Thomas Alcock (Lace Manufacturer) and Elizabeth Alcock

[Gerry]

Hi

Is there a trade directory in the 1860s covering lace manufacturers which might lead to obtaining some information on the following

A marriage certificate of 1862 for William Ferriday Evans and Eliza Alcock, born Mansfield 1845, shows her parents as Thomas Alcock ( a lace manufacturer)  and  Elizabeth Alcock.

The 1871 census finds Eliza Evans living at 16 Lonsdale Street Liverpool.  At the same address is her mother, Elizabeth, born 1818 in Nottinghamshire and her sister, Lucy Alcock born 1843 in Mansfield.

If there is a directory it might give an address which could lead to a look up on the 1861 census.   I'm trying to find more about Thomas and Elizabeth Alcock and wonder if anyone can help me?

Many thanks

Gerry

[Heather D]

Gerry,
not a direct answer to your enquiry I'm afraid but there are several interesting references to Thomas Alcock in Sheila Mason's book "Nottingham Lace 1760's - 1950's". If this is your man it appears he was quite an innovator!

Please message me if you would like some details from the book.

Heather

[Gerry]

Hi Heather

This is a surprise and yes, I would appreciate anything on Thomas Alcock.   I wonder if the Thomas I am researching and the Thomas Alcock you mention is the same person?   If he was an innovator then I'm hoping some personal details may emerge.   My only clue was the inclusion of his trade on a marriage certificate, never thinking I might turn over a big stone.

Regards

Gerry

[Heather D]

OK Gerry, here we go ...all from the above mentioned book which is indispensable for anyone interested in lace history

p.27 One further improvement to the action of the Levers machine which had far reaching results was the almost "universal adoption" by 1875 of the "go-through" system, originally invented by Thomas Alcock of Worcester in 1835, by which the speed of the machine was greatly increased by an improved method of activating the carriages"

p.39 "...partnerships were another source of funds for the inventor. Some were taken into partnership by large manufacturers, as happened to John Levers and Thomas Alcock with Fisher..."
The Fisher in question here is James Fisher, described on page 38 of the book as "One of the largest investors of the early bobbin net trade ...a London hand-made lace merchant, who built factories for lace companies at Radford and Mansfield"

more to follow...

[Heather D]

And the rest .....

p.52 "Fisher was also in partnership during the 1830's and 1840's with Thomas Alcock of Worcester, a mechanical genius who inaugurated a number of improvements in twist net machinery, including the patent of 1835 which presaged the go-through system"

p.269 re Hermitage Mill Mansfield.
"In September 1835 the lace manufacturer James Fisher, signed a 21 year lease for the mill and went into partnership with Thomas Alcock who went to live in Hermitage Buildings. In 1843 the firm had ten rotary hand machines making bobbin net. However the partnership was dissolved that same year and how long lace continued to be made in the factory is unrecorded."

[Gerry]

Hi Heather

Many thanks for the details of Thomas Alcock.  I'm now hoping someone might just come up with some personal details covering when and where he was born.  Even better if this could be linked to the 'innovator'.

Regards

Gerry

[Steve Ley]

Hi Heather, I would be very interested in the information there is on John Levers in your book.

Steve.

[Heather D]

You're welcome Gerry.

I don't have the early Notts censuses but I do have an index for 1851. Maybe if I give some references, someone would be kind enough to look them up and see if it's your family?

ALCOCK                  424,2123,Mansfield R.D.     
ALCOCK                  85,2124,Mansfield R.D.     

and the Allcocks just in case :-

ALLCOCK                 ,221,2123,Mansfield R.D.      ,
ALLCOCK                 ,222,2123,Mansfield R.D.      ,
ALLCOCK                 ,301,2123,Mansfield R.D.      ,
ALLCOCK                 ,327,2123,Mansfield R.D.      ,
ALLCOCK                 ,330,2123,Mansfield R.D.      ,
ALLCOCK                 ,438,2123,Mansfield R.D.      ,
ALLCOCK                 ,561,2123,Mansfield R.D.      ,
ALLCOCK                 ,124,2124,Mansfield R.D.      ,
ALLCOCK                 ,125,2124,Mansfield R.D.      ,
ALLCOCK                 ,171,2124,Mansfield R.D.      ,
ALLCOCK                 ,224,2124,Mansfield R.D.      ,
ALLCOCK                 ,322,2124,Mansfield R.D.      ,
ALLCOCK                 ,334,2124,Mansfield R.D.      ,

Emailing Steve direct as there are a lot of references to Levers in my book!

Heather

[Steve Ley]

Thanks Heather.

Steve.