Here is info on the above Samuel Breeden, alt. spelling Breedon:
Born in 1813. Saltey Washwood, Aston area of Birmingham, Warwickshire where lived his whole life.Believe his Father was Samuel Breeden and Mother Mary Breeden
-- 17 Aug 1834 - Married Charlotte Lynol
-- 1841 Census – living with his Father Samuel (age 60) “buckle maker” and mother Mary (age 50) and brothers and sisters
-- 1846 listed in Birmingham Directory in Saltey Washwood as a “pistol and rifle sight maker”
-- 1849 listed in Birmingham Directory in Saltey Washwood as a “Gun Furniture Manufactuer”
-- 1851 Census – born in Shifnal, Shropshire, England, Saltley Washwood. Married to Charlottte. Son William, Daughter Charlotte, Emma. Occupation listed as “gun furniture maker; trigger maker.”
-- 1853 notice that Samuel Breedon of Washwood Heath, “gun furniture and revolving pistol maker” took on an apprentice named Thomas Spencer (the younger) of Washwood Heath.
-- 1861 Census. Living in Saltey Washwood area. Wife Charlotte. 3 daughters Emma, Charlotte, Luisa. Occupation listed as “Breech Loading action manufacturer and master employing 8 men”
-- 1862 listed in Birmingham directory as a “Gun Furniture maker” located at Washwood heath
-- 1862 listed in Birmingham directory as living on Washwood heath
-- 1862 listed in Slater’s Royal National Commercial Directory under “Gun, Rifle and Pistol Makers” as “Breech loading” located on Washwood heath.
-- 2 July 1865 Samuel Breeden died. William Hill of Birchfield (gun maker) and John Dennison of Birmingham (Confectioner) were executers of the will. His effects were worth under Ł 100. He was buried on 9 Jul 1865.
So as of the 1861 census (in April) he was making breech loading actions. I still think the Reilly was most likely made around this time rather than March 1858. I'll post this on the Reilly line. Thanks for the help,.
Wow, great find, Argo44. If Breeden was employing 8 men in 1861 he had quite the business going.
