Reply Georgie Garrett
The name is Benjamin Sheldon.
Benjamin is believed to have been born in 1791 in Warwickshire (from his death certificate and census returns). He married Elizabeth (H)eaton when aged 23, George and Elizabeth Whitall witnessed the marriage. Elizabeth Whitall was the only one to sign her name.
We are still trying to track down the origns of Ben after 20 years!
He was a filemaker at the time of his marriage. He and Elizabeth had already conceived their first child Harriet who was born 6 months later (IGI). Benjamin was living at Tranter street (or Elizabeth returned home for the birth). Two years later in 1816 their second child Elizabeth was born at Cross Street off Coleshill Street.
In 1835 when he was aged 44, it appears that Benjamin was in business on his own account at 2 Court Russell Street and may have been living there. He had four children and possibly five including James.
In the years spanning 1839 to 1841 it appears the family moved to 9 Sheep Street whilst he took up business at 21 Legge Street.
By 1841 when Benjamin was 50, the three eldest children had left home. Benjamin junior age 23 was established as a filemaker probably working with his father; whilst William also a filemaker age 15, was working in the original premises in Russell Street, and living at home in Sheep Street.
(James age 10 was working as a pen holder maker.) Benjamin had expanded the business to include riflemaking and gun finishing. (Legge Street was in the gun quarter.)
Benjamin and Elizabeth continued to have children until Elizabeth was 45 with Rebecca being born in 1838. They had 7 children and possibly an 8th, Ann, who was living with Benjamin junior in 1841.
Benjamin died at 9 Sheep Street in December 1846 age 55, from 'chronic bronchitis, 14 weeks', in the presence of his son William.
Trade directory entries.
1835 Pigot's National and Commercial Dir, of Warks.(Photocopy)
Sheldon Benjamin Filemaker 2 Court Russell Street.
1839 Wrightson and Webb. The directory of B'ham.(Photocopy)
Sheldon Benjamin Filemaker Russell Street.
1842 Pigot's Directory of B'ham and environs.(Photocopy)
Sheldon Benjamin Filemaker 21 Legge street, William Sheldon
Filemaker 2 Court Russell Street.
1850 Sheldon Benjamin jnr File and Riflemaker
21 Legge Street, Home; 14 Great Russell Street.
1861 Sheldon Benjamin Filemaker 21 1/2 Legge Street. Res; Dartmouth
Street.
1864 Sheldon Benjamin Filemaker W. Legge Street. Res; Bartons back
Whitehead Road.
1865-1970 Benjamin work address only 1871 no entry for Benjamin.
Census
1841 Benjamin age 25 Gunfinisher Russell Street.
1841 9 Sheep Street
Benjamin Sheldon age 50
Elizabeth age 50
William Filemaker age 15
James Pen holder maker age 10
Henry age 5
Rebecca age 2
. I can only remember my dad's yard which was near the Aston Road end.... a neighbour of ours in Erdington had his works in Sheep Street too... a Harold Kinman... and this was right opposite Kyrle Hall. There was a Shop on the corner the same side as Kyrle Hall. That's all I can remember as a 14 year old.
