The following text is a transcript of extracts from George T. Lawley, History of Bilston, John Price and Sons, Bilston, 1893, pp. 257-261.  We have added emphasis on the names of manufacturers and slightly amended the paragraph breaks.  The extracts give a good idea of the range of different types of good made and also of the way different trades were carried out by single companies.

A firm well-known in the trade for the manufacture of tin-plate goods, but especially of steel trunks, is that of Messrs. T. Johnson & Co., of the Princess Street Works. The business has been carried on here for more than half a century, originally by Mr. Anthony Hyde, subsequently by Mr. E. H. Busby, a nephew of the above, who brought out several new patents, and materially enlarged the business. The cash box branch developed so much that new premises had to be erected. In recent years the demand for cash boxes has materially slackened through the growth of the "safe" trade, and its more modern substitute "check tills," now so generally used by tradesmen. The travelling trunk trade, however, took the place of the cash boxes as an article of manufacture, and now, the existing firm carry on an extensive business in this class of goods. Mrs. Busby after her husband's death married Mr. T. Johnson, who took over the business. In 1878 Mr. G. H. Shackleton the present principal became manager, and since then the business has grown so much that the firm has recently taken to the works formerly carried on by Messrs. T. Jones & Son, in Cambridge Street. It will thus be seen that the Japan trade and its congeners play a very important part in the industrial resources of the township.

Among the chief manufactories of the town should be mentioned the Albert Street Works of Messrs. Joseph Sankey & Sons, who are now large makers of wrought-iron stamped and pressed hollow-ware, comprising frying pans, basins, bowls, milk pans, baking tins, tea kettles, shovels, &c., besides various special descriptions of iron stampings for the different Foreign and Colonial markets, such as rice bowls, dished sheets, &c., as well as paint kegs and oil drums, for which they have special machinery and plant adapted to the rapid turning out of large quantities. The oldest branch of their business is the manufacture of blank trays and waiters, which is peculiarly a Bilston trade, being closely allied to the japanning trade, for which the town has long been noted.

The business was founded many years ago in a small blank tray manufactory, near High Street, which was owned by Messrs. Hartill and Jackson, and was eventually transferred to its present site, in 1854, where new premises were built and the business continued on a more extended scale by Messrs. Jackson and Sankey. This partnership was afterwards dissolved, and the works, passing into Mr. Sankey's sole possession, were from time to time enlarged to meet the growing demands of a steadily increasing business, until they are now among the largest works in Bilston, and are replete with modern machinery and appliances adapted for a large and rapid turnover. In 1878, Mr. Sankey took into partnership his eldest son, Mr. John William Sankey, who had for some years previously taken an active part in the management, and who on the death of Mr. Joseph Sankey, in 1886, took over the entire control of the business. In this year, the old-established business of the late Mr. J. P. Whitehead, blank tray manufacturer, of Bow Street, was bought by Messrs. Sankey, and ceased to exist as a separate concern.

Since March, 1891, when Mr. Fred. E. Sankey, and Mr. George H. Sankey were admitted into partnership, they also have shared in the management.

In 1890, the firm patented a new process for the decoration of tin plates, and during the last two years an entirely new branch has been added in the manufacture by this process of their patent "Neptune Art Ware," comprising trays, waiters, candlesticks, bread baskets, &c., in various shapes and of different designs.

There has always been a cordial relationship subsisting between the firm and its employees, of which a substantial proof is afforded by the erection and furnishing early this year of a large and comfortable room, which is given to the workmen for their own use as a Mess Room and Recreation Room, and in connection with this a Workmen's Library has been founded.

One of the important Trades of the neighbourhood is that of the manufacture of Cast Iron Hollow-wares or Culinary utensils. The leading firm in this business is the Cannon Hollow-ware Co., Ltd., of the Cannon Iron Foundry, at Deepfields. These works were established in the year 1826, by the late Edward Sheldon. They are conveniently situated with every advantage of Railway and Canal accommodation, etc., and now cover several acres of ground, giving employment to about five hundred hands. In Cooking and Kitchen utensils which are supplied either Tinned or Enamelled as necessity or taste require, their Patterns comprise a most varied and complete collection of goods suitable for home and foreign requirements, which are produced with all the latest improvements including several of their own patented Inventions. The art of Porcelain Enamelling on Cast Iron has been brought to perfection by this firm, as is evidenced by their Sanitary department, which turns out great quantities of Baths, Lavatories, Wash Bowls, Closet Hoppers, Kitchen Sinks, etc., which formerly were almost entirely produced in Pottery Ware.

The advantages of Cast Iron Enamelled goods as compared with Earthenware is obvious, as great strength and durability is obtained. Of 3-legged or Kaffir Pots and similar Castings this firm has in its career produced many millions of articles, being the largest makers in England of this class of goods. In their household and Builders' Ironmongery departments they produce Cast Butt Hinges, Patent Sash Pulleys, Sink Traps, Sad Irons, Weights, Patent Charcoal Box Irons, and Coffee Mills, and a variety of other goods too numerous to mention. The Company's manufactures enjoy a high reputation and are well-known throughout the markets of the world, and they have been awarded Gold and other Medals at International Exhibitions for the general excellence of their productions.

Another large firm is that trading under the style of Thomas Sheldon & Co., Springvale Foundry, Wolverhampton, who in addition to General Castings manufacture Tinned and Enamelled Cast Iron Hollow-ware for the foreign markets exclusively. The founder, Thomas Sheldon, commenced business as an Ironfounder at Ladymoor in 1853, but owing to mining operations the works were removed to Springvale in 1879, in which year he died. The business has since been carried on by his widow, who took into partnership her son-in-law, Mr. Joseph Millington, under whose management the works have increased more than fourfold.

A Hollow-ware works of great size has within the last few years been erected at Ettingshall by Messrs. T. Holcroft & Sons. Some hundreds of hands are here employed - a large addition to the works having been made two years ago. Of this establishment Mr. Harold Holcroft has the active management.

A position of the greatest importance in the industrial circles of Bilston is held by the establishment of Messrs. Ralph & Jordan, Beehive Works. They are manufacturers and patentees of Tinned and Galvanized Wrought Iron Hollow-ware, and makers of ‘Alpine’ high class Cycles. Their works are advantageously situated and are of modern and substantial construction. They cover altogether about an acre and a half of ground, and are divided into different departments suitable to the business, viz., - large tin and galvanizing shops, finishing shops, warehouses for show, stock, packing and sorting rooms and offices, etc. The ranges of shopping are replete throughout with every description of machinery of the best type and improved appliances. Nearly two hundred hands are employed. Messrs. Ralph & Joadan are also makers of The Universal Enamelled Iron Goods, a new industry for Bilston, and the only one of its kind in the township.

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