Charles Parker and Sons
of Ladybank Machine Works, Dundee and, later, Clepington Foundry, Dundee
Manufacture of machinery for the textile industry
1840 October. Charles Parker, of Priestgate Mill, Darlington, flax spinner and weaver, was granted a patent (Patent no 8664 of 1840) for “improvements in looms for weaving cotton and other fabrics, to be worked by hand, steam, water or any other motive power.” He described these as Mathematical Power Looms.
1849 Charles Parker moved to Dundee and established an engineering business trading as Charles Parker & Sons. Premises were at 48 Mid Street, East Chapelshade, Dundee, and called Ladybank Machine Works. The partners were Charles Parker and his two eldest sons Charles Hodgson Parker and Edward Parker
1851 The Great Exhibition. Parkers were listed as C, E and C Parker (i.e. Charles, Edward and Charles) inventors and manufacturers in Class 6. They exhibited a mathematical loom for weaving navy sailcloth and other heavy fabrics.
1855 Parkers exhibited at the “Exposition Universelle de 1855” in Paris.
1856 Edward Parker left the partnership to pursue separate interests as a flax merchant and flax spinner.
1862 London International Exhibition in South Kensington. Exhibited a complete set of machinery for preparing and finishing flax, hemp and jute fabrics, which were demonstrated in operation.
1863 Parker’s youngest son, Robert Overend Parker became a partner.
1863 Parkers acquired land on Dens Road, in the Clepington district of Dundee, to build a new foundry, which opened in 1865 as Clepington Foundry.
1865 Charles H. Parker (one of the sons) left the partnership, which was renamed Charles Parker and Son.
1867 Charles Parker died 18th April, 1867, aged seventy, without making provision for the continuation of the firm and leaving his son Robert Overend Parker as sole partner. His estate was to be divided equally between his six sons and Robert was to find himself joined in the firm by at least 3 of his brothers.
A period of some turbulence followed, with production being concentrated at Clepington while Ladybank Works was converted to a spinning mill for Edward Parker (Edward Parker & Co).
The other brothers progressively left the firm, and by late 1876 R. O. Parker was left as sole partner again, both of Charles Parker & Son, and Edward Parker & Co., the latter being wound up.
In February 1878 Charles Parker and Son collapsed, with liabilities of £24,000.
Sequestration proceedings began, and the works continued to operate under manager David Nicoll Smith for a time in the hope that it could be rescued (perhaps by refinancing Robert Overend Parker). This was not to be and Clepington Foundry closed its doors in 1882.
Robert Overend Parker began again with a new company and new premises as Charles Parker, Sons and Company.
See Charles Parker, Sons and Co