I have no family interest, but the Gingerbeer heading sparked my attention while searching for my Derbyshire connections!
I think your delusions of grandeur are not delusions!
As a point of interest, it struck me that:
Frederick was possibly already in business as a Confectioner.
His trade was a baker.
Traditional Gingerbeer is made from water, sugar, ground ginger and... bakers' yeast! (And could be very alcoholic!)
It seems likely to me that Frederick began making Gingerbeer as a sideline, which became very popular locally.
He probably formed a symbiotic relationship with W.E.B - using Burrows' Spa Water for his beer at 12-16 Woods Lane.
My own family were Lace Manufacturers, down the road in Long Eaton, and in the censuses the enumerators often used
lace maker and
lace worker interchangeably as terms for unspecified workers in the lace industry. The term
lace manufacturer was only used for company owners or directors.
Similarly, a Gingerbeer Manufacturer would almost certainly have been an owner or director.
Finally, Fred was living by
independent means when his son married, which means that he was not an employee - and certainly not labouring! All this before he died at 36! Maybe he sold out to B&S, made a fortune, and retired to the pub he
bought?
Did the censuses state if he had employees?
Perhaps he was a partner or director in Burrows' business, running the Gingerbeer production?
So feel as grand as you like,
and check for Frederick's name in the National Archives, Derby records and the University of Nottingham archives for any business records they may have!
And, call back and let us know what you find.
