William Beatson (1819-1872) was the son of Francis Beatson, a cap and ferrule manufacturer.  He followed his father’s trade and in the 1860s was based in South Street.  He died on 27 June 1872, leaving £450.  He had several sons:  Charles (1843-1910), Sandy (1846-1881), William (c.1850-?), and Albert (1857-?).   Charles, Sandy, and William formed William Beatson & Sons, Albion Works, Fitzwilliam Street.  It registered a silver mark in 1879 and another in May 1881, when Sandy Beatson registered his own mark from Continental Works, Milton and Headford Street.   Within two weeks of the dissolution of the partnership with his brothers, Sandy – depressed and drinking heavily – on 23 June 1881 cut his throat with a razor (Derby Daily Telegraph, 24 June 1881).  He was aged 35 and was buried in the General Cemetery, leaving £394 to his widow Sarah and six children.   Sandy Beatson’s son (also named Sandy) registered a silver mark in 1891 from Cornwall Works, Norfolk Lane.  

In the late nineteenth century, Charles Beatson operated William Beatson & Sons, Fitzwilliam Street.  He lived in Furnace Hill and also maintained the family tradition of victualing by running the Union Inn.  He registered further silver marks in 1899 and 1910.  He died on 26 July 1910 and was buried in Ecclesall, leaving £5,298 and the cap and ferrule business to his widow, Sarah Ann.   In the interwar period, Charles’s and Sarah’s two sons – George Albert and Walter – directed the Fitzwilliam Street business, which was last listed in 1957.