This is the last remaining former ribbon-weaving factory in Coventry; it stands in New Buildings and was occupied by Exchange and Mart in the 20th century. It had been standing derelict, but was rescued and turned into flats in 2002. Today you can see it clearly from the walkway that leads over the ruins of the old Coventry cathedral towards the steps down to the Visitor’s Centre. Fortunately the conversion has maintained the character and appearance of the building.
The silk weaving trade in Coventry
Coventry had been involved in the silk trade since the 17th century. Originally silk was woven on hand-looms in people’s houses. There was considerable opposition to mechanisation but eventually factories like this replaced home-working. By the middle of the 19th century, half the working population of Coventry was employed in the silk industry. Imported silk was ‘thrown’ (twisted and doubled) then dyed and finally woven in factories like this. They made ribbons for trimming Victorian ladies’ dresses and bonnets and other articles out of silk. This factory may have been the one rented out to George and William Herbert in the 1820s: they were listed in a trade directory as Silk Throwsters of New St. Coventry and Brandon Mills.
Did you or your ancestors work in the silk trade in Coventry? Do tell us about it if so.
Comments
My ancestors worked in a Silk Factory in Coventry. They lived in Bedworth in 1851. One named Daniel Jephcote worked as a Ribbon Weaver of Silk aged 17. The other was his sister aged 14 who was a Ribbon Winder. Can you tell me anything more?
There’s a booklet called ‘The Silk Industry’ in the Shire Publications series that explains the processes well (including silk winding). If you’re able to visit Coventry the Herbert Museum certainly used to sell booklets about the local industry: ‘Still Weaving: J & J Cash Ltd of Coventry’, ‘Silken Weave: a History of Ribbon Making in Coventry from 1700 to 1860’ and ‘Plain and Fancy: Coventry Ribbon Weaving’. They have excellent displays about this local industry too.
My ancestor Hannah Harrison Lowe served as an apprentice to the silk ribbon weaving industry as a young child, aged 14 years. She lived in Bulkington near Bedworth and claimed that her parents, the Lowe family were not her real parents. (Hannah has her own Facebook page as there is a mystery about her origins). Hannah served as an apprentice for 3 months without pay and half of what she earned for the remainder of the term. Hannah boarded at a public house on the corner of Union Street.
My ancestor Sarah Miller described herself as a silk ribbon weaver on each of the census returns from 1841 through to 1861. Sadly, shortly after this last census she died from breast cancer. Her marriage is something of a mystery. She had three children by a George Miller, and came from Foleshill, moving eventually into the city. I’ve found absolutely no record of her marriage and don’t know what her maiden name was. Her children were George, Eliza and Henry. Eliza married a William Perkins, and they are my Great Great Grandparents, making Sarah my Great Great Great Grandmother. I’d love to find anyone who might be related to the sons George and Henry. I’m also interested in what being a silk ribbon weaver would have entailed.
It’s good to hear from those descended from silk workers (and I recommend the books I mentioned in a previous comment if you want to learn more about this interesting industry.) Angela – you might like to contact the Coventry Family History Society who could publish a request for people related to your great- (however many!) uncles in their Journal.
There are some excellent silk pictures at Compton Verney. One mentions Coventry in the write up.
My grandmother’s grandma was Emily Bird, a direct descendent of William Bird who in the 1700s employed about 2,000 people in Coventry’s silk industry, a large percentage of Coventry’s total workforce in those times. He became Coventry’s MP.
Several of my Coventry and Bedworth ancestors were silk weavers. Whole families were engaged in the trade with the father weaving, mother warping and the children winding bobbins.
Some continued as hand-loom weavers until late in the 19th century.
My ancestor, William Stanton and family, emigrated to Nelson in 1842, reputed to be ribbon weavers and related to the Makepeace family of lace and watch makers. He was listed as brick layer but never worked as one -perhaps he chose an occupation to get an assisted passage.
This is an Interesting site.
My Great Great Grandmother (paternal) Hannah Maria Pearman was a ribbon weaver, as was her husband (Arthur), Mother, and one other child. On Hannah’s death certificate it’s stated Ribbon Weaver (retired) although she was only 52 yrs old. Would love to know more. She lived in Norfolk Street, Coventry.
Thank you for this interesting article.
My 3 times Great Grandfather, Thomas Hammerton and his family lived on New Buildings in the 1840s. At first he was a millwright and publican, then in his 50s when his wife died, he changed to being a ribbon dresser; his two eldest daughters (19 years and 17 years) were ribbon weavers.
Sally Smalley, Thomas Hammerton is also my 3xGGF!!
I would love to know what else you know about him.
His son Robert is my 2xGGF.
My mother Phyllis Whitmore was a silk worker at Linnets in Foleshill in 1950s. Do you have a photograph of Linnets factory?
In my family history I have Dominique/Dominic Dillon silk dyer of Coventry born 1805 the son of Dominick Dillon Silk Dyer born c.1778 in Coventry. He was the son of Dominic Dillon born c1750. Some siblings of both Dominics were also silk dyers. A wife, Mary Ann Dillon was a silk winder.
Hi, I am a Sheldon. I’m related to the Sheldons in England that travelled also, but were in Devon, Derbyshire, and Warwickshire. Some also went to New Zealand. I understand the Sheldons also held coat of arms of Henry V.
My maternal grandmother, Elizabeth Liggins, was sent to Coventry from Birmingham as an eight year old child. She originally worked for her cousins, but as she got older helped in their shop in Swanswell Street until time to go to work. Her first job at Thomas Stevens silk weaving then she moved to The Lee Mills, Pool Meadow making sailor’s hat bands. She started work at 6 am, and said if you were a second late the gate was locked and 15 minutes pay docked form your wages.
My 3x Grt Grandmother Sarah Swain 1810 -1902 was a Silk Weaver in Coventry – I’m so proud, only just found out lol!
We are researching my wife’s family history. Her nee name is Lingwood and her ancestor John Lingwood was born in Coventry in 1779. He was a silk weaver and moved to London around 1800 to work there as a weaver. He had a brother Richard Lingwood who also was a silk Weaver. We are trying to find out more about John’s parents who we believe were John and Mary Lingwood. Can you advise us at all?
You could try contacting the Coventry Family History Society who might be able to help.
Thanks for the information on this site, I have been trying to find out about Coventry silk dyers. My gt gt grandfather John Beaufoy was a silk dyer and living in Spon Street, Coventry in the 1850s- 860s (his son Herbert, my gt gt grandfather, migrated to NZ in 1869). I don’t know if the business was also at the Spon Street address or elsewhere in Coventry, any further information gratefully received.
In the 1851 census around half the workers in Coventry were involved in the silk industry, so there were lots of factories involved. I’m afraid it’s therefore almost impossible to work out exactly where anyone was working.
My ancestors the Milliners, Thomas, his second wife Pheby Miles Milliner and son from first marriage James, his wife Emily Marston Milliner who worked a power mill after Thomas died in Leigh Street of pneumonia in 1853 and in 1851 were working in Little Park Street.
James first worked in the Harnall mill then after four children died came to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on the Light Brigade on the 16 May 1863 where James died aged 53 and Emily Marston Milliner (descendant of the Shakespeares) died in 1908.
My ancestors Henry and Mary Sansom worked in the Coventry Silk industry in the 1850’s and 60’s. He was a weaver and she was a ribbon filler. They lived at Hyde’s yard, Holy Trinity and then at no.6 court 14, West Orchard. Mary must have died as not listed on 1861 census.
It would be interesting to find our where he came to Coventry from. I am not local to the area and am interested in visitig when Covid restrictions allow..
I would be interested to find out if they are listed in your records
I have been researching my family tree for many years and have silk weavers who lived in Albert Street – James and William Bednell 1881/1891 census. The 1871 census has James Bednell living in Inchley Buildings, Albert Street.
I have read these comments & enquiries with interest . In my family I have Joseph Courts , born 1795 in Shoreditch , London. I can’t find his parents but on the Census ‘s this is his birthplace . Was he of Huguenot descent, did his family go to Coventry because they could continue in the silk weaving / ribbon weaving trade ? He married & he & his wife had several children . There was one son Amos but he died without issue so I’ve not been able to follow the family through . One daughter ( Hannah)married into my Radburn / Warner family which I am able to follow quite easily. Any info would be most appreciated.
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