Littlefield
Brummie babby
I have been researching this firm as part of my interest in horticultural sprayer manufacturers. The following Is what I have established so far but there is missing information and anomalies. Additional information any corrections would be appreciated. Notes refer to the source of the information. These not included but available if there is interest.
The business as it existed when sprayer production ceased around 1947 was made up of two separate firms which amalgamated around 1935.
The partnership of Martineau and Smith was established before 1861. The partnership that existed then involved Robert Martineau (1798-1870), his son Robert Francis Martineau (1831-1909), Brooke Smith Senior (1797-1876 and his son Brooke Smith Junior (1828-1896). On 17 January 1861 Robert Martineau left the partnership (note 1). Brooke Smith Senior (1797-1876) is shown in the 1861 census as a cock founder employing 50 men and 50 boys (note 2). Brooke Smith, of the firm of Martineau and Smith has a provisional patent pending (2350) dated 19 September 1861 for the invention of improvements in taps and cocks (note 3). On the 31 January 1866, Brooke Smith Senior left the partnership leaving just his son Brooke Smith Junior and Robert Francis Martineau as partners (note 4). Benjamin Holmes Bennett (1845-1928) was involved in the partnership by 1885 and left the partnership on 31 December 1887 (note 5). James Smith (1847-1932), the mayor of Birmingham in 1895 was involved in the business at some point (note 6). Possibly, with and then following Robert Francis Martineau. Martineau and Smith were making sprayers by 1925 (note 7).
The other firm involved was James Southerton & Son. The founding of this firm is said to date back to 1814 (note 8) . The name appears to have its origins in a business started around 1870 by James Southerton (1843-1899) (note 8) . He was followed by Harry James Sutherton (1871-1940). Jas. Southerton & Son at Sandy Lane is mentioned in the Birmingham Mail in 1914 (note 9). Harry James Southerton seems to have been in charge at the time of his death in 1940 (note 8). Harry James Southerton was followed by his son James Dedicote Southerton ((1899-1973). He was the General Manager in 1939 (note 12). They do not seem to have made sprayers until their involvement with Martineau & Smith.
Jas. Southerton involvement with Martineau and Smith is first mentioned in 1935 when there are advertisements showing them trading as Jas. Southerton & Son, Martineau & Smith at their new works (note 10). They may have taken over when James Smith died in 1932.
The last sprayer advertisements I know of appeared in 1947 (note 11). James Southerton Martineau and Smith Ltd had been formed by 1947 with James D Southerton as Chairman (note 12). In 1977 they formed an association with ornamental brassware maker Peerage of Birmingham. At that time James Southerton were described as makers of gas and water fittings. By 1986 James Southerton Ltd had been formed (note 13) and by 1989 the company had become a subsidiary of Newman Tonk (note 14).
The business as it existed when sprayer production ceased around 1947 was made up of two separate firms which amalgamated around 1935.
The partnership of Martineau and Smith was established before 1861. The partnership that existed then involved Robert Martineau (1798-1870), his son Robert Francis Martineau (1831-1909), Brooke Smith Senior (1797-1876 and his son Brooke Smith Junior (1828-1896). On 17 January 1861 Robert Martineau left the partnership (note 1). Brooke Smith Senior (1797-1876) is shown in the 1861 census as a cock founder employing 50 men and 50 boys (note 2). Brooke Smith, of the firm of Martineau and Smith has a provisional patent pending (2350) dated 19 September 1861 for the invention of improvements in taps and cocks (note 3). On the 31 January 1866, Brooke Smith Senior left the partnership leaving just his son Brooke Smith Junior and Robert Francis Martineau as partners (note 4). Benjamin Holmes Bennett (1845-1928) was involved in the partnership by 1885 and left the partnership on 31 December 1887 (note 5). James Smith (1847-1932), the mayor of Birmingham in 1895 was involved in the business at some point (note 6). Possibly, with and then following Robert Francis Martineau. Martineau and Smith were making sprayers by 1925 (note 7).
The other firm involved was James Southerton & Son. The founding of this firm is said to date back to 1814 (note 8) . The name appears to have its origins in a business started around 1870 by James Southerton (1843-1899) (note 8) . He was followed by Harry James Sutherton (1871-1940). Jas. Southerton & Son at Sandy Lane is mentioned in the Birmingham Mail in 1914 (note 9). Harry James Southerton seems to have been in charge at the time of his death in 1940 (note 8). Harry James Southerton was followed by his son James Dedicote Southerton ((1899-1973). He was the General Manager in 1939 (note 12). They do not seem to have made sprayers until their involvement with Martineau & Smith.
Jas. Southerton involvement with Martineau and Smith is first mentioned in 1935 when there are advertisements showing them trading as Jas. Southerton & Son, Martineau & Smith at their new works (note 10). They may have taken over when James Smith died in 1932.
The last sprayer advertisements I know of appeared in 1947 (note 11). James Southerton Martineau and Smith Ltd had been formed by 1947 with James D Southerton as Chairman (note 12). In 1977 they formed an association with ornamental brassware maker Peerage of Birmingham. At that time James Southerton were described as makers of gas and water fittings. By 1986 James Southerton Ltd had been formed (note 13) and by 1989 the company had become a subsidiary of Newman Tonk (note 14).
