Hi everyone,
as a new collector of mainly Hiatt cuffs, I hope you'll welcome me aboard and cut me some slack as I build up my knowledge. I came to this hobby via an interest in all things related to Australian Convicts, due to a few in the family. With 30 years genealogy experience I'm now looking into the Hiatt family genealogy and their link to Griffin. Currently I'm transcribing the Last Will and Testament of T.G. Hiatt which lists his buildings, homes and other assets as well as family members. The Clerk of his will was W.H. Griffin. Possibly a family member. If anyone would like to share what they know already, I'm happy to post my findings in this forum for the benefit of all. I'll also be posting a few Wanted items for my Hiatt Collection as well (pre 1900 at this stage).
Cheers
Paul

Hi Paul, welcome aboard. Good to see a "convict" here but watch out, many are cops.

Ian

Paul,

A great start would be to purchase Joe Lauher's book (annual) on British restraints. Lot's of information and photo's. I believe Cannon's still have the book. It's a superb resource.

Welcome and Good Luck,

Damon
ushandcuffs.com

Hi Paul,

Welcome to the forum.

I am interested in all things Hiatt as well as darby cuffs in general.

If you don't already have a copy then I would strongly suggest you follow Damon's advice and get a copy of Joe's book on British handcuffs. It is a 1st class work on the subject which I think you may find invaluable.

Good luck,

Mark (RMP)

Paul

Welcome to the forum. I am very interested in your research. By locating the will of T.G. Hiatt you have already made much more progress than I have into research of the Hiatt family.

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The scenario as I understand it goes something like this. The info comes from a combination of investigations by Alex Nichols and myself.

Thomas Griffin was born circa 1750 and started his business in 1777. Hiatt advertising always claimed that their company started in 1780, so that date may be more accurate or it is possible that Griffin started making handcuffs in 1780.

Thomas Griffin Hiatt was born in 1786. At some time he worked in partnership with Griffin since we have cuffs marked Griffin & Hiatt. Hiatt started his one company circa 1816 on Moor Street in Birmingham. In 1821 the business moved to Masshouse Lane where it remained until WW2. The relationship between Hiatt and Griffin is not certain, but it has my opinion that Griffin was Hiatts grandfather. Perhaps Griffin had no sons, because there is no record of any other Griffin in the business.

James Nichols was born in 1891. He also worked in partnership with Griffin. About the same time that Thomas Griffin Hiatt stated his business in circa 1816 the company Griffin and Nichols emerges. We also have cuffs marked Griffin & Nichols. By 1828 this company became just Nichols. The Nichols company was quite successful and lasted until the 1860s when T & A Longmore bought the business. The relationship between Griffin and Nichols is not known at all. It is my theory that Nichols was also a grandson of Griffin. But it is possible that Nichols was just Griffins business partner or apprentice and after a long relationship he simply took over the business due to a contractual relationship.

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So the two big unknowns for your genealogical research are:

1. What was the relationship between Thomas Griffin and Thomas Griffin Hiatt?

2. Was there a faminly relationship between Griffin, Hiatt and James Nichols?

Answer these questions and you earn a prominent place in the ranks of handcuff historians.

Thanks again for the info about the will. I would very much like to see the full transcript when you are finished.

Joe

Hello All,
before I bought any handcuffs I bought Joseph's book and did some homework. It has been invaluable; so has the ebay guide to collecting handcuffs, which has kept me away from modern indian/Pakistani cuffs. Always looking for a challenge, I thought I could combine the two hobbies of genealogy and handcuffs.
Paul