Hair Seating manufacturing in Sheffield

[Anonymous]

Hello – I’m researching my ancestors and 1 set of great great grandparents came from Market Drayton in Shropshire to live in Sheffield to work at what I think is a horse hair seating factory. Does anyone know anything about this, or could point me in the right direction?

According to 1881 census they were living at 3 Brook Lane, which is near Brook Hill at the junction with Upper Hanover Street and Netherthorpe Road. Presumably the factory would be within walking distance of there.

Many Thanks

Peter

[Anonymous]

Hi Peter,

 

I would suggest Samuel Laycock and Sons, Portobello Place ( corner of Portobello Street and Charlotte Street) . This would be 5 minutes walk from Brook Lane, just the other side of St George’s churchyard.  In 1884 there was a controversy regarding smells from Laycocks – when they were busy and the hair-washing water was poured down the sewer hot, it liberated noxious gases.

Cheers,

Edmund

[Anonymous]

Hi Edmund

Thanks for the reply, I was beginning to think no-one was going to reply. I had no idea there was a horsehair factory in Sheffield, although I know the name of Laycock from the engineering on Archer Road.

Thanks again, I’m very grateful.

Peter

[Author]

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