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Glass Discussion & Research. NO IDENTIFICATION REQUESTS here please. => British & Irish Glass => Topic started by: Dave Tate on February 29, 2008, 08:03:20 PM

Title: Help to identify an old glass works in London
Post by: Dave Tate on February 29, 2008, 08:03:20 PM

My grandfather,William John Tate,born 1823 in Kingsland MDX,lived at 1 Magpie Court,London at the time of the 1881 census. he was a stoker in a glass factory. Has anyone any info on the location, name etc of the glass factory or any suggestion as to where to look.  Thanks Dave Tate, Torbay,Auckland,New Zealand.

Title: Re: Help to identify an old glass works
Post by: Lustrousstone on February 29, 2008, 08:42:19 PM

Magpie (Magpye, Magpy) Court (Alley) seems to have been in Aldersgate. I can find mention of a Glasshouse Yard west of Aldersgate Street. And here (http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:Ze4ZiJI0swoJ:www.catalyst.org.uk/download/Historical/Whiffen%2520and%2520Sons%2520(Fisons%2520Commemorative%2520Booklet)%2520no%2520graphics.doc+%2Baldersgate+%2Bglass&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=26&gl=uk) there is mention of a chemical company in Aldersgate St having its own glass works, scroll down

Title: Re: Help to identify an old glass works
Post by: Dave Tate on March 01, 2008, 03:15:29 AM

Thanks Christine.
Will look at some old maps.  Dave

Title: Re: Help to identify an old glass works
Post by: David E on March 01, 2008, 11:42:25 AM

Dave, there are many UK map sites online where you may be able to locate the glassworks. Try searching on google.co.uk for 'historical maps'

www.old-maps.co.uk is a good place to start

Title: Re: Help to identify an old glass works
Post by: Frank on March 01, 2008, 11:51:17 AM

There were a lot of glassworks in that area and in that time frame, many short-lived. The best way to identify them would be from trade directories that libraries in the area probably hold. If you do this it would be very valuable if you write down all of the companies you locate and post them here. Armed with a company name it is a lot easier to get some more information. One problem being that many glassworks would have had an office/showroom in London and this might not be obvious from the directory entries. Others would have only been decorators and not need a stoker.

A few names to start the list all existed c1900

Alfred Alexander - Fenchurch St & other location in UK - bottles
Burtles Tate, Farringdon road, probably only a showroom
Curle - Hackney - bottles
Eclipse - Clapton - bottles
John Hall - Pancras Rd
T & W Ide, Glasshouse fields