| Description | ' E. Bownas at the time J. Bownas began the Fire Iron business was employed as he had been for years, in getting up the rough work (belonging to the Steel Toy Buttons Buckles & Hilt Trade - which was carried on under the firm of Boulton & Button Company) He employed & paid all the people who got up the rough work (himself, having taken it piece work, as trade decreased he parted with some of his men, & continued to part with them, & after abbout 1809, with more; about this time E.B. was about leaving owing to JB continuing to urge him to give up the piece work altogether which he was unwilling to do - at this period JB got from him his Calculation Book, Prize Book & others - for to prize the grate & fender ornaments, but he not returning them to EB, an altercation took place, in consequence, and he was again going to leave, but as an inducement to EB to stay he informed him that he could not then have his name inserted in the firm, but that he, EB must have what money he wanted for the use of his family & further that he had made his Will and left him Sole Executor. EB then assisted JB in every part of the business he could, but still continued to pay the few people which were left (although they worked at both trades) till about the end of 1814. About this period JB got so infirm that he could not undertake the London Journeys and that I must go. I went my first Journey in Ap[ri]l 1815 & has continued to go two Journeys every year since under the firm of J. Bownas & Co.' |