Trying to find the relationship between handcuff makers Thomas Griffin and Thomas Griffin Hiatt is ongoing. Thomas Griffin Hiatt was chistened 1 Jan 1785 at Bromsgrove, Worcester to Richard and Elizabeth Hiatt. I do not know his mother's maiden name yet, but suspect it may be Griffin. TG Hiatt appears to have married Elizabeth Wall 25 Dec 1804 at Halesowen, Worcester. The Wall surname appears as a middle name of one son. I have found 3 of their sons born in Birmingham.

As promised, here is some of the Will of Thomas Griffith Hiatt. The rest is very boring. What is interesting are the addresses of the premises that he owns. Trying to date Hiatt cuffs based on the address may be difficult considering that he maintained ownership of his older buildings. Manufacturing may have occurred at several sites at the same time up to and possibly after 1859. After the death of Elizabeth Hiatt in 1858, the business and assets appear to be split up amongst the sons who continued the business.

To save you getting the dictionary out - a "messuage" is a dwelling house with land and outbuildings. Hereditaments are things that can be inherited.

This is the last Will and Testament of me Thomas Griffin Hiatt of Masshouse Lane, Birmingham, Gentleman made this twenty third day of November one thousand eight hundred and forty six. I revoke all testamentary dispositions heretofore made by me I appoint my wife Elizabeth sole Executrix of this my Will during her life and my sons William John Hiatt and Charles Wall Hiatt Executors thereof after her death. .......I devise and bequeath to my said son William John Hiatt his heirs executors and administrators my two freehold houses land and hereditaments situate in Bloomsbury Place, Ash?, Birmingham subject to the building lease thereof and all my estate and interest in my four leasehold mortgaged land and premise situate in or near Moor Street Birmingham I devise and bequeath to my son Harry James Hiatt his heirs executors and administrators my freehold land and hereditaments situate at Balsall Heath near Birmingham my shares in the Birmingham and District Shire Office Company and six hundred pounds I devise and bequeath to my said son Charles Wall Hiatt my freehold buildings land and hereditaments situate in or near Masshouse Lane aforesaid and five hundred pounds also my silver cup and the portrait of his departed sister I devise and bequeath to and to the use of my said sons William John Hiatt and Charles Wall Hiatt their heirs executors administrators and assigns my freehold messuages land and hereditaments situate in and near Cheapside and Alcester Street Birmingham and three hundred pounds upon trust to pay yearly income thereof unto my son Richard Thomas Hiatt....... I devise my freehold messages land and hereditaments situate in and near Bartholomew Row Birmingham to my son in law John Haney for his life and after his decease to his son John Hiatt Haney his heirs and assigns.........Signed by Thomas Griffin Hiatt of Mass House Lane Birmingham Gentleman as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who is his presence of each other hereto subscribe our hands Thomas Smith James Solicitor Birmingham W.H. Griffin his Clerke

Proved at London 4th December 1847 before the judge by the oath of Elizabeth Hiatt widow the relict the executrix for life to whom admon was granted having been first sworn by common duty to administer.

Proved at London 11th August 1859 by the clerkes of William John Hiatt and Charles Wall Hiatt the sons the executors substituted in the Will to whom admon was granted. The probate of the said will herebefore ???? Elizabeth Hiatt widow the relict the executrix for life named in the will having ceased and expired by reason of her death.

Paul

Thanks so much for you interesting post. You have been making great progress in your history search.

Joe

Well done Paul, that's really interesting, especially as I live here in Birmingham, England.

The area of the old Hiatt Birmingham works has changed dramatically over recent years and there's now virtually no manufacturing of any sort carried out in and around the city centre. OK, Hiatt eventually moved out to a small trading estate at Great Barr, where they manufactured cuffs right up until last year - before the premises were taken over by TCH - but it's not the same as the old manufacturing districts in and around the old city centre. But those old Birmingham place names mentioned in the Will do conjure up images of what things must have been like in the city all those years ago.

Good luck with the ongoing research.

Mike Riccard
a.k.a. Mikeintightpants
Birmingham, England