The
Company
It
seems most likely that John Anthony Croft was not associated with a company
during his early years, but was rather an individual
either working by himself or with his father and/or brothers. Later in life he partnered with his brother[1], the two operating a farm
together which was known as Astwood Hill Farm.
John’s father, Thomas Croft, was listed in an 1855[2] directory as a needle
scourer in Hunt End, however, John did not appear in any city or trade
directories until twenty-one years later.
In 1876[3]
he was recorded with his older brother as George & John Croft needle
pointers in Hunt End, but they were also listed that year as farmers at Old
Yarr in neighboring Callow Hill. Their
mother was also recorded in 1876[4] as Mrs. Ann Croft, a cowkeeper in Hunt End.
Although John was not listed in the 1892[5] directory, his brother
George was recorded that year as a needle scourer in Callow Hill. By 1900[6] John was listed this time
with his younger brother as John Anthony and Thos. Croft, farmers in Astwood
Bank. The other brother George was
recorded in 1900[7]
as both a needle scourer and farmer at Callow Hill. The last time John and Thomas were listed in
city and trade directories was in 1912[8], again together as farmers
in Astwood Bank. Mrs. George Croft was
also recorded in 1912[9] as a farmer at Callow Hill
because her husband had passed 
away in 1907[10]. How the Croft brothers went from being needle
pointers to farming is currently unknown, perhaps they inherited the farms from
a relative or married someone who inherited the property.
Astwood
Hill Farm is located about a mile west of the village of Astwood Bank and is
seen in the lower right corner of this 1885[11] map of the area. Old Yarr Mill can be found near the upper
left corner on the map, about half a mile northwest of Astwood Hill Farm. Clayfields Farm is
half a mile further northwest of the Old Yarr Mill.
There
was one needle manufacturer in the Redditch area known as Anthony Croft and
Sons, however it was operated by different Croft family. Anthony Croft[12] first appeared in city
and trade directories in 1873[13] and was consistently
listed in area almanacks in the 1870’s[14] as a needle and sewing
machine needle manufacturer in Astwood Bank.
The firm’s needle factory was located near the center of the town on
Foregate Street[15]. Anthony died in 1882 and his wife Mary
carried on the needle business for at least two more years as she was listed in
directories in 1883[16] and 1884[17] as Mary Croft, sewing and
machine needle manufacturer. Evidently,
she sold or discontinued the business after 1884 because that is the last
reference to a Croft needle business in the Redditch area.
Presumably
both Croft families in Hunt End and Astwood Bank were related because John
Anthony Croft’s grandparents[18] and Anthony Croft’s
grandparents[19]
were Anthony and Sarah Croft, which would explain why both men had Anthony
included as part of their names.
Additionally, the father of Anthony Croft, the needle manufacturer, was
also listed in census records some years as a needle pointer or maker and in
other years as a farmer, once in 1841[20] at Old Yarr Mill and by
1851[21] and later at Clayfields. Since
both families were associated at various times with both occupations, they
occasionally lived on the same farms, and their farms were not far from each
other, it seems likely they were related.
The
Owner[22]
John
Anthony Croft was born c1844 in Feckenham, the son of Thomas and Ann
Croft. The Croft family consisted of the
parents and three sons: George, John and Thomas. The family lived in Hunt End where his father
was listed as a needle pointer, needle scourer and needle maker at various
times, even employing 11 workers in 1851.
As was often the case with pointers, his father died at the rather young
age of 48 in 1868. This was probably due
to his occupation, because many pointers developed lung problems due to
breathing in tiny metal fragments while sharpening needles. The father left his estate valued at under £450
to his wife and the two eldest sons, George and
John. According to census records, John
and his brothers continued to live with their mother in Hunt End after their
father’s death and all three worked there as pointers for many years. Perhaps they inherited pointing machinery
from their father. By 1881 the older
brother George had moved out on his own, however John and his younger brother
Thomas continued to live with their mother who was listed as a small farmer
that year.
John
was working as a needle maker by age sixteen and had become a needle pointer by
the time he reached twenty-six. Although
he lived with his mother in Hunt End until at least 1881, at some point between
1871 and 1876[23]
he became a farmer in addition to being a pointer. It seems most likely that while working as a
pointer, he came up with an idea for a brass needle case. Then when he was introduced to Richard
Newhall[24], a needle case
manufacturer from Astwood Bank, he shared his idea with Newhall
and they agreed to work together. As a
result, they registered their design #5366[25] for the Sovereign needle
case in 1872 in both of their names.
John’s name was listed first on the design registration documents
presumably became he originated the idea, whereas Newhall actually
produced it.
Sometime
between 1881 and 1883 John became a full-time farmer and moved to the Feckenham
area eventually settling in Astwood Bank.
He married Sarah Baylis in 1883.
Why he became a farmer is unclear.
Perhaps he inherited the farm from another relative or obtained it from
his wife. John’s mother lived with them
from at least 1891 until her death in 1903 as did his younger brother Thomas,
who never married. John and Sarah had no
children possibly because of their older age when they married. In 1911 he was listed in the census as a
66-year-old farmer working on his own account at Astwood Hill Farm which was
located approximately a mile west of the village of Astwood Bank. John died there in 1922 and left his estate
of £1,609 to his wife
and his younger brother and nephew, who were both farmers as well. It is unknown what happened to Sarah after
his death.
He
was described in his obituary[26] as:
“DEATH OF A WORCESTERSHIRE FARMER. – After a
long illness the death occurred on Tuesday of Mr. John Anthony Croft, of
Astwood Hill Farm, at his residence. He
was a native of Hunt End, and the senior partner of the firm Messrs. J. A.
& T. Croft, farmers. He was 77 years
of age, and one of the largest and best farmers in the county of
Worcester. He was farming 350 acres of
land in Feckenham Parish. He was a keen
sportsman well-known in the hunting field and other sporting circles of the county, and was highly esteemed for his genial and generous
disposition. He took an active interest
in all parochial affairs, and for a number of years
acted as an overseer of the parish. For
nine years he served the Feckenham Ward on the Rural District Council and
Alcester Board of Guardians. He was a
generous supporter of all movements for the improvement or uplifting of the
people amongst whom he resided, and was held in high
esteem by a large circle of friends. He regular attended Bromsgrove Market, where he was a popular
figure, and as a cattle breeder and feeder was frequently successful as a prize
winner at the Christmas and other stock sales.
The funeral took place at the Parish Church, Feckenham, on Friday. He leaves a widow and one brother to mourn
his loss.”
John Anthony Croft: Genealogy
There were three John
Croft’s and one Anthony Croft living in the Feckenham/Hunt End/Astwood Bank
area during the second half of the 19th century. John Croft (c1802-1872) of Feckenham/Ham
Green, Anthony Croft (c1823-1882) of Astwood Bank, John Anthony Croft
(c1844-1922) of Hunt End/Astwood Bank and John Anthony Croft (1884-1928) of
Astwood Bank. These four individuals
were from two different families as shown below. Although all four individuals discussed here
were working in the needle industry at one time, only one was living in Hunt
End when the Sovereign needle case was registered in 1872 by John Anthony Croft
and Richard Newhall of Hunt End.
Therefore, the John Anthony Croft (c1844-1922) in the first family below
is mostly likely the person involved with this needle case. The other individuals are only included here in order to provide enough information to clarify why they
are not the John Croft in question and, as a result, limited research was done
on them.
Family 1 Generation 1: Thomas Croft (c1820-1867) and Ann ?
(c1817-1903)
· Born: c1820 Feckenham (S4).
· Baptized: June 25, 1820
Feckenham (S1c). Listed as Thomas Croft
with parents Anthony and Sarah Croft.
·
Marriage: not found.
· 1841 Census: Hunt
End, Feckenham (S4). Listed as Thomas
Croft age 20 pointer born in the county with wife Ann age 20 driller born in
the county. (Note: Ann is not listed in
the census index).
· 1851 Census: 68
Hunt End, Feckenham (S4). Listed as
Thomas Croft age 31 needle scourer employing 11 men born in Feckenham with wife
Ann age 34 born in Feckenham and 2 children: George and John A.
· 1861 Census: 100
Hunt End, Feckenham (S4). Listed as Thomas Croft age 41 needle maker born in
Feckenham with wife Ann age 43 born in Feckenham and 3 children: George, John and Thos.
· Death: 4th QTR 1867 Alcester at age 48 (S5d).
November 29, 1867 Hunt Ent (S6).
· Probate: April 15,
1868 Worcester (S6).
Listed as Thomas Croft late of Hunt End needle pointer by Ann Croft
widow and George Croft and John Anthony Croft needle pointers from Hunt End
sons and William Freeman of Hunt End machine needle maker. Effects: under £450.
· 1871 Census:163
Hunt End, Feckenham (S4). Listed as Ann
Croft widow age 57 born in Feckenham with 3 children:
George, John and Thomas and a daughter-in-law Elizabeth age 22.
· 1881 Census: 115
Hunt End, Feckenham (S4). Listed as Ann
Croft widow age 60 small farmer born in Feckenham with
2 children: John A. and Thomas and a grandson also named John. (Note: Ann’s age
is incorrectly listed in this census).
· 1891 Census: Ann is listed with son John (S4). Listed as Ann Croft widow age
74 born in Feckenham.
· 1901 Census: Ann
is listed with son John (S4). Listed as
Ann Croft age 86 born in Feckenham.
· Wife’s Death: 4th
QTR 1903 Alcester at age 87 (S5d).
Listed as Ann Croft.
· Wife’s Burial:
December 21, 1903 at age 87 Feckenham (S7). Listed as Ann Croft.
· Children:
1.
George
Croft (c1842-1907). See generation 2.
2.
John
Anthony Croft (c1844-1922). See
generation 2.
3.
Thomas
Croft (1855-1934). Born in Feckenham
(S4). Born: 1st QTR 1855 Alcester (S5b). With parents in 1861, 1871, 1881
(needle pointer) and with brother in 1891 (occupation undecipherable), 1901
(farmer) and 1911(single farmer). Death:
1st QTR 1934 at age 79 Droitwich (S5d). Buried: March 2, 1934
Feckenham (S1burial).
Family 1 Generation 2: George Croft (c1842-1907) and
Elizabeth Watton (c1850-1941)
·
Born: 1843/44 Born in Feckenham (S4).
·
Baptized: September 25, 1842
Feckenham (S1c). Listed as George Croft
with parents Thomas and Ann Croft.
·
1851 Census: with parents (S4). Listed as George
Croft age 8 born in Feckenham.
·
1861 Census: with parents (S4). Listed as George
Croft age 18 needle maker born in Feckenham.
·
Marriage: January 31, 1871
Feckenham, Alcester (S8m). Listed as
George Croft and Elizabeth Watton.
George was listed as a needle manufacturer from Hunt End whose father
was Thomas Croft also a needle manufacturer.
·
1871 Census: with mother (S4). Listed as George Croft age 27 needle pointer
born in Feckenham with daughter-in-law Elizabeth age 22 born in Feckenham.
(Note: Elizabeth is listed as the daughter-in-law of the head or household Ann
Croft).
·
1881 Census: 95 Old Yarr Mill, Colton Hill,
Feckenham (S4). Listed as George Croft
age 36 needle pointer born in Feckenham with wife Elizabeth ag 31 born in
Feckenham and 2 children: Herbert P and Cecelia.
·
1891 Census: 92 Old Yarr Mill, Hampnett,
Feckenham (S4). Listed as George Croft
age 47 needle pointer born in Feckenham with wife Elizabeth ag 42 born in
Feckenham and 4 children: Tom Harold, Herbert P. and Cecilia G and Charon M.
·
1901 Census: 38 Lower Berrow
Farm, Feckenham (S4). Listed as George
Croft age 57 farmer employer born in Feckenham with wife Elizabeth age 52 born
in Feckenham and 3 children: Tom H., Cecilia and
Clara.
·
1911 Census: Lower Berrow
Callow Hill, Redditch (S4). Listed as
Elizabeth Croft age 62 widow farming employer born in Feckenham with 1 child:
Clara age 28 born in Feckenham.
Elizabeth was listed as having been married 40 years with 6 children of
which 3 were still alive.
·
Death: March 16, 1907 (S6)
·
Probate: London June 11, 1907 (S6). Listed as George Croft of Lower Berrow Farm, Feckenham to Tom Harold Croft farmer,
Elizabeth Croft widow and Thomas Croft farmer.
Effects: £3,025.
·
Wife’s Death: January 13, 1941 (S6).
·
Wife’s Burial: January 16, 1941
at age 91 Feckenham (S1burial).
·
Wife’s Probate: February 18, 1941
at age 91 Birmingham (S6). Listed as
Elizabeth Croft of Elmsdale House Astwood Bank widow to Clara Treadgold wife of Garnet Victor Treadgold. Effects: £297.
·
Children:
1. Tom Harold Croft (c1877-??). Born
in Feckenham (S4).
2. Herbert P. Croft (c1883-??). Born in Feckenham (S4).
3. Cecilia G. Croft (c1880-??). Born in Feckenham (S4).
4. Clara M. Croft (c1883-??). Born in Feckenham (S4).
Family 1 Generation 2: John Anthony Croft (c1844-1922)
and Sarah Baylis (c1851-??)
· Born: c1844/45/46 Feckenham (S4).
· Baptized: December 27, 1844
Feckenham (S1c). Listed as John Anthony
Croft with parents Thomas and Ann Croft.
· 1851 Census: with
parents (S4). Listed as John A. Croft
age 6 born in Feckenham.
· 1861 Census: with
parents (S4). Listed as John Croft age 16 a needle maker born in Feckenham.
· 1871 Census: with
mother (S4). Listed as John Croft age
26, needle pointer born in Feckenham.
· 1881 Census: with
mother (S4). Listed as John A. Croft age 25 needle pointer born in Feckenham. (note: John’s age
appears to be an error by the census taker).
· Marriage: March
14, 1883 Walsall, Staffordshire (S8m). Listed as John Anthony Croft and Sarah
Baylis. John was listed as a farmer from
Feckenham whose father was Thomas Croft a needle manufacturer.
· 1891 Census: 265
Hill Farm, Astwood Bank, Feckenham (S4).
Listed as John Anthony Croft age 45 farmer born in Feckenham with wife
Sarah age 40 and brother Thomas age 24 and mother Ann
widow age 74 all born in Feckenham.
· 1901 Census: 338
Hill Farm, Astwood Bank, Feckenham (S4).
Listed as John Anthony Croft age 56 farmer born in Feckenham with wife
Sarah age 50 born in Feckenham and mother Ann age 86
and brother Thomas age 46 all born in Feckenham.
· 1911 Census: Astwood
Hill Farm, Astwood Bank (S4). Listed as
John Anthony Croft age 66 farmer working on own account born in Feckenham with
wife Sarah age 60 born in Feckenham and brother Thomas age 56 all born in
Feckenham. Sarah is listed as having no
children.
· Death: March 28, 1922 (S6).
· Obituary: April 1, 1922
Redditch Indicator newspaper (S=on microfilm at the Redditch Library).
· Probate: August 1,
1922 Worcester (S6).
Listed as John Anthony Croft of Astwood Hill Farm Feckenham a farmer to
Sarah Croft widow and Thomas Croft and Tom Harold Croft farmers. Effects: £1,609.
· Wife’s Death: not found.
· Children: None.
Family 2 Generation 1: John Croft (c1802-1872) and
Elizabeth Perkins
·
Baptized: September 15, 1802
Feckenham (S1c). Listed as John Croft
with parents Anthony and Mary Croft.
·
Marriage: June 30, 1822
Feckenham (S1m). Listed as John Croft
and Elizabeth Perkins.
·
1841 Census: Old Yarr Mill Feckenham (S4). Listed as
John Croft age 35, needle pointer born in the county with wife Elizabeth age 35
born in the county and 2 children.
·
1851 Census: 3 Clay Fields, Feckenham (S4). Listed as John Croft age 48, freehold farmer
with 7 acres born in Feckenham with wife Elizabeth age 50 born in Feckenham and
1 child.
·
1861 Census: 90 Clayfields,
Ham Green, Feckenham (S4). Listed as John Croft age 58, needle maker born in
Feckenham with wife Elizabeth age 60 born in Feckenham.
·
1871 Census: 92 Clayfields,
Ham Green, Feckenham (S4). Listed as John Croft age 68, farmer with 18 acres
born in Feckenham with wife Elizabeth age 70 born in Feckenham.
·
Death: December 5, 1872 Clayfields (S6).
·
Probate: June 7, 1873
Worcester(S6). Listed as John Croft of Clayfields, Ham Green, Feckenham a farmer by Anthony Croft of
Astwood Bank needle manufacturer the son.
Effects: under £100.
Family 2 Generation 2: Anthony Croft (c1823-1882) and
Mary Chamberlain
·
Baptized: November 24, 1823
Feckenham (S1c). Listed as Anthony Croft
with parents John and Elizabeth Croft.
·
Marriage: 2nd QTR 1847 Bromsgrove (S5m). Listed as Anthony Croft and Mary
Chamberlain.
·
1871 Census: Astwood, Feckenham (S4). Listed as Anthony Croft age 47 needle
manufacturer born in Feckenham with wife Mary age 43 born in Astwood and 4
children including Ambrose age 7 born in Astwood.
·
1881 Census: 174 Foregate Street, Astwood Bank,
Feckenham (S4). Listed as Anthony Croft
age 58 needle manufacturer born in Feckenham with wife Mary age 53 born in
Feckenham and 4 children including Ambrose age 18 born in Feckenham.
·
Death: February 9, 1882
Astwood Bank (S6).
·
Probate: February 9, 1882
Worcester (S6). Listed as Anthony Croft
late of Astwood Bank a needle manufacturer by Edward Perkins
postmaster, William Hunt shoemaker and Mary Croft widow. Personal Estate: £621
Family 2 Generation 3: Ambrose Croft (1863-1903) and
Hellen Walker
·
Born: 2nd QTR 1863 Alcester (S5b).
·
Marriage: January 29, 1884
Feckenham (S1m). Listed s Ambrose Croft
age 21 and Hellen Walker with Ambrose’s father listed as Anthony Croft.
·
1901 Census: 99 Avenue Road, Astwood Bank, Feckenham
(S4). Listed as Ambrose Croft age 38 a
farm labourer agr born in
Feckenham with wife Helen age 40 born in Knowle and 5 children including John
A. age 16 born in Feckenham.
·
Death: August 11, 1903 (S7).
·
Burial: with death date August 11, 1903 with birth date 1863 Astwood Bank Cemetery (S7).
Family 2 Generation 4: John Anthony Croft (1884-1928)
and Dolly (aka Polly) Harris
·
Born: 2nd QTR 1884 Alcester (S5b).
·
Marriage: January 4, 1913
Feckenham (S1m). Listed as John Anthony
Croft and Dolly Harris. John’s father
was listed as Ambiose Croft.
·
Death: August 2, 1928 (S6).
· Probate: October 30, 1828 London (S6). Listed as John Anthony Croft of the Bell Inn
Evesham Road Astwood Bank to Polly Croft widow and Ernest James Hawkes,
engineer. Effects:
£1,654.
Needle Related Patent and/or Design Registration made
by Croft
·
1872
Useful Registered Design: #5366 dated June 27, 1872. A needle case registered to John Anthony
Croft and Richard Newhall of Hunt End (S=The National Archives, Kew). This needle case later became known as the
Sovereign.
Avery style needle
case patented/registered by Croft: Sovereign.
