SINCE featuring an old building at risk in Wednesfield that was once occupied by trap makers John Williams & Son, we have to thank Lee Newman, who is currently researching the history of trap makers in Wednesfield, for showing interest in this matter. He would like to contact Erica Williams, the author of the original article which was published in Bugle 924, with more information that she may find useful, and if Erica wishes to get in touch with Lee he can be contacted on oldtrapcollector@ hotmail.co.uk.
The small town of Wednesfield was once world famous for its manufacturer of traps, and this specific aspect of the Black Country’s industrial heritage is still held dear today. It is therefore a great pleasure when the Bugle gets the chance to highlight one firm in particular in this instance as a standard bearer for all the other trap manufacturers that have gone before, and as a result of Erica’s story concerning her family’s former business premises at the Crescent Rabbit Trap Works in Taylor Street, Wednesfield, we have taken some relevant extracts from the marvellous book ‘Rural Reflections, a Brief History of Traps, Trapmakers and Gamekeeping in Britain’written by Stuart Haddon-Riddoch, which has featured in past editions of the Bugle.
In 1841 John Williams was an apprentice trap maker to John Tottey Senior of March End, and a trap maker in his own right at Wood End from 1851 onwards. Trap manufacturing began in Taylor Street circa 1865, and in 1888 John and his son joined forces to create John Williams & Son Trap Makers in Taylor Street.
The business was renown for its manufacture of the Terror and Ferret “Snap Trap” rat traps, and famous for the “50 Dorset” bow spring gin trap.
After 125 years the association between John Williams and trap making finally came to an end in 1966. The four trap advertisements that accompany this feature span a quarter of a century and show at least two of the traps which enhanced the name of John Williams as a trap manufacturer, the “Terror” and the "50 Dorset".
