Johnson,
Hatchman & Co.: History
The
Company
The
firm known as Johnson, Hatchman & Co. at Little
Love Lane in London was in business for less than ten years. This company was established sometime between
1865[1]
and 1868 by Frederick Johnson and William Hatchman who met in 1861[2]
while working for another company. It
was first recorded with that name and address in several 1868[3]
design registration documents and in a London newspaper[4]
that year. The business was only listed
in a London city directory once, in 1870[5]
after it moved to a new address as “Johnson, Hatchman & Co. agents,
warehousemen & manufacturers of the patent desideratum folding umbrellas
& patent perfumed corsets made upon models, 73-74 Wood
street”. Also, in that 1870[6]
directory William Hatchman was listed separately in the commercial section with
the words “See Johnson, Hatchman & Co.” after his name indicating he was a
partner in the firm. The business was
best known for its umbrellas, which were described as follows in an 1869[7]
newspaper article.
“A
NEW UMBRELLA. – As soon as a want is felt, it is supplied in this age of
invention and progress. The simple fact
that the folded edges of umbrellas wear out before the rest of the slik has given rise to a new kind of woven silk for the
purpose of covering these articles.
Messrs. Johnson & Hatchman, of Love Lane, Wood Street, Cheapside,
have invented and patented an umbrella, the peculiarity of which consists in
the silk at every fold being double.
This double strength is given by weaving with strong fine silk, and
although by close inspection we can detect a slight difference on the wrong
side of the silk, there is none perceptible on the right side, and this
improvement is not visible from the outside when the umbrella is open or when
folded. By this arrangement the “wear
and tear” comes in the parts that are doubly strong, and the umbrella wears
double the usual time. These new
coverings are placed upon Fox’s frames, and are made
at qualities varying from a plain umbrella up to the highly ornamental
ivory-handled umbrella dear to the fair sex.
The price of Messrs. Johnson & Hatchman’s umbrellas is the same as
that of the ordinary well-made umbrella, and is, therefore
economical as well as durable. – Weekly Dispatch, Jan. 24, 1869”
The
firm appears to have been quite successful during the late 1860’s and early
1870’s as they registered a number of designs and
patents in the UK[8] and at
least one in the USA[9] and they
also participated in the 1873[10] World’s Fair in London. Unfortunately, the partnership between
Frederick Johnson and William Hatchman was dissolved in 1874[11]
and the firm was no longer listed in city directories in 1875[12]. Apparently, William Hatchman took over the
business and in 1875[13]
it was renamed William Hatchman & Co. “warehousemen & manufacturers of
the patent “desideratum” and other umbrellas & the patent umbrella tents: corsets made upon models, 74 Wood street”. By 1905[14]
the firm moved again and was listed as “umbrella manufacturers, tent &
marque & canopy makers & warehousemen, 112 & 113 Fore street” where
it continued to be listed until at least 1925[15].
To date only one Avery style needle case
stamped with the Johnson, Hatchman & Co. Little Love 
Lane name has been found. It is the Hermetical seen here with detailed
views of the name and address[16]. Although the patent or design registration
for this needle case has not been found, it is stamped on the back with the
words “Patent Hermetical Needle Slide”.
This needle case must have been produced sometime around 1868/69 because
the firm moved to Wood Street later in 1869 and one would assume
it would have been stamped with the new address if it was made at a later date.
There is another Avery styl
e needle case named the Umbrella, pictured
below, which might have been produced specifically for this company because it
relates to the firm’s main product line.
Again, no patent or design registration has been found for the Umbrella
needle case and it has only been found with no company name stamped on it. Although some people might not think this
looks much like a needle case from the outside, once it is opened, pictured on
the right, it is obvious because there are four 
slots
numbered, 6, 7, 8 and 9 for packets of needles, which is what many other needle
cases had.
The
Johnson Owners
Frederick Johnson was born c1831 in
Appleby, Lincolnshire, a town 159 miles north of London. His parents were Joseph, a farmer, and
Elizabeth Johnson. Frederick appears to
have had 6 siblings, including a sister named Esther who was born c1838. By the time Frederick was 19 years old in
1851, he was working as an apprentice in a drapery shop in neighboring Brigg,
Lincolnshire. Sometime between 1851 and
1861 he moved to the London area and was working there as a warehouseman in a
large Manchester warehouse with at least 90 other young men including William
Hatchman. In 1865 Frederick married Ann
Jepson McCabe at St. John’s in Hampstead and they had 2 children between 1867
and 1871: Annie Blanche and Frederick James Clark. In 1871 the Johnson family lived at Maida
Hill in Paddington where Frederick worked as an umbrella and carpet
manufacturer but by 1881 the family was living in or visiting Hastings in
Sussex and Frederick was listed as a secretary to a supply association. The Johnson family returned to London and by
1891 was living at St. George Hanover Square where Frederick worked as an
accountant with his sister Esther living with his family. Frederick died a year later in 1892 at age 60
and left as estate of £9 to
his son Frederick James Clark Johnson.
At some point after his death his wife moved to North Cave, Yorkshire,
180 miles north of London where she spent the remainder of her life. When she died at age 76 in 1919
she left £1,633 to her
daughter Annie Blanche Hall who in 1895 married Arthur Hall.
The
Hatchman Owners
William
Hatchman was born in 1840 in Dulwich, in the Camberwell section of London, the
son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Hatchman.
His father was listed as a gardener and a steward at different times. By the time William was 21 years old he was
living at a Manchester warehouse in London with at least 90 others including
Frederick Johnson. William married Ann
Maria Cave in 1868 at St. Luke’s in the Chelsea section of London and they had
3 children between 1869 and 1877: Ellen Ann, Edith Alice
and Kathie Cave. By 1871 they were
living in Clapham in the Wandsworth section of London and William was working
as an umbrella and parasol maker.
Although his business partnership with Frederick Johnson ended in 1874,
William spent the rest of his life in this occupation
which included making tents in later years.
The Hatchman family moved to neighboring Battersea sometime between 1881
and 1891 where they remained for the rest of their lives although they visited
or had another residence in Bexhill, a town 62 miles southeast of London along
the southern coast near Hastings.
William died in Bexhill in 1920 at age 79 and was buried at the Bexhill
Cemetery. His estate, valued at £6,191, passed to his wife and
his two youngest daughters. His wife,
Anna, lived another 15 years and died in 1935 at age 92 passing on her estate
of £5,106 to her
daughters.
Johnson,
Hatchman & Co.: Genealogy
Frederick Johnson
(c1831-1892) and Ann Jepson McCabe (c1843-1919)
· Born: c1831
Appleby, Lincolnshire (S4).
·
Baptized: not found.
· 1841 Census:
Appleby, Lincolnshire (S4). Listed as Frederic
Johnson age 10 born in the county living with Joseph Johnson age 40 a farmer
born in the county and Elizabeth Johnson age 35 not born in the county and 6
others with the Johnson surname all born in the county: Charles, Arthur, Lucy,
Mary, Esther age 4 and Ellen. (Note: the
census index incorrectly lists his forename as Frederica).
· 1851 Census: 27 Market Place, Brigg, Lincolnshire (S4). Listed as Fredric
Johnson age 19 unmarried a drapers apprentice born in
Appleby, Lincoln living with Francis Elles a widow age 54 draper with 2 other
assistants, 1 other apprentice and 3 servants.
· 1861 Census: 43
Knowles Court, St. Mary Magdalene Old Fish Street, London, Middlesex (S4). Listed as Frederick Johnson age 29 a
warehouseman to Manchester warehouse born in Appleby, Lincoln living with over
90 others with the same occupation.
(Note: William Hatchman was also living here).
· Marriage: October
5, 1865 St. John, Hampstead, Camden (S8m). Listed as Frederick Johnson a bachelor and
merchant who resided at St. James Westm whose father
was Joseph Johnson with no occupation and Ann Jepson McCabe a spinster.
· 1871 Census: 27
Maida Hill West, Paddington, Marylebone, Kensington, London (S4). Listed as Frederick Johnson age 40 an
umbrella & carpet manufacturer born in Appleby, Westmoreland with wife Anne
J. age 27 born in London and 1 child: Anne B. and 3 servants.
· 1881 Census: No. 8
East Parade, Hastings, Sussex (S4).
Listed as Frederick Johnson age 49 a secretary to Supply Association
born in Appleby, Lincolnshire with wife Ann J. age 37 born in London, Middlesex
and 1 child: Frederick and 1 servant and 5 lodgers.
· 1891 Census: 72
New Bond Street, St. George Hanover Square, London (S4). Listed as Frederick Johnson age 57 an
accountant employed born in Appleby Lincolnshire with wife Amy J. age 47 a
private hotel proprietress employer born in Southwark, London with 1 child:
Frederick J. C., 1 sister Esther H. Johnson age 53 single born in Appleby,
Lincolnshire and 2 boarders and 2 servants.
· Death: April 10, 1892 St. George Hanover Square, London (S8d), listed as
Frederick Johnson age 60 an accountant who died of pneumonia at 72 New Bond
Street with his daughter Blanche Johnson present at his death. April 10, 1892 (S6).
·
Burial: not found.
· Probate: April 14,
1897 London (S6).
Listed as Frederick Johnson of 72 New Bond Street, Middlesex
administration with effects £9
to Frederick James Clark Johnson traveller.
·
1901 Wife’s Census: not found.
·
1911 Wife’s Census: not found.
· Wife’s Death: March
27, 1919 Howden, Yorkshire (S8d), listed as Ann Jepson
Johnson age 76 the widow of Frederick Johnson of independent means who died of
bronchitis and cardiac failure at North Cave, Wallingfen
with her son-in-law Arthur Barton Hall present at her death. March 27, 1919 (S6).
·
Wife’s Burial: not found.
· Wife’s Probate:
May 2, 1919 London (S6). Listed as Ann Jepson Johnson of Nordham, North Cave, Yorkshire a widow with effects £1,633 to Annie Blanche Hall
(wife of Arthur Hall).
· Children:
1.
Annie
Blanche Johnson (1867-??). Born: 2nd QTR
1867 Kensington (S=GRO Online Index), listed as Annie Blanche Johnson with
mother’s maiden name McCabe. 1871 Census: with parents (S4). Marriage: June 5, 1895
St. George, Hanover Square, Westminster, London (S8m). listed as Annie Blanche
Johnson age 28 a spinster who resided at 72 New Bond St. whose father was
Frederick Johnson deceased a gentleman and Arthur Barton Hall age 30 a bachelor
and manufacturer.
2.
Frederick
James Clark Johnson (1871 -??). 3rd QTR
1871 Kensington (S=GRO Online Index), listed as Frederick James Clark Johnson
with mother’s maiden name McCabe. 1881
and 1891 Census: with parents (S4), listed in 1891 as Frederick J. C. Johnson a
warehouseman soft goods worker born in Maida Hill, London.
William Hatchman
(1840-1920) and Ann Maria Cave (c1843-1935)
· Born: October 4, 1840 Camberwell, London, Surrey (S8b). Listed as William the son of Benjamin
Hatchman and Elizabeth Hatchment formerly Hoult who was born at Wellington
Place, Dulwich with his father’s occupation listed a gardener.
· Baptized: November
8, 1840 Dulwich College, Dulwich London (S1c). Listed as William Hatchman with parents
Benjamin and Elizabeth Hatchman.
· 1841 Census: Half
Moon Lane, Brixton, Dulwich, Camberwell, Surrey (S4). Listed as Wm Hatchman age 8 months born in
the county living with Ben Hatchman age 35 a gardener not born in the county
and Elizth age 35 not born in the county and 1 other person with the Hatchman
surname: Elizth
·
1851 Census: not found.
· 1861 Census: 43
Knowles Court, St. Mary Magdalene Old Fish Street, London, Middlesex (S4). Listed as William Hatchman age 21 a
warehouseman to Manchester warehouse born in Dulwich, Surrey living with over
90 others with the same occupation.
(Note: Frederick Johnson was also living here).
· Marriage:
September 15, 1868 St. Luke, Chelsea, Kensington
(S8m). Listed as William Hatchman age 27
a bachelor and warehouseman who resided at 72 Fulham Road whose father was
Benjamin Hatchman deceased a steward and Ann Maria Cave age 25 a spinster.
· 1871 Census: 35
Union Grove, Clapham, Wandsworth. Surrey (S4).
Listed as William Hatchman age 30 an umbrella and parasol maker born in
Dulwich, Surrey with wife Ann M. age 29 born in Chelsea, Middlesex and 2
children: Ellen A. and Edith A. and 1 nurse.
· 1881 Census: 35
Union Grove, Clapham, Wandsworth. Surrey (S4).
Listed as William Hatchman age 40 an umbrella and tent manufacturer born
in Dulwich, Surrey with wife Ann M. age 38 born in Chelsea, Middlesex and 3 children:
Ellen A., Edith A. and Katie C. H. and 1 servant.
· 1891 Census: 47
Norman Hurst, Balham Pk Rd, Battersea, Wandsworth, London (S4). Listed as William Hatchman age 50 a
manufacturer of umbrellas employer born in Dulwich, Surrey with wife Anne M.
age 48 born in Chelsea, Middlesex and 2 children: Edith A. and Kate C. H. and 1
visitor.
· 1901 Census: 79
Balham Park Road, Battersea, Wandsworth, London (S4). Listed as William Hatchman age 60 a bat and
umbrellas maker employer born in Dulwich, Surrey with wife Ann M. age 58 born
in Chelsea, Middlesex and 3 children: Ellen A. McBlain, Edith A. and Kate C. H.
and 2 McBlain grand-daughters: Jessie A. and Dorothy
E.
· 1911 Census: 79
Balham Park Road, Battersea, Wandsworth, London (S4). Listed as William Hatchman age 70 a tent,
canopy umbrella mfr employer born in Dulwich, Surrey
with wife Ann Maria age 68 born in Chelsea, Middlesex and 2 children: Ellen Ann
McBlain and Katie Cave Hatchman Heldman and 2 McBlain grand-daughters:
Jessie Agnes and Dorothy Edith.
Indicated they were married 43 years and had 3 children all still
living. (Note: Katie’s forename is
incorrectly listed in the census index as Ratie).
· Death: August 3, 1920 Battle, Sussex (S8d), listed as William Hatchman age 79
manufacturer of tents &c retired who died of senile decay and cardiac
failure at 17 St. James Road, Bexhill with his daughter Katie C. Hatchman
present at his death. August 3, 1920 at St. James Road, Bexhill, Sussex (S6).
· Burial: August 6, 1920 St. Stephens, Bexhill, Sussex (S1burial). Listed as William Hatchman of 17 St. James
Road age 79.
· Probate: October
11, 1920 London (S6).
Listed as William Hatchman of Normanhurst
Balham Park Road, Surrey with effects £6,191 to Ann Maria Hatchman widow, Edith Alice Bryant (wife of
George Henry Bryant ) and Katie Cave Hatchman
spinster.
· Wife’s Death:
March 25, 1935 Battle, Sussex (S58), listed as Anne Maria
Hatchman age 92 the widow of William Hatchman a tent manufacturer retired who
die of cerebral embolus at Beaufort Cottage, St. James Road, Bexhill with her
daughter Edith A. Bryant present at her death. March
25, 1935 (S6).
·
Wife’s Burial: not found.
· Wife’s Probate:
July 2, 1935 London (S6). Listed as Ann Maria Hatchman of Beaufort
Cottage, St. James Road, Bexhill, Sussex widow with effects £5,106 to Edith Alice Bryant (wife
of George Henry Bryant) and Katie Cave Hatchman spinster.
· Children:
1.
Ellen
Ann Hatchman (1869-??). Born: 4th QTR
1869 Wandsworth (S=GRO Online Index), listed as Ellen Ann Hatchman with no
mother’s maiden name listed. 1871, 1881,
1901 and 1911 Censuses with parents (S4).
Marriage: July 10, 1889 Holy Trinity, Upper
Tooting, Wandsworth (S8m), listed as Ellen Ann Hatchman age 19 a spinster who
resided at Battersea whose father was William Hatchman a gentleman and John
McBlain age 27 a bachelor and banker’s clerk.
2.
Edith
Alice Hatchman (1871-??). Born: 1st QTR 1871 Wandsworth (S=GRO Online Index),
listed as Smith Rice Hatchman with mother’s maiden name Cave (Note: this was
the only daughter with the surname Hatchman born in Wandsworth with a mother’s
maiden name Cave born between 1870-1872).
1871, 1881, 1891 and 1901 Censuses with parents (S4), Marriage:
June 22, 1904 Holy Trinity, Upper Tooting, Wandsworth (S8m), listed as Edith
Alice Hatchman age 33 a spinster who resided at 79 Balham Park Road whose
father was William Hatchman a tent manufacturer and George Henry Bryant age 28
a bachelor and commission agent.
3.
Katie
Cave Hatchman (1877-??). Born: 1st QTR
1877 Wandsworth (S=GRO Online Index), listed as Katie Cave Hatchman with
mother’s maiden name Cave. 1881, 1891,
1901 and 1911 Censuses with parents (S4).
Avery
Style Needle Case Stamped with the Johnson, Hatchman & Co. Name
1.
Hermetical
- the patent or design registration for this needle case has not been found and
it has only been found with the Johnson, Hatchman & Co., Little Love Lane
name stamped on it.
Designs
Registered by Johnson, Hatchman & Co.
1.
Lace:
For Class 13 Lace: #217496 registered March 18, 1868
by Johnson, Hatchman & Co., Little Love Lane, London. (S=The National
Archives, Kew).
2.
Lace:
For Class 13 Lace: #217497 registered March 18, 1868
by Johnson, Hatchman & Co., Little Love Lane, London. (S=The National
Archives, Kew).
3.
Lace:
For Class 13 Lace: #217498 registered March 18, 1868
by Johnson, Hatchman & Co., Little Love Lane, London. (S=The National
Archives, Kew).
4.
Lace:
For Class 13 Lace: #217499 registered March 18, 1868
by Johnson, Hatchman & Co., Little Love Lane, London. (S=The National
Archives, Kew).
5.
Woven
Fabric: For Class 12 Other Fabric: #229886 registered June 4
1869 by Johnson, Hatchman & Co., 73 & 74 Wood Street, London.
(S=The National Archives, Kew).
6.
Woven
Fabric: For Class 12 Other Fabric: #234275 registered October 8, 1869 by Johnson, Hatchman & Co., 73 & 74 Wood
Street, London. (S=The National Archives, Kew).
7.
Lace:
For Class 13 Lace: #242086 registered May 20, 1870 by
Johnson, Hatchman & Co., Wood Street, Cheapside, London. (S=The National
Archives, Kew).
8.
USA
Letters Patent No. 108151 registered October 11, 1870
by Frederick Johnson of Wood Street and William Hatchman of Little Love Lane, London,
England assignors to Thomas O. Morton Paton of New York (S=https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/70/a6/a0/
4a9d53e78565e0/US108151.pdf).
9.
Letters
Patent of Fabrics for Umbrellas: No. 815 dated March 18, 1872
which lists Frederick Johns & William Hatchman both of 73 & 74 Wood St
of an improvement in the manufacture of fabrics for umbrellas
(S=books.google.com).
