Wilson, Walker and Co
of Leeds
Also referred to as Sheepscar Leather Works
1823 business established by John Wilson. See also Henry Walker.
1847 Moved to new purpose built works, giving employment to over 350 hands.[1]
1851 Prize for assortment of coloured sheep, Morocco and Calf leather. 1851 Great Exhibition[2]
1858 'Sheepscar Leather Works. The erection of these large and well-adapted works, for which Mr. W. D. Boothman was the contractor, being now nearly finished, Messrs. Wilson, Walker, and Co., on Thursday, presented to Mr. Boothman's foreman a splendid timepiece, with glass shade. The following inscription, inscribed on a steel plate, tells its own tale:- "Presented to William Nichols by Wilson, Walker, and Co., as a token of esteem for his care and efficiency during the erection of their Sheepscar Leather Works in 1857. Leeds, 2nd Month 6th, 1858."[3]
1871 'Wilson, Walker, and Co., of Sheepscar Leather and Glue Works'[4]
1875 'The late Mr. John Wilson was the founder of the business now carried by Messrs. Wilson, Walker, and Co. He originally commenced on a very unpretending scale in in the year 1823. Afterwards he removed to Leathley-lane, Hunslet, where for some years he carried on the business, and subsequently under the style Wilson, Armistead, and Co; but after the decease of Mr. Armistead, the firm assumed its present title. For several years the firm worked an establishment conjointly with the one at Hunslet; but in 1857 the works were considerably enlarged, and the concern at Hunslet was relinquished. The present works cover about two acres of ground, and contain some two and half acres of flooring....'[5]
1876 Members of the Iron and Steel Institute visited their leather works
1878 'Mr. George Tatham, of Leeds, leather manufacturer and merchant, and member of the firm of Wilson, Walker, and Co., employing 350 hands; said there were about 50 or 60 leather manufacturers in Leeds, and the number of skins used in the trade was from 120,000 to 150,000 every week, or seven to eight-millions a year. He could not say exactly what weight that would represent, but it would be many thousand tons a year. Raw hides were bought largely in London, and sent down to Leeds for tanning....'[6]
1904 Taken over by Charles F. Stead and Co.[7]
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ 1882 Institution of Mechanical Engineers: Visits to Works
- ↑ The London Gazette Publication date:17 October 1851 Issue:21254 Page:2672
- ↑ Leeds Times - Saturday 27 February 1858
- ↑ Leeds Mercury - Saturday 28 October 1871
- ↑ Leeds Mercury - Saturday 10 July 1875
- ↑ Leeds Mercury - Tuesday 19 March 1878
- ↑ Leeds Mercury - Friday 15 April 1904