Joseph West (1827 – 1900) Shoe and Boot Maker
Joseph West was born in Yardley circa 1827, the son of Robert West and Mary Ward and was baptised on 28th January 1827. It is conjectured that Joseph married twice. Firstly, to Ann who gave him a son Charles before her death in 1852, and then to Mary Holiman with whom he shared eleven children.
By profession Joseph was a shoe and boot maker, it is thought that he made and repaired shoes and boots for the residents of Castle Bromwich Hall.
Joseph and Mary’s daughter Jane was employed as a servant. The 1881 census shows her working at 35 Berners Street, Aston, the home of William Bennett, a builder employing 16 men. According to family information, Jane soon started working for the Bradford family at Castle Bromwich Hall. Whilst here she was asked by the son of the house, Orlando Bridgeman, to work for him in Wigan. She agreed and it was whilst there that she met her husband, Alexander Shaw, and made Wigan her permanent home.
Meanwhile, back in Castle Bromwich, Joseph continued to make and repair boots and shoes. Family photos and the comparative substance of his home, 19 New Street, suggests that Joseph had a stable business at a time when many shoe makers were struggling to survive against the increasing mechanization of shoe manufacturing.
Joseph died on 15th November 1900. He is buried in the graveyard at Castle Bromwich. After his death, his wife Mary went to live with her daughter, Jane, until her own death on 26th October 1923. She was brought back to Castle Bromwich and buried with her husband.
The headstone inscription reads:
In loving memory of Joseph West died November 15th 1900, aged 73. Also Mary wife of the above who died October 26th 1923, aged 89.
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