Hi
I've been following your thread eagerly as I am related to Edmund through his son John Theophilus. The family mentioned in the 1841 census I'm pretty sure is ours but unsure where Edmund was.
From what I've gathered it appears that prior to 1826 Edmund was in partnership with a Thos. Hildick, Coach Brass-Founders, Platers, Saddlers-lron monger. &c. of Walsall. In Jan, 1827 the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent, in consequence of-Edmund Hceley going into another business.—All debts owing to and by the said firm were received and paid by T. Hildick, by whom the trade was in future conducted.
Between 1826 & 1827 there was a partnership between Theopbilus Richards, jnr. Merchant, and Edmund Heeley, of Birmingham, Importers of French and other Ornaments, Manufacturers, &c. carrying on trade under the firm of Edmund' Heeley and Co. In July, 1827 the Partnership between Theopbilus Richards, jnr. Merchant, and Edmund Heeley, was dissolved by mutual consent.—All debts owing to and by the said firm were received and paid by George Holtham Harris and Edmund Heeley, under the firm of Harris, Heeley, and Co. by whom the trade was in future conducted.
This company existed until 23rd August, 1833 when notice was given, that the Partnership or joint trade* lately subsisting and carried on by and between George Holtham Harris and Edmund Heeley, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Importers of Foreign Wines and Jewellery, under the firm of Harris, Heeley, and Co was dissolved.—All debts due and owing to and from the said dissolved Partnership were received and paid by the said Edmund Heeley.
It looks like it then became Edmund Heeley & Co (again?)
It seems that maybe in the late 1840's Edmund went into partnership with Charles Ratcliff as on the 1st January, 1866 the Partnership carried on between Charles Ratcliff, Edmund Heeley, and Edmund Arthur Heeley, at Arundel, street, Sheffield, in the county of York, as Electro Platers, under the style or firm of Ratcliff and Company, was mutually dissolved. All debts and liabilities owing to and by the said copartnership were received and paid by the said Edmund Heeley, who with the said Edmund Arthur Heeley, hence forth carry on the said trade on their own account.
Hope this gives you a bit more food for thought.
Gail