The Pembertons were a long-established West Midlands family. Roger Pemberton was Mayor of Walsall in 1509 and one of his descendants was Samuel Pemberton (1704-84) who was a jeweller and toymaker in Snow Hill, Birmingham who registered several silver marks at Birmingham Assay Office between 1773 and 1801. His son Samuel Pemberton (1738-1803) was a Guardian of the Assay Office in 1793. Other Pembertons participated in the silver trade including another Samuel Pemberton (17771-1836) and Thomas Pemberton (1776-1830). They were in partnership with Roger Mitchell from c.1812 to 1821. Thomas Pemberton was a Guardian of the Assay Office from 1824 until 1830.']