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Picken Matthew
- Thread starter WriteTheBook
- Start date
Pedrocut
Master Barmmie
This may be a complete red herring but the Wizzard Dust Extractor Company Limited of Frankfort Street went into voluntary liquidation in November 1914 and was put up for sale. Could Picken have bought it and used as part of the expansion.
Richard Dye
master brummie
If they had wire drawing processes back in the day, oil in many cases was used to quench the wire and would tend to smoke. The oil would be reused and each time get a little dirtier and cause more smoke. In some cases chemicals would be added to the oil to condition the wire, this in turn would make for “smelly” smoke.
MalcolmWalker
New Member
Sara, what a fascinating story! It sounds like Matthew Picken was quite an entrepreneur. You're right to try and get the details of Frankfort Street correct, especially as it relates to the growth of his business.
Back-to-back housing in Birmingham was notorious for being cramped, so a backyard factory seems unlikely unless those higher numbers were significantly different. The numbering system might hold the key. Could the street have been renumbered at some point? That might explain why no one in the later threads mentioned the 140s.
The local archives are your best bet for finding deeds and old maps. They might have plans that show the layout of those higher-numbered properties. Good luck with your research and your book!
Back-to-back housing in Birmingham was notorious for being cramped, so a backyard factory seems unlikely unless those higher numbers were significantly different. The numbering system might hold the key. Could the street have been renumbered at some point? That might explain why no one in the later threads mentioned the 140s.
The local archives are your best bet for finding deeds and old maps. They might have plans that show the layout of those higher-numbered properties. Good luck with your research and your book!
pjmburns
master brummie
Welcome to the Forum.
If you check post # 3 you will see there was confusion over schedule numbers (148, 151etc) and house numbers (not shown on earliest censuses).
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Pedrocut
Master Barmmie
The first mention of Macdonald Street that I can find is In August 1847, and Matthew is listed there in the 1851 census. As Janice says the number is not given but I would hazard a guess that he was one of the first to move into the street.
In 1847 there is an auction for “the shells of 6 new three quarter houses, buildings in a forward state. Properties in excellent situation and when finished will command good tenants, about 750 yards of land. Later in May 1954 there is the sale as shown below. In this it can be seen that Nos 6 to 11 have brewhouses and outffices, small garden in rear, together with well-lighted upper and lower shopping.
Mathew looks to have been an artisan who would have a fair standard of living before moving to Macdonald Street, he could have been one of those good tennants predicted.
In 1847 there is an auction for “the shells of 6 new three quarter houses, buildings in a forward state. Properties in excellent situation and when finished will command good tenants, about 750 yards of land. Later in May 1954 there is the sale as shown below. In this it can be seen that Nos 6 to 11 have brewhouses and outffices, small garden in rear, together with well-lighted upper and lower shopping.
Mathew looks to have been an artisan who would have a fair standard of living before moving to Macdonald Street, he could have been one of those good tennants predicted.
Pedrocut
Master Barmmie
A quick look at the 1851 census for Macdonald St. There is a Pocket book maker, Steel toy maker, Japanner, Picken the Machine fitter, Silver plater, Blacksmith, Paper mache worker and amongst a few others a Gun polisher. They look like skilled workers who could use their properties for business.
Pedrocut
Master Barmmie
If you do a search from 1860 +or- 10 years in the directories on ancestry for Matthew Picken it comes up with 3 interesting results.
In the 1862 Corporation Directory under Boring, turning and planing Mills it gives MP as at Morgan's mill, Macdonald St. One entry in 1868 Kelly's under Machinists it gives MP at Macdonald St. and 86 Summer Lane. Also in this directory under Macdonald Street it gives MP after Gee Street and Lower Hospital Street as machinist.
I seem to remember that Morgan Buildings have been mentioned somewhere.
86 Summer Lane mention is interesting. Looking in the same directory under 86 Summer Lane it does show MP !
In the 1862 Corporation Directory under Boring, turning and planing Mills it gives MP as at Morgan's mill, Macdonald St. One entry in 1868 Kelly's under Machinists it gives MP at Macdonald St. and 86 Summer Lane. Also in this directory under Macdonald Street it gives MP after Gee Street and Lower Hospital Street as machinist.
I seem to remember that Morgan Buildings have been mentioned somewhere.
86 Summer Lane mention is interesting. Looking in the same directory under 86 Summer Lane it does show MP !
Richard Dye
master brummie
Good question!
