I’ve searched for some while & can find no contemporary reference to Joseph Vaughan Hill being an apprentice to, waged employee, foreman, or partner of - or indeed having any relationship in life to: Joseph Howell of Chelsea. The sole connection I have seen is an trade advertisement of 1849, where Mr Hill describes himself as “successor to the late J. Howel” . . . . Can anyone recall seeing a solid contemporary source showing any relationship? If so, I would very much appreciate a link.
Rather than throw out the stock that was already produced and stamped he could’ve simply added his name until he ran out of stock from the previous owner .
Perhaps you should contact Simon Barley. He states in BSSM that J V Hill was foreman to J Howell. I'm sure he wouldn't say that without some documentation.
Thank you for the suggestion - but I have not seen sources to support that . . . . . . . . the key issue is J V Hill had just turned 13 when Joseph Howell died at 83 . . . bequeathing (I’ve read his Will) the continuation of his sawmaking business to his son & daughter, for their & his widow’s benefit. I can find no record of J V Hill being assigned to Joseph Howell as a pauper apprentice/parish apprentice: . . . in the early 1820s & in their respective parishes, such involuntary apprenticeships of children aged around 12/13 y.o. in families receiving Poor Relief were not uncommon; tho’ the customary age for parents to voluntarily enter their child into an indenture-with-premium in London’s skilled trades remained 14 years. Unless J V Hill *was* a pauper apprentice; it’s a challenge to see a relationship with Joseph Howell in life - they reside in different areas of London, do not appear to be familially related, there’s a 70 year age-gap, & Hill’s father follows a different trade.