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In October 2007, right out of the blue, I had an Email from Emily Ward saying that although she had no connection with my family she had some items and information regarding my family which “might be of interest” In fact that was an understatement. What follows is one strand of family treasure which is very much down to her and for which she has my heartfelt thanks.
I already knew from census information that my maternal great great grandmother Maria Sellars was described as a herbalist and two of her daughters, including my great grandmother used to prepare and sell ointments etc. What I didn’t know was the extent of this business. Whilst my great grandmother Hannah Bella only appeared to trade for a short while around1880, her sister Sarah Ann built up a “Sellars Celebrated Salve and Liniment” business in Sheffield which was to last into the 1960s.
The following is an extract from an instructions for use leaflet printed in 1946 advertising Sellars Celebrated Salve and Liniment.
It states that it was “established 1810” and “none genuine without this portrait and signature.”
Mrs M. Sellars, the originator of “Sellars” Salve and Liniment, resided and traded at the House with the Blue Steps, No. 64 Broad Lane, Blue Steps being introduced as an indication of change of address from 56 Broad Lane in the year 1846. Incidentally the preparations were previously made by Mrs E. Pinder (nee Holy), mother of Mrs M. Sellars. Upon the death of Mrs Sellars in 1864, her daughter Mrs S. A. Andrew carried on and extended the business ultimately removing in 1910 to premises at 8 St. George’s Terrace. Mrs Andrew whose name is still retained, passed away in 1919 and again her daughter kept up the family tradition for a third generation in the person of Mrs. S.J. Daniel. As the business further progressed the offices were removed to 277 Glossop Road where the renowned “Blue Steps” are still a landmark and a link with the founder of the firm. In 1938 Miss E Daniel (Great Grand-daughter of Mrs. Sellars) took over the manufacture of Sellars preparations, the increased demands proving throughout FOUR GENERATIONS the inestimable worth of Sellars Salve and Liniment.
Centenary of “Blue Steps” 1846 – 1946
Manufactured ONLY by:
Mrs. S. A. ANDREW, 277 GLOSSOP ROAD,SHEFFIELD 10 ENGLAND
Telephone No.: 25787
Obtainable from Chemists, Herbalists and Stores, or direct
SELLARS SALVE: Price lOd. l/8d. and 3/-d. per box. Postage 3d.extra.
SELLARS LINIMENT: Price l/3, 2/3 & 5/-per bottle. Postage 8d (7d crossed out) extra.
ORDERS TO VALUE OF £1 POST FREE.
Cheques and Postal Orders to be made payable to Mrs. S A Andrew
My family history research has broadened the background of these four generations somewhat. Some of the earlier data before 1800 requires more verification but I believe to be correct. More research also needs to be done on the latter years of the business.
The Mrs. E Pinder (nee Holy) mentioned was Esther Holy born 1761 in Sheffield and who married John Pinder born 1764 in Sheffield 4th Nov 1782. I believe they had 5 sons and a daughter Maria born about 1800. Maria married a George Sellars, born around 1800 in Sheffield, around 1822. Kelly’s Directory for 1837 lists him residing at 98 Broad Lane as a Hatter (Also Market Place Rotherham). In Whites Directory for 1841 he has moved to 56 Broad Lane and is a Hatter & Newsagent. Whites Directory for 1849 shows another move to 64 Broad Lane again Hatter & Newsagent. Maria Sellars does not have an occupation shown in either census or trade directories until after George’s death in 1859.
In the 1861 census Maria is described as a herbalist residing at 64 Broad Lane Sheffield. She died in 1864
Maria had two daughters who carried on the making of preparations. Sarah Ann born about 1834 and Hannah Bella born 1840. Hannah Bella was my great grandmother and married Enoch Butler in 1870. The census does not indicate that she carried out any activity as a herbalist or salve maker apart from the census of 1881 where she is described as a salve maker. This does not mean that she didn’t make salves since it was very common for a wife’s occupation to be omitted from the census.
As to Sarah Ann, she married John Spilsbury Andrew, a file cutler, in 1860 and they are shown as living in Daisy Bank Sheffield in the 1861 census. Also in 1861 their daughter Sarah Jane was born. Sarah Ann Andrew is not shown as having an occupation in that census but Whites directory for 1865 shows that after the death of Maria in 1864 they had gone up in the world. Sarah Ann is described as a Herbalist and her husband John a Coal dealer & Carter. White’s directory for 1871 lists Sarah Ann at 64 Broad Lane as an Ointment Maker. John Andrew died in 1876 but Sarah Ann carried on with both the Coal and the Salve business. She is beginning to sound quite a woman.
She married again in 1879 to William Jackson who was a widower and they used 64 Broad Lane for business and lived elsewhere.
Whites Directory for 1879 shows that she shared 64 Broad Lane with William Jackson Managing Director Sheffield Bottling Co. and describes her as a Coal Dealer & Salve and Ointment Maker.
The 1881 census has them living at 84 & 86 West Bar Sheffield and describes William as a Licensed Victualler but no occupation for Sarah Ann or her 19 year old daughter Sarah Jane. Sarah Ann was still trading from 64 Broad Lane.
Sarah Jane married in 1884 to Henry Watson Daniel who was described as the Manager of a Pawnbroker at 47 Broad Lane. At that time this was the business of John & Joseph Wright.
The 1891 census shows Sarah Ann and William were living at 22 Hawthorne Road Ecclesfield and Sarah Ann trading still from 64 Broad Lane. William is described as living on his own means and Sarah Ann a Salve Maker. Sarah Jane and Henry Watson Daniel were living at 47 Broad Lane and he is described as a pawnbroker.
By then Sarah Jane and Henry had a daughter Edna born 1890 followed by another daughter Dorothy in 1894.
Believed to be Sarah Ann, and William Jackson and Sarah Jane Andrew
Believed to be:
Lady wearing a hat on the left Sarah Jane, Henry Watson Daniel to her right, Edna Daniel in front of him.
Lady wearing a hat on the right Sarah Ann with William Jackson on her left holding his hat.
Dorothy and Edna as small children
William Jackson died in 1899 and Sarah Ann still described as a Salve Retailer in the 1901 census is now living with Henry Watson and Sarah Jane Daniel at 14 Beaufort Road, Eccleshall.
Sarah Ann continued trading at 64 Broad Lane and Henry Watson Daniel continued trading at 47 Broad Lane until 1911 when both the Salve and Pawnbroking businesses were relocated to 8 St Georges Terrace. It also believed that the family including Sarah Ann moved their residence to 8 St Georges Terrace.
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Sarah Jane took over the salve business in 1919 following Sarah Ann’s death.
Henry Watson Daniel died in 1929 at 8 St Georges Terrace and Sarah Jane in 1938 at 277 Glossop Road. When exactly the business moved to Glossop Road I have yet to establish.
Following the death of Sarah Jane, the Salve business was run by her daughter Edna Daniel until she retired from the business when it was taken over by Mr D . J Tomlinson, Chemist, 9 Market St. Woodhouse, Sheffield 01/09/1961.
Edna was also very active in the St John’s Ambulance organisation which was how she and Emily Ward’s great grandmother met.
The unmarried Edna Daniel died in 1976 thus bringing down the curtain on 4 generations of remarkable women.
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