Calling all Paper Makers...

[Mutley]

Do you have paper makers as an occupation for your ancestors?
I found a reference on Google that says it is 'an unusual occupation'.
So.... if it is an unusual occupation? how many can we find?

I have paper makers in my tree from Kent, I thought they were ordinary fellows who worked in the mills alongside the river and I thought there were loads of mills.
I read that "In 1850 - Kent was home to 60 paper mills - many located in the Maidstone area."
Recently a new connection has moved mine to Sheffield and possibly elevated them to Paper Manufacturers. I thought Sheffield was known more for it's steel works, cutlers and the like.

I found a rather good rootsweb thread that did mention paper makers in Yorkshire but not a lot of references were to Sheffield. I found some in Scotland and on Genuki there is a good article about Welsh Mills.

However, wherever they may be, post them here on BG, feel free......

[radstockjeff]

I have a note from my wife's gggfather's obit (Edward B Smith d 1900) that he was manager for some time for for Gallon and Company, paper manufacturers of Felling Shore, Gateshead.

radstockjeff

[Thomasin]

I haven't any, but I notice that in 1911 there were 28 of them called Smith - 7 in Kent, 6 in Yorkshire, 4 in Lancashire, 2 in Hampshire, 1 in Devon, 1 in Flintshire, 2 in Durham, 2 in Buckinghamshire and 1 each in Staffordshire, Hertfordshire and Derbyshire.

In 1861 there were 78, and in 1851 there were 63.

[Coromandel]

Have a look at the British Book Trade Index at

http://www.
bbti.bham.ac.uk/search.htm

which includes many references to paper makers. You can search by surname and/or place name. The 'Book Trade' menu allows you to choose particular subsets e.g. papermakers, leather sellers.

You may find an entry of interest in Sheffield.

For some background info about paper making, see the website of the British Association of Paper Historians:

http://www.
baph.org.uk/

In its 'Reference Material' section there are contact details for someone who has a paper makers' index with around 12,000 entries.

[silentmolly]

Hi,

I have been researching the Fussells of Somerset (near Mells) who were papermakers. Thanks Coromandel for the link to bham.ac.uk records.

[Mutley]

I am researching Hearths in Sheffield and found one at bham.ac.uk records. It states the year of death of his wife.
Thanks Coromandel.

[Kerrywood]

Apart from the death of his wife, the BBTI record claims he was also known as HEATH.

In that case, perhaps this London Gazette entry and these other records refer to your John Selby HEA(R)TH, imprisoned in Maidstone for debt in the 1820s?

[Mutley]

Apart from the death of his wife, the BBTI record claims he was also known as HEATH.

In that case, perhaps this London Gazette entry and these other records refer to your John Selby HEA(R)TH, imprisoned in Maidstone for debt in the 1820s?

OMG! Kerrywood I don't know what to say....
It is probably the first time that the Mut is lost for words. I don't even know whether to laugh or cry.
I think I'll have a glass of wine, maybe even more than one....

[Kerrywood]

I think I'll have a glass of wine, maybe even more than one....

If it's a nice, fruity Portuguese red, I'll join you.

The records at Kent Archives are two of his 'day books' (account books) held amongst the quarter sessions records, ref. CKS-Q/C/I/28. I don't know if this link will work -- if it does, scroll down to #28.

They might be interesting to look at from the business point of view. If you email Kent Archives they should be able to tell you if it's practical to copy them, and the cost. Unless anybody lives in Maidstone and can just pop in for you ... ?

[Mutley]

Thank you Kerrywood. The link worked and I will email Kent Archives.

You are welcome to a glass of my red wine any time.