Richard Hilton - Herb Beer Manufacturer In Leigh, Lancashire

[George Shaw]

Am trying to find out more about this chap.

Richard Hilton, 22 Brackley St., off Ellesmere St., Leigh, Herb Beer Manufacturer listed in 1885 directory. Business taken over by Thomas Allred (see allusion in news item below). In 1881 census, Joseph Mort, 22 Brackley Street, Ginger Beer Bottler. No reference to the property in the 1871 census, house probably not yet built. Property listed in 1891 census (Marlin or Martin family) but no reference to botanical/herb brewing.

Illegal Use Of Bottles, May 1890

NOTICE (Leigh Chronicle, 09 May 1890)

TO MINERAL WATER MANFACTURERS and others.-All Bottles and Boxes bearing the name of "Richard Hilton, Leigh," are the property of THOMAS ALLRED, LEIGH, and anyone found using the same will be prosecuted according to Law. o183

[CaroleW]

Have you looked for him on earlier & later censuses?  Exactly what type of info are you looking for?

If he is part of your FH - where & when was he born & who did he marry?

[George Shaw]

Have you looked for him on earlier & later censuses?  Exactly what type of info are you looking for?

If he is part of your FH - where & when was he born & who did he marry?

I have tried to trace him on other censuses but don't have useful data on life events as reference points. He is not a family member but forms part of a study into Herb Beer Manufacturers in my local area.

[heywood]

Not seeing much yet but would it be right to assume that Richard was a manufacturer of bottles (rather than beer)?

https://www.lan-opc.org.uk/

I see that Thomas Allred was a Blacksmith on marriage in 1884.
1886 - birth of Leonard -still a Blacksmith
1890 - birth of Mary - a Ginger Beer manufacturer
1891 - Ginger Beer Manufacturer
1901 - Blacksmith

I wonder if Richards career was similarly short?

[George Shaw]

Not seeing much yet but would it be right to assume that Richard was a manufacturer of bottles (rather than beer)?

https://www.lan-opc.org.uk/

I see that Thomas Allred was a Blacksmith on marriage in 1884.
1886 - birth of Leonard -still a Blacksmith
1890 - birth of Mary - a Ginger Beer manufacturer
1891 - Ginger Beer Manufacturer
1901 - Blacksmith

I wonder if Richards career was similarly short?

Very unlikely that Richard was a bottle manufacturer. It's a highly industrialised process and I'm fairly sure no bottle makers were ever situate in Leigh. Most bottles needed by Leigh based businesses were sourced in St. Helens.

I suspect you may be right as to Richard having a brief career.

[heywood]

You have him as ‘Herb Beer Manufacturer’.
The newspaper article you quote states ‘Bottles and Boxes’.

[George Shaw]

You have him as ‘Herb Beer Manufacturer’.
The newspaper article you quote states ‘Bottles and Boxes’.

Herb beer manufacturers brewed the product and sold it per bottle inclusive of a refundable modest bottle deposit. Some customers held onto bottles to store domestic liquids and, unscrupulous business competitors utilised bottles owned by others. Both practices were frowned upon by legitimate herb beer manufacturers. The reference to boxes would mean the crates used to deliver the bottles of herb beer to customers.

[*Sandra*]

The Weekly Standard and Express Blackburn, Lancashire, England
10 Sep 1887, Sat    Page 1

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83803594/herb-and-ginger-beer-manufacturers-10/

[heywood]

You are very kind, thank you.
We used to buy similar items when I was a child.  good memories.