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Brushmaker

Aidan

Aidan

master brummie
My 3* great grandfather, John Biddle, and family were Brushmakers in Birmingham around 1850-1900. An interesting, if poorly remunerated, profession whose Society is reputed to be England's first (illegal) trade union c1747.

I don't think there is much chance of finding where he worked and it may well have been at home (see pic), but I wondered if anyone else had done research into the Brushmakers Society (arms pictured) in Birmingham or had found Brushmakers in their family?

I'd like any suggestions if possible on
• Are there any Brushmaker factories in the Directories at this time?
• The Brushmaker Society was based at the Old Cross Inn in Phillip Street (I guess on the corner with High St & Spiceal St where I think there was a Market Cross [probably under the Rotunda now!]), can we confirm where the Old Cross pub was?
• Is there a picture of the Old Cross area maybe showing the Inn?
• Does anyone have access to Brushmakers Society Lists for lookups please? Or anything else related to Brushmaking

Many thanks for your interest or help
 
Adrian
there are quite a lot of them in the 1900 Kellys, with a separate small section for their materials suppliers
mike
 
These are brushmakers listed in the 1777 directory

brushmakers_1777.JPG
 
Thanks very much Mike. I have him as a Brushmaker in the 1851C in Bishop Street, Highgate and again in 1881C in William Edward Street, Highgate (in between times he was on the Tramp, such is the lot of a journeyman) - are there any directories near those dates please?
 
map_c_1889_courts_14_and_19_moseley_st.JPG
Aidan
Nothing for John Biddle in 1852 or 1849, but in 1849 (Whites directory) there was :
Biddle George, brush maker, court 19; home court 14, Moseley St . These two courts are close to the junction with Moseley road. Bishop St is, of course just the other end of Moseley St. In 1851 John Biddle lived at 263 bishop st, which was on the east side close to the junction with Moseley St ( around 1880 numbering changed in Bishop st)
I think it likely that John worked for George Biddle .
No brushmakers are listed by the name of Biddle in 1855, but in 1858-62 George Biddle, brushmaker is at 261½ Bishop St, almost next to John’s address in 1851.
In 1880 William Edward St has at no 50 : Houghton John Mello, brush manufacturer.
Mike
 
That's fantarastic again Mike, thank you.

John has an older brother George, and in 1841 (when both are children) the family is living in Moseley Street. I will investigate George further.

In 1881 John and wife are living at .... 50 William Edward Street!! But there is no indication on the censu that it is a workshop so that is valuable info
 
I worked as a brush maker in my early employment, for a chap called Jock Leishman in Hospital street.
it was an old house converted to a factory, he made turned brushes, you inserted a u shaped wire on to a what I would call an home made bit of machinery.It was made from a starter motor and a frame you hooked both ends into this machine the you would feed what ever bristles were needed for that order press the start button, the wire then twisted trapping the bristles in the wire spiral then Jock would fit what ever handle was needed.
 
Thanks John, that is interesting. I am sure most businesses were one-man bands and worked from their house or out-house and made and mended their own tools, much like many of the trades at the time. Of course brushes mostly come from China now...
 
There is an interesting chapter on The Tramp in the eBook Mike posted that might be a lesson now.

If work became scarce and the person out of work was able bodied he was sent on The Tramp. This meant that he would be sent on a designated route to look for employment. The brushmaker journeyman was given a certificate by the Society to say that he possessed the skills of Pan, Hairsorting And Drawing. He was then given his Blank. This was a blank official book which he had to produce for signature by each Branch on his Tramp. He was given a sum of money for provisions and his journey. This, in total, was at the rate of about One Shilling and Sixpence for every ten miles. The chap then set out on foot, possibly with family in tow, for the next Branch`s Clubhouse. This was invariably a Pub or Inn.

lt seems The Tramp was only allowed (ie payable) if he went "anti- clockwise". A man could return to a town where he was assured of work. This would not allow him to claim Tramping Money, but could be worthwhile if profitable work was to be had. If the journeyman had less than four months absence on his Tramp and a full Blank on his return he could then draw 10 shillings a week relief from the Society at his home town.

I have mapped out part of The tramp route at https://tinyurl.com/6g2op2l

For Birmingham, as I said, the clubhouse was at the Old Cross Inn in Phillip Street near the Market Cross and I'd like to get more info on this esp pictures if possible.
 
The last licensee of the Old Cross was John Bragge in 1828, so i don't think you will get any photos
Mike
 
Thanks Mike, the staging post list I have seen was dated 1829 so if the Old Cross went out of business around then then they may have changed HQ (or was it renamed?) although (to clarify) any etchings, sketches, engravings or paintings welcomed! The name of the Societies HQ in Birmingham 1850-1900 is an additional tall ask!
 
mikejee said:
Aidan
Nothing for John Biddle in 1852 or 1849, but in 1849 (Whites directory) there was :
Biddle George, brush maker, court 19; home court 14, Moseley St . These two courts are close to the junction with Moseley road. Bishop St is, of course just the other end of Moseley St. In 1851 John Biddle lived at 263 bishop st, which was on the east side close to the junction with Moseley St ( around 1880 numbering changed in Bishop st)
I think it likely that John worked for George Biddle .
No brushmakers are listed by the name of Biddle in 1855, but in 1858-62 George Biddle, brushmaker is at 261½ Bishop St, almost next to John’s address in 1851.
In 1880 William Edward St has at no 50 : Houghton John Mello, brush manufacturer.
Mike
Click to expand...

I'd like to thank you again Mike for the brilliance of this find. Don't know how you worked it out (I'm sure you'll say Directories but stellar intelligence too). I have now not only found a new 3rd great grand uncle but in 1851C he is shown at Back of 260 Bishop Street as a Brushmaker the employer of 9? men and 4 boys and obviously one of them being his bro, my direct relly!

While I 'm here, another hopefully interesting nugget or two:-

Apprenticeship – the training of apprentices was given great importance and seven years was served in learning the trade. On completion there was a solemn evening ceremony at the "Clubhouse". This was the Tavern which served as meeting house for the Branch. If the apprentice was of the required standard he would pay his entry fee and be given his Certificate. This showed he was now a true tradesman. At this ceremony he would also be taught the tune. "The Tune" was a five note, whistled signal known only to Brushmakers and was used as a signal of recognition by the Society.

Taking the voices - Any issue which was of concern to the members (eg a master wronged an employee) would be voted on by the practice known as Taking The Voices. This ballot could extend to neighboring branches which would entail sending the messages out via the Mail Coach. Fines were imposed for delays in circulating the box or interference with its contents. The five note whistled signal ensured the bearer only entrusted the box to a Bona Fide Society Member.
 
In my quest to see a pictorial view of the Philip Street/High St/Spiceal St junction area around the Old Market Cross in the 1800s I had a thought: The familiar image of St Martin's and Bull Ring is usually taken from a high vantage point by the artist/photographer and I wondered if that vantage point was atop the Market Cross?

I attach a photo dated 1905 and I wondered if anyone had an earlier painting or engraving that showed the building along the right hand side?

Of Course that viewpoint won't show the junction I need as it would be slightly behind. What I really would like to see is a painting or sketch of the Market Cross itself (I believe it looked like a mini Town Hall with columns), preferably with St Martin's behind it - any chance?
 
It has been pointed out to me that the normal definition of a Journeyman is as given by Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journeyman

But I think there was, for certain trades, a defined role as a "Travelling Journeyman". My understanding, based on the eBook that Mikejee provided on the thread and the very interesting essay https://www.brushmakers.com/index.html is that the Brushmakers Society (ie the Guild or early Union) practised this Travelling Journeyman "Tramp" but usually I think only when there was a lack of work. The article gives the expected route around the country in such circumstances of which I mapped out above.

I have two or three of my Birmingham relatives in the censuses between 1850-1900, when the trade was in decline, in the towns mentioned such as Bristol, Derby and Leeds - quite a walk anti-clockwise but the expenses were provisioned by the Union subs for those Society members seeking work. There is not much online about Travelling Journeyman so would be great to find out more....
 
Last edited:
Aidan said:
In my quest to see a pictorial view of the Philip Street/High St/Spiceal St junction area around the Old Market Cross in the 1800s I had a thought: The familiar image of St Martin's and Bull Ring is usually taken from a high vantage point by the artist/photographer and I wondered if that vantage point was atop the Market Cross?

I attach a photo dated 1905 and I wondered if anyone had an earlier painting or engraving that showed the building along the right hand side?

Of Course that viewpoint won't show the junction I need as it would be slightly behind. What I really would like to see is a painting or sketch of the Market Cross itself (I believe it looked like a mini Town Hall with columns), preferably with St Martin's behind it - any chance?
Click to expand...


Not quite but nearly?
 
Wot a beauty! Thank you so much Dennis, fantastic.

There is even a little railed balcony at the top for the artist/photographer to admire and capture St Martin's below!

And a tantalising glimpse of the buildings on the right leading to the corner with Philip Street- Wow - so close I'll give you a cigar but won't light it yet!
 
Yes, a lovely building - taken from Conrad Gill's History of Birmingham (1938). Did I read on this Forum somewhere that this old beauty doubled also as the Prison?
 
Not much I'm afraid Aidan. Jo McKenna simply says " The Brushmaker's Arms at no 5 Cheapside, a former Butler's House formerly acquired by Frederick Smith Ltd, who in turn were taken over by M&B. It gained a full license in 1953, at a cost of £800. The Brushmaker's was demolished in 1972 for the building of the Wholesale Market. "

Interstingly perhaps there was a Bricklayers Arms at No 40 just down apiece in Cheapside. A lively artisan area.
 
Here are the landlords I have for the Brushmaker’s Arms up to 1903. None seem to have any connection to brushmaking according to the censuses, and there seems to be no preponderance of brushmakers (well none actually) in the immediate area
1841-45 James Peake Smallwood
1849-55 Robert Harvey(Whites directory)
1855 Henry Rattlidge(PO directory)
1858-73 John James Hill
1876 Alfred Trueman
1878-79 Charles Whitworth
1880-84 Henry Phillips
1888 William Frederick Jones
1890 Leonard Phillips
1892-1903 Edward Dunn
Mike
 
Thanks Mike - that's some history though & if you take point-A on the map I put in post-#23 (approx position of the pub) and Point-C where you found my reletives' workshop you will see it is less than a quarter of a mile - Cheapside (B4130) extended through there at that time and some lived even closer in Bath Passage
 
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