Elias Froggatt Birmingham Locksmith born 1779, died 1842
Posted Jun 27, 2009 8:41 AM
Elias Froggatt Birmingham Locksmith born 1779, died 1842
Has anyone come across this fellow who I believe to be the founder of the Froggatt handcuff making dynasty. I've got Alex's books on order and have Joe's but I've never heard Elias Froggatt mentioned. I hope I'm not covering old ground but I like to do my own research.
Elias Froggatt born 1779 is listed in the 1841 Birmingham census as a 62 year old locksmith at Engine Street. He is living with his second wife Sarah aged 47 and two step-children Benjamin Harrison aged 24, occupation unclear and William Harrison brass founder. He married Sarah Harrison at Edgbaston in 1831.
Elias married his first wife Charlotte around 1803 and had the following children in Birmingham. William 1803, Elias 1807, John 1810, Charlotte 1812, Henry 1816, Elias (2) 1819, Thomas 1822, Charlotte (2) 1821.
It seems to me that the eldest son William is the man mentioned in Lauhers book as listed in the 1830 West's Directory at 4 Court, Bordesley St. Manufacturer of dog and horse collars and felon's irons. But by 1861 William aged 57 is listed as a Whitesmith at 289 Bradford St, Aston, Birmingham. If this is the same man he has moved up in the world. William had many children who shared the names of his own brothers and sisters which makes me believe that this is the same man. He changed from what was essentially blacksmithing to whitesmithing (or silversmithing).
In the 1851 census Thomas Froggatt, the younger son born 1822, is listed as Hardwareman at 14 Court house, Bordesley Street aged 28. Also listed is his wife Mary, bone turner, aged 27 and children Thomas 6, Sarah Emma 3 and Sharlot 1.
In 1861 census Thomas Froggatt, same address, is 38 and describes himself as handcuff maker. Mary is 36, Thomas 15 gun lock maker, Sarah brass burnisher, Charlotte 11 and Mary A 9.
So was their father Elias a handcuff maker?
In many records the early handcuff makers list themselves as collar makers, lock makers, locksmiths, iron founders etc. I expect they changed what they manufactured to suit demand and cuffs, irons, fetters whatever you want to call them would probably have had peak periods during war years. ie Napoleonic and US Civil wars and the introduction of a police force. Two of Elias' sons were handcuff makers and probably learned their trade from their father. John Froggatt aged 50 in 1861 census was a silver plater and would have come in handy as well.
I've found James Nichols (handcuff maker) listed as locksmith in the Will of Thomas Griffin 1816 and 1841 census, iron founder in 1851 census. So my guess is that Elias Froggatt was in fact a handcuff maker- among other things.
I hope this is of interest to you as well because I want to know more about the names on those lumps of highly crafted metal that we collect.
Paul Davies
PS I'm always interested in early Birmingham cuffs for sale, especially plug 8 or plug on chain. I don't have any Froggatt or Griffin cuffs - yet.