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The entry for Cradley in Kelly's 1880 directory has 197 individuals

Cradley Links wishes to record our grateful thanks to Linda Lamberg, who generously gave her time to produce this transcription.

CRADLEY is a township, extensive and populous district and an ecclesiastical parish, formed in 1799 from the civil parish of Halesowen with a station to the Birmingham and Stourbridge section of the Great Western railway, situated on the borders of Staffordshire, in the Northern division of this county, hundred of Lower Halfshire, Stourbridge union, petty sessional division and county court district, rural deanery of Dudley and arch-deaconry and diocese of Worcester, 2 1/2 miles east from Stourbridge, 4 south from Dudley and 9 1/2 south-west from Birmingham.  The town itself lies a little off the main road and forms part of a populous mercantile and manufacturing neighbourhood, in which the iron trade is carried on in all its branches: water is supplied by the South Staffordshire Water Works Company and gas by the Cradley Heath Gas Company.  The church, originally a chapel belonging to Lady Huntingdon's connexion, is an edifice of brick, repaired in the year 1874, at a cost of about £4,500, which was subscribed by the parishioners, and consists of a chancel nave, south porch, and a tower containing a clock and 8 bells, which formed part of the Vienna exhibition of 1873 and were presented by the late Mrs Strawson: a new font was introduced in 1867 and an organ built of a cost of £400; there are 700 sittings, the gallery pews, seating about 200, being free.  In 1852 a grant of land was made by the sons of the late Rev. George Biggs (a former Vicar of the parish of Halesowen) for the enlargement of the burial grounds of this parish and a second enlargement of one acre was made in 1874.  The register of baptisms and burials dates from 1785 and marriages 1802.   The living is a vicarage, net yearly value £140, in the gift of the Rector of Halesowen, and held since 1856 by the Rev. Joseph Hesselgrave Thompson B.A. of Hertford College, Oxford .  The great tithes are held by lay impropriator, Mr. Jeston Humpfray.  Here are places of worship for Unitarians, Baptists, Wesleyans, Primitive Methodists, and New Connexion Methodists.  The extensive iron works of Messrs. Evers and Son produce superior qualities of iron, and files, rasps, anvils, hammers, nails, anchors, chain cables, and fire bricks are made in the district: Messrs Harper and Moore are manufacturers of fire bricks, clay retorts and crucibles, and proprietors of the Stourbridge clay.  Messrs King Brothers are also proprietors of the celebrated Stourbridge clay, and manufacture bricks and other fire-clay goods.  The works of the Homer Hill Colliery Company are situated in the centre of the parish.  One mile from the northern extremity of Cradley, in a romantic, richly-timbered vale, is a spring of salt water, called the "Lady Well," highly esteemed on account of its medicinal qualities: in the summer it is very much frequented.  Colman Hill House Retreat, for the exclusive reception of lady inebriates, is in this district: the house is beautifully situated in extensive grounds, and the views from all parts are very fine: Hugh Richard Ker F.R.C.S. edin. and Thomas Vincent de Denne L.R.C.P. edin. Townsend House Halesowen are the managing directors, Miss Cooper is the resident superintendent.  There are a few handsome residences here: the Elms is the property of William Pearson Strawson esq.: Fairview is occupied by Samuel Hingley esq.; and Colman Hill by Jeston Homfray esq.: Lord Lyttelton D.L., J.P. is lord of the manor.  The principal landowners are the New British Iron Company, Jeston Homfray esq. James Holcroft esq. J.P. of Stourbridge, James Payton Badley esq. of Dudley, and the Old Swinford Hospital, Mrs King, of Wollescote Hall, Stourbridge, Messrs Joseph King and Co. Messrs Harper and Moores, Samuel Evers and Sons, of Cradley Heath Staffs, and J .B. Fisher and Co. of Stourbridge.   The soil in general is a rich loam, and is noted for the cultivation of cabbage plants; it also produces potatoes and all kinds of grain, and forms excellent pasturage ; and the lands of the north and west of Netherland  (a part of the township of Cradley ) abound with the thick coal and fire clay.  The area is 732 acres; rateable value, £16,166; the population in 1871 was 4,700 and in 1881, 5,284.

Netherend, Colley Gate, Overend Two Gates and Colman Hill are near the town.  Staffords Bridge is a small place on Cradley brook, 9 miles southwest from Worcester.

POST & MONEY ORDER OFFICE. Savings Bank and Annuity and Insurance Office - Mrs Elizabeth Christopher, receiver.  Letters arrive from Brierley Hill at 7. 10 a.m. & 2. 20 & 7 20 p.m. ; dispatched at 8 45 & 11.15 a.m. & 2.40 6.45, 7.10 & 8.30 p.m. : Sundays at 8.45 p.m.    The nearest telegraph office is at Cradley Heath.

County Police Station, High street, William Webb, officer in charge.

PUBLIC OFFICERS: - Inland Revenue Officer, Osborne Oliver, Church Street.

Medical Officer & Public Vaccinator, Cradley district, Stourbridge union, Wesley Haynes Thompson L.R.C.P. edin. Clyde House, Windmill Hill.

Highway Rate & Tax Collector, Ambrose Pearson, Netherend.

PLACES OF WORSHIP, with times of Services: -

Cradley Church, Rev. Joseph Hasselgrave Thompson B.A. vicar; 10.45 a.m. & 3. & 6.30 p.m. ; wed. 7 p.m.

Baptist vacant, minister: 10.30. a.m. & 6 p.m. ; wed 7. p.m.

Methodist New Connexion, ministers various: 10.30. a.m. & 2.30. & 6. p.m. ;  thurs 7.00 p.m.

Primitive Methodist, ministers various: 10.45 a.m. & 6 p.m. ; thurs 7.30 p.m.

Unitarian, Rev Jas. Crossley, minister; 11 a.m. & 6. 30 p.m.

Wesleyan, ministers various ; 10.30. a.m. & 6 p.m. ; wed 7 p.m.

SCHOOLS:-

British (mixed & infants), built in 1871, for 185 boys, 160 girls 130 infants; average attendance, 170 boys, 148 girls & 98 infants; John James Homer, master; Miss Elizabeth Edwards, mistress; Miss Elizabeth Yeaman, infants mistress

National (mixed & infants), for 278 children & 175 infants; average attendance, 152 children & 113 infants; Joseph Jacquis, master; Miss Mary Jane Mills, infants' mistress.

Unitarian, erected in 1796 (the boys school was opened in 1872), for 160 boys, 115 girls & 75 infants: average attendance, 107 boys 105 girls & 61 infants; Jas McIlwraith, master; Miss Eliza Hingley mistress: Miss Emily Woodridge, infants' mistress.

Railway Station, Cradley Heath, Rd. Roach, station master

CARRIERS TO BIRMINGHAM : - Alfred Wooldridge, Netherend to "Phoenix", Park Street, on tues. thurs. & sat.

(For other names in the district, see STOURBRIDGE & ROWLEY REGIS STAFFS.)

        PRIVATE RESIDENTS.

Attwood Joseph, Fairview Lodge

Attwood Thos. Essington House Colman Hill

Bate Alfred Park house, Colley Gate

Bissell George Simeon, Parkside house

Brazier William, Salt Hill house

Bridgewater James, Furnace Lane

Butler James, Colley Orchard

Crossley Rev. James (Unitarian), Parsonage Netherend

Dakin George Frederick, Clent View

Darby Christr. The Firs, Windmill Hill

Davies Thomas D. Windmill Hill

Fellows Miss, Windmill Hill

Fox Mrs, Furlong Lane

Goring George, Colley Gate

Griffin William sen. Colley Gate

Griffin William jun. Windmill Hill

Harper Harry, Netherend Cottage

Harris Arthur, Furlong Lane

Hingley Benjamin M.P., J.P. Hatherton Lodge: & Grand Hotel London W.C.

Hingley Joseph, Linton House

Hingley Miss, Hatherton Lodge

Hingley Samuel, Fairview

Homer John James, Colley Orchard

Homer Miss, Colley Gate

Homer Thomas, The Limes Colley Gate

Homfray Jeston Colman Hill

Hunter William, Colley Gate

Kendrick Wm, West End Colley Gate

Lloyd Thomas Hemmings, Highfield Cottage, Windmill Hill

Payton Thos. Rose Cottage Windmill Hill

Price Thomas, Aston villa's, Colley Gate

Roycroft John, Aston villa's, Colley Gate

Sidaway Mrs, Chapel House

Strawson William Pearson, The Elms, Colley Lane

Thompson Rev. Joseph Hesselgrave B.A. (vicar)

Thompson Wesley Hayes, L.R.C.P. edin. Clyde House, Windmill Hill

Tibbetts Mrs Colley Gate

Turnley Richard, Homer Hill House

Wright Wm. James, Colley Orchard

Yeaman Nicholas, Colley Orchard

COMMERCIAL

Adams James, carpenter, Furlong Lane

Adams William Edwin, Bull's Head P.H. & shopkeeper, Overend

Adams William Hy: chain ma. Lyde green

Arch & Brook, druggists & seedsmen, High Street

Attwood Benj. hame ma. Lyde green

Attwood Eliza (Mrs). Beer ret. Lyde green

Attwood John, butcher High Street

Attwood Richard, chain maker, Mill St.

Banner Charles, shopkeeper & carpenter, Butchers Lane

Batham Daniel, beer retailer High St .

Beasley Allen, Old Vine P.H. Park Rd. & chainmaker, Colley Gate

Beasley Chas. Shopkeeper, Windmill Hill

Bennett Saml. Beer retailer, Two Gates

Bennett Wm. Beer retailer, Victoria St .

Bird Mary Ann (Mrs), dressmaker, High St .

Bissell James, shopkeeper, High St .

Bloomer & Sons, Ball & chain manufacturers, Colley Orchard

Bloomer Ellen & Mary (Misses), shopkeepers, Windmill Hill

Bloomer Edward, shopkeeper, High st.

Bloomer Geo. Albt. Linen drpr. Colley Gate

Bloomer Isaac Parkes, bldr. Colman Hill

Bloomer Mary (Mrs), pawnbro. High st

Blunt Felix, shopkeeper, Bridge st

Box Thomas, shopkeeper, Colley lane

Boxley Wm. Henry, grocer, Two Gates

Brettell James Alfd. Grocer, Colley gate

Bridgewater Hannah (Mrs), greengrocer, Bridge st

Bridgewater Hannah (Mrs), grocer & agent for W & A Gilby wine & spirit merchants' High st

Bridgewater Joseph, grocer, High st

Brown Jeremiah, iron mer. Homer hl

Case Philip, shopkeeper, Colley lane

Christopher Joseph, shopkeeper, Butchers lane

Christopher Elizah (Mrs), post & money order office & savings bank High st

Colman Hill House Retreat for Lady Inebriates (H R Ker F.R.C.S.E. & T. V. de Denne L.R.C.P. managing directors; Miss Cooper, lady resident supt.); office, Townsend Ho Halesowen.

Clarke Peter, Crown P.H. Lyde Green

Clift Hy. Boot & shoe ma. High st

Clewes T M & Son, wool dealers, woollen manufacturers & merchants & wool mop & twine makers, The Park Mills

Coley Christopher, shopkeeper, Bridge st

Cornock Sidney, shopkeeper High st

Cox Daniel, shopkeeper, Furlong lane

Cox Henrietta (Mrs), Blue Ball P.H. Ball lane

Cox Thos. Round of Beef P.H. Windmill hl

Crampton Henry, nail ma. Lyde green

Crampton Thomas, shopkeeper & nail maker, Two gates

Cutler Frederick Edward, Rose & Crown P.H. High st

Dainty Wm. Greengrocer Butchers la

Darby Joseph, Tailor, Windmill hl1

Dewhurst Alfd. Boot & shoemaker High st

Downes Thomas, beer retailer Overend

Edmonds Thomas, shopkeeper Windmill hl

Fellows Thomas, beer retailer, Netherend

Fellows William, Bridge Inn Bridge st

Finch Mary (Mrs), Old Two Gates P.H.

Fox Charles John, maltster Overend

Gadd Joseph, greengrocer High st

Gill Esther (Mrs), Butcher, High st

Gill George, shopkeeper, High town

Gill Samuel, beer retailer, Two Gates

Griffin William, anchor, chain & chain cable maker, Victoria works

Hadley Alfred, Fish man, High st

Harbach Wm. Shopkeeper, Windmill hl

Harper & Moores, colliery proprietors & brick makers, Netherend (Postal address, Stourbridge.)

Harper Reuben, beer & wine retailer, Furlong lane

Harris Hara, grocer, Windmill hl

Hawkeswood Benjamin Barley, shopkeeper and Sun P.H. Overend

Hickman Benjamin, shopkeeper Colley gate

Hickman Wm. General dir. Colley gate

Hickton William Henry, Black Swan P.H. High st

Hingley Benjamin grocer, High st

Hingley Joseph, farmer, Windmill hl

Hingley James, beer retailer, butcher & farmer, High St .

Hipkiss William Evan, Lodge Forge inn, & brick maker & iron forger

Hodgetts Benjamin, butcher, High Town

Hodgetts Chas. Shopkeeper, High Town

Hodgetts William, shopkeeper, Maple Gap lane, Colley Gate

Homer Hill Colliery Co. (Samuel Evers & Sons, proprs:  Richard Turnley, man)

Homer Hy, greengrocer, Cradley forge

Homer Paul, general dealer, High St

Homer Thomas, solicitor, Colley gate

Horton David, greengrocer, High St

Hughes Issiah, water miller & grocer High St

Hughes Samuel, Holly Bush P.H. & maltster High St

Huland Thomas, greengrocer, Colley gate

Hutchings Wm. Wagon bldr. Lyde green

Jones & Lloyd manufacturers of anchors, anvils, vices, bolts & nuts, backbands, cables & rigging chains, crane chains, hammers, horse nails, improved connecting links, rivets, shackles, sail clews, shipping tackle, ship's lamps, spikes, tackle & clip hooks, thimbles, traces, wrought nails &c. &c. Cradley forge & Scotia works.

Jones Issac, painter, Windmill hill

Kendrick William Henry, boot & shoe dealer, Colley gate

King Brothers, Stourbridge fire brick & clay propr; works, Netherend (Postal address, Stourbridge.)

King Joseph & Co. coal masters & red and blue brick & terra cotta manufacturers, Netherend, (Postal address, Stourbridge.)

Leonard Samuel, Maypole P.H.

Mason Charles, farmer, Overend

Mobberley Samuel & Co. Homer Hill, fire clay & fire brick works

Mole Albert, Horse Shoe P.H. & blacksmith Colley gate

Murrall Rt. Blacksmith Windmill hill

Nock Eliza, (Miss), ladies schl. Colley gate

Oliver Eliza, (Mrs) beer retailer, Colley gate

Oliver Osborne, inland revenue officer, Church St

Oliver Frank & Wm. Talbot Hotel & maltsters & farmers, & Park Lane tavern, Netherend.

Paddock Bros. Axle mas. Phoenix iron works

Parkes William, shopkeeper, Colley lane

Parsons John, chain maker, New St

Partridge Geo. Chain manufacturer, Park side

Pateshill John, tanner Park side

Pearson Ambrose, dairyman, highway rate & tax collector, Netherend

Pearson Amos, linen draper, High St

Pearson Benjamin, frying pan maker, see Taylor and Pearson

Pearson Henrietta (Mrs) shopkeeper, High St

Percival Tabitha, (Mrs) smallware dealer, High St

Perry Charlotte, (Mrs) grocer, Two gates

Plant Samuel, shopkeeper, Lyde green

Plant Warwick, greengrocer, High St

Poole John, commission agent, Colley lane

Priest Eliza, (Miss) milliner, Windmill hill

Radford Samuel, confectioner, High St

Raybould Jas. Priest, shopkeeper, High St

Raybould Richard, shoemaker High St .

Robinson Emma, (Mrs) shopkeeper, High town

Robinson John, greengrocer, High St

Roper Benjamin, shopkeeper, Windmill hill

Roper Caleb, shopkeeper, Windmill hill

Roper Emanl. White Lion inn, Colley gate

Rudge Trueann, (Mrs) china & glass dealer, Windmill hill

Sidaway Joseph, butcher, High St

Sidaway Louisa (Mrs), shopkeeper, High St

Southall Benjamin, shopkeeper, Windmill hill

Southall John, chain maker Lyde green

Spencer Edward William, shopkeeper, Windmill hill

Stiff John William, grocer & yeast importer, sole agent for R. O. Bischof's celebrated grand prize medal encore yeast, Colley gate

Stevens John, grocer, Netherend

Stevens Richard, farmer, Windmill hill

Stevens William, Horse & Jockey P.H. Netherend

Tate James, shopkeeper, Windmill hill

Tate Samuel, British Arms P.H. Furlong Lane

Tate Thomas, farmer, Overend

Tate William, beer retailer, High town

Tate William, butcher, Furlong lane, Colley gate

Taylor & Pearson, frying pan makers, Colley gate

Taylor George, boot & shoe dealer, Colley lane

Thompson Benjamin, inspector of nuisances for Cradley & Lye, Windmill hill

Thompson Wesley Hayes, L.R.C.P. & L.R.C.S. edin. physician & surgeon & medical officer & public vaccinator, Cradley district, Stourbridge union, Clyde House, Colman Hill

Thomas John, shoemaker, Windmill hill

Tullis William, shopkeeper, High St

Turner Alfred William, beer retailer, Two gates

Turnley Richard, colliery manager, Homer Hill house

Wakeman John, beer retailer, Netherend

Walker David, chain maker

Walker Edward Taylor, chain manufacturer, Lyde green

Walker Felix, chain maker

Walker William, chain maker

Webb Sylvia (Mrs) shopkeeper Bridge St

White Thomas, butcher, Colley gate

White Thomas, shopkeeper, High St

Willetts Edward, shopkeeper, High St

Willetts Zachariah, coal dealer, Colley gate

Wooldrige Simeon, farmer, Netherend

Worton Caleb, shopkeeper, High St

Worton Charles, nail manufacturer, Windmill hill

Notes

Linda Lamberg, who so generously supplied this transcription, writes:

Joseph Darby 1835-1916

Joseph was born in Cradley Heath Staffs., the oldest son of Joseph Snr. a master tailor. His mother died within the first year of his life. Joseph Snr. then married Elizabeth Brown from Dudley, and they had two more sons, William and Samuel; all three sons became master tailors. William married Maria Stringer and had a tailor's shop in Cradley Heath: Samuel married Julia Barnsley from Cradley Heath; they moved to Worcester, where Samuel had a Draper's Shop. Elizabeth died and Joseph Snr. married her sister Sarah.

Joseph married a Sophia, who was from Huntingdon. From 1864 they are living in Alma Place, Windmill Hill, just two doors down from "The Round of Beef". Joseph ran his business from there. In 1880 he became a local preacher, and served as a Sunday School teacher at Cradley Wesleyan Church. Joseph was a very "hands on preacher"; he went into the chain shops and preached to the men on the shop floor, which lead to the formation of Overend Mission. Apparently he was a truly marvellous preacher. When he died a memorial window was dedicated "To the Glory of God, and in memory of Joseph Darby" and was unveiled in 1921 at Cradley Wesleyan. This window was the only one to be reclaimed by the Church in 1995, when it closed down, and is now installed at Overend Mission.