1760-1800

PLACING BETTS

 

The original business, founded by Alexander Betts, was in refining high value ores and recovering and recycling precious metals.  Details are scant, but early historical references all give 1760 as the foundation date in the inner city Birmingham suburb of Hockley, an area where jewellery manufacturing and related businesses were becoming established at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution.   Indeed, this was the beginning of the world famous Birmingham Jewellery Quarter. (The Birmingham Assay Office was founded in 1773.)

 

Alexander was from Battle, in Sussex, and died in 1781.  The business was continued in Birmingham by Alexander’s son, Edward, whose profession is listed in his will as a plater. He died in 1817 and is buried in St Paul’s Churchyard off Charlotte Street, between the city centre and the Jewellery Quarter.

Alexander Betts , founder of the original business in 1760