Blounts Hosiery Factory, Belper

[Jules Holland]

I'm trying to find out information about the owners of Blounts Hosiery Factory in Belper.  It was taken over in the 19?? by Courtaulds and was on Spencer Road in Belper.  I know it's recently being turned into a nursing home but I'm trying to find out if it actually was one of my reletives who started it.

Please let me if you've got any tips on how I can do this - I've been through the usual internet searches and come up with nothing.

Many thanks

[willow154]

Hi,
I haven't had time to go through this, but it might help.
I did a google seach "blounts hosiery - spencer road belper" and came up with this - hope it works:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=026-d3772&cid=-1#-1
It mentions hosiery, blount and spencer road belper.

Also, my rootschat friend Mark, Framesmith1816, has been searching through lots of things re hosiery/silk mills looking for a connection with his family and Courtaulds. Can't think of a better person to give you advice.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=40e68742caf563be1b9a28803379c5ea&topic=334554.0

Good luck.
Paulene

[spendlove]

Hi
The owner you are seeking was Frederick (Fred) Blount,

The land reference posted by Pauline, on national archives relates to

Reference: D3772/T32/15/23
Creation dates: 1936

Scope and Content
Land in Penn Street, Belper, to Fred Blount

This document is held at County Record Office Matlock and is in the Strutt Collection.
During 2nd World War Rolls Royce moved a number of their offices from Derby to Belper,
Blounts on Spencer Road & Penn street housed some of these workers.

A word of caution Blount is a very common name in this area and not all were/are related
to each other.

Regards
Spendlove

[willow154]

Thanks, Spendlove

[Jules Holland]

Thanks to you both.

I've seen the reference that Pauline sent and I've been trying to work out the dates.

My Grandmother has always said that her Grandmother started Blounts. Her Grandmother was Ellen Blount whose brother-in-law was Frederick Blount.  However, Ellen Blount (nee Booth) was born in 1871 and Fred Blount was born in 1877 which puts them almost out of the picture if I just go by the date on that document (1936).  I don't know when either of them died. 

I thought if I found out when Blounts started business it would point me in the right direction, but there is absolutely no reference to Blounts company registration on the internet.  The only references are the ones you've already mentioned.

Any more pointers would be gratefully recieved.

Also, thanks for the note on Blount families I've managed to trace our family tree to John Blount born abt. 1795 in Belper - that's where the trail ends for now. 

Thanks
Julie

[spendlove]

Hi Julie,

You cannot judge by the creation date on the document, that will possibly be the date that
a piece of land was sold by Strutts to Fred Blount, but it could be Fred Blount son of Fred Blount.
Factory could have been in operation prior to this date, just buying extra land.

I do not have access to Census at present, but from memory there should be a Fred Blount born 1875/6 Belper, he was a Mechanical Engineer.  He may have children by 1901 or 1911.
I do not know that this was the Blount who started the Hosiery business but worth a look.

I can remember my G.Father talking about Fred Blount (hosiery Manufacturer) I know he had at least
one fire at the factory, so perhaps a visit to Derby Local Studies Library to search  Local Newspapers
would assist.

Link to Kelly' Directory 1912 may help:-
http://www.historicaldirectories.org/hd/

Regards
Spendlove.

[willow154]

Spot on, Spendlove!
Just looked at the 1901 census and found, living at Penn Street, Belper:
Fred Blount b 1876 Mechanical Engineer  born Belper, Derbyshire
Ellen b 1876 wife  born Belper, Derbyshire
No children on this census.

[willow154]

1911 census:
Fred b 1876
Ellen b 1878
Agnes b 1880
Violet b 1899
Ida b 1902
Albert b 1903
Arthur b 1907
Florry b 1909
All born Belper, Derbyshire

* not sure who Agnes is - just looked at people living at the same address as Fred Blount.

[spendlove]

Hi,
Re names on 1911 Census.
Think you will find that Agnes is the wife of Albert Blount B 1882 the brother
to Fred Blount.  Violet B 1899 is the daughter of Albert & Agnes who married
Dec Q 1896 Belper.

Fred Blount = Mary Ellen Walker March Q 1900 Belper, this also proves
that Violet could not be their child, if born prior to their marriage she would
have been registered as Violet Walker.  Plus she is with her parents in 1901.

Taking you further back, I have been unable to find the marriage of
George Blount B 1831 = Hannah.

But John Blount B 1795 Father to the above George was married to
Charlotte Smedley 22.11.1814 Eckington Derbyshire their children:-
Samuel 1816
John 1822
James 1828
George 1831 = Hannah?
Mary 1834
Martha 1838

On some of the census, you will notice that the females are employed as
"Embroiders" - This locally was know as Chevening and is the hand
embroidery of hose (stockings) on the outside of each leg.

Some of the Blount men were Nailers, and some listed as Horse Nail Makers
the makers of Horse Nails were regarded as the best.

Hope this helps a little.
Regards
Spendlove.