Onesimus Ustonson

Onesimus Ustonson (April 1736 after 1783) was an English manufacturer of

fishing tackle. He invented the multiplying reel, and supplied fishing tackle to the
naturalist Joseph Banks for the second voyage of James Cook, 17721775. The firm
of Ustonson went on to become Royal Warrant holders to three successive British
monarchs.

An Ustonson label
Contents
1 Early life
2 Career
3 Death and legacy
4 References
5 External links

Early life
Onesimus Ustonson was born in April 1736 in Aldenham, Hertfordshire, the son of Ustonson invoice and receipt to
Thomas Ustonson, a tailor, of St Giles in the Fields, London.[1] Joseph Banks, 1772.

Career
In 1749, Ustonson was apprenticed for seven years to John Herro, a fishing tackle maker and owner of the Fish and Crown at 48 Bell
Yard, Temple Bar, a narrow street between Carey Street and Fleet Street. He took over the business in 1760[1] and opened his shop in
.[2]
1761. The firm remained a market leader for the next century

In 1770, Ustonson invented the firstmultiplying reel, and supplied fishing tackle to the naturalistJoseph Banks for the second voyage
of James Cook, 17721775.[3] In 1783, he was made master of the Worshipful Company of Turners, one of the oldest Livery
Companies in the City of London. His son John was master in 1818.[1]

Death and legacy

Ustonson died after 1783. His third son, Charles Ustonson (born 1775), took over the business in 1815, but died in 1822, and his
widow Maria Ustonson (ne Pearce) took over. In 1830, she married the portrait painter William Armfield Hobday, and after his
death in 1831, married Robert Joy in 1833.[1]

The firm of Ustonson received a Royal Warrant and became the official supplier of fishing tackle to three successive monarchs, King
George IV, William IV and Queen Victoria.[1][2]

Early Ustonson fishing reels are sought after collectables, and a brass and ivory example sold at auction for 6,000 in 2007.[3] A
receipt handwritten by Onesimus himself for Lord Delaval, who spent six guineas in 1789, sold at auction in 1999 for 2,800, and an
1815 reel for 7,000.[4]

References
 1. Bridgeman, John. "A fisherman's tale" (http://turnersco.com/a-fishermans-tale/). The Worshipful Company of
Turners. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
2. "Welcome to Great Fly Fishing Tips" (http://www.greatflyfishingtips.com/welcome-to-great-fly-fishing-tips/). Great Fly
Fishing Tips. 1 December 2011. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
3. Anon (11 July 2007). "Fishing reel proves prize catch at auction"(http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/fishing-reel-pr
oves-prize-catch-at-auction-1-2463582). Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 8 April 2017.
4. Elliott, Keith (11 April 1998)."Fishing lines; There was only one Onesimus"(http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/fishi
ng-lines-there-was-only-one-onesimus-1155948.html) . The Independent.

External links
British Reels
The Ustonson Dynasty, 1760s to 1855: Chapter 3

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This page was last edited on 30 October 2017, at 18:24.

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