Antique WM Beatty & Sons, Chester, Pa Butcher Knife/Meat Cleaver

This antique meat cleaver/ butcher knife was made by the WM Beatty & Sons Co of Chester,Pa  
in the 1800's.
Markings can still be seen but are a bit worn from years of use. The handle construction remains solid- made of steel and wood with a beautiful aged honey patina.
The blade measures 8 1/4" x 4 3/4" - There are a few nicks on the blade edge which can be sharpened.
The handle is 6 3/4" x 1 1/4" diameter.

 William Beatty reportedly started making axes and edge tools in Waterville, Pennsylvania in 1806. William was one of three sons born to Thomas Beatty, a farmer who had immigrated from Ireland in the last quarter of the 1700s. William's two brothers, John C. and Robert C. were also quite active in the business of making edge tools. William's son, William P.(enn) was active under a few different company names. There were additional Beattys whose names also appeared on tools. One was Thomas F. and another T. Beatty . Still others included R. H. Beatty, J. Beatty and possibly J. C. and J. F. Beatty.
   The interaction between the family members included some individuals with the name Ogden. The families were connected through marriage as well as through the various businesses.  
   The exact years in which the sons John C. and William P. were involved in business with the father and/or each other are somewhat confusing. It appears that at times they were working independently and at other times they were working together. William, the father, is reported to have died in 1843 which means the business was carried on by at least one son and possibly more at various times.
    The variations of the name on artifacts add to the confusion due to the inclusion of different locations and different devices or logo variations. There were different locations involved at various times, some names of which appeared on different tools. Those other locations include Media and Village Green. Philadelphia is also sited as a location but it is believed that was the location of a business office and not a manufactory.  
     Some time around 1905, John B.(eatty) Black Co. took over the entire operation and continued to offer all the Beatty labels along with one called ROYAL.
    By the 1920s changing technologies and the wide spread financial difficulties plaguing the country resulted in the company going into receivership. In 1924 Philip A. Wright bought all the assets at auction. Shortly thereafter, Clifton B. Drake acquired the remaining tools and via some arrangement with Wright proceeded to dispose of those tools.