1860-1900

PLACING BETTS

 

1861. John Betts carried on business as a refiner at Charlotte Street in Birmingham and 131 Long Acre in London (noted on the engraving at right).  On 29 July 1861 at the age of 86, three years before his death, John made the business over in its entirety to his son, Hyla Holden Betts (1800-1872). John placed the business in the hands of a manager (a Mr Horn).

On 16 June 1874, John and Alfred Betts acquired from the estate of Archibald Campbell Barclay Esquire “all that building known as the Catholic Apostolic Church forming the corner of Newhall Street and Charlotte Street” and its attached land for £2,050 (getting on for £127,000 today).  The site was to have expanded the Charlotte Street refinery premises but apparently a fraud involving the money transfer left The Assay Office with the land, an allegedly very rich fleeing lawyer and John and Alfred without either the land or the money.

Letterheads of this time (1874/5) describe the business as “Sweep Smelters and Refiners in General”, indicating the increasing importance of high value metal recovery and recycling.  Materials for precious metals recovery and refining came mostly from the jewellery trade in Birmingham and London, but also from all kinds of industries using precious metals (potters, platers, mirror manufacturers, etc.) and ore was even shipped in casks from Australia to be refined.  There are several bills of lading for casks from Sydney Royal Mint shows in our records for this time.

1875. The photograph of John Betts (right) was by the Robert W. Thrupp studios, 66 New Street, Birmingham.

 

1880. In a letter dated 8 March, Alfred Betts states that he cannot continue to conduct the business of Betts & Sons, 64 Charlotte Street, Birmingham, and asks John Betts if he will continue alone.  John Betts, interestingly, declines.  The reason is not clear.