Silk Mill Derby

[captainjackdi]

Thanks to you all for your information

[derby girl]

Dear Captain Jackdi
Pigots Directory of 1835 (Derbyshire) gives - Silk Manufacturers - Thomas Bridgett & Co, 68 Bridge St, Derby, Mark Brown (laces, cords etc), 9 George Street, Derby, Frost and  Stevenson, Queen Street Mill, in the City Road, derby, John Mellor (laces, sewing silks, cords, etc.) 5 Green Street, Derby, Jno & Thos Robinson, Sacheverell St, Derby, Wm Taylor (silk mills), Silk Mill Lane, Derby ( I think this was originally Lombe's mill), Wm Unsworth (laces, sewing silks, cords, etc.), Siddal's Lane, Derby, Robert Ward, 5 Full Stgreet, Derby, Wilson, Moore & Co, 2 Devonshire Street, Derby.    Silk Throwsters - Moore, Ambrose & Co, Depot mills, Derby, John Rawlings, 37 Nuns Street, Derby, Wm Taylor, Silk Mill Lane (i.e. Lombe's ?), Wright & Baker, 27 Agard Street, Derby.   There are also other firms involved in making silk hosiery and gloves, which would also probably employ outworkers.    Any help at all?
Regards
Derby Girl.

[amanda beavis]

Hi, I have a William Parkin Morley, who along with his twin brother John Patterson, had, in 1851 a Silk Throwster Corporation, employing 34 men, 150 women and 80 children. The brothers lived next door to each other, one at Depot Cottage, and one at Depot Mill, Normanton Road. If anyone has any information on this, I would really appreciate it - or some suggestions on how I can find out more about it. I don't know what it was called, unfortunately.
Many thanks
Amanda

[derby girl]

Dear Amanda    According to Pigot's 1835, Depot Mills were owned by Moore, Ambrose & Co.  There is also Glover's Directory of 1849 you could look up - I don't know if on the web - perhaps someone might go into the Local Studies Library on Irongate for you (I live in Yorkshire unfortunately) and see if they have anything there.  Otherwise, you might look for wills left by your relatives - they can be very informative.
Regards
Derby Girl

[derby girl]

On page 62 of Butterton's book on "The old Derby Silk Mill and its Rivals" he says the town expanded southwards after the sale of the Normanton and Castlefields estates,  and that four mills were built along Normanton Road, 3 of which were headed by members of the Morley family.  I'm sure Local Studies will be able to help you if you are able to visit. 
Regards
Derby Girl

[amanda beavis]

Thanks so much Derby Girl - Unfortunately I live in Australia, so can't visit  I will definitely look into in as much as I can on the web though - I will try to get in contact with the Local Studies and see if anyone there can help me.. Thanks again, much appreciated
Regards
Amanda

[derby girl]

Dear Amanda
What is shocking is that most of the employees would probably have been between the ages of 13 and 18, because the work was so fine and you needed  young fingers to do it.  Older people often worked out - weaving etc.
Regards
Derby Girl

[amanda beavis]

It definitely was shocking Derby Girl. On the 1851 census, it says that William and John employed 34 men, 150 women and 80 children - but I bet out of the 150 women, probably 90% were under 18.
I have been searching for the book you mentioned - Old Derby Silk Mill and it's Rivals, and and having a hard time trying to find it. It is not in any local libraries, or online. I have found 2 places I can buy it online, but one is in America and one in England, so really expensive. I might ask at our local Family History Association next time I go in - they may have some sort of access to it.
I have contacted the Local Studies and have received a reply from a very helpful lady, so will be following that up.
Thanks once again for your help.
Regards
Amanda

[derby girl]

Dear Amanda
Well I know this is a daft suggestion - but he published the book himself - he is Mr H E Butterton, 37 Windley Crescent, Darley Abbey, Derby DE22 1BY.  He might have a few copies left.  Yes, I know that's 13 years ago, and he could be long gone - but...... well, you never know.  Any help?  Since the address is on the book I haven 't worried about reproducing it here - but he also provides his telphone number if you want it.
Regards
Derby Girl