Picksley & Sims Co Ltd

[Foxfold]

I am looking for information on the above company which  operated the Bedford Foundy in Leigh Lancs. Reuben Simms a co-owner was my cousin  and the company manufactured agricultural machinery from approx 1850 to 1890. The company was most productive in the 1860's-1870's and exhibiterd widely throughout  the UK and even abroad and had an office in Smyrna, Turkey. I am interestred in who John Picksley and how the two men met for found the company. Any background information would be most welcome

[Milliepede]

Here's a bit of census information to start with

1861 Green Lane Bedford

Reuben Sims 41 head ironfounder employing 310 men 90 boys
Alice Sims 40 wife
John Sims 13 son
Joseph Sims 9 son
Simeon Sims 3 son
John Picksley 43 boarder widower? ironfounder born Lincolnshire Reiton in Linxy
Martha Wilcock 17 house servant

[Milliepede]

1851 Chapel Street Victoria Buildings Bedford

Reuben Sims 29 iron founder employing 63 men
Alice Sims 30
John Sims 3
John Picksley 33 unmarried born Lincolnshire Kirton - relationship described as brother in law
Ellen Ranks 12 house servant

[Girl Guide]

Welcome to Rootschat Foxfold 

I don't think John was a brother in law going by the marriage record from free bmd

Marriages Sep 1841

Sim    Reuben        Preston    21   376    
SMIRK    Alice        Preston    21   376

The only Reuben and Alice in the list of names.

Son Joseph's birth record from the GRO

SIMS, JOSEPH       SMIRK 
GRO Reference: 1851  S Quarter in LEIGH  Volume 21  Page 593

Looks as though John was born in 1822 in Upton cum Kexby, Lincs baptism record has his parents as John and Ann.

[Mvann]

Hi foxfold

https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Picksley,_Sims_and_Co

Had you seen this on graces guide?

Regards

Jon

[Girl Guide]

This looks to be John's death

PICKSLEY, JOHN       75 
GRO Reference: 1897  S Quarter in LINCOLN  Volume 07A  Page 351

This is probably Reuben's death

SIMS, REUBEN       75 
GRO Reference: 1895  D Quarter in PRESTON  Volume 08E  Page 509

[hanes teulu]

Bolton Chronicle, 10 Jun 1843
Married - On the 19th inst, at Mawdsley Street Chapel, by the Rev J B Elliot, Mr John Picksley to Miss Eliza Simms, both of Great Bolton

Marriage Registration (FindMyPast)
John Picksley, Jun Qtr 1843, Bolton, 21 91 - on same page Eliza Sims (one "s")

Death Registration (GRO)
Eliza Picksley, Jun Qtr 1844, Bolton Union, 21 83 - age 24

Is there possibly  a question mark over the marital status on the '51 Census - which shows "Unmarried" rather than "Widower" (the '61 status)?   

[Foxfold]

Thank you all for getting back to me, you have given me a good start point for my research

[hanes teulu]

1861 Census
John Picksley, Boarder, Widower, 43, Iron Founder, born Kirton in Linsey (sic)

FindMyPast Nonconformist births/baptisms
The children of Samuel and Eliza Piksley (no "c"), Joseph born 19 Oct 1814, John born 18 Mar 1817,
Samuel born 19 Oct 1820, Ingham born 18 Jun 182?, William born 24 Aug 1829
place - Kirton Lindsey, denomination Baptist

1841 Census (HO107  514  1  15  22
Joseph Picksley, 25, Builder, not born in County
Ann Picksley, 20, born in County
John Picksley, Joiner, not born in County
Address Lord Street, North Meols, Omskirk, Lancashire

Joseph had married Ann Cryer at Bolton le Moors, 14 Feb 1836