Framework Knitters, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire

[Frank E Masland]

Greetings to all FWK researchers from here in the US. I have recently completed a book about our family and am in the process of getting a publisher. It is entitled, "Weavers and Warriors, the Story of the Masland Family." Our roots are deep in the Midlands knitting trade and the book chronicles how the family fled the poverty of the stockingers in the early 1800's and came to America as soldeirs in the Duke of Cornwall's 32nd in Quebec, went  AWOL and relocated here. After many adventures and misadventures during our Mexican and Civil wars, the family reestablished the weaving trade in Philadelphia in 1866. 120 years later the business, C. H. Masland & Sons, was bought out for $117 million. It is a fascinating story.

Frank E. Masland IV
Carlisle, Pennsylvania, USA

[Jane Eden]

Hi Frank

Wow. What a tale to tell. I hope I will be able to get a copy. Have you managed to get lots of the information on the English ancestors? What part of the midlands were they from?

Jane

[Keith Sherwood]

Frank,
Would also very much like to get hold of a copy of your book, once it all gets published.  Perhaps you could PM me with details...
Very best wishes,
keith

[Jane Eden]

Hi Keith

I've just been looking at your photo on the Hastings meet. It looks as though you all had a good time. I haven't been on Rootschat for ages as I have been too busy with work and family stuff.


Jane

[Keith Sherwood]

Jane,
A bit windswept and gasping for a chip...Yes it was good, but a terrible pity that not more people joined we few for the day!
keith

[wilkipet]

Hi there, Like Jane I have been absent for some time. I am now doing an online degree in Archaeology with Leicester University. At present I am reading medieval and post medieval archaeology which takes me to the the industrial revolution.The FWK thread is extremely useful and I wonder if anyone objects if I use some of the material and pass the information to the dept and other students.
      The result of this study means we are returning to England permanently in September. Most problably to the Loughborough/ Coalville area.
Gerald

[Keith Sherwood]

Gerald,
Great news about all that academic activity of yours!  I'm sure no-one would mind if you dipped into this thread (maybe "unpicked a few strands" of this thread might be more appropriate).  Don't know whether you need to speak to one of the Moderators about it, though...
Very best wishes,
keith

[Frank E Masland]

Hi Frank

Wow. What a tale to tell. I hope I will be able to get a copy. Have you managed to get lots of the information on the English ancestors? What part of the midlands were they from?

Jane

Jane,

The book is in the hands of an editor and will be in print this fall (hopefully). I notice by your posting that you research the surname Burrows. In my book there is a Sarah Burrows who is mentioned many times in the letters of Sargeant Major Charles Masland. She was his sweetheart back in England and he was informed of her immigration to the U.S in the summer of 1846 in a letter that was taken from his body when he was killed in battle at the outset of the Mexican War. She was the daughter of Thomas Burrows and Phebe Hutchinson of Arnold, Nottinghamshire, born in 1813. I was wondering if that sounds like some of your clan.

Frank

[Keith Sherwood]

Frank,
Do let us know more details about your book nearer the time it comes out in the autumn, as I'm sure quite a few of us on here would be very interested in buying a copy.
And, Jane, where are you, this BURROWS connection, if indeed Sarah was one of yours, seems quite an incredible story on its own...
keith