 1858 in Stourbridge
Mary Ann Smart b. 1860 in Stourbridge
Sarah Elizabeth Smart b. 1864 in Stourbridge.

In 1851 Joseph was a glass blower.
By 1891 William was a glass manufacturer. Address: 126, Dudley Street, Stourbridge.

There is a list of books on here https://www.glassencyclopedia.com/brierleyglass.html
Perhaps the first one would be helpful. I don't know anything about glassmaking, but the 19th century was a time when lots of new firms were established but did not last very long, so it might take some digging to find anything about the Smart Brothers. You could try old newspapers; they may have advertised or had some legal notice posted

WIlliam James is mentioned as a witness in a suicide case

... Is said the arsenic came from he was In the company of this man.-The Coroner : He need not have got It that morning. William James Smart, glass manufacturer, was the next witness called. He said his businees was at Round Oak. It was a limited liability ...

Published: Saturday 14 December 1901
Newspaper: County Advertiser & Herald for Staffordshire and Worcestershire
County: Staffordshire, England
Type: | Words: 9878 | Page: 3 | Tags: none

... wife said she knew of so reason why be should mud 'Weide anima it was the worry and trouble had had at the merks.—William Jame* Smart. item sasawfseturer. Round Oak. said that be and I the deceseed bad the works. They bad been and a receiver had been ...

Published: Tuesday 10 December 1901
Newspaper: Birmingham Daily Gazette
County: Warwickshire, England
Type: | Words: 322 | Page: 6 | Tags: none

Thank you gardener for the list of books. I have some reading ahead of me.

Also thank you for the newspaper articles. I think I should take a look at the actual report to make sense of it.

Robyn

One Page of Book Glassmakers of Stourbridge and Dudley 1612 to 2002
devoted to Round Oak Glass Works Brierley Hill The Firm Traded as Smart Brothers of Round oak Glass Works Brierley Hill Manufacturers of Fancy Glassware , cut etched and Engraved Table Glass advertised 1890 and 1892 changed ownership and was operated about 1894 by Arthur Pearson and subseqently by Harry Pearson in 1928 as H. Pearson & Co. Round Oak Brierley Hill Flint .
Cone was still standing in 1959

Thank you Mumbles,

That's one book I shall purchase.

Robyn

The archives might have some info at Dudley too.

Was there any more info you needed?
If not I will move to archived.

Thank you Northern Lass and everyone who has help me with this enquiry. I appreciate your time and knowledge.

Please do archive.

Robyn