Heskins, Beddome and Norton

We know that Robert Norton was in business with John Heskins and a Beddome son. This notice in the Gazette noting the move from Bristol to Nailsea cast s a little more light

THE Partnership between John Heskins, Boswell Brandon Beddome, and Robert Norton, all of Nailsworth, in the Parish of Horsley, in the County of Gloucester, Clothiers and Partners, was, by mutual Content, dissolved on the 21st Day of December last. NB The business will in future be carried on at Nailsworth aforesaid, by Heskins and Norton only, to whom all Persons to whom the Paid Partnership is indebted are desired to apply for Payment of their respective Debts; and all Persons who are indebted to the Said Partnership arc desired to pay the same to Heskins and Norton only, who are duly authorized to receive the same: Witness our Hands this 12th Day of March, 1791, 

John Heskins

Boswell Brandon Beddome

Robert Norton

John Heskins

In an article on The Morgans of Birmingham found here, F W Butt-Thompson says that John Heskins had a long connection with the Baptist Church at NaiIsworth. His son, John, married Sophia, the daughter of Benjamin Francis, pastor at Nailsworth for 42 years, and a hymn-writer whose work was then well known. Sophia was born 1784. The marriage was childless and Mary died in her early twenties. Francis' other daughter, Catherine Holbrow, married a minister, Thomas Flint, and lived to the age of 67.

He also says that an apprentice of John Heskins was one of the sons of Benjamin Beddome, of Bourton-on-the-Water.

Heskins, like his father before him, a clothier, was a deacon in Nailsworth. Heskins Senior served in that capacity for 50 years. The father at one time ran Nailsworth Mills.
John Heskins Senior was born c 1731 and died 1813. He married married Hannah Horwood in 1755 and she died in 1772. No children are recorded from this marriage.
He married Mary Bliss in 1775 and had four children - John junior, and three girls, Mary, Sarah and Hannah.
Hannah  married Abraham Flint and died of complications during her first preganancy.
Sarah married Edward Barnard and had numerous children but the male line died with John in 1838 when he had reached the age of 59.