a few more items of
local and biographical interest are forthcoming. In early life James
Carpenter was a Churchman, but, as many other Willenhall folk did, became
a Wesleyan in consequence of the scandals caused by the Rev. Mr.
Moreton's mode of life. His remains lie in a vault on the east side of
the Wesleyan Chapel in Union Street. He was a keen supporter of the
Right Hon. C. P. Villiers when he first became a Parliamentary candidate
for Wolverhampton.

John Austin, the tradesman, who first issued the "Willenhall farthings,"
mentioned in Chapter XXVII., was an enterprising tradesman, a man of
handsome presence and of an alert mind. On leaving Willenhall he went to
live at Manor House, Allscott, near Wellington, at which town he
established artificial manure works, and where he manufactured sulphuric
acid very extensively.

The issue of the Willenhall trade farthings was continued by Rushbrooke,
his successor in the business (1853), though the original date, "1844"
was always retained upon them. They were sold to shopkeepers and traders
all round the district at the rate of 5s. nominal for 4s. 9d. cash. When
the new national bronze coinage came into circulation in 1860, large
quantities of these copper farthing tokens were returned on to Mr
Rushbrooke's hands, but he melted them down without sustaining the least
loss.

[Picture: Josiah Tildesley, Senr. Prominent Wesleyan and Highly Esteemed
Townsman]

The Hartill family has long been settled in Willenhall. George Hartill
married Isabel Cross, at St. Peter's Church, Wolverhampton, in 1662. All
their nine children were baptised at St. Giles's Church, Willenhall. The
present Dr. J. T. Hartill is descended directly from Richard, fifth son
of the above, and his grandfather, Isaac Hartill, inter-married with Ann
Hartill, a descendant of the said George Hartill's second son.

[Picture: James Tildesley. Large Employer of Labour, Proprietor of
Summerford Works]

The social rank of the Hartills since their residence in Willenhall has
been that of tradesmen or professional men, manufacturers, or small
property owners, but always educated up to the standard of the period in
which they lived. In 1826 Jeremiah Hartill established himself in
medical practice, joined in 1861 by his nephew, William Henry Hartill,
and in 1869 by the latter's brother, Dr. J. T. Hartill. The arms and
crest borne by the las