I am researching my Harrison links in Birmingham and I would be grateful and interested in any information on the family and its jewelry business, etc:
My four-times Great-Grandfather Henry Harrison (1786-1864) was a Jeweller and his eldest sons Henry (1813) and joseph (1815) went into business together - perhaps taking over the family jewelry business...
In the Slater's Directory of 1846, there is an entry for Henry and Joseph Harrison, based at 4 Howard Street, Birmingham as "Manufacturing Jewellers".
In the 1863 "Goldsmiths, Silversmiths, Watchmakers and Cutlers Directory" in the "Bright and Coloured Goldsmiths and Jewellers" catagory and includes the comment specifying theclass of goods manufactured as "Jet ornament manufacturers" - They also appear in the "Jet and Black Ornament Manufacturers" catagory as well.
I would be very interested in any information on jet manufacturing in Birmingham (I have read plenty on Whitby Jet) and would appreciate any tit bits on the manufacture and trade in Birmingham... I have read that from 1850 that jet became a popular medium for jewelry and especially fro Queen Victorias mourning of Prince Albert followin his death in 1862... and that it was coupled with the silver jewelry after 1888... I have found nothing specific on Birmingham jet work in the various records...
The Harrisons were not unique in adopting jet as a medium in Birmingham - In the same 1863 Directory, there is also:
Hands & Holland of Caroline Street
Lichtenstein & Lewis of 34 St. Paul's Square
Only these 3 companies are highlighted in the list of 27 Jet and Black Ornament Manufacturers as dealing in jet... So I would have expected to find something relating to the industry....
I look forward to any responses.
Regards
David Babb-Farrell
My four-times Great-Grandfather Henry Harrison (1786-1864) was a Jeweller and his eldest sons Henry (1813) and joseph (1815) went into business together - perhaps taking over the family jewelry business...
In the Slater's Directory of 1846, there is an entry for Henry and Joseph Harrison, based at 4 Howard Street, Birmingham as "Manufacturing Jewellers".
In the 1863 "Goldsmiths, Silversmiths, Watchmakers and Cutlers Directory" in the "Bright and Coloured Goldsmiths and Jewellers" catagory and includes the comment specifying theclass of goods manufactured as "Jet ornament manufacturers" - They also appear in the "Jet and Black Ornament Manufacturers" catagory as well.
I would be very interested in any information on jet manufacturing in Birmingham (I have read plenty on Whitby Jet) and would appreciate any tit bits on the manufacture and trade in Birmingham... I have read that from 1850 that jet became a popular medium for jewelry and especially fro Queen Victorias mourning of Prince Albert followin his death in 1862... and that it was coupled with the silver jewelry after 1888... I have found nothing specific on Birmingham jet work in the various records...
The Harrisons were not unique in adopting jet as a medium in Birmingham - In the same 1863 Directory, there is also:
Hands & Holland of Caroline Street
Lichtenstein & Lewis of 34 St. Paul's Square
Only these 3 companies are highlighted in the list of 27 Jet and Black Ornament Manufacturers as dealing in jet... So I would have expected to find something relating to the industry....
I look forward to any responses.
Regards
David Babb-Farrell
