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Beginners => Family History Beginners Board => Topic started by: punch on Saturday 04 April 09 21:25 BST (UK)
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Hello,
I am looking for any information regarding Richard Bell who opened up a match manufacturing company in 1832 in Wandsworth under the name of R. Bell & Co. I do not know what his age was but I know he had at least one child, a son William Bell born circa 1835-1836 who I believe was born in Wandsworth. In the 1851 census Richard Bell is listed as a tenant in a factory in Wandsworth with an occupation of Lucifer match manufacturer. I would like to know if there is also an 1851 or 1861 census record that would indicate his age, marital status, residence, etc. His son, William, is listed in the 1861 census in Wandsworth, but unfortunately I do not have access to the records and would very much like to learn his marital status, residence, children if any. I do know that William was listed in the 1881 census and his occupation was listed as a wax vesta maker.
I would love to hear from anyone who has any insight into the name of Bell connected with match manufacturing. Thank you in advance.
Karen
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1851.
HO107/1578/264/14 Albion House Wadsworth
Richard Bell is aged 69, widowed, Lucifer match maker, born Lurgan, Ireland
Also in the household are sons, Richard, 23, unmarried, born Dublin
Edmund, 21, married
George, 19, un
Harriet, dau -in law, 19
Joseph Rankin, brother in law, widowed, Dublin
Joseph Rankin, nephew 27
Catherine " niece
Emily, 22 "
George Lear, brother in law, 55
Ellene " 40
Caroline Heater, servant
Louisa Heater "
No sign of William!
Jen
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This looks like the same Richard Bell in 1841, with William.
HO107/1069/4
Richard Bell, 55, Ireland, Merchant
Samuel, 30, brother, Ireland
William, 5, born Surrey
Jane Haughton, 55, Ireland
Ann Alexander, 65 "
Sarah Martin, 15
Elizabeth " 15
Catherine Rankin, 20, Ireland
John Bell, 30, Foreign parts
Elizabeth Wright, 55, Ireland
Jen
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1861
RG9 374 fol 45 p 14
Bells House South Street Albion Wandsworth
Richard Bell 80 widower retired b Ireland
Richard 32 son unmarried chemical match manufacturer b Ireland
William 25 son married lace manufacturer b Surrey
Ellen Lear 56 sister unmarried proprietor of houses b Ireland
Rachel Bell 45 sister unmarried landed proprietor b Ireland
Catherine Rankin niece unmarr 35 house proprietor b Ireland
Sarah Penfold 21 servant b Birmingham
Charles Berrett 23 servant carter b Wandsworth
on image it says retired Lucifer manufacturer and for Richard(son) lucifer match manufacturer
for William it looks more like fuse manufacturer than lace
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You beat me to it with the 1861 but I agree that it looks more like Fuse manufacturer for William. Also, he is married but there is no wife!
Jen
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Sorry about that Jen
I just had to correct everything after opening up the image.every part of the transcription on findmypast was wrong including Richards age which they had as 60 and hes 80.A blind man must have transcribed it,thats the second laughable transcription today from them. :o :o
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That's ok,
I had to change what I had written because by the time I posted it yours had changed! ;D
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Hi,
Just to add about William:
1871 census
No. 40 ?, Wandsworth
Split household
William Bell, Head, Mar, 35, Annuitant, Surrey Wandsworth
Ann Bell, Sis in Law, Wid, 36, Box Maker, Paddington
Elizabeth White, Sis in Law, Unm, 40, Silk Winder London Rockhead?
RG10/712 folio 72 page 44
This matches the 1881 entry when he is married to an Ann born Paddington and still has his Sister in Law Elizabeth White living with him :o
Regards,
Mo
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Hello,
Thank you both so much for all the information. It is very much appreciated. I think the "fuse manufacturer" is probably "fuzee manufacturer" as a fuzee is a type of match made in the 1800s. I also found on the freeBMD a marriage in 1876 of a William Bell to an Ann Bell. It would appear to me that William married his sister-in-law. It would appear by the number of family members and the listing of two servants in the household in 1851 that the house must have been rather large. Again, your assistance has been fantastic!
Karen
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I would love to hear from anyone who has any insight into the name of Bell connected with match manufacturing. Thank you in advance.
Karen
if you are interested, you can buy onw of their matchboxes on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bryant-&-May-1900s-Scottish-Bluebell-R.Bell-152-x-70mm._W0QQitemZ390041742537QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090404?IMSfp=TL090404126003r33930
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also, a lot of social history here (can someone shrink the link?)
http://www.unionhistory.info/matchworkers/ContactSheet.php?Where=MulHasMultiMedia+%3D+'y'+AND+exists(Dc1Subject_tab+where+Dc1Subject+contains+'Match+Workers')+AND+exists(TucPackage_tab+where+TucPackage+contains+'Match+Workers')&QueryPage=%2Fmatchworkers%2Fmatchworkers.php&LimitPerPage=20&StartAt=21
and here
http://www.unionhistory.info/matchworkers/registercontents.php
http://www.bbc.co.uk/legacies/work/england/london/article_1.shtml
the disfurgurement of the match girls due to phosphorous poisoning was quite horrendous
Monique
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Hello,
I think the "fuse manufacturer" is probably "fuzee manufacturer" as a fuzee is a type of match made in the 1800s.
Karen
I am happier now as I had thought it was just an incorrect spelling of fuse or a piece of very ornate writing. The word ends with double "e".
Jen
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and in case you were not aware, Hackney has a good selection of materials in its archive
R Bell & Co Ltd:
directors meeting minutes 1991-63; general meeting minutes 1888-163; shareholders list 1890; members register etc 1923-63; share certificates and transfer documents 1955-63; memo and articles of association 1887; corporate documents 1887, 1923; ledgers 1913, 1947-64; patent documents 1885, 1911; price list 1880s
Bell & Black Match Co Ltd
: rough directors and general meeting minutes 1876-81; corporate papers 1881-83; memo and articles of association 1876, 1881; annual report and accounts 1881-83; general ledger 1876-81; balance sheets and accounts 1882-84; bank books 1876-80; patent trademark and design documents 1870-84; contracts book 1877-81; production and sales reports and correspondence 1883-184l; stock list 1879; price lists 1878-79, premises and plant inventories 1881
worth looking at Booths records too as he ended up founding a salvation army factory to give the workers better pay and conditions and resulting in the ban on white phosphorous
here http://www.hackney.gov.uk/c-archives-comprehensive-page11.htm
and an overview
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TUmatchgirls.htm
if you put matches into the search facility here http://www.victorianlondon.org/ you will get a numer of interesting reports on wages and conditions
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Hello,
I am still trying to uncover information on the early Bell match factories in London. I know that a Richard Bell founded a factory in Wandsworth in 1832, but I have also found that a Samuel Alexander Bell opened a match factory on Bow Lane as Samuel Alexander Bell & Co. in 1848 and in 1849 the name was changed to Bell & Black. I am trying to determine if this Samuel was a brother of Richard. I do know that Richard did have a brother born about 1811 in Ireland. I am hoping that someone might be able to review the 1851 and/or 1861 census records to inform me of Samuel's age, place of birth, occupation, address so that I might be able to confirm a relationship.
I also know of a George Bell who was trading as George Bell & Co. on High Street in Battersea as makers of congreves & fusees in 1860. I am curious to know if there is a George Bell in the 1861 and 1871 census who I might be able to connect to Richard Bell who did have a son George born about 1832.
I would appreciate anyone's help in trying to connect all these men to the early days of match manufacturing.
Thank you in advance,
Karen
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Hi Karen,
Just wondering if you had since found any information on Richard Bell?
I have a Samuel Alexander Bell b. 1796 in Dudalk, County Louth, Ireland. Not sure if this is the Samuel you are looking for - but we were always told that the Bell family owned a match company, but thought that this was in Ireland.
Susan
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A Samuel and Richard Bell had premisies in Garrat Lane Wandsworth.
On the night of 17th Dec 1845 it went up in flames.
The same thing happened on February 15, 1847
August 3, 1854 .
R Bell lucifer match maker was charged with having large quantities of exposives and matches at premises in Cannon St, West ;D ;D ;D thereby causing great danger to nearby residents.
Have sent a PM.
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I am still trying to uncover information on the early Bell match factories in London.
FYI, I recently recovered what I believe is an old Bell & Black matchbox from the 'New Bendigo' gold fields near Tibooburra, NSW, Australia. Probably does not help your search but might be of interest anyway. See attached.
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And this pic too...
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Hi
Just came across this site.
I have information about Bell and Black match makers.
Richard Bell is my ancestor.
Can give you information by PDF on info for our family tree.
Cheers
Neville Bell
Australia
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Hi Neville,
Thank you for coming across my post. My ancestor, Henry Coughtrey, worked at your ancestor's, Richard Bell, match factory in Wandsworth, England in the 1840s and early 1850s before emigrating to Wilmington, Delaware, USA. I would be very grateful to you if you would not mind sharing the details of Richard Bell, Sr. (such as date of birth, date of death, marriage date, name and dob & dod of wife, names and dob & dod of children). Thank you in advance.
Karen
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Samuel Alexander Bell was a matchmaker his brother Richard was my 3 x Grt Grandfather - at the moment I don't know the connection between Richard Bell of Lucifer Matches and Samuel Bell - I do have some information that I can copy and supply by private email if interested. Samuel died in England and I have a copy of his Will - his brother Richard emigrated to Australia and settled in South Australia.
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Hi All,
I'm descended from Charles R E Bell, who took over Bell & Co in Wandsworth c. 1880. He was born Charles Grubb and started as a humble clerk, but changed his name to Bell when he took on the business, it seems.
According to what I can gather. Richard Bell's son and legitimate heir was lost at sea, and that's why my g g grandfather took over.
I would be very grateful if anyone could confirm this story, or add any information about R Bell & co Ltd or the characters involved, during this period. Regards,
Laura, UK
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Hi Laura,
In my research of Richard Bell, match manufacturer in Wandsworth, I found that he and his wife (?? Rankin) had at least 4 sons, Richard Bell Jr., Edmund, George and William. Richard Jr. gave his parents a lot of trouble and was sent to Wilmington, Delaware to work in a match factory with hopes that he would be rid himself of his dissolute habits in a Quaker community. In 1861 Richard Jr. was listed as a lucifer match manufacturer, single and living with his father. After that I lose track of him, but there is some evidence that he might have been a mariner. Maybe he is the one that was lost at sea. Would you share with me what you have gathered on Richard Jr?
Karen
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Some references to New Zealand. Just adding these links here https://ehive.com/collections/3021/objects/28192/matchbox and http://nzarchaeology.org/cms/NZJA/Vol%205%201983/NZJA5.115-138Anson.pdf
Also, some recollections here https://familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/12764552
Monica :)
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Thanks for speedy replies :)
Karen, Monica's 2nd link (https://familysearch.org/photos/artifacts/12764552) was the source where I got the 'lost at sea' information!
John is the son in question, and he does appear on the 1841 census, at age 30.
I haven't found anything on Richard Jr beyond 1861 either. Which son is your ancestor?
Laura
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Hi Laura,
I am not related to the Bell family, but my 3 x great grandfather was a foreman in the Wandsworth match factory in the 1840s and early 1850s. His name was Henry Coughtrey but later changed his name to Henry Bell Courtney when he came to America in 1853 to take the place of Richard Bell, Jr. (the dissolute son). I did find a Richard Bell, age 60, died in the September quarter 1888 in Wandsworth on the freeBMD who might be the "missing Richard". Further research needed. It would appear that by 1861 Richard Bell Sr. had retired from the match firm and the business was being carried on by his sons, Richard Jr. and William.
Karen
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Hi again Laura,
I found a Richard Bell, married, age 52, born Antrim, Ireland, match manufacturer in Wandsworth in the 1881 census. He and his wife, Sarah Bell, are lodgers at Ringford Road 2 Tavistock Terrace with a family by the name of Knight.
Karen
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Hi
Just came across this site.
I have information about Bell and Black match makers.
Richard Bell is my ancestor.
Can give you information by PDF on info for our family tree.
Cheers
Neville Bell
Australia
Neville - are you able to contact me pls- via here seeing that it is sometime since your comment was made. I am a descendant of the Joseph Rankins whom were with Richard Bell in 1851. I have been trying to prove forever that Richard and Samuel Alexander Bell are indeed brothers. Considering that Sam's nephews are via sisters Bell who married into the Haughton family there is every possibility but finding proof positive has been painful. Joseph Rankin senior's wife was known as Lucy or Ellen Bell - richards sister at least. So would really love to know more about the Bell family so that I can connect more of the dots.
Madeline
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Roxanne,
I feel certain that Richard Bell junior did not die in South Australia.
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Am looking for info on the TAYLOR & Co match company at Mitcham Lane in Surrey, owned by David Taylor.
David's wife was Catherine Grimes daughter of George Grimes a Cigar Light and Lucifer Manufacturer.
The grimes were living in GARRETT LANE in 1841 - 1862 where the BELLS were living. (In 1851 The grimes were living in 'Bells Cottage', and his father Bethel Brimes a chemical worker living in 'Bells Villa'.
Before 1900 TAYLOR match was sold to R. BELL who in turn sold to MASTERS (the ship) who later sold out to BRYANT & MAY
I had contact from someone some years ago who gave me this info - said his/her cousin John Taylor had the old formula books and also a factory inspectors report. Was also told that a gentleman called by someone called Sid Gwyn-Smith, who was writing a series of short booklets about the Victorian match industy and was asking for details of the firm.
I wish I could remember who gave me this info....hopefully they will see this on here ;D
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Just to add that young George Bell was in business with George Charles Grimes but dissolved in 1858. George was son of another George Grimes 1811-1862, a manufacturer of cigar or pipe lights, lucifer matches, and vestas.
His daughter (George Charles's sister born in Bells cottages) Catherine married David Taylor of Taylor Match company.
Gone very quiet on this thread!!!
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I believe so. George Grimes of Garrett Lane and Bells Cottage/villa dissolved a partnership with George Bell in 1858.
Hello,
I am still trying to uncover information on the early Bell match factories in London. I know that a Richard Bell founded a factory in Wandsworth in 1832, but I have also found that a Samuel Alexander Bell opened a match factory on Bow Lane as Samuel Alexander Bell & Co. in 1848 and in 1849 the name was changed to Bell & Black. I am trying to determine if this Samuel was a brother of Richard. I do know that Richard did have a brother born about 1811 in Ireland. I am hoping that someone might be able to review the 1851 and/or 1861 census records to inform me of Samuel's age, place of birth, occupation, address so that I might be able to confirm a relationship.
I also know of a George Bell who was trading as George Bell & Co. on High Street in Battersea as makers of congreves & fusees in 1860. I am curious to know if there is a George Bell in the 1861 and 1871 census who I might be able to connect to Richard Bell who did have a son George born about 1832.
I would appreciate anyone's help in trying to connect all these men to the early days of match manufacturing.
Thank you in advance,
Karen