The
Company
The
firm known as James Farnol was founded sometime between 1850[1]
and 1854 by James May Farnol Sr., a die sinker who was in his early twenties at
the time. According to the 1921 letter
head[2]
shown here, it was established in 1854.
This company was 
first
listed in the commercial section of an 1854[3]
city directory as James Farnol, die sinker at 7 Harford Street, however by 1855[4]
it had moved to 54 Great Hampton Street where it was recorded as a die sinker
and tool maker. Within a year, in 1856[5],
the company moved again, this time to 66 Constitution Hill where it was listed as
a die sinker, stamper and piercer, now with all of the
skills needed to make small metal items such as needle cases. Although the business remained at 65½
Constitution Hill for several years, in 1858[6]
the name was incorrectly spelled James Farnell, who was now also recorded as
having a home at 4 Barr Street. Three
years later in 1861[7] the name
was corrected, and the business continued at that address until at least
1869. Sometime between 1869[8]
and 1871[9],
the firm moved to 19 Hall Street where it remained as a die sinker, stamper, piercer and tool maker for the rest of its existence. It was not until 1896/97[10]
that the business was listed as J. M. Farnol in city directories, however when
the company registered designs, they used several different names over the
years. The firm was incorporated in 1918[11]
and thereafter went by the name J. M. Farnol Ltd. At the time of its incorporation James M.
Farnol Jr. and Herbert A. Farnol, the sons of the founder, were listed as the
directors and shareholders. Their intent was “to carry on the business of die
sinkers, stampers, pierces, tool makers, manufacturers of metal goods of all
kinds”[12]. Nine years later in 1926, shortly after James
May Farnol Sr. died, the business ceased trading[13]
and was officially dissolved in 1929[14].
In
1861[15]
the man named James Farnol employed at least 4 men. In 1891[16]
he was listed as a die sinker and toolmaker employer and in 1901[17]
as a stamper and piercer employer.
Although it is unknown exactly how large the company was or how many
employees it had, it did in fact employ children as did many of the firms in
the Birmingham area. In January 1873,
James Farnol was prosecuted for “employing a child for more than six and a half
hours. The child was only eight years of
age and was working seven hours and three quarters a day, and
attending school for two hours and a half”[18]. As a result, Farnol had to pay a fine of £2 which is
equivalent to approximately £125[19]
today. Child labor was common during the
Victorian Era, in fact many children from poor families had to work in order to help their families survive. Often, they worked long hours in dangerous
conditions that negatively affected their lives. Thankfully, a number of
laws were passed during the 1800’s to reduce children’s and women’s work hours
and to improve their working conditions.
This
firm registered 35 designs between 1869 and 1894[20]. Twenty-eight of these designs were registered
under the name J. M. Farnol, whereas 4 were registered under the name James M.
Farnol, one under James May Farnol and yet another one under the name James
May. Of 
the 35 designs, all 5 of
the ones registered between 1877 and 1880 were for Avery style needle cases:
The Bower[21] and The
Stile[22]
in 1877; a Donkey with 
Panniers[23]
(pictured on the right) and a Water Pump with Trough[24]
(pictured below) in 1879; and a Seated Cherub with Book[25]
in 1880. Additionally, W. Avery &
Son of Redditch registered two designs during those same years in which Avery
indicated his address was 19 Hall Street, the same as J. M. Farnol’s: a
Lighthouse with Boat[26]
(pictured on the left) in 1878 and in 1880 an Elephant with Howdah[27]. It appears as if Avery and Farnol were
working together on some of these needle cases.
Perhaps Avery had an arrangement with Farnol to produce needle cases for
him. And how do we know this? Avery’s main factory was in Redditch and it did not have the tools nor the skilled
workers necessary to produce needle cases.
Although Avery did have a pin and pearl button factory in Birmingham for
a few years in the mid 1870’s/early 1880’s, his firm was never listed in 
Birmingham city
directories as a needle case manufacturer or in any field related to needle
case production.
The
first needle case Farnol created was the Bower (pictured on the left) in 1877
and it has been found with at least three different names stamped on it, two
Redditch area needle manufacturers not related to Avery, and a third company
from London. Of the other four needle
case designs Farnol registered, examples of three[28]
have only been found with either Avery’s name or no name (Donkey with Panniers,
Seated Cherub with Book and the Water Pump with Trough
(pictured on the right).
Only
patent documents exist for the other Farnol design[29]
(The Stile), and they include a photograph of the 
design indicating at
least one copy was actually produced. As seen here, the photograph on the design
registration for The Stile needle case contains the W. Avery & Son name,
evidence that it was made specifically for Avery. Regarding the two designs Avery registered
using Farnol’s address, only a handful of these have been found. One is the Elephant with Howdah which is
always found with Avery’s name stamped on it.
The other is the Lighthouse with Boat needle case of which only one is
known to exist, and it also contains Avery’s name.
The
Owners
The
parents of James May Farnol were John Farnol and Catherine May. The father John was born c1789 in
Warwickshire. At age 23 he married
Frances Cocks in 1812 in Handsworth.
John and Frances had three children: Charlotte (c1816-1817), Sarah
(c1818-1819) and 
Susanna (1823-1823) who
all died within 
a year of their
birth. The last child died in late
October 1823, three months after John’s wife Frances died in late July
1823. It seems likely that Frances’s
death may have been the result of childbirth or some type of illness that was
common during that time period and was particularly
hard on women who had just given birth.
Five months after Frances’s death and less than two months following the
death of his newborn daughter, John married his second wife, Catherine May, in
late 1823. During this time period a man needed someone to care for his children
while he worked, which was often the reason men remarried so quickly after the
death of a wife. It seems a bit odd
though, since it appears that John had no living children at the time of his
second marriage. Or did he? According to baptism records from 1824, John
(photograph on the left[30])
and Catherine (photograph on the right[31])
had two children baptized on the same day that year[32];
John Jr. who was born in 1820 and Clarinda who was born in 1824. Perhaps, John Sr. was involved with Catherine
four years earlier when he was married to Frances. Therefore, John Jr. may have been his
illegitimate child which could be the reason John Sr. married so quickly after
his first wife’s death. Presumably,
because his parents were married at the time of his baptism, John Jr. was
considered legitimate. Another possibility
is that Catherine became pregnant by another man and only after she married
John Sr. did he agree to adopt John Jr. which could be
the reason John Sr.’s name was listed as the father on the baptism record.
John
Sr. and Catherine moved around Birmingham a bit, living on Constitution Hill,
then Northwood Street before settling at Summer Lane where they lived with
Catherine’s father William May, a button maker.
They had four additional children together: Elizabeth Rebecca, Henry John, James May and Alfred. John
Sr. worked as a box and ivory rule maker for most of his life and died at age
57 of bronchitis in 1846. After his
death Catherine continued to live with her father and two of her children until
at least 1851. By 1871, after her father
passed away in 1854, she moved in with her daughter Clarinda’s family for a few
years before going to live with her other daughter Elizabeth and her family by 1881. At one point
she was listed as a stationer and at another a news agent. Catherine died in Handsworth at age 89 in
1883.
A
quick review of James May Farnol’s siblings, who all remained in the Birmingham
area, will give a better understanding of his life. It is unknown what happened to James’s oldest
brother John Jr. who was born in 1820.
Apparently, he died young as his name is never found in any records
related to the Farnol family except his baptism. The eldest sister Clarinda, born in 1824,
married Stephen James Reynolds, a coal dealer, glass painter employer, chain
maker and jeweler, in 1847 and they 
had 5 children. She died in 1911 at age 87. The second sister Elizabeth Rebecca was born
c1827. Elizabeth married Thomas Henry
Barnsley, also in 1847, who was a carpenter and they had six children. She died in 1895 at age 68. The third sibling was Henry John Farnol who
was probably considered the eldest son.
Henry was born in 1829 and married Emma Wilkes in 1850 and they had 10
children together. By 1861 Henry was
working in a brass foundry and by 1881 was a brass foundry employer with 14
men, 9 boys and 11 girls. Henry must
have been quite successful, perhaps he inherited something from his father if
he was in fact considered the eldest son.
Henry and his family moved to the London area sometime between 1881 and
1891 where he worked as a commercial traveler.
Henry died in 1922 in the London area and left £364 to his
daughter. Henry’s most famous grandson,
John Jeffery Farnol, was born in 1878 in Aston and spent a few years there
before his family also moved to the London area. By 1901 John Jeffery was an author who wrote
under the name Jeffery Farnol (photograph left[33]). His first book was published in 1907 and
during his lifetime he wrote more than 40 romance novels most which were set in
the Georgian period. As a result, he
became a popular British author. He died
in 1952 at age 74. The youngest Farnol
sibling was Alfred, born c1836/37.
Alfred married Eliza Ann Hawkins in 1859 and worked as a brass founder
until his death a year later in 1860 at age 24.
James
May Farnol Sr., the son of John Farnol and Catherine May, was born in 1831 in
Birmingham, the fifth child of six. At
age 10 he was working as a gilt toy maker and by the time he was 19 years old
had become a die sinker. He married
Harriett Hawkins in Birmingham in 1854.
Harriet’s sister, Eliza Ann Hawkins, married James’s brother Alfred five
years later. At first James and Harriet
lived on Barr Street in the Jewellery Quarter, later
moving to Villa Grove in Handsworth.
Between 1855 and 1875 they had 12 children: Henry John, James May,
Harriet Elizabeth, Matilda, Annie, Howard Walter, Laura May, Adeline Marion,
Victor Ernest, Gertrude Clara, Alfred Herbert and
Janet Beatrice. Four of these children
died in childhood: Henry John at age 3, Harriett Elizabeth at age 15, Annie at
age 3 weeks, and Howard Walter at age 6.
At some point between 1891 and 1901 the family moved to Hall Road in
Handsworth, then to Broughton Road sometime after 1901 where they remained for
the rest of their lives. James Sr. worked
as a die sinker, stamper, piercer and toolmaker
employer throughout his life. Harriet
died in 1906 at age 74 and left an estate valued at £126 to her
husband. James Sr. lived another 20
years and died in 1926 at age 95. He
left an estate of £3,744
to his daughter Matilda and son Albert Herbert who now went by the name Herbert
Albert. James Sr., his wife Harriett and
the four children who died in childhood were buried at the Key Hill Cemetery on
Icknield Street next to the Jewellery Quarter. His obituary[34]
in the local newspaper provides some interesting details regarding his life.
“LATE
MR. FARNOL.
One
of Handsworth’s Oldest Residents.
The
funeral takes place to-day of Mr. James May Farnol, a
great-uncle of Mr. Jeffrey Farnol, the novelist, and one of the oldest
residents of Handsworth. Mr. Farnol, who
was in his 95th year, died on Thursday at his residence, 17,
Broughton-road.
Seventy-two
years ago he founded the business of J. M. Farnol,
Ltd., Hall-street, Hockley, and was well over 80 when he retired from
business. He maintained his wonderful vigour until last Saturday, when
he had a stroke.
Mr.
Farnol made science his hobby and was keenly interested in geology, being a
member of the Birmingham Natural History and Philosophical Society and of the
Birmingham and Midland Institute.
The
interment at Icknield-street Cemetery to-day will be preceded at 10.45 by a
service at Wretham-road Swedenborgian Church where Mr.
Farnol was formerly a deacon.”
Six
of the eight children of James May Farnol Sr. who lived to adulthood remained
in the Birmingham area. The eldest son
James May Farnol Jr. was born in 1857. He became a die sinker like his father before
him and married Mary Anne Elliot in 1880.
Although James Jr. was listed as a gentleman at age 23 in 1881, this
appears to be a census error because in all other records he was a die sinker
or die sinker employer in Birmingham probably working for his father. James Jr. and Mary had four children. His wife died in 1928 at age 69 and James Jr.
died in Handsworth 24 years later in 1952 at age 94. His estate was valued at £502. James Sr.’s daughter Matilda, who was born in
1860, never married and lived with her parents for much of her life. As she aged she
lived with her youngest sister Janet’s family for a few years and later with
her other sister Adeline’s family where she died in 1954 in Handsworth. Her estate was valued at £1,371. Another daughter Laura May, born in 1866,
also never married and spent her life with her parents in Handsworth. She died at age 55 in 1921 presumably while
vacationing in Wales. Laura must have
had some mental issues because she committed suicide by hanging herself. The daughter Adeline was born in 1867. She married Edward John Haseler
a silversmith employer, the son of John Bush Haseler and Sarah Maria Johnstone,
in 1896 and they had at least 6 children.
The Haseler and Johnstone families were well known
goldsmiths, silversmiths, jewelers and die sinkers in the Birmingham area
during the Victorian Period and more information about them can be found in
other chapters in this book. Adeline
Haseler lived a long life and died in 1968 at age 100. James May Farnol Sr.’s son Victor Ernest
Farnol was born in 1869. He married
Gertrude Margaret Boland in 1901 and worked as a commercial traveler. Both Victor and his wife were in the Glasgow,
Scotland area where one of their children was born in 1914. Victor died in 1941 at age 72 in the London
area and left an estate valued at £643. The daughter Gertrude Clara Farnol, who was
born in 1871, married Bernard Haseler the foreman at a fancy metal goods
business in 1907. Bernard was the
brother of Gertrude’s sister Adeline’s husband Edward Haseler. Gertrude and Bernard had at least 2
children. By 1939 Gertrude had moved to
Thame in Oxfordshire and died there in 1946 at age 75, leaving an estate valued
at £2,480. The youngest son Alfred Herbert was born in
1873. At some point between 1881 and
1891 he reversed his name and became known as Herbert Alfred. In 1918 Herbert married Muriel L. Mears and
spent his life working as a die sinker and tool maker in the Birmingham
area. He died there in 1930 at age 57
with an estate of £1,040. The youngest daughter of James May Farnol Sr.
was Janet Beatrice. She was born in 1875
and married Camden Robins Piercy in 1902.
Camden worked as a secretary at the Carbos Chemical Company for a period of time and later became a commercial
traveler. Janet died at age 79 in the
Birmingham area in 1954 with an estate valued at £810.
James Farnol (aka J.
M. Farnol and James M. Farnol): Genealogy
Generation 1: John Farnol
(c1789-1846) and Frances Cocks (c1791-1823) and Catherine May (c1794-1883)
· Born: c1789 (S8d).
· Marriage 1: November 23, 1812 St.
Mary, Handsworth (S3). Listed as John Farnoll and Frances Cocks.
· Wife #1 Burial: July 23, 1823
Birmingham (S1burial). Listed as Frances
Farnol age 32 with spouse listed as John Farnol of Northwood Street.
· Marriage #2: December 25, 1823 St.
Martin, Birmingham, Warwickshire (S3) (S1).
Listed as John Farnol a widower and Catherine May, a spinster (Note:
surname is incorrectly listed as Fearnot on the (S3)
index and Farnal on the (S1m) index).
· Wife: Catherine May was baptized April 21, 1794
St. Phillip, Birmingham, Warwickshire, daughter of William and Rebecca May (S1c). William May was born c1771.
· 1830 History, Topography & Directory of Warwickshire,
page 332. Listed as John Farnol a box
and ivory rule maker, 111 Constitution Hill (S=available at ancestry.com).
· 1841 Census: Summer Lane, Birmingham (S4). Listed as John Farnell age 50 a rule m born
in the county with father-in-law, William May age 70 a button m born in the
county, and Catherine age 45 a stationer born in the county and 5 children all
born in the county: Clarinda, Elizabeth,
Henry, James and Alfred. (Note: surname is incorrectly
listed as Farnell in this census).
· Death: February 2, 1846 Birmingham
(S8d). Listed as John Farnol age 57 a
rule maker who died at 11 Court Summer Lane of bronchitis with daughter E.
Rebecca Farnol in attendance.
·
Probate:
not found.
· 1851 Census: 52 Summer Lane, Birmingham (S4). Listed as Catherine Farnol a widow age 57 born in Birmingham with her father, William May age
80, a retired button maker born in Birmingham, and 2 children both born in
Birmingham: James and Alfred.
· Father-in-Law Death: December 30, 1853
recorded in the 1st QTR 1854 Birmingham (S8d), listed as William May
age 83 a button stamper who died at Summer Lane with S. Farnol present at the
death.
·
1861 Census:
not found.
· 1871 Census: 39 St. Peters Road, Handsworth, West Bromwich
(S4). Listed as Catharine Farnol a widow
age 77 formerly a news agent born in Birmingham, the
mother-in-law in the Stephen Reynolds age 45 a glass painter master and
Caroline Reynolds age 46 both born in Birmingham household. Caroline Reynolds is the correct age to be Catherine
Farnol’s daughter, Clarinda from the 1841 census and from Clarinda’s marriage
band. (Note: Farnol surname is
incorrectly listed as Forrest in the census index).
· 1881 Census: Lodge Road 8 Belgrave Ser. Cou.,
Birmingham (S4). Listed as Catherine Farnol
age 88 a widow born in Birmingham, a visitor in the Henry Barnsley age 53 a
carpenter and Elizabeth Barnsley age 54 both born in Handsworth household. Elizabeth Barnsley is the correct age to be Catherine
Farnol’s daughter, Elizabeth.
· Wife’s Death: September 1,1883, Handsworth, West Bromwich,
Staffordshire (S8d). Listed as Catherine
Farnol age 89, the widow of John Farnol a rule maker, who died at 52 St. Peter
Road with daughter Elizabeth Rebecca Barnsley in attendance.
·
Probate:
not found.
· Children:
1. Charlotte Farnol (c1816-1817). Buried: December 6, 1817
St. Philip, Birmingham (S1burial) at age 1 with parents listed as John and
Frances Farnol of Constitution Hill.
2. Sarah Farnol
(c1818-1819). Buried: November 21, 1819 St. Philip,
Birmingham (S1burial) at age 1 with parents listed as John and Frances Farnol
of Constitution Hill.
3. John Farnol (1820-??). Born October 29, 1820 (S1c). Baptized November 21, 1824
St. Philip (S1c) with parents listed as John, a rule maker, and Catherine
Farnol of Constitution Hill.
4. Susanna Farnol (1823-1823). Buried: October 26, 1823 St. Philip, Birmingham (S1burial) at age 4 months with
parents listed as John and Frances Farnol of Northwood Street.
5. Clarinda Farnol (1824-1911). Born: November 2, 1824 (S1c).
Baptized: November 21, 1824 with parents listed as
John, a rule maker, and Catherine Farnol of Northwood Street. 1841 Census (S4):
with parents. Marriage: October 26,
1847, St. Phillips, Birmingham (S3), listed as Clarinda Farnol of Summer Lane
whose father was John Farnol a rule maker and Stephen James Reynolds a coal
dealer. 1871 Census: 39 St. Peters Road, Handsworth, West Bromwich (S4), listed
as Stephen Reynolds age 45 a glass painter master employing 3 boys, 5 women and
7 girls born in Birmingham with wife Caroline Reynolds age 46 born in
Birmingham and 5 children all born in Birmingham: James, T., George A., Clara
E., Kate, Bertha, and Catherine Farnol mother-in-law born in Birmingham (Note:
Clarinda is incorrectly listed a Caroline in this census probably a census
taker error). Death: February 15, 1911
(S6). Probate: March 9, 1911 Lichfield
(S6), listed as Clarinda Reynolds of 52 St. Peter’s Road, Handsworth, wife of
Stephens James Reynolds, with Effects £303 to
Stephan James Reynolds a chain maker and jeweler.
6. Elizabeth Rebecca Farnol (c1827-1895). Born: January 3, 1827
(S1c). Baptized: February 5, 1827 St. Philips Birmingham (S1c) listed as Elizabeth
Rebecca Farnol with parents John, a rule maker, and Catherine Farnol of
Constitution Hill. 1841 Census (S4) with
parents. Marriage: 2nd QTR
1847 Birmingham (S5m), listed as Elizabeth Rebecca Farnol and Thomas Henry
Barnsley (Note: surname is incorrectly listed as Farnal in the marriage index).
1847: she signed her name as Elizabeth Rebecca Barnsley as in the presence of
on her sister Clarinda’s marriage banns (S3).
1881 Census: Lodge Road 8 Belgrave Ser. Cou.,
Birmingham (S4), listed as Henry Barnsley age 53 a carpenter born in Handsworth
with wife Elizabeth Barnsley age 54 born in Handsworth and 6 children all born
in Handsworth: Harriet, Henry, Alfred, Alice, Ernest, and Elizabeth, and
Catherine Farnol a visitor and widow age 88 born in
Birmingham. Death: 1st QTR
1895 Birmingham (S5d), listed as Elizabeth Rebecca Barnsley age 68.
7. Henry John Farnol (1829-1922). Born: May 5, 1829 (S1c). Baptized October 1, 1830
St. Philip, Birmingham (S1c), listed as Henry John Farnol with parents John and
Catherine Farnol of Smith Street with father’s occupation rule maker. 1841 Census (S4): with parents. 1847: He signed his name as Henry John
Farnol as in the presence of on her sister Clarinda’s marriage banns (S3). Marriage:
August 25, 1850 Edgbaston, King’s Norton,
Worcestershire (S8m), listed as Henry John Farnol of full age a bachelor and
button maker who resided in Birmingham and Emma Wilkes of full age a spinster
who resided in Edgbaston. 1851 Census:
Birmingham (S4): Henry J. Farnol, age 22 a button letter born in Birmingham
with wife Emma. 1861 Census: Handsworth (S4) Henry J. Farnol age 31 a brass
founder born in Birmingham with wife Emma and children. 1871 Census: Aston (S4) Henry John Farnol age
41 brass founder born in Birmingham with wife Emma and children. 1881 Census: Handsworth (S4) Henry J. Farnol
age 52 brass founder employer 14 men 9 boys and 11 girls born in Birmingham
with wife Emma and children. 1891
Census: Putney, Wandsworth, London (S4), listed as Henry Jno Farnol age 61 a
traveler born in Birmingham with same wife and children from earlier
censuses. 1901 Census: Wandsworth, London (S4) listed as Henry J.
Farnol age 71 a commercial traveler born in Birmingham with same wife and
children from earlier censuses. 1911: 35
Malvern Road, Thornton Heath, London (S4), listed as Henry John Farnol age 81 a
retired agent born in Birmingham with wife Emma age 82 born in Birmingham,
indicated they were married 60 years and had 10 children all still living.
Death: June 14, 1922 (S6). Probate: May
30, 1935 London (S6), listed as Henry John Farnol of 35 Malvern Road, Thornton
Heath, Surrey with Effects: £364 to
Constance May Farnol spinster.
a. Child: Henry John
Farnol (c1854-??). Born: c1854 (S4).
1861 and 1871 Censuses: with parents (S4).
Marriage: 2nd QTR 1877
Aston (S5m), listed as Henry John Farnol and Katherine Jeffery. 1881 Census:
35 Birchfield Road, Aston (S4), listed as Henry J. Farnol age 28 a
master brass foundry employing 3 men, 2 boys and 5 girls born in Birmingham
with wife Katherine age 20 and 2 children both born in
Aston: John J. age 3 and William E. 1901
Census: 6 Dorville Road, Lewisham,
London (S6), listed as Henry J. Farnol age 46 manager brass foundry employer
born in Birmingham with wife
Kathleen age 44 born in Birmingham and 4 children all born in
Birmingham except Dorothy who was born in London: John J., William E., Ernest
E. and Dorothy K. (age 12). 1911 Census: 71 Eltham Road, Lee, Kent, London
(S4), listed as Henry John Farnol age 57 a commercial traveler worker born in Birmingham
with wife Katherine age 55 born in Birmingham and 2
children: John Jeffery age 33 born in Birmingham and Dorothy Kate age 22 born
in London. Indicated they were married
33 years and had 4 children of which 3 were still living.
b. Grandchild: Son of Henry John Farnol and Katherine Jeffery. John Jeffery Farnol (1878-1952) Born: 1st
QTR 1878 Aston (S5b, listed as John Jeffery Farnol, per GRO website his
mother’s maiden name was Jeffery. 1881,
1891 and 1911 with parents (S4), listed in 1901 as a 23 year
old author and in 1911 as John Jeffery Farnol age 33 an author novelist
born in Birmingham. Additional
information about the author John Jeffery Farnol, who wrote under the name
Jeffery Farnol, is from Farnol: The Man Who Wrote Best-Sellers by Pat Bryan,
2002 (S=books.google.com) and from the Jeffery Farnol biography on Wikipedia.
8. James May Farnol (1831-1926) - see Generation 2.
9. Alfred Farnol (c1836/37-1860). Born: Birmingham (S4). 1841
and 1851 Censuses (S4): with parents.
Marriage: December 17, 1859 New Jerusalem
Church, Birmingham (S8m), listed as Alfred Farnol age 23 a brass founder living
at Lozells Lane, Aston whose father was John Farnol a
rule maker and Eliza Ann Hawkins whose father was William Hawkins of Mott
Street, Birmingham a plater. Death:
3rd QTR 1860 Aston (S5d), listed as Alfred Farnoll.
Eliza Hawkins was baptized February 5, 1838 St.
Philip, Birmingham (S1c) with parents listed as William, a coach harness
plater, and Elizabeth Hawkins of William Street.
Generation 2: James May
Farnol (1831-1926) and Harriet Hawkins (1831-1906)
· Born: November 13, 1831 (S=gravestone) and Birmingham (S4).
· 1841 Census: Summer Lane, Birmingham with parents and
grandfather (S4). Listed as James
Farnell age 10 a gilt toy maker born in the county. (Note: surname is
incorrectly listed as Farnell in this census).
· 1851 Census: 52 Summer Lane, Birmingham with mother and
grandfather (S4). Listed as James Farnol
age 19 a die sinker born in Birmingham.
· Married: July 16, 1854 New Jerusalem
Church, Birmingham (S8m). Listed as
James May Farnol age 22 a die sinker residing at Summer Lane whose father was
John Farnol a rule maker and Harriett Hawkins age 22 whose father was William
Hawkins a coach harness plater. Harriett Hawkins was
born on January 4, 1831 and baptized on August 31,
1835 St. Philip, Birmingham (S1c) with parents William, a plater, and Elizabeth
Hawkins of William Street. Harriett’s
sister, Eliza Ann Hawkins, married James’ brother Alfred Farnol’s five years
later in 1859.
· 1861 census: 4 Barr Street, Birmingham (S4). Listed as James M. Farnol age 29 a die sinker
with 4 men born in Birmingham and wife Harriett age 29 born in Birmingham and 3
children all born in Birmingham: James,
Hannah Eliza and Matilda, and sister-in-law Elizabeth Farnol a widow age 23 age and a niece Eliza Clarinda Farnol age 4 months
all born in Birmingham. (Note: Hannah is
listed incorrectly as Harriett in the census index. Also, the sister-in-law is the widow of James
Farnol’s brother Alfred Farnol who is also be the
sister of James Farnol’s wife Harriett).
· 1871 Census: Back of 4 Barr Street, Birmingham (S4). Listed as James M. Farnol age 39 a die sinker
born in Birmingham with wife Harriett age 39 born in Birmingham and 5 children
all born in Birmingham: James M., Laura
M., Adelius M., Victor E.
and Gertrude C.
· 1873 Return of Prosecutions: January 31, 1873 James Farnol,
die sinking, Hall Street received a £2
penalty for “employing a child for more than six and a half hours. The child was only eight years of age and
was working seven hours and three quarters a day, and
attending school for two hours and a half.” From Reports of the Inspectors
of Factories to Her Majesty’s Principal Secretary of State for the Home
Department for the Half-Year Ending 30th April 1873, 1873, page
87 (S=books.google.com).
· 1881 Census: 4a Ville Grove, Handsworth, West Bromwich
(S4). Listed as James M. Farnol age 49 a
die sinker born in Birmingham with wife Harriett age 49 born in Birmingham and
7 children all born in Birmingham:
Matilda, Laura M., Adeline M., Victor, Gertrude C., Alfred H. and Janet B.
· 1891 Census: 8 Villa Grove, Handsworth, Staffordshire
(S4). Listed as James M. Farnol age 59 a
die sinker and toolmaker employer born in Birmingham with wife Harriett age 59
born in Birmingham and 7 children all born in Birmingham or Handsworth: Matilda, Laura M., Adeline M., Victor C.,
Gertrude C., Herbert A. and Janet B.
· 1901 Census: 100 Hall Road, Handsworth, Staffordshire (S4).
Listed as James Farnol age 69 a stamper and piercer employer born in Birmingham
with wife Harriett age 69 born in Birmingham and 6 children all born in
Birmingham or Handsworth: Matilda, Laura
May, Victor Ernest, Gertrude Clara, Herbert Alfred and
Janet Beatrice.
· 1906 Rate Books: Lists
James May Farnol as the occupier of 19 Hall Street a warehouse and shopping
owned by J.W. Lewis. (S=Birmingham England Rate Books 1831-1913 available at
ancestry.com).
· Wife’s Death: 1st QTR 1906 West Bromwich, Staffordshire at age 74
(S5d), listed as Harriet Farnol, February 26, 1906 (S6).
· Wife’s Probate: July
20, 1906 Lichfield (S6). Listed as Harriett Farnol of 17 Broughton
Road, Handsworth, the wife of James May Farnol.
Effects £126 to James May Farnol, die sinker.
·
1911 Census:
not found.
· 1911 Rate Books: Lists
James May Farnol who lives at 17 Broughton, Handsworth as the occupier of 19
Hall Street a warehouse and shopping owned by J.W. Lewis. (S=Birmingham England
Rate Books 1831-1913 available at ancestry.com).
· 1918 Incorporation: J.
M. Farnol Ltd was incorporated in 1918 and dissolved between 1918-1932
(S=Company No. 149595 Files of Dissolved Companies available at The National
Archives, Kew).
· 1921 Kelly’s Directory of Birmingham, page 686 and 932.
Lists James May Farnol as a die sinker, stamper, piercer and toolmaker
at 19 Hall Street, opposite Caroline Street. (S=ancestry.com)
· Death: March 31, 1926 Handsworth,
West Bromwich, Staffordshire (S8d), listed as James May Farnol age 94, an
electroplate stamper retired, who died at 17 Broughton Road with son Hubert A.
Farnol in attendance, March 31, 1926 (S6).
· Burial: April 3, 1926 at Key Hill
Cemetery next to the Jewellery Quarter in
Birmingham. Listed as James May Farnol
of 17 Broughton Road age 94 (S=email correspondence with Midland Ancestors who
provided a copy of the burial record).
· Gravestone: Key Hill Cemetery Section N, Plot #210 which
lists James May Farnol as born November 11, 1831 and
died March 31, 1926 and his wife Harriett who died February 26, 1906 and 5
children: Henry John, Annie, Howard Walter, Harriet Elizabeth and Laura
May. (S=email correspondence with the
Friends of Key Hill Cemetery & Warstone Lane
Cemetery who provided the gravestone inscription but were unable to locate the
actual grave).
· 1926 Will: Half a page will dated
May 1, 1918 made by James May Farnol of 17 Broughton Road, Handsworth which
lists his daughters Matilda Farnol and Laura May Farnol and his son Hebert
Alfred Farnol. (S=#782-1926 at the Birmingham Library).
·
Probate: May 4, 1926 Birmingham (S6). Listed as James May Farnol of 17
Broughton Road, Handsworth. Effects £3,774 to Matilda Farnol, spinster, and Herbert Alfred
Farnol, stamper and piercer.
· Children:
1.
Henry
John Farnol (1855-1859). Born: April 10,
1855 Birmingham (S8b), listed as Henry John Farnol
born at 4 Barr Street with parents James May Farnol a die sinker master and
Harriet Farnol formerly Hawkins. Death: not found, however he is listed on the Farnol
gravestone as “Henry John son of James & Harriet Farnol who departed this
life February 16, 1859 aged 3 years & 10 months”
(S=see father’s grave).
2.
James May Farnol (1857-1954) - see Generation 3.
3.
Harriet
Elizabeth Farnol (c1859/1860-1875).
Born: Birmingham (S4). 1861 Census (S4): with parents where she is
listed as Hannah age 1. 1871: 36 Aldridge Village, Aldridge, Staffordshire
(S4), listed as Harriet Farnol age 11 a scholar and boarder born in Birmingham
with her sister Matilda. Death: not found however
she is listed as “Harriet Elizabeth Farnol who died January 20, 1875 aged 15 years” (S=see father’s grave).
4.
Matilda Farnol (1860-1954). Born: 4th QTR 1860:
Birmingham (S5b), listed as Matilda Farnol, per GRO website her mother’s maiden
name was Hawkins. 1861, 1881, 1891 and
1901 censuses (S4): with parents. 1871 Census: 36 Aldridge Village, Aldridge,
Staffordshire (S4): listed as Matilda Farnol age 9 a boarder and scholar born
in Birmingham with her sister Harriet.
1939 Register: 182 Upper Grosvenor Road, Birmingham (S9), listed as Mitalda Farnol who was born November 9, 1860
single living on private means living with her sister Janet Piercy. Death: April 25, 1954 (S6). Probate: July 21,
1954 Birmingham listed as Matilda Farnol of 119 Thornhill Road, Handsworth,
Effects: £1,371
to Hugh Edward Haseler company directors assistance and Arthur Cedric Haseler
technical liaison officer.
5.
Annie
Farnol (1862-1862). Born: 3rd
QTR 1862 Birmingham (S5b), per GRO
website her mother’s maiden name was Hawkins. Death: 3rd QTR 1862 (S5d) and
listed on the Farnol gravestone as “Annie their daughter who died July 17, 1862 aged 3 weeks” (S=see father’s grave).
6.
Howard
Walter Farnol (1864-1870). Born: 1st QTR 1864 Birmingham (S5b), per GRO website his mother’s maiden name
was Hawkins. Death: 1st QTR 1870 Birmingham (S5d) and listed
on the Farnol gravestone as “Howard Walter their son who died January 1, 1871 ages 6 years” (S=see father’s grave).
7.
Laura May Farnol (1866-1921). Born: 2nd
QTR 1866 Birmingham (S5b), listed as Laura May Farnol, per GRO website, her
mother’s maiden name was Hawkins. 1871,
1881, 1891 and 1901 censuses (S4): with parents. Death: June 22, 1921 Aberystwyth,
Cardiganshire (S8d) listed as Laura May Farnol age 55, a spinster from 17
Broughton Road Handsworth, who died at Snowden House by hanging herself by the
neck and who was not being of sound mind, and June 22, 1921 at Snowden House
Borth Cardiganshire (S6) and listed on the Farnol gravestone as “Laura May who died
June 23, 1921 aged 55” (S=see father’s grave).
Probate: July 30, 1921
Birmingham (S6), listed as Laura May Farnol of 17 Broughton Road, Handsworth
spinster, Effects £86 to James
May Farnol retired manufacturer.
8.
Adeline Marion Farnol (1867-1968). Born: 3rd
QTR 1867 Birmingham (S5b), per GRO website her mother’s maiden name was Hawkins.
1871, 1881 and 1891censuses (S4): with
parents. Marriage: July 28, 1896 Wretham Road Church, West
Bromwich (S8m), listed as Adeline Marion Farnol age 28 a spinster residing at
100 Hall Road whose father was James May Farnol a die sinker and Edward John
Haseler age 36 a bachelor and silversmith whose father was John Bush Haseler
deceased a jeweler. 1911: 119 Thornhill
Road, Handsworth (S4), listed as Adeline Haseler age 43 born in Birmingham with
husband Edward John Haseler age 50 a silversmith employer born in Handsworth
and 5 children all born in Handsworth, indicated they were married 14 years and
had 6 children of which 5 were still living.
1939 Register: 119 Thornhill
Road, Birmingham (S9), listed as Adeline Haseler a widow born August 10, 1867 with 3 other single Haseler’s,
probably her children. Death: 1st
QTR 1968 Birmingham (S5d), listed as Adeline M. Haseler age 100. (Note:
Adeline’s sister, Gertrude Clara Farnol, married Edward John Haseler’s brother, Bernard Haseler, in 1907. The Haseler brothers were the sons of John
Bush Haseler. For more information on
the Haseler family, see the chapter entitled G. C. Haseler & Co.
9.
Victor Ernest Farnol (1869-1941). Born: 3rd QTR 1869 Birmingham (S5b),
per GRO website his mother’s maiden name was Hawkins. 1871, 1881, 1891 and 1901
censuses (S4): with parents. Marriage:
November 8, 1901 Wretham Road
Church, West Bromwich (S8m), listed as Victor Ernest Farnol age 32 a bachelor
and hardware merchant who resided at 100 Hall Road in Handsworth whose father
was James May Farnol a die sinker and Gertrude Margaret Boland age 23. Their Son’s Birth: February 16, 1914 Glasgow, Scotland listed as Alfred Ernest Farnol with
parents Victor Ernest Farnol a commercial traveler and Gertrude Mary Boland who
were married in Birmingham on November 8, 1901 (S=Scottish Birth Certificate
available at ancestry.com which proves this Farnol family was in the Glasgow
area at this time). Their son Alfred E. was born February 16, 1914 in Glasgow, Scotland and served in WWII (S=UK Allied
Prisoners of War 1939-1945 available at ancestry.com). 1939 Register: 7 Ashurst Street, Battersea,
London, listed as Victor E. Farnol born February 17, 1869
married who worked as a commercial traveler general hardware retired. Death: April 6, 1941
London (S6). Probate: September 8, 1941
Lewes (S6), listed as Victor Ernest Farnol of 7 Ashurst Street Park Gate Road,
Battersea, London with Effects: £643 to Alfred
Ernest Farnol lieutenant H. M. Army.
10.
Gertrude Clara Farnol (1871-1946). Born: Birmingham
(S4). 1871, 1881, 1891 and 1901 censuses
(S4): with parents. Married: June 3, 1907 Wretham Road Church, West
Bromwich (S8m), listed as Gertrude Clara Farnol a spinster age 36 who resided
at 17 Broughton Road and whose father was James May Farnol a die sinker and
Bernard Haseler age 39 a bachelor and commercial traveler whose father was John
Bush Haseler deceased a jeweler. 1911 Census: 54 Wellington Road, Handsworth
(S4), listed as Gertrude C. Haseler age 40 born in Handsworth with husband Bernard
Haseler age 42 foreman fancy metal goods worker born in Handsworth with 2
children, indicates they were married 3 years and had 2 children still living.
1939 Register: 94 High Street, Thame, Oxfordshire (S9), listed as Gertrude
Haseler born October 24, 1870 a widow and cycle
agent. Death: April 23, 1946 (S6). Probate: January 2, 1947 Oxford (S6), listed
as Gertrude Clara Haseler of 94 High Street, Thame, Oxfordshire, a widow with
Effects £2,480
to Gordon Bernard Haseler cycle engineer. (Note: Gertrude’s sister, Adeline
Marion Haseler, married Bernard Haseler’s brother, Edward
John Haseler, in 1896. The Haseler
brothers were the sons of John Bush Haseler.
For more information on the Haseler family, see the chapter entitled G.
C. Haseler & Co.
11.
Alfred Herbert Farnol (1873-1930). Born: 4th
QTR 1873 West Bromwich (S5b), listed as Alfred Herbert Farnol, per GRO website
his mother’s maiden name was Hawkins and was born in Handsworth (S4). 1881,
1891 and 1901 censuses (S4): with parents.
Listed as Alfred H. in 1881, Herbert A. in 1891 and Herbert Alfred in
1901. In 1901 he was listed as a die
sinker and tool maker. Marriage: September 18, 1918 Wretham Road Church West Bromwich (S8m), listed as Herbert
Alfred Farnol age 45 a bachelor and manufacturer who resided at 17 Broughton
Road and whose father was James May Farnol a retired manufacturer and Muriel
Lilian Mears age 25. Death: September 16, 1930 (S6). Probate: November 4, 1930
Birmingham (S6), listed as Herbert Alfred Farnol of 50 Holly Road, Handsworth
with Effects: £1,040 to Muriel Lilian Farnol widow.
12.
Janet Beatrice Farnol (1875-1954). Born: 2nd
QTR 1875 West Bromwich (S5b), per GRO website her mother’s maiden name was
Hawkins and was born in Handsworth (S4). 1881, 1891 and 1901 censuses (S4):
with parents. Marriage: June 9, 1902 Wretham Road Church West Bromwich (S8m), listed as Janet
Beatrice Farnol a spinster age 27 who resided at 17 Broughton Road in Handsworth
whose father was James May Farnol a die sinker and Camden Robins Piercy a
bachelor age 30 a contract clerk. 1911
Census: 17 Upper Grosvenor Road, Handsworth (S4, listed as Janet Beatrice
Piercy age 36 born in Handsworth with husband Camden Robins Piercy age 39 a
secretary of a Carbos Chemical Co Ldt, born in
Birmingham, indicated they were married 9 years and had 1 child who died (Note:
Janet’s forename is incorrectly listed in the census index as Jane). 1939
Register: 18 Grosvenor Road, Birmingham (S9, listed as Janet B. Piercy born
March 1, 1875 with husband Camden R. Piercy born
January 8, 1872 a traveler mineral waters and Mitalda
Farnol born November 9, 1860 living on private means. Death: June 2, 1954
(S6). Probate: July 16, 1954 Birmingham
(S6) listed as Janet Beatrice Robins-Piercy of 18 Upper Grosvenor Road,
Handsworth Wood, wife of Camden Robins-Piercy, with Effects £810 to Camden Robins-Piercy
a retired commercial traveler.
Generation 3: James
May Farnol (1857-1954) and Mary Anne Elliott (c1859-1928)
· Born: 3rd QTR 1857 Birmingham (S5b), listed as James May
Farnol, per GRO website his mother’s maiden name was Hawkins.
· 1861 Census: with parents (S4). Listed as James Farnol age 3 born in
Birmingham.
· 1871 Census: with parents (S4). Listed as James M. Farnol age 13 a scholar
born in Birmingham.
· Marriage: January 11, 1880 Kings
Norton, Worcestershire (S8m), listed as James May Farnol with father listed as
James May Farnol a die sinker and Mary Anne Elliott. Mary Anne was born c1859/1860 Birmingham,
Warwickshire (S4).
· 1881 Census: 93 William Street, Aston, Warwickshire (S4). Listed as James M. Farnol age 23 a gentleman born
in Birmingham with wife Mary A. age 22 born in Birmingham and 2 children born
in Birmingham: Ethel M. and Harold E.
· 1891 Census: 214 Lozells Road,
Aston, Warwickshire (S4). Listed as James
M. Farnol 33 age a die sinker born in Birmingham with wife Mary A. age 32 born
in Birmingham and 4 children all born in Aston:
Ethel M., Harold E., Hilda O. and Dorothy.
· 1901 Census: 131 Whitehall Road, Handsworth, West Bromwich
(S4). Listed as James Farnol age 42 a
die sinker employer born in Birmingham with wife Mary A. age 41 born in
Birmingham and 4 children all born in Aston:
Ethel, Harold, Hilda and Dorothy. (Note name is
incorrected list as Janie Farnol in the census index).
· 1911 Census: 131 Whitehall
Road, Handsworth, West Bromwich (S4).
Listed as James May Farnol age 53 a die sinker jewelry employer born in
Birmingham with wife Mary Ann age 52 born in Birmingham and 1 child born in
Aston: Dorothy. Indicates they were
married 32 years and had 4 children of which all were still living.
· Wife’s Death: 2nd
QTR 1928 West Bromwich (S5d), listed as Mary A. Farnol age 69. May 20, 1928
Birmingham (S6).
· Wife’s Probate: August 29, 1932
Birmingham (S6). Listed as Mary Ann
Farnol of 131 Whitehall Road, Handsworth, wife of James May Farnol, retired
manufacturer. Effects: £200 to the said
James May Farnol.
· Death Registered: March 1952 Birmingham (S5d), listed as
James M. Farnol at age 94, January 2, 1952 (S6).
· Probate: June 28, 1954 Bristol (S6). Listed as James May Farnol of 114 Alvechurch
Road, West Heath, Birmingham. Effects: £502 to Harold Elliot Farnol retired insurance office
manager.
· Children:
1. Ethel Farnol (c1880/1881-??).
Born: Birmingham/Aston (S4).
2. Harold Elliott Farnol (1881-??). Born: 2nd QTR 1881 Aston (S5b), per
GRO website his mother’s maiden name was Elliott.
3. Hilda Clare Farnol (1884-??).
Born: 3rd QTR 1884 Aston (S5b), per GRO website her mother’s
maiden name was Elliott.
4. Dorothy Farnol (1887-??). Born: 2nd QTR 1887 Aston
(S5b), per GRO website her mother’s maiden name was Elliott.
1918 Incorporation
and 1929 Dissolution of J. M. Farnol Ltd.
(Company No.
149595 a 53-page document S=BT31/23960/149595 available at The National
Archives, Kew).
· Memorandum of
Association which indicates J. M. Farnol Limited was established “to carry on
the business of die sinkers, stampers, piercers, tool makers, manufacturers of
metal goods of all kinds”, page 8.
· Certificate of Incorporation
as a limited company on February 12, 1918, page 19.
· James M. Farnol
Junior/Younger listed and a director, shareholder, etc. on pages 7, 14, 15, 16,
21, 23, 28, 29, 30, 36, 37, 40 and 41.
· Herbert A. Farnol listed
as a director, shareholder, etc. on pages 14, 15, 16, 23, 29, 30, 35, 36, 37,
39, 40, 41, 43, 49 and 53.
· James M. Farnol
the Elder listed as a mortgage debenturs on page 25,
43, 45, 48 and 49.
· Matilda Farnol, a
spinster, listed as an executor of James May Farnol deceased on pages 43 and
49.
· Letter dated March
24, 1921 from J. M. Farnol of 19 Hall Street,
Birmingham to the Registrar Companies Act London regarding the firm’s late
return, page 33.
· Letter dated January
28, 1928 from Herbert A. Farnol of 19 Hall Street,
Birmingham which states J. M. Farnol Limited ceased to trade eighteen months
ago, page 53.
· Officially
document listing the company as dissolved April 26, 1929, page 52.
Avery style needle cases patented and
manufactured by James May Farnol (aka James M. Farnol, J. M. Farnol and James
May: (Note: A photograph of the finished design
included on the Stile registration documents contains the name. W. Avery &
Son. Also, two additional needle case
designs were registered by W. Avery & Son using the James May Farnol
address at 19 Hall Street as their address: Lighthouse with Boat - ornamental
design #324348 dated July 31, 1878 and the Elephant
with Howdah - ornamental design #350164 dated May 27, 1880).
1. Bower - non-ornamental design #5942 dated July 24, 1877
2. Donkey with Panniers - ornamental design # 341072 dated October 8, 1879
3. Seated Cherub with Book, - ornamental design #350165 dated May 27, 1880
4. Stile - ornamental design #315223 dated October 12, 1877
5. Water Pump with Trough - ornamental design #341795 dated October 21, 1879
Patent history for James May Farnol (aka James M.
Farnol, J. M. Farnol and James May: registered 35 designs: 20 class 1 metal
designs in 1894 and 1895, 2 class 4 glass designs in 1894, 4 class 2 jewelry
designs (2 in 1884 and 2 in 1894), and 9 others (3 in 1869, 1 in 1871 and 5
Avery style needle cases - 2 in 1877, 2 in 1879 and 1 in 1880). (S=The National
Archives, Kew website at https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk)
