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Parker, Field & Sons etc

14 visible archived posts · 14 preserved total · topic ID 3189

PaulJDavies 01 Sep 2009

I found this list of names and dates at Swordforum.com
While they may never have actually made cuffs, just sold them, the dates here are 10 years earlier than I had read before. And of course an advert from 1901 for Parker, Field and Sons has been shown here before as well.

Field & Clarke; 1783; 233 High Holborn
Field, John; 1791-1793; 232 High Holborn
Field & Co; 1792; 233 High Holborn
Field & Parker; 1794-1795; 233 High Holborn
Parker, William ; 1797-1840; 233 High Holborn
Parker, Field & Sons; 1842-1849; 233 High Holborn
Parker, Field & Sons; 1850-1870; 233 High Holborn & 55 Mansell St, Goodman's Fields
Parker, Field & Sons; 1871-1875; 233 High Holborn & 62 Tenters St, Goodman's Fields
Parker, Field & Sons; 1876; 233 High Holborn
Parker, Field & Sons 1877-1879; Leman St
Parker, Field & Sons 1880-1882; Leman St
Parker, Field & Sons 1883-1886; 22 Tavistock St

I know that William Parker died in 1841, but I'm not sure about John Field.

Oh to have a Field & Clarke cuff !!!

Paul Davies 10 Jul 2010

A time line for Parker, Field and Sons. - with a few assumptions.

With four generations named John Field it may be hard to follow.
References dated 1841, 51, 61, 71 etc comes from Census records
Addresses come from the Swordforum.com.
1901 address comes from Joe Lauhers post of 5 may 2006.
Some of the family history comes from Ancestry.co.uk

William Parker born circa 1773.

Field & Clarke; 1783 at 233 High Holborn
Field, John; 1791-1793 at 232 High Holborn
Clarke leaves the business or died leaving John Field(1) as owner.

Field & Co; 1792 at 233 High Holborn

Field & Parker; 1794-1795 at 233 High Holborn
John Field(1) takes on William Parker as a partner but dies leaving William Parker as the owner.

John Field(2) is born circa 1796.
Mary Parker born c 1796.

Parker, William; 1797-1841 at 233 High Holborn

1814 John William Parker Field(3) is born to John Field(2) and Mary Parker, daughter of William Parker
1816 William Shakespear Field is born to John Field(2) gunmaker and Mary
John Field(2) eventually marries Mary Parker in 1818 when they become of age.
1834 Charles Edwin Field is born to John Field(2) gentleman and Mary
1841 William Parker dies
1841 John Field(2) is Inspector to the Mint (of coins)

Parker, Field & Sons; 1842-1849 at 233 High Holborn

1851 John Field(2) Working Gun Maker
1851 William Field, gun maker
1851-71 John William Parker Field(3) is living at 233 High Holborn
1861 John W P Field(3) is living at 233 High Holborn Street, gun maker. His brother Charles is a clerk to Wholesale Toy Warehouse.
1861 William Field, gun maker.

Of the 3 sons of John Field(2) the eldest two are gun makers - John William Parker Field(3) and William Shakespeare Field. Charles Edwin Field was a Teacher/Professor of Legerdemaine ie magician/juggler/sleight of hand in 1871 - 1901.

Parker, Field & Sons; 1850-1870 at 233 High Holborn & 55 Mansell St, Goodman's Fields

The Edinburgh Gazette, Feb 7, 1860
Whitehall, 3rd Feb 1860. Artillery Company of London.
Lieutenant John William Parker Field, Instructor of Musketry, to have rank of Captain.

Parker, Field & Sons; 1871-1875 at 233 High Holborn & 62 Tenters St, Goodman's Fields
Parker, Field & Sons; 1876 at 233 High Holborn
Parker, Field & Sons 1877-1879 at Leman St

1875 William Shakespeare Field dies unmarried
1879 JWP Field(3) dies
1881 John W Field(4) aged 24 is listed as Metal Merchant HaWe hardware? at Wimbledon. His brother Horace is a Master Miller .

Parker, Field & Sons 1880-1882; Leman St
Parker, Field & Sons 1883-1886; 22 Tavistock St

1886 Horace Field dies unmarried

So who was running Parker, Field and Sons in 1901?
Having followed the male lines of the Field family, Charles is still a magician. John W Field(4) having been a metal merchant hardware? seems the likely candidate, but in 1901 John W Field, born at Holborn, is the proprietor of the Pier Hotel at Brighton.

There may be Parker relatives running the business in 1901 trading on the history of the company that started in the 1780s. And the Parker name doe come first. Sounds similar to the Griffin/Hiatt family!

As for what name is stamped on cuffs from certain eras - it is hard to be confident. There could have been 3 generations of Field & Sons markings. Who knows whether Sons also referred to sons of William Parker.

lauher 10 Jul 2010

Paul
Thanks once more for one of you very informative posts.

The 1901 Parker, Field, and Sons is a bit of a mystery.

For those who have not seen it here is their advertisement from the 1901 Constabulary Almanac. They have a new address 10 Crescent, Belvidere Road,SE.

Does anyone have an older edition of this almanac?

Joe

Unresolved image reference ↗

Anonymous 14 Jul 2010

Joshua,
In your question under the Baker post - I've read your question a couple of times. Are you also asking what Parker & Field are listed as and what Directories they are in.
Parker & Field seem to be always listed as gun makers, but you will see below that they sold all sorts of things.

In 1825 there is a record of William Parker of 233 Holborn, London, gun maker, supplying truncheons, handcuffs and chains for the gaol (that's jail for most of you). 6 Aug 1825.
Also
Circular from William E Parker, 233 Holborn, London, contractor for supplying the Metropolitan Police Force offering to supply regulation pistols, truncheons, police inspectors' brass staves, handcuffs of varying sorts, regulation rattles, police cutlasses and belts, police lanterns and belts. 24 Jan 1840.

I'd like to get a copy of this circular when finances permit. Same goes for William Parkers Will, 1841. It might tell me whether William E Parker (above) is his son and that the business was run by the sons of Parker and Field.

Whether they made cuffs or not, they were a big 'player' and I'm fond of my Parker and Field & Sons cuffs. My Parker cuff has a Hiatt Key stamped with the same number 1.

In the Birmingham Directories there is a Parker & Field 1839, also a Parker, Field & Field 1842, Merchants at 6 Great Charles Street. I'm not saying that this is them, it is a common name, but we cannot rule out a connection with Birmingham. After all that is where most metal good were made. John Field(2) was born in London, Wm Parker was born in some county other than London.

As I mentioned elsewhere, in the Harrod & Co directory 1866 they are listed as Parker, Field and Sons (and contractors) 233 High Holborn, W.C. under Gun Maufacturers.

Kelly's Directories (among others) were the Yellow Pages of the time. The best source I know of is Ancestry.co.uk and many are available these days on CD.

Cheers
Paul

PS Joshua, you can pay me with a mint pair of Thomas Goldie, Carey's Court, Moor Street, BIRM. cuffs if you come across any.

Paul Davies 20 Sep 2010

Here is part of the Will of William Parker, Gun Maker (handcuff and Police equipment supplier) from 1841, the year he died.

[ I give devise and bequeath the same and every part thereof in the proportions following (that is to say) one full ????? or equal half part thereof to the said John Field to and for his own use and benefit one forth part thereof to the said John William Parker Field to and for his own use and benefit and the remaining forth part thereof to the said William Shakespear Field to and for his own benefit and I appoint the said John Field, John William Parker Field and William Shakespear Field Executors and Trustees of this my Will and I declare that it is my particular wish desire and intention that as early as possible after my decease my said executors shall for their mutual benefit engage in carry on and continue my said business of Gun Maker under the name style or firm of W. Parker Field & Sons ]

In the Will he mentions his sisters, nieces and nephews, workmen and his daughter Mary Parker who married John Field(2nd).
He seems to have had no other children, so after 1841 Parker Field and Sons was being run by his son-in-law, John Field and his sons.
Although he requested that the business be named "W. Parker Field & Sons" the "W Parker" is mostly dropped from the name on the examples of cuffs to be found. But, one nice example sold recently marked W Parker and was also stamped Forfar which is a parish in Scotland. (where some of my ancestors came from to Australia via Channel Islands after 1845) Other Parker examples show up from time to time and are probably dated from between 1795 and 1841. William Parker also mentions property he is entitled to in Croscombe, Somersetshire near Wells which he leaves to his sisters. That may be his home town as he was not from London according to the Census'.

In light of the recent Parker, Holborn "Side Snap 8" cuff sold, you might find these details interesting.
Paul Davies

Paul Davies 29 Oct 2010

From this advertisement date of 1876, after 100 years it places Parker, Field and Sons as established in 1776.

Frank Cole 09 Oct 2012

To add to my handcuff collection I have just bought a .50 cal Martini rifle by Field and Sons. Itr shows that they were serious gunmakers as well as handcuff etc makers. I also have an endlock by Lucas stamped Lucas's Safety lock Regd 1871. Any idea?

Paul Davies 09 Oct 2012

Hi Frank,
thank you for your input. Are you able to add a picture of your endlock or email one to me to post here. It is not a maker I recall having heard of before.

Paul

Frank Cole 10 Oct 2012

Hello. If I can work out how to attach them I will send you some pictures of the endlock I have. The markings are under the hinge and (I think) read Lucas's safety lock Regd 1871. The date is hard to read so may not be right. Cheers, Frank No good, can't do it so will send an email.

Frank Cole 11 Oct 2012

#10

Just to keep things bubbling, I have a pair of snips where the name "Field" has been overstruck "Hiatt" which is proof that Hiatt made the cuffs and Field sold them. I can just imagine the language when the workman at Hiatt's realised he had picked up the wrong punch!

Paul Davies 24 Feb 2013

#11

(Invoice to Winchelsea Corporation, Sussex, England)

London July 21 1825
Bo.t (bought) of William Parker
Gun Maker to his Majesty,
the Honourable Board of Ordnance, the Honourable East India Company, &c, &c
No. 233 Holborn

6 Lance Wood Truncheons with the Arms of England Emblazoned in Gold -
Marked "Winchelsea Corporation" & Numbers & leather Straps 3.0.0

3 pair of fig 8 handcuffs 0.9.0
Engraving 'Winchelsea Gaol" 0.1.6

3 pair of Spring Snap & Chain handcuffs with extra keys 1.11.6
Engraving 'Winchelsea Gaol" 0.1.6

2 Body Chains to let out with Spring Locks & handcuffs affixed 3.3.0
Engraving 'Winchelsea Gaol" 0.1.6

Total (Pounds)8.(Shillings)8.(Pence)0

..

(handwritten letter)

Holborn July 21st 1825

Sir,
With this you will receive the whole of your esteemed order, and I extremely regret it has been so long delayed - but I do assure you it has been quite unavoidable, the men in every department of our business since we received your order have struck for Wages - every article is considerably advanced and we can scarcely get any work done at all. I have of course only charged the price agreed on - the trifle charged for Engraving is always an extra charge. Mr Butler called and desired us to put "Winchelsea Corporation" on the Truncheons - which we have done - hoping the articles sent with meet your approbation and assure your future favours.
I remain for William Parker
your Obliged Humble Servant
John Field

(to) Mr Powell Esq.
Dy (Deputy) Mayor

(This John Field is the son-in-law of William Parker, son of John Field Snr who originally owned the business as Field & Clarke at the same address in 1783)

..

(Receipt)

London August 6 1825
Received of the Winchelsea Corporation Eight Pounds, Eight Shillings for goods as per Bill.
8.8.0
William Parker.

..

(pre-printed Circular)

January 24th 1840
No. 233 High Holborn, London

Sir,
I take the liberty of informing you, that having been appointed Contractor for supplying the Metropolitan Police Force from its establishment, with the following articles; and also having supplied most of the principal Police Offices and Gaols in Town and Country with similar appointments.
I beg leave to say, that should the Authorities in your District require any of the articles alluded to, and be pleased to favour me with an order, they will be supplied at Contract Prices - patterns of which shall be sent upon receiving your commands.
I am,
Sir with respect,
Your Obedient Servant

William Parker

Viz.
Police regulation Pistols &c
Pistols of various kinds.
Police regulation truncheons.
Ditto with less painting.
Police Inspectors brass Staves.
Police regulation Rattles.
Police Cutlass's and Belts.
Police Lanterns and Belts.
&c &c &c

Ron Spitz 24 Feb 2013

#12

Thanks for posting this interesting bit of history. Little by little the pieces start telling a lost story.

Ron

lauher 24 Feb 2013

#13

Paul
You always come up with the most remarkable documents. This one is special for me since I have a Parker Winchelsea Gaol plug 8. I wonder if it is one of the ones mentioned in your document.

The key came with the cuffs, but is not a number match. And they are sadly missing their plug.

Joe

Unresolved image reference ↗

Paul Davies 25 Feb 2013

#14

Joe,
It's so good to be able to add a story to your cuff and a picture to my story.
I would think your cuff is one of those figure 8 mentioned since it is not a "Spring Snap" and has the engraving.
Valued at 3 Shillings and sixpence!
Paul