OSEPH JACKSON, apprentice to Caslon I, was born in Old Street, London, on Sept. 4, 1733. He was the first child baptised in St. Luke’s, and received his education at a school in that neighbourhood, the gift of a Mr. Fuller. During the term of his service at Chiswell Street, he was, says Nichols,[645] exceedingly tractable in the common branches of the business. Rowe Mores states that he was an “apprentice to the whole art,”[646] but this term evidently does not comprehend the most important branch of that art, namely the cutting of punches. This was kept a profound secret at Chiswell Street, Mr. Caslon and his son constantly locking themselves into the apartment in which they practised it. Jackson, who had a great desire to learn the mystery, bored a hole through the wainscot, and was thus, at different times, able to watch his employers through the process, and to form some idea how the whole was performed; and he afterwards applied himself at every opportunity to the finishing of a punch. “When he had completed one to his own mind, he presented it to his master, expecting to be rewarded for his ingenuity: but the premium he received was a hard blow, with a threat that he should be sent to Bridewell if he again made a similar attempt. This circumstance being taken in dudgeon, his mother bought him what tools were necessary, and he improved himself at her house whenever he had an opportunity.” {316}
“He continued,” adds Nichols, “to work for Mr. Caslon after he came out of his time,[647] till a quarrel arose in the foundery about the price of work; and a memorial, which terminated in favour of the workmen, being sent to the elder Caslon (who was then in the Commission of the Peace, and had retired to Bethnal Green), young Jackson and Mr. Cottrell were discharged, as supposed ringleaders.
“Compelled thus to seek employment, they united their slender stock in a partnership, and went on prosperously till, Jackson’s mother dying, he entered in 1759, on board the “Minerva” frigate, as armourer; and in May 1761 was removed, with Capt. Alexander Hood, into the same situation in the “Aurora”; and proved somewhat successful, having about £40 prize money to receive at the Peace of 1763. During the time he was at sea, he was visited by a severe fit of sickness, in which he vowed, if he recovered, to lead in future a very penitent life; which promise he punctually fulfilled.”
Quitting the navy, he returned to London and rejoined once more his old comrade and partner, now a fully-established type-founder in Nevil’s Court, Fetter Lane. He worked for some time under Cottrell, but at length, at the instigation, it would appear, of two of his fellow workmen, Robinson and Hickson (who shared with Cottrell the distinction of serving as privates in the Life Guards), he determined to set up in business for himself.
The necessary capital for the new concern was found by Robinson and Hickson, who agreed to allow Jackson, as his salary for conducting the business under the partnership, the sum of £62 8s. per annum, and to supply money for carrying on the trade for two years.
A small house in Cock Lane was taken for the purpose, and such was the modest beginning of this famous foundry.
The hazardous adventure succeeded, thanks to the genius of Jackson, who was able soon to satisfy his partners that the business would be productive before the time promised.
“When he had pursued his labours about six months, Mr. Bowyer accidentally calling to inspect some of his punches (for he had no specimen), approved them so much, that he promised to employ him; adding, ‘My father was the means of old Mr. Caslon riding in his coach, how do you know but I may be the means of your doing the same?’
75. From Nichols’ Literary Anecdotes.