In 1854 William Jackson and Joseph Green jointly applied for a patent for an improvement in mortising machines. In 1861, Jackson applied for a further improvement. We have seen a cast iron mortising machine bearing the inscription, "W Jackson Leeds Makers Patented". We have also seen—and now own—a very similar mortiser, based on the same Jackson and Green patent but made by John Clark, also of Leeds.

Wm. Jackson, of the Olive Branch Works in Leeds, manufactured his patent mortising machine until at least 1870.

Information Sources

• The September 1854 issue of The Artizan has a list of patent applications . Dated 1854-07-31, number 1854, was J. Green and W. Jackson of Leeds, for mortising machines.
• The 1854-12-08 Journal of the Society of Arts for 1854-12-08 lists "Patents Sealed" on 1854-11-24, number 1686: "Joseph Green and William Jackson, Leeds—Improvements in mortising machines."
• The 1855-02-24 Mechanics' Magazine has a list of patents recently filed.

  Green, Joseph, and William Jackson, both of Leeds, York, machinists. Improvements in mortising-machines. Patent dated July 31, 1854 (No. 1686.)

  This invention consists in the application to mortising-machines of a hollow rack, or its equivalent, through which the spindle of the cutting tool passes, for raising and lowering the cutting tool, in place of the spindle generally used for that purpose, which has teeth all round it.

• The January-June 1855 issue of The Repertory of Patent Inventions: And Other Discoveries and Improvements lists "Patents Sealed", including "1686. Joseph Green and William Jackson, both of Leeds, York, Machinists, for Improvements in Mortising machines.—Dated July 31, 1854. Sealed November 28, 1854."
• The July-December 1857 issue of The Repertory of Patent Inventions, and Other Discoveries and Improvements lists "Patents on which the third year's stamp duty has been paid", including "1686. Joseph Green and William Jackson, of Leeds, for mortising machines.—Dated July 31, 1854."
• The 1861-06-07 Journal of the Society of Arts lists patent applications, including one of 1861-05-15, number 1243, was W. Jackson of Leeds, for Improvement in mortising machines.
• The 1861-09-27 The Mechanics' Magazine carries a list of "Notices of intention to proceed with patents", including "1243. W. Jackson. Mortising machines."
• Chronological Index of Patents Applied For and Patents Granted, for the Year 1861, lists "Jackson / 15th May 1861. 1243. William Jackson, of Leeds, in the County of York, Machine Maker, for an invention for—'Improvements in mortising machines.' Letters Patent sealed."
• The 1863 edition of John Timbs' Year Book of Facts in Science and Art.

  New Mortising Machine
  This invention, by William Jackson of Leeds, consists of "Improvements in Mortising Machine," connecting the hand lever of a mortising machine to the apparatus which carries the cutting tool by means of a link, so as to produce the required vertical motion of the cutter or chisel. The spindle to which the cutting tool is fixed passes through an upright casting, or box, or cylinder fixed upon the spindle. These two parts move together vertically; but the spindle has an independent axial motion, so that the position of the cutter may be altered when required. The cutting operations is effected by bringing down the chisel by means of the hand lever; and the wood under operation may be moved forward as required by means of the toothed gearing connected with the moveable bed on which the wood is secured.

• The 1864-05-27 The London Gazette has a list of "Patents which have become void" due to non-payment of "the additional Stamp Duty of £50 before the expiration of the third year from the date of such Patents", including "1243. William Jackson, of Leeds, in the county of York, Machine Maker, for an invention of 'improvements in mortising machines.'—Dated 15th May, 1861."
• The 1866 Directory of Leeds lists "Jackson Wm. Crown pt. rd" under Machine and tool makers.
• The 1870 Directory of Leeds lists "Jackson Wm. (pat. morticing), Olive Branch works, Crown Point road" under Machine and tool makers.