W. N. Nicholson's Ironworks Firm, Newark

[Alexander.]

I have been told that my gg grandfather Harry Frecknall worked at W. N. Nicholson's Ironwork Firm in Newark in the 1920s. I think this firm made agricultural machinery. However I don't know much about Nicholson's and was wondering if anyone knew anything about the firm? Also, would it be possible that any records still exist for workers at Nicholson's?

Thanks!
Alexander

[larkspur]

Nicholsons closed in the 1960s. The building is still there I believe it is now converted to housing.It is a beautiful building by the side of the Trent and has a clocktower. It was a foundry producing agricultural machinery.
I found a Harry Frecknall on the 1911 he was living in Norwell aged 36 and he was a foundry labourer- so that fits nicely.

[Alexander.]

Thanks Larkspur for your response. I was also slightly surprised that Harry was listed as a foundry worker in 1911. This is the list of baptisms of his children which nicely shows how his occupation changed:

1898 - Labourer
1899 - Labourer
1902 - Engine Driver
1904 - Engine Driver
1906 - Labourer
1909 - Sawyer
1911 - Sawyer
1915 - Foundry Machine Worker
1917 - Foundry Machine Worker

I don't know if Harry was working at Nicholson's at that point or if he just worked there later. Though he did seem to keep changing his occupation. I suppose since he was working in the agricultural machine firm during WWI he did not have to serve.

Thanks,
Alexander

[belarusman]

just found your conversation about the nicholson iron works, after googleing the name. I found an old seed rill in the corner of a field, while on a walk near Hungarton in Leicestershire, and this had the nicholson of newark name cast on the wheel. I would say that the drill was about 100 years old and horse drawn. I hope this is of interest toyou, as you can see i am interested in farm machinery myself. belarusman

[Alexander.]

Hi belarusman,

Welcome to RootsChat!

It's been quite a while since I looked for information about Nicholson's ironworks. Unfortunately I don't know much more about the person I was researching (Harry Frecknall) and what he might have done at the iron works. Though he only did labourer type jobs, I don't think it was particularly "skilled" work.

Its interesting that you could still see that the drill was from Nicholsons if it had been left out in a field for many years. A while ago I did a bit of research into the Nicholson family of Newark just to find more about the firm. I think that William N. Nicholson had first built the works in the 1840s, and as larkspur said lasted well over a century. I wonder if it was still run by the family by the 1920s and later.

Regards,
Alexander

[chris42]

Hi
I know a Trevor Frecknall who lives in North Muskham about 5 miles from Norwell who i believe originally came from Norwell .He could be related.
Chris42

[Alexander.]

Hi Chris,

Yes, he is related - Trevor is my granddad's cousin. He happens to be grandson of the Harry Frecknall who worked at Nicholson's. I was in touch with Trevor a while back.

Alexander

[chris42]

Hi Alexander
Glad you have got in touch with Trevor,he is a good bloke I went to school with his son and daughter so I have known him for a good many years. He has just wrote a book about Brian Clough and its on sale in a Newark bookshop.
Chris

[larkspur]

http://www.newarkadvertiser.co.uk/articles/news/Take-a-look-at-Newark-as-seen-in-1942

On the Newark Advertiser site there is a video link, featuring the town in 1942. Nicholsons is on it.