brass 4-holed button

[GTB]

I wonder if any information can be forthcoming concerning this 4-holed brass 'utility' (fly, trouser/shirt) button, inscribed on one side 'J. STOVEL. TORONTO).
A detector find from an area rich in military artefacts and that has given up literally hundreds of such buttons, although this one is a one-off.
Would appreciate a time-frame if possible.

GTB

[rexb]

I hope this is not misleading. I have a Post Office Department Canada button, backmarked "J. STOVEL 158 NEW BOND ST". Kelly's Directory of London 1861 recorded Joseph Stovel, tailor at that address. The 1846 edition listed him as a military tailor at 1 Suffolk Place, Pall Mall East, (and the 1865 edition showed a James Stovel, tailor, at 36 George Street, Hanover Square). Whether or not the London Joseph Stovel had a branch in Toronto I do not know, but the POD Canada button may be a clue.

Rex

[GTB]

Thanks, Rex, for your input.
I tried googling Joseph Stovel Toronto, and came up with the following:
"Born at 3 Essex Place, London...4 children. Of all Henry's children,
Joseph was the only one who did not go to Canada with him in 1850. Though
only 16 he stayed in London to learn tailoring. Eventually he went to
Winnipeg and did very well as a tailor but lost everything in a real
estate crash. Came to Toronto to join Samuel in the tailoring
business. Later he left to start a shop of his own."
Died c1877 but apparently there was another Joseph who then ran the business. That is as close as I have got.

GTB