Hello all, I am going to be a little vague today because I have lost the notes that I made on this saw, and to be honest, it is not "out of the ordinary" enough to re-do the research - a pretty etch though it is. John Jowett is registered in the online directories from 1901 to 1911 as a maker of various tools and, I think a merchant - but not a maker of saws. Although there is another Jowett around this time, Walter, I think who is listed as a sawmaker. The stamp is not much to write home about, but I do like the etch. It is not overbearing, but I think quite understated and very pretty. That's about all except for the photo's and to say that the saw has a 16" blade. Fred It just shows that you (me) shouldn't try to do things by half. I thought that I would just check what I had written and came up with John Jowett dating back to 1852 (p.145) at Arundel Lane. He is there in 1856 and 1862 where he is placed at the Albion Works (p.121) as a General merchant, manufacturer of edge tools and sheepshears, and steel refining. In 1879 in the addendum, he has removed himself to the Albion Works, Countess Road, St. Mary's (p.15) and where he stays until 1911. I still think that the stamp looks very "post turn of the century" and that the saw is not one of his earlier efforts. But as always I stand to be contradicted.
John Jowett A pretty etch indeed, Fred. I dated JJ back another few years to his partnership with Charles Marshall, who was I think a true saw maker (small scale, I suspect, as he moved premises frequently, perhaps renting space as he could).JJ continued at the partnership's premises when CM had gone. It's odd, and unusual, for the same name to go on for the best part of 70 years, and I can only suppose that either the name itself was the continuation, or there was a father/son line. I would doubt if JJ made his own saws, and this one is - big guess coming - factored. The style of the mark struck on the back is (non-seriffed lettering) later if anything - maybe 1910-ish. The etch style is as Fred suggests, also later if anything, although I don't have a very clear idea in my mind of the way that etch styles developed. Will happily amend the Charles Marshall entry to include his earlier partnership, and add JJ as a "saw maker" (edgetools, factoring saws) - thanks!
Hi Fred, Simon, NOTICE is hereby given, that the Partnership heretofore subsisting between us the undersigned, Charles Marshall and John Jowett, carrying on business as Edge Tool and Sheep Shear Manufacturers, at Albion Works, in Arundel-lane, in Sheffield, in the county of York, under the firm of Marshall and Jowett, was dissolved, by mutual consent, on the 18th day of June instant. All debts owing by and to the said concern will be paid and received by the said John Jowett.—Witness our hands this 21st day of June 1849. Chas. Marshall, John Jowett. The London Gazette has a partnership dissolution for Marshall & Jowett dated June 1849 But the saw looks later (as already noted) which seems to indicate that the mark persisted for many years Not so surprising, but, what are we to make of the bankruptcy notice... The Bankruptcy Act, 1869. In the Connty Court of Yorkshire, holden at Dewsbnry. la the Matter of Proceedings for Liquidation by Arrangement or Composition with Creditors, instituted by John Jowett, of Heckmondwike, in the county of York, Shoddy Merchant. NOTICE is hereby given, that a First General Meeting of the creditors cf the above-named person has been summoned to be held at the offices of Messrs. Scholefield and Taylor, Solicitors, Batler, in tbe c maty of York, on the 23rd day of January, 1883, at three o'clock in the afternoon precisely.—Dated this 6th day of January, 1883. SCHOLEFIELD and TAYLOR, Solicitor* for the said John Jowett I'm inclined to think this is a different John Jowett, and did "Shoddy Merchant" mean then what it does today? Confused as always.. but looking for clues.. Regards Ray PS... After a bit of googling, it seems a "Shoddy Merchant" was one who purchased discarded worn out clothes and bundled them for processing in a "Shoddy mill"
John Jowett Thanks, Ray - your access to the bankruptcy proceedings is as thorough as always. Shoddy was a specialist product of the much subdivided woollen industry of Yorkshire's West Riding - Batley was its centre. Woollen goods were shredded up and the wool re-used to make cheap clothes.(I did a school project on this when I was about 11 years old and the knowledge refuses to leave my head - what a shame I can't even remember what we had for dinner yesterday).