Tiverton, Heathcotes Lace Factory

[janjim]

I wonder if anyone could assist me at all.    I have records that our GG Grandfather Thomas Saunders b. 1793 at Tiverton Devon, was employed as a Laceman/Warehouseman to John Heathcote & Co., in Tiverton, such company still in existence.    There was a School attached to the business called Heathcote School, which commenced in 1843 where the retail shop still continues to this day.   

I have had contact with the Company and they have advised to get records on Thomas Saunders employment which are available through the National Archives.   As I live in Australia, physical access to the records is not possible.   Thomas Saunders moved to London before 1840, so I am looking to confirm employment records prior to this date.

Could someone please put me in the right direction on how to go about finding this information.

Regards

janjim

[silvertonhistory]

I suggest that you send an e-mail to the Tiverton Museum Library at research[at]tivertonmuseum.org.uk They hold many of the original records from the Heathcote factopry so if your ancestor was employed there, he will be inmcluded.
Regards
Silvertonhistory

[janjim]

Thanks so much, I will try this

jan

[Ringrose]

Have just visited Knightshaye the ancestral home for the Heatcotes and weretold that the factory is still operational so you could approach them direct.
Ringrose

[silvertonhistory]

Although the factory is still operating the employment records from the days when it was family owned as I said previously have been lodged at the Tiverton Museum Library.

[janjim]

Hi Silverton,
Yes, thanks for that, I will try the Museum

[marypadoeggggg]

Hi, janjim I have just found my 2ND/ great grandparents. They were lacemakers. William Norrish married.. Elizabeth Saunders, Tiverton 1848.. Born 1827/28 ..
They had, 3 children, William 1851.. My G/Grandfather
... Edwin 1853..
Thomas 1862...
Elizabeth Saunders passed away between 1862 & 1883. William Norrish came to Australia after her death. I wonder if we are related on the Saunders side. Elizabeth being my GG/Grandmother.
 I have gone back to my 5Th Great Grandparent Daniel Norrish &
Margaret ( nee Greensland ) Married Cruwys Morchard.. 18-1-1749. They were lacemakers too.
 If anyone can help in me finding Relatives That would be wonderful. I also live in Australia,QLD. Thanks, Jan Pugh.

[janjim]

Hi Jan,
This is good to get your posting.  We have been researching this Saunders family for quite some time.     I have had assistance with researchers on Roots chat in this regard, and so far we have come up with our William Saunders b. 1832 being son of Thomas Saunders b. 1793 Warehouseman, Laceman from Tiverton.

Have you done any research, further back in regard to your Elizabeth Saunders who married William Norrish?   It seems inevitable that we must be part of the same family, all being involved in the Lacemakers trade.

So far with our family, presumably getting the research right, Thomas Saunders b. 1793 had siblings
Henry b. 1785, Elizabeth b. 1788, Sarah b. 1791, Robert b. 1791 and George b. 1795, all born at Tiverton.    Our Thomas Saunders (the Laceman) married Eliza Taylor (no marriage date known), from this relationship, came (1) our GG Grandfather William Saunders b. ? Tiverton area (Uffculme maybe) who married Maria Cox, (2) Sarah Saunders b. 1840 London and Henry Saunders b. 1845 London.

Our William Saunders died in 1863, not long before the birth of his son William George Saunders b. 1864 St. Johns Wood, London.   His wife Maria migrated to Australia in 1866 with son William George Saunders.  We would love to know more about our Saunders family in England.

I did visit Tiverton in 2010, but did not know enough about the Saunders family or  not the time to spend more time researching this family, though I have some great photos of the Heathcote Factory and old schoolhouse.

jan

[marypadoeggggg]

Hi, thanks for your reply. I have known for 1 week my line goes back to Tiverton & have been reading as much as I can on the net. A very Pretty place. Love to go there one day.

No I have no info on Saunders family. When I saw your post I thought perhaps we could be from the same line. I will try the Saunders when I finish Norrish.

Norrish is on my mum`s/  dad`s side.
 On my Mum`s /mothers line I am related to the first fleet which has been a thrill to find.
I am new to this & finding it very exciting. 
I am still working out how this site works.
Lets hope for more news on the Saunders line. Bye for now. Jan