Peter Kirk (1805-1875)
It is said that an iron foundry was established at Town End, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, in about 1770 by Peter’s grandfather Thomas Kirk, and his brother Henry. The names Henry, Thomas and Peter appear in multiple family groups and generations making it difficult to track the business interests of this family in the Georgian period.
Peter was born in 1805 in Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, (bap 29 Sep), son of Henry Kirk (1783-1848) and Jane née Oliver. Peter had two younger brothers, Henry (1807-1859) and Thomas (1821-1869). Peter’s father was in partnership with his own brother (also Peter) in the iron works at Town End, Peter quitting that partnership in 1822.<London Gazette - 20 Aug 1822</Ref>
1830 Peter married Hannah Oliver 7 Jun 1830 at Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire.
1841 Wife Hannah died 3 Apr 1841. Peter described as “of Peter Kirk and Sons, Iron Master,” Townend”.[1] Given that Peter’s sons were still children, this is probably a misprint, should perhaps read Henry Kirk and Sons.
1841 Census – Peter Kirk, Iron Founder, Henry Kirk (his brother) Iron Founder, both of Bowden Edge, Chapel-en-le-Frith, and Henry Kirk (his father) Iron Founder of Town End, Chapel-en-le-Frith. Youngest brother Thomas is shown living with his parents, without occupation.
1842 Directory entry – Henry Kirk, Iron manufacturer, Chapel-en-le Frith.[2]
1848 Death of Peter’s father, Henry Kirk of Town End, (1783-1848) Chapel-en-le Frith.
1849 Directory entries – Chapel-en-le-Frith - Henry and Peter Kirk, iron founders. Thomas Kirk, iron founder.
1851 Census – Iron Founder, Partner in the firm Peter Kirk and Brothers, emp 24 men. Resided Townend, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire. Married with 4 children, Henry, Thomas Peter and Ann. The 3 boys all became iron founders, whilst Ann was to marry Charles James Valentine, who was to later be Peter Kirk the younger’s business partner. Note also that Peter senior’s younger brothers Henry (1807-1859) and Thomas (1823-1869) are similarly entered as partner in the firm Peter Kirk and Brothers.
1853 "NOTICE is hereby given, that the Partnership carried on by the undersigned, Peter Kirk, Henry Kirk, and Thomas Kirk, as Iron Manufacturers, and Brass and Iron Founders, at Chapel-en-le-frith, in the county of Derby, under the firm of Peter Kirk and Brothers, was this day dissolved by mutual consent so far as concerns the said Peter Kirk ; and in future the business will be carried on by the said Henry Kirk and Thomas Kirk, on their own account, who will pay and receive all debts owing from or to the said partnership in the regular course of trade.—As witness our hands this 24th day of January, 1853.[3] Henry and Thomas continued the Town End business, though Henry left in 1859 and died later that year. Thomas died in 1869.
1854 It is stated that Peter left Chapel-en-le-Frith and, with his sons, established the Star Iron Works on New Bridge Lane, Brinnington, Stockport.[4] This appears to be the case as Peter Kirk was recorded as wrought iron manufacturer in Stockport in April 1854.[5]. However, the ownership of the firm is a puzzle. In November, contributors to a Stockport Patriotic Fund included Henry Kirk and “The Workmen of the Star Iron Works per Mr H Kirk”.[6] A directory entry in 1855 records Henry Kirk, Star Iron Works, Newbridge Lane, Stockport.[7] Who this Henry Kirk was is not clear.
1857 Directory entries – Henry Kirk (executors of), Star Iron Works, Iron manufacturer and iron founder. Peter Kirk, resident 19 Hall Street, Stockport. [8] This implies that the Henry Kirk in question had died, or was bankrupt, but no record of either has been found.
1858 "NOTICE is hereby given, that the Partnership, trade or business, heretofore subsisting between us the undersigned. Peter Kirk, of Hatherlow, in the county of Chester, Iron Manufacturer, and Frederick Charles Perry, of Wolverhampton, in the county of Stafford, Iron Master, and carried on at Stockport, in the county of Chester, as Iron Manufacturers, under the style or firm of the Trustees of Henry Kirk, - was on the 22nd day of February last dissolved by mutual consent. The said trade or business will in future be carried on by the undersigned F. C. Perry alone, who will receive and pay all debts due to, and owing by the said firm. As witness our hands this 12th day of May, 1858".[9]
1860 Directory entry - Trustees of Henry Kirk, Newbridge Lane, Stockport, Iron founders. [10] By 1864 the Star Iron Works belonged to Nicholas Earle.[11]
1861 Census – Peter living with daughter Ann Valentine in Stockport. “Formerly farmer”[sic]
1861 Peter’s sons, Henry, Thomas and Peter established an iron smelting and rolling works at New Yard, Workington, trading as Kirk Brothers. Some accounts say that this was established by the elder Peter, but there is no evidence that this was the case.
1871 Census – Peter living with daughter Ann Valentine in Workington. “Formerly iron manufacturer”
Died 18 Sep 1875 in Workington. Buried in Chapel-en-le-Frith.[12]
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ Manchester Times - 10 Apr 1841
- ↑ Pigot's Directory of Derbyshire 1842
- ↑ London Gazette – 1 Feb 1853
- ↑ IMechE Obit of his son Henry
- ↑ (Grand Jury member) Chester Chronicle - 15 Apr 1854
- ↑ Stockport Advertiser and Guardian - 24 Nov 1854
- ↑ Slater’s Directory of Cheshire 1855
- ↑ Kelly’s Directory of Cheshire 1857
- ↑ London Gazette 14 May 1858
- ↑ White’s Directory of Cheshire 1860
- ↑ Morris’s Cheshire Directory 1864
- ↑ Hyde & Glossop Weekly News, and North Cheshire Herald - 25 Sep 1875