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Ropemaking in Handsworth 1820s

CeliaRenshaw

CeliaRenshaw

New Member
I'm researching a Thomas JACKSON (born 1806 to a ropemaking family in Ilkeston, Derbyshire). In the Birmingham Trade Directories of 1827, 1828, 1829 he is listed as a Ropemaker in Handsworth. This seems to be before the well-known Wright's ropemaking factory started there in the 1830s, which was after Thomas had emigrated to Reading, Pennsylvania in 1829-30. I'm trying to find out where he would have worked in Handsworth in the late 1820s - would the famous Boulton & Watt employ ropemakers? Is it possible he had his own set-up at the early age of 21 to 23? Any historians of Handsworth who could give me some clues please?
 
CeliaRenshaw said:
I'm researching a Thomas JACKSON (born 1806 to a ropemaking family in Ilkeston, Derbyshire). In the Birmingham Trade Directories of 1827, 1828, 1829 he is listed as a Ropemaker in Handsworth. This seems to be before the well-known Wright's ropemaking factory started there in the 1830s, which was after Thomas had emigrated to Reading, Pennsylvania in 1829-30. I'm trying to find out where he would have worked in Handsworth in the late 1820s - would the famous Boulton & Watt employ ropemakers? Is it possible he had his own set-up at the early age of 21 to 23? Any historians of Handsworth who could give me some clues please?
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hi and welcome...it could be difficult to find out much more info as thomas emigrated before our census started...you say he is listed in the directories as living at handsworth...do you have an exact address in handsworth ? also do you have the name of his parents ?

lyn
 
Aris’s Gazette, April 1829.
Looks like his property being sold for non-payment of rent ?

IMG_1155.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Pedrocut said:
Aris’s Gazette, April 1829.
Looks like his property being sold for non-payment of rent ?

View attachment 221981
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thats great pedro as it does answer celias question of did thomas have his own rope business (which he did ).the newspaper article is dated april 1829 so it does look like thomas owned rent money..sold up and emigrated...the mention of his business near to the red lion pub is interesting ..there is still a red lion pub on the soho road handsworth however it is a rebuild but i would think the original pub would have been very close by..when i have a min i will check the red lion/soho road thread as i think there could be a photo of the original red lion..

lyn
 
Astoness said:
hi and welcome...it could be difficult to find out much more info as thomas emigrated before our census started...you say he is listed in the directories as living at handsworth...do you have an exact address in handsworth ? also do you have the name of his parents ?

lyn
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The 1828 directory just says "Handsworth" - nothing else.
 
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