Ropemaking in Handsworth 1820s

[CeliaRenshaw]

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?

 

[Astoness]

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?

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

 

[Pedrocut]

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

 

[Astoness]

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

View attachment 221981

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

 

[Pedrocut]

This could be the family in Ilkeston, January 1813.

 

[pjmburns]

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

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

 

[Vivienne14]

For background. This is the former Red Lion Inn - this buildijg existed when Thomas Jackson had his nearby rope-making business. Rope walks were sometimes - I think - marked on maps, but they would be later than the early 1800s. However, Jackson's Handsworth business ceased in 1829, perhaps it continued as a rope works after that. Are there any rope walks marked on later maps near the Soho Road?

(For info. The top line of the sign reads "Red Lion Inn" but can't clearly make out the line beneath it, possibly "John Downes" The existing Red Lion came into being in 1902).

And another view of the old inn posted by the late Oldmohawk

 

[Astoness]

For background. This is the former Red Lion Inn - this buildijg existed when Thomas Jackson had his nearby rope-making business. Rope walk were sometimes - I think - marked on maps, but they would be later than the early 1800s. However, Jackson's Handsworth business ceased in 1829, perhaps it continued as a rope works after that. Are there any rope walks marked on later maps near the Soho Road?

(For info. The top line of the sign reads "Red Lion Inn" but can't clearly make out the line beneath it, possibly "John Downes" The existing Red Lion came into being in 1902).

And another view of the old inn posted by the late Oldmohawk

View attachment 221985
View attachment 221987

yes viv i believe it to be the original red lion...this from directories..i think soho street became soho road..i wonder if someone can find the rope making works marked on an old map please

lyn

1868 Kelly's lists a John Downes at the Red Lion Soho Street, Handsworth.

 

[Vivienne14]

As a matter of interest, there was still the remains of a rope walk site in Handsworth in the 1980s. All photos and captions below are from the Library of Birmingham Archives

Description:Old Rope Walk Site, Handsworth, as seen from the site of Soho Station. November 1981






And below a photo of the site in use in 1898
Description:Rope walk, Handsworth, looking towards Soho Road Station. 1898




Below: Description:Rope walk, Handsworth, c.1900. The rope making business was owned by Mr Haines but ceased at his death c.1914. This view is seen from the platform of Soho Road railway station.

 

[pjmburns]

It was Haynes. Harry Walter Haynes based at 46 Edgbaston Street. Est 1866
Works at Old Mint Ropery, Factory Road, Handsworth

 

[Astoness]

It was Haynes. Harry Walter Haynes based at 46 Edgbaston Street. Est 1866
Works at Old Mint Ropery, Factory Road, Handsworth

thanks jan..i think that rope works was quite a bit further down from the one thomas jackson ran

lyn

 

[Vivienne14]

This may be of interest, but not sure if the Soho Road address is just that rather than a rope works. (Source: BHF "see Birmingham by postcard" thread).

 

[mikejee]

There is more information on Haynes in thread " Haynes rope walk" am on mobilecso cannotcseem to post link, but search for this which should give thread

 

[pjmburns]

Is this it?

Thread 'Haynes Rope Walk'

May 1, 2025

Below are photos of a rope walk named the Old Mint Ropery, near Soho Station in Handsworth, which belonged to Harry Walter Haynes together with an 1880s map showing the position.






Access was via Factory Road, and the firm was founded by Richard & Henry Haynes in 1866. By 1876 they also had an office at 16 Livery Street. By 1878 they appear to have formed two separate parts, both with an association with the ropery, but Richard Haynes also at Livery street, while Harry Walter Haynes had an office at 54 Soho Road. Possibly the...

• mikejee

• 

 

[Astoness]

as we know thomas jacksons rope works was near to the red lion pub (original one) as far as we know the new red lion was built on the same ground..here is a street view of the rebuilt red lion and also below a street view of the railway line next to the haynes rope works..as we can see the red lion is quite a distance from the haynes rope works..thomas jacksons was a lot further up the soho road..the images of the haynes rope works at least may give celia an idea of what thomas jacksons rope works may have looked like

lyn

Street View · Google Maps

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Street View · Google Maps

Explore a place in a more immersive way in Google Maps.

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[Pedrocut]

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

View attachment 221981

Perhaps this indicates that the furnishings and equipment was sold, thus the premises was finished as far as rope making was concerned ?

 

[pjmburns]

Perhaps this indicates that the furnishings and equipment was sold, thus the premises was finished as far as rope making was concerned ?

It could be, as in 1835 directory there doesn't seem to be a Rope Makers on the Soho Road.

 

[Astoness]

It could be, as in 1835 directory there doesn't seem to be a Rope Makers on the Soho Road.

cant be certain jan but i think soho road or at least parts of it was called soho street before it became soho road..

lyn