Lacemaking in Devon

[Roobarb]

Not sure whether I should have put this on the Occupations board, I'm sure someone will move it if I should!  
My ancestor was listed as a Lacemaker. Having Googled it, looks like it was quite a common profession, but around Honiton. That's nowhere near where my ancestor lived, she was in Topsham. Does anyone know anything about the industry there? Would they be 'employed' or just make the lace and try to sell it themselves?
I would appreciate any information about how they lived in that area, it's so far away from where I live and looks such a pretty place.

[janan]

Have you tried contacting the museum?

http://www.artfund.org/gallery/2444/topsham-museum

Jan

[Roobarb]

No I haven't Jan, thanks for the link, I'll follow that up 

[slightlyfoxed]

I think lacemakers worked as outworkers rather like spinners and weavers did.
the museum isnt open to visitors at this time of year but the town website might have something.
http://www.topsham.org/
try the guestbook and the 1841 census. I had a quick look and there wasnt a community of lace makers there as far as I could see.

foxy

[Roobarb]

Thanks both, I'll have a good scout through the websites 

[slightlyfoxed]

It seems lacemaking was a local industry and the details may be at the Museum

quote
Topsham merchants houses
Late 17th-century merchant's house with period rooms, sail loft and estuary gardens, illustrating local history and local crafts of shipbuilding and lacemaking.

[Burrow Digger]

I have quite a few ancestors from places such as Budleigh Salterton and Aylesbeare who were lacemakers as well. Theses towns are some distance from Honiton, yet Honiton was one major center of the industry.

I think they would be doing what we now call "piece work"

BD