Beginnings

Although not known for its industry, the village of Coven was the site of the only local manufacturer of traction engines and privately built steam railway locomotives. In many ways the village was ideal for such an undertaking as skilled labour in the form of local locksmiths was available and transport was provided via a wharf on the nearby Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. Much of the village was occupied by journeymen lock makers who worked for the locksmiths in nearby Willenhall.

John Smith senior was a farmer and tenant of the Three Hammers Farm in Coven. In 1827 he had a son, also called John, who is said to have spent some time away from Coven with John Fowler of Leeds, who became one of the leading manufacturers of traction engines and steam ploughing machines of his day.  John may also have worked for a time with Clayton and Shuttleworth of Lincoln. On his return to Coven he set himself up in business and became one of the first people to purchase a set of Fowler's steam ploughing equipment.

John Smith senior and Coven were mentioned in the ‘History, Gazetteer and Directory of Staffordshire’, published by William White of Sheffield in 1834. The following is part of the section on Coven:

COVEN is a large liberty, with a considerable village, 2 miles S.E. of Brewood, and 5 miles N. of Wolverhampton. Here is a small Methodist chapel, and a number of lock makers.

LOCK MANFRS. (PLATE & STOCK)
Smith John

MALTSTERS
Smith John

FARMERS
Smith John, Three Hammers

John Smith senior is listed as a farmer and lock manufacturer and so like his son he must have had engineering skills. He may also have been the Maltster that is listed in the directory.


The Wesleyan Methodist Chapel where John Smith senior used to preach.
John Smith senior must have been successful as he became a local landowner with a family cottage in Lawn Lane. He gave a piece of adjacent land for the building of the existing Wesleyan Chapel, which was completed in 1839. He was clearly interested in Wesleyan Methodism and used to preach at the church. Father and son are also mentioned in Kelly’s Staffordshire Directory for 1850:

Smith, John, farmer and manufacturer of Rivington’s Patent Mills

Smith, John, jnr., Engineer and General Machinist.

Father and son presumably worked together, their early products included locks, stationary horizontal engines and portable engines. John Smith junior also hired-out plant to some of the many works and coalpits that were a common feature of the Black Country.


The interior of the chapel.


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