'Correct representation of the British Needle & Fish Hook Mills'. The diagram is dated 1840, and shows the factory owned by Samuel Thomas, Lionel Britton's maternal great-grandfather, which stood on Prospect Hill in Redditch, Worcestershire. Thomas was one of the town's biggest employers, with a workforce of over one hundred. Virtually all that remains of the building is the facade, part of which Thomas lived in
from the late 1830s until his death in 1878, and is shown here.
I am trying to get in touch with any family or friends of a Maud Harbon, who worked for The British needle Company from 1923 to 1948...presumably in Redditch.Thank you.Vicki and Graham Wilson
ReplyDeleteThat's not a question I can answer, but maybe someone out there can.
ReplyDeleteHi i'm trying to research a windmill used for needle manufacture which apparently stood in redditch built by william sheward 1780 on the right of back hill going up where front hill joined it, refered to as mount pleasant needle works? alledged to have been demolished 1889/90 but was not a conventional windmill theres appears a tower /circular disc on the o/s maps of the 1880s. unusually the vertical mills were all linked to stephen hooper and built kent/ london/ sussex.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Sheward was the oldest son of Moses Sheward . Moses and brother John initiated the Redditch Quaker Meeting house in 1704 they are touted as the pioneers in the needle making business in Redditch. William inherited Moses estate era 1750 to 1760 and continued in the needle making business. William was married to a Bradley who I am assuming was the family also in the local needle making business. Both Moses (and William in later years) lived on a farm near Boeley This is my wife's family any info on them would be welcome!
ReplyDeleteFrom recent research on this family I believe the windmill was a horizontal tube with sails inside it. This info is readily available in Google searches and Patent searches.
Lancaster Ohio USA