Richard Bell - Lucifer Match Manufacturer London

[punch]

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

[genjen]

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

[genjen]

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

[Isobelruss]

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

[genjen]

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

[Isobelruss]

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.

[genjen]

That's ok,

I had to change what I had written because by the time I posted it yours had changed!

[mosiefish]

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  

Regards,
Mo
 

[punch]

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