George Francis Bradbury
George Francis Bradbury (1827-1884) of Sugdens, Bradbury and Firth and Bradbury and Co.
1827 Born at the Hanging Gate Inn, 217 Huddersfield Road, Diggle, Saddleworth, Lancashire[1] on 26th February 1827.
Worked for Platt Brothers, but left during an industrial dispute.
1852 Formed a business in Oldham as jobbing engineers; after some years this became what was later claimed to be the first company in Europe to manufacture sewing machines capable of a practical rate of stitching. T. Sugden is believed to have been his partner when establishing the firm; both had been trained as mechanics in previous employment. See Sugden, Bradbury and Firth
1855 The partnership was dissolved[2]
1859 Patent sealed 27 Jan 1859: George Francis Bradbury of Oldham and Joseph Jackson King of Glasgow, for improvements in certain apparatus applicable to sewing machines[3]
By 1861 Bradbury was married to Ellen (29) and had three children, Eliza (2), George Howard (1) and a stepson Charles (7).
1862 Dissolution of the Partnership between George Francis Bradbury and George Ferriman, carrying on business at Rhode's-Bank, in Oldham, in the county of Lancaster, as Machinists. All debts due to or owing by the said copartnership firm will be respectively received and paid by the said George Francis Bradbury, by whom the said business will in future be carried on.[4] - see Bradbury and Co
1868 Patent application by George Francis Bradbury and Thomas Chadwick, of the firm of Bradbury and Co., of Oldham, in the county of Lancaster, Sewing Machine Manufacturers, in respect of the invention of " improvements in, or applicable to, certain sewing machines." — A communication to him from abroad by Thomas Antoney Macaulay, of New York, United States of North America[5]
1874 He became Chairman and joint Managing Director of Bradbury and Co Ltd in 1874.[6]
1884 Died on 8th March 1884