Nicholls, Mathews and Co
of Bedford Iron Works, Tavistock
1866 Formation of the partnership on the dissolution of Nicholls, Williams and Co
1868 Advertisement: 'TAVISTOCK IRON WORKS. HAVING purchased these well-known and extensive Premises, we take this opportunity of thanking our numerous friends and customers for the very liberal support with which we have been favoured during the past quarter of a century, at the Bedford Iron Works.
We now beg to inform you that our Hammer and Plating Mills are in full operation, and that we are in position to execute any orders for Steel and Iron Shovels of every description, Waggon and Cart Axles, Shear Moulds, and Heavy Shafts of all kinds, &c, at a short notice; these articles are being manufactured by the same workmen employed by the late firm of Messrs. Gill and Co. whose high reputation for the quality of their shovels in particular, secured them a-world-wide notoriety. We purpose giving especial attention to this branch of the business, and by selecting Iron from best Scrap and superior Steel, as well as workmanship, shall endeavour to maintain that fame for the durability and superiority of these Shovels already so well known. Fire Shovels for Gas Works and Engine Stokers, &c.
We would also direct your notice to the list of our Cast Steel Mining Tools, which are coming into general use, and are giving great satisfaction both at home and abroad. We also beg to announce to Gold Mining Companies, that we have given great attention to this branch of Machinery, supplied Foreign Mines largely, and are prepared to supply estimates for the same application, and Engineers can be sent for erecting, if required, to all parts of tbe world.
Your kind favours will at all times receive our best attention ; and, with our increased facilities, we are now in a position to execute all orders entrusted to our care, with promptness and dispatch.
We are, yours obediently, NICHOLLS, MATHEWS, & Co. Tavistock, September, 1868.'[1]
1879 'The firm of Nicholls, Matthews, and Co., engineers and boiler makers, Tavistock, have filed a petition in bankruptcy, estimating their liabilities at £12,000.'[2]