pugin first had contact with the john hardmans during the construction of st chad's chapel, the forerunner to the cathedral scheme. john hardman junior, (1812–67), left the family business in 1838 and set up on his own to manufacture ecclesiastical metalwork. pugin employed hardman's to provide metalwork for st chad's cathedral. hardman was an enthusiastic donor, giving the rood screen to the cathedral and being recognised for his provision to various charities by the gift of the hardman chantry in which john hardman senior was interred in 1844, and which remained the family burial place.