Joseph Mumby

Joseph Mumby

From a small business in Back Street, St Ives, Joseph took his clay pipe making skills across the world to Melbourne. Tragedy struck when his wife sank into a deep depression on leaving family and friends behind. Joseph changed trade, handing his bakery business over to his son on retirement. Read on to learn about Joseph's life and view photos.

Early life

Joseph was born at The Folly, Back Street, St Ives (now West Street) in 1819. He was the eldest of four children born to James Mumby and Sarah Rose Harvey. Joseph's father was a clay pipe maker who died in 1832. Joseph's mother continued making clay pipes with the help of her father and the foreman.

In 1837 Joseph married Frances Harvey. Aged 18 years, Joseph's bride was 23 years old. Four children followed in quick succession. By that time, Joseph worked for his mother, making clay pipes. Also employed was at least one indentured apprentice.

A selection of clay pipes from the 1800s.

Clay pipe making has a long tradition in England, the skill passed on from father to son. By the 1800s, pipe makers used iron molds, pressing fine grey clay into one half of the mold. A piercing rod was put through the centre. After placing the other half on top, the pipe maker used a special clamp to press the two halves together. The clamp gouged out the bowl of the pipe before releasing. He pushed the piercing rod into the pipe bowl for a continuous passage of air. The pipe was left to dry for several days and finally fired in a kiln.

1840 was a year of change. Both Joseph's mother and sister, aged 2 years, died. Joseph took charge of the business. In 1841, Joseph and his wife lived in The Folly with his younger brother James, aged 17 years. James opened a hairdresser and perfumer business.

Emigration
The brothers sold up by 1849. Joseph, Frances and James emigrated to Australia aboard the SS Asia. By early 1850, they had settled in Melbourne, 15 years after its creation.

Joseph's wife suffered from depression before emigrating. It seems to have followed the death of Harvey, her youngest born, in 1846, aged under 1 year. Upon arrival in Australia, again Frances sunk into a deep depression. She regretted leaving friends and family behind. The colony had not come up to expectations. Her state of mind caused Joseph and James to keep a close watch. They feared she might commit suicide.

On Monday 8 April, Joseph took his children to school. James was in the house, attending to chores. As he reentered the bedroom occupied by Frances, he saw her make a sudden movement and fall backwards. She had cut her throat. James found cut-throat razors and a carving knife on the bed.

A doctor sewed up the wound. Against the doctor's advice, Frances talked incessantly. Sometime incoherent, she was eager to ensure no blame attached to her husband. He had always been kind to her. Soon after, she died.

This was the eve of the first Australian gold rush from 1851 to 1880. Joseph perfectly timed ambitious plans for his clay pipe making business. In August 1850, he advertised the erection of new premises, the Victoria Pipe Manufactory (named after Queen Victoria), in Richmond, Melbourne. There remains a single fragmentary example of a Mumby clay pipe, showing the text MUMBY/RICH(mond).

Change of trade
The following year, there was a marked change of direction. Joseph married Frances Patrick, the widow of Walter Patrick, a baker. He moved into his new wife's premises in Swanston Street, Melbourne. Joseph became a baker. He no doubt benefitting from the experience of his new wife and existing employees. Joseph also administered Walter's estate for Frances. He took possession of all Walter's belongings, which he declared valued at less than £50 (today £5,000).

Swanston Street, 1858. Joseph's bakery is probably one of the shops shown.

Joseph's change must have been through better prospects in the baking business. By 1857, he was a member of the Master Bakers. That year, the Master Bakers announced they had agreed to discontinue baking Sunday dinners. Their shops would close on Sundays.

Baking Sunday dinners was a practise also carried out in St Ives. Families took their roast beef and vegetables in a cooking pot to the baker on Sunday mornings. The baker cooked them several at a time in his large baking oven. Apprentices placed pots on a plank and balanced this on their head. They rushed around town, delivering the pots. 

By 1860, Joseph had moved premises to 15 Wellington Street, Prahan. At that time, Prahan was a settlement on the outskirts of Melbourne. The premises comprised a house, shop and bakehouse.

Retirement
Joseph handed over to his son in 1882. Benjamin had worked in the business for 15 years. The following year, Joseph's second wife died.

In 1898, Joseph was in court. The children of Walter Patrick accused him of wrongly administering their father's estate. Joseph had declared the estate value to be less than £50. The claim was that Joseph bought the property at Wellington Street from proceeds of the business. He also gained £75 from the sale of the remaining lease on the Swanston Street premises, which he could have sold earlier for more money. The plaintiffs got nothing from the estate.

Joseph claimed when he took over, the liabilities exceeded the assets. He settled Walter Patrick's debts of £200. Joseph maintained and educated Walter Patrick's children. He sold the lease on Swanston Street at the earliest opportunity.

After over 40 years, the case was well over the Statute of Limitations and had no chance of success. The judge said he would have awarded the case to Joseph. The children had to cover his costs.

Joseph died in October 1908 at 21 Wellington Street, Melbourne, aged '90 years, a colonist of 58 years'. His estate was valued at £650 (today £55,000). Joseph is buried at St Kilda cemetery, Melbourne, with eight other family members.

To read more about St Ivians who settled worldwide, click Emigrants.