He was a prominent figure in Northwich's affairs and was a Justice of the Peace, Deputy Lieutenant and County Alderman for Cheshire.

Joseph continued to live in Cheshire for a while but brought Garnstone Castle in Weobley, Herefordshire and eventually moved there with his sister Mary in 1900.

Having few descendants, they used their wealth to benefit the local community; they gave the Institute in Moulton which "provided facilities for the education of their workforce", the Victoria Infirmary (presented by Robert) and Verdin Park in Northwich.

[4][1][5] During the 1880s, salt production was thriving, but due to the increased pumping of brine from beneath the ground led to huge problems of subsidence, particularly in Winsford and Northwich.

Some money was used to endow the two schools and the remainder was to be used by the Trustees to "provide for technical and manual instruction and the establishment and maintenance of gymnasiums, infirmaries, hospitals, museums, or other charitable institutions] of a like character".