Bessbrook Spinning Co Ltd
Other Business Names:
- Richardson, John Grubb
- Richardson, J N, Sons & Owden Ltd
- Richardson, James N
Locations city-town / local authority / county1974 / region-state / country:
- Bessbrook, Newry & Mourne, County Down, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland
Sectors:
-
Textile production
Linen/flax textiles production inc spinning & weaving
Notes:
Traced origins to the Richardson family of Quakers, especially John Grubb Richardson who took up flax spinning at Bessbrook in 1846. 1863 Richardson bought works from his family's business, J N Richardson Sons & Owden of Belfast, and formed it into Bessbrook Spinning Co. Under the management of his son, James N Richardson, 1846-1921, developed into a leading linen business operating from several sites. Incorporated 1878. Built industrial village for workers. Continued closely connected with J N Richardson Sons & Owden Ltd who were bleachers and linen merchants. Business peaked in 1890s and thereafter in decline. Closed early 1970s
Publications:
- Bessbrook. A record of industry in a Northern Ireland village community and of a social experiment, 1845-1945 by Adams, Thomas, & W Brownlow White
- James Nicholson Richardson of Bessbrook by Smith, Charlotte F
- Model Factories and Villages. Ideal conditions of labour and housing by Meakin, Budgett
- Some Quaker firms of the nineteenth century by Marwick, William H
- The Richardsons of Bessbrook. Ulster quakers and the linen industry, 1845-1921 by Harrison, R S
Groups:
Other Business Names:
- Richardson, John Grubb
- Richardson, J N, Sons & Owden Ltd
- Richardson, James N
Locations city-town / local authority / county1974 / region-state / country:
- Bessbrook, Newry & Mourne, County Down, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland
Sectors:
- Textile production Linen/flax textiles production inc spinning & weaving
Notes:
Traced origins to the Richardson family of Quakers, especially John Grubb Richardson who took up flax spinning at Bessbrook in 1846. 1863 Richardson bought works from his family's business, J N Richardson Sons & Owden of Belfast, and formed it into Bessbrook Spinning Co. Under the management of his son, James N Richardson, 1846-1921, developed into a leading linen business operating from several sites. Incorporated 1878. Built industrial village for workers. Continued closely connected with J N Richardson Sons & Owden Ltd who were bleachers and linen merchants. Business peaked in 1890s and thereafter in decline. Closed early 1970sPublications:
- Bessbrook. A record of industry in a Northern Ireland village community and of a social experiment, 1845-1945 by Adams, Thomas, & W Brownlow White
- James Nicholson Richardson of Bessbrook by Smith, Charlotte F
- Model Factories and Villages. Ideal conditions of labour and housing by Meakin, Budgett
- Some Quaker firms of the nineteenth century by Marwick, William H
- The Richardsons of Bessbrook. Ulster quakers and the linen industry, 1845-1921 by Harrison, R S