James Henry Stone [st.4.2]

James Henry Stone was the second child of Benjamin Stone & Catherine Baker born December 3rd, 1829 at Birmingham & christened December 26th, 1829 at St Phillips, Birmingham.

In 1841 James was living at home at Lupin St, Duddeston, Aston, Birmingham with his parents, 2 sisters & brother.

James was still living at home at Lupin St in 1851 & he was now a clerk in the glass works like his father.

James married Elizabeth Benton on December 14th, 1853 at Aston Juxta, Birmingham. Elizabeth was born July 13th, 1827 & christened August 12th, 1827 at Summer Lane formerly New Hall St New Jerusalem, Birmingham, Warks, the daughter of Lucy Fawdry & George Benton, a brass tube maker.

In 1861 James & Elizabeth were living at Hall Rd, Handsworth, Staffs & James was described as a metal tube maker & brass founder. They had 3 children – Clara L (6), Ada C (3) & Edith R (1). They also had a 19 year old servant Ann Crump.

James & Elizabeth were still at Handsworth in 1871, at Claremont Terrace, Hall Rd. James was now a brass founder employing 47 men, 21 boys & 4 women. It appears that James had taken over the running of the business from his father-in-law George Benton as George is described as a retired brass founder in the 1871 census. Children at home were Clara, Ada, Edith, Margaret E (9), Frank C (7) & Herbert (6). They also had a general servant Margaret Pickering (25).

Left: James Henry Stone 1880 Right: Cavendish House 1880

Photos taken by Sir John Benjamin Stone, James' brother. Illustrations obtained from Digital Handsworth from a collection of images held by Birmingham City Council -http://www.search.digitalhandsworth.org.uk

By 1881 James & Elizabeth were living at Cavendish House, 16 Grosvenor Rd, Handsworth & James was now a Justice of the Peace as well as a brass founder. With them were children Clara, Margaret, Frank & Herbert, both brass founders. They had a cook Elizabeth Griffith & a housemaid, Jenny Hewson.

Elizabeth died on December 11th, 1885, aged 59 & was buried at St Mary’s Church, Handsworth.

James was instrumental in the opening of Victoria Park in Handsworth on June 20th, 1888 & was also involved with the opening of Handsworth Library.

In 1891 widowed James was still living at Cavendish House with his daughter Clara & son Herbert, a brass founder. James was described as a J.P. & a brass founder. They had 2 servants.

James was still at Cavendish House in 1901 & continued to be a magistrate & brass founder. Daughter Clara was still living at home & they had a cook & a house maid.

James died on December 16th, 1908 at Aston, aged 79, & was buried on Saturday, December 19th 1908 alongside his wife & daughter Edith Rebecca & son Frank Campbell at St Mary’s Church, Handsworth. According to James’ brother, John Benjamin Stone, James’s grandson, the Reverend S. Bill conducted the service & the bearers included ‘our boys’, the Wainwrights & Smiths.

The children of James Henry Stone & Elizabeth Benton were:

st.4.2.1 Clara Lucy Stone born January 29th, 1855 at Birmingham & christened March 5th, 1855 at St Phillips, Birmingham
st.4.2.2 Ernest Benton Stone born June 6th, 1856 at Birmingham & christened September 7th, 1856 at St Phillips, Birmingham, died Jan-March 1857 at Birmingham
st.4.2.3 Ada Catherine Stone born December 23rd, 1857 at Birmingham & christened March 1st, 1858 at St Phillips, Birmingham
st.4.2.4 Edith Rebecca Stone born November 6th, 1859 at Birmingham & christened January 30th, 1860 at St Phillips, Birmingham, died March 15th, 1875 at Handsworth, Birmingham
st.4.2.5 Margaret Emma Stone born July 3rd, 1861 at Handsworth & christened September 9th, 1861 at St Phillips, Birmingham
st.4.2.6 Frank Campbell Stoneborn May 18th, 1863 at Handsworth & christened July 13th, 1863 at St Phillips, Birmingham, died August 5th, 1885 at Warwick, Queensland, Australia
st.4.2.7 Herbert Stone born 1865 at Handsworth, Staffs