No Relation!
The first Samuel Keeley, who was with Hancock and Keeley until he took complete control in 1835, was born in Wolverton in Warks around 1799 and in the 1851 census he is 42, with his wife and a 15 year old daughter. (No sons shown). He is at 12 New St and a silversmith. He was a sidesman at St Philips, an agent for the European Life Insurance, an overseer of the poor, assessor for St Peter’s Ward and had associations with the Blue Coat School for 36 years. He had his own mark for silver being SK.
He is still shown in New St in the 1871 census, but died in 1872. The premises were sold by private treaty and it was mentioned that the business had been carried on by Samuel and his predecessor for upwards of a hundred years. Interesting that the Blue Coat School sent their condolences to his wife and daughter. Probate records show that the sole Executrix was granted to Georgiana Keeley of New Street, Spinster, the daughter the residuary legatee substituted.
The second Samuel Keeley, who was born in Morton in the Marsh, was living at 21 Newton Street in 1861 (23) with his wife Emma. His occupation is down as plane maker. He is still there in 1871 but his trade is down as Cloths Dealer? (Maybe clocks). In the 1881 census he was at Newton Street, but his occupation is now Engraver’s Block maker, as it also does in 1891. In 1901 he is an Engraver’s block maker at the age of 63, but has moved to 36 Victoria St and looks to have re-married.
The 1883 Kelly Directory gives a Samuel Keeley at 21 Newton Street, as a Engraver’s block maker but also there is Emma Keeley, his wife, as Wardrobe Dealer. There is also an entry for Samuel Keeley at 38 Whittall Street as an engraver’s block maker, so maybe this is where the production takes place? Moving to the 1890 Kelly just shows his wife Emma, the wardrobe dealer, at Newton Street