16/03/2026
The final Salt story
In the cemetery there is a grave containing Ann, Annie and John Titus Salt. Ann was the wife of Titus Salt’s brother, Edward (1814-1878).
Edward married Ann Wade in 1838 and is described as a wool stapler, later a worsted spinner. He and Ann set up home in Manor Place and appears to have a similar standing as his brother Titus appearing on the same committees concerning the repealing of the corn laws and even acting as one of the administrators for a fellow businessmen, James Holdsworth, a bankrupt. In 1843, he was engaged with others calling for a solution to the polluted canal.
Edward had worked with his father, Daniel but in 1844, Daniel dies. All Daniel’s property is to be sold however, the amount offered was never paid and so all the property was transferred to Edward in 1847 and then transferred to Titus. He and Ann have six children between 1839 and 1848: Annie, Edward, John Titus, Kate, Isabella Martha and Caroline. There was also a son, James who dies in infancy. Even living in Manor Place, still a pleasant residential area, does not stop you having your windows smashed as the Salt family experienced in 1843 when brass door handles, stolen elsewhere, were used as weapons. In 1847, Edward and John Smith were appointed directors of Daniel Salt & Son and that year, Edward attends the Lord Mayor’s dinner. Sadly, there is trouble ahead as by 1848, Edward is in financial difficulty.
Extract from the Halifax Guardian 15 July 1848: -
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the PARTNERSHIP heretofore subsisting between us, the undersigned, carrying on business at Bradford and Manningham, in the Parish of Bradford, in the County of York, as spinners and woolstaplers, under the firm of "Daniel Salt and Son," was this day DISSOLVED by mutual consent: And that all Debts owing to or by the said firm will be received and paid by Mr. TITUS SALT, of Bradford aforesaid, spinner and stuff manufacturer.—As witness our hands this Eighth day of June, 1848.
EDWARD SALT.
JOHN SMITH.
Witness—
JOHN RAWSON, Solicitor, Bradford.
Now, there may be a belief that the textile industry thrived throughout the nineteenth century but that is incorrect as in nearly every decade there were periods of poor trade and many manufacturers were made bankrupt. As such is it likely that this could be the reason for Edward to up sticks and leave for Melbourne, Australia? However, this exactly what he did and unlike many emigrants, he did not take his family, nor did he ever return. He left on the she ship Stag which is a ship noted for taking convicts to Australia but as Edward had a cabin, it is unlikely he was a convict.
We know little of what happened to him in Australia. We do know that he was convicted of assault in 1851:
Extract from the Geelong Advertiser 17 October 1851: -
ASSAULT WITH INTENT.
Edward Salt was indicted for assaulting Mary Jane Cook, with intent, &c., at Melbourne, on 30 September.
Mr. Williams defended the prisoner.
The prosecutrix, who is a young girl of thirteen years of age, had been sent by her mother to borrow a whitewash brush from prisoner; and going into the house, the attempt complained of was made. So great was the violence used by prisoner, that the girl’s nose burst out bleeding profusely. This frightened the prisoner, and he allowed her to go. The girl immediately informed her mother of prisoner’s brutality, and he was given into custody.
The jury found the prisoner guilty, and he was remanded for sentence, His Honor being in some doubt as to the punishment to be bestowed on him, under the Transportation Abolition Act, equivalent to the sentence of transportation from seven to fifteen years, to which, under the 11th Vict. No. 30, he was subject.
The Court then adjourned.
Extract from The Argos, (Melbourne) 17 October 1851(37): -
SUPREME COURT.
16 October.
CRIMINAL SITTINGS.
Before His Honor Mr. Justice A'Beckett.
ASSAULT WITH INTENT.
Edward Salt, who had been convicted on the previous day, of an assault, with intent to commit, &c. was sentenced to be worked on the Roads for three years.
We know that over the years someone was trying to contact him but we do not know if he responded. He died in 1878 and was buried in Melbourne.
As for his family, Ann seemed to have a comfortable life. Of the couple’s children, only Annie and John Titus share their mother’s grave. Neither Annie nor John Titus married. Annie (1839-1896) stayed at home to look after her mother. John Titus (1841-1916) became a drysalter (dealer in chemicals, salt, glue etc.), dying in an Asylum at Clifton, York. He was an inmate in 1901 aged 59, and again in 1911, however, it is unknown when he was committed and why. Could his occupation have had anything to do with his condition?
His sister Annie, probably had plenty family problems. In 1881, two of her married sisters were living with her, Isabella M Heap and Caroline Moscrop. Also her brother Edward seemed reluctant to leave home despite being 41. He is stuff warehouseman.
Although I did have some of the information about Edward’s family I am deeply indebted to a fellow UC researcher, Colin Coates who lives in Australia where he not only researches for UC, but also researches Saltaire. I must also mention his late friend, David King who contributed to the notes on Edward Salt. DS
Melbourne 1860
