Jonathan Barker
Later Jonathan Barker and Sons, of Phoenix Foundry, Millwood, Todmorden
1850 'TO IRON FOUNDERS, &c.-TO BE LET, the MAKING and PUTTING DOWN of a CAST IRON TANK, 52 feet in diameter, for the Todmorden Gas Company. Plans and specifications may be seen on application to Mr. Jonathan Barker, of Todmorden, the engineer, to whom sealed tenders must be delivered on or before the Twenty-seventh day of May, 1850, by order of the Directors, JNO. STANSFIELD, Secretary.'[1]. Presumably Barker was not, at that time, an ironfounder.
1862 Patent sealed for 'improvements in and means or apparatus for casting drums, pullies, gears, and other wheels, and bushes or keys for the same.'[2]
1862 'Sad Accident.—On Tuesday last, an inquest was held at the Masons' Arms Inn, Gauxholme, before T. ff. Dearden, Esq., and a jury, on the body of Robert Haigh, millwright, in the employ of Jonathan Barker, Millwood, near Todmorden. It appeared from the evidence adduced that on Saturday deceased in company with two other men was engaged at Mr. Smith's corn mill, Scaitcliffe, putting in a new water-wheel. The unfortunate man was in the act of descending to the bottom of the racecourse and stepping on to arm of the wheel set it in motion, and was crushed between another arm and the wall. Medical aid was immediately obtained, and he was soon taken home, where he died on Monday morning about ten o'clock.—Verdict was in accordance with the above facts.'[3]
1877 Advertisement: 'WANTED, a FOREMAN MOULDER, for Engineer and Millwright's Shop; also a CORE MAKER.—For particulars, apply to Jonathan Barker and Sons, Phoenix Foundry, Millwood, Todmorden'[4]
1893 Advertisement: 'IRONWORKS, TODMORDEN, Yorkshire. TO BE SOLD B AUCTION BY MESSRS. J. GLEDHILL & SON, in pursuance of an agreement entered into between Mr, Jonathan Gledhill, as Receiver in Chancery of the Estate of the late Jonathan Barker, Millwood, Todmorden. and Mr. Richard Crabtree, as Trustee in Bankruptcy of the Estates of the late Robert and John Barker, and which has been approved by the Judge in the Chancery suits of re Barker, deceased, Barker v. Barker, 1892, B No. 245nand Barker, deceased, Pemberton v. Fingland, 1891, B No. 2,829, at Phoenix Ironworks, Millwood, Todmorden, on WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY. FRIDAY, and MONDAY, the 23rd, 24th, 25th, and 28th days of August, 1893, the whole of the Modern ENGINEERING and MACHINE TOOLS, Foundry Plant, Valuable Patterns, Machinery, New Stores, Carts, Larries, Office and other Contents of above Works, comprising brake lathe to admit 8ft. 6in. diameter, 2ft. 9in. wide; 4 sliding and surfacing gap lathes, from 11in. to 21in. centres; 4 slide lathes, from 8in. to 14¼in. centres; shaft-turning slide lathes, 15½in. and 17½in. centres; sliding and screwcutting lathes, 9½in. and 16in. centres; 2 sliding and surfacing lathes, 19in. centres ; drum turning gap lathe, 6ft. centres; 2 boring lathes, 12in. centres; pillar-turning and pipe-facing lathe, 20in. centres; new double-geared lathe head, 18in. centres; mortice wheel-turning lathe, 31in. Centres; planing machine, to plane 14ft. by 3ft. wide by 2ft. 6in. High ; ditto, to plane 12ft. long by 5ft. wide by 5ft. high ; radial drilling machine, arm 7ft. ; slotting machine, 18in.stroke, will take in 6ft. diameter; shaping machine, variable stroke up to 12in.; 2 vertical drilling machines, to take 30in. diameter; milling machine, wheel - cutting machine; nut-turning and nut- squaring machines; power 5-ton travelling cranes ; - double purchase travelling cranes; 15ft. 9in. and 14ft. 6in gib cranes 16ft, power gib crane; cross and longitudinal crane, 33ft. long ; large wheel turning mandrel; magnetic brass - cleaning machine ; 2 cross slides. with compound saddles ; Whitworth’s standard gauges ; horizontal steam engine, 6in. cylinder ; boring bars and bosses ; steam hammer ; compressed air hammer, cylinder 12in. diameter; American drop hammer, with hammers and preparation for two others; Ryder's patent forging machine; American screwing machine, to 2½in. diam.: blowing fan, 24in. diameter; iron and steel circular saw bench ; hot iron circular saw bench ; smiths' hearths ; blacksmith's portable forge and bellows; anvils; blocks; smiths' tools ; water-wheel bucket bending machines, and the full contents of the smithy ; iron circular saw bench, to admit 2ft, diameter; circular saw bench, 27ft. 9in. long; corner bit making machine ; band saw ; 50cwt. Iron friction hoist; joiners' benches, and contents of joiners' shop; 2 cupolas; fans; pig-iron elevator: 3½ and 5-ton crane handles; iron rattle box : Scott's patent wheel-moulding machine to 8ft. diameter; gib crane, upright, 25ft. high, gib 21ft. long; crane ladles, 1ft. 10in, and 2ft. 7in. diameter; sand-mixing machine; mortar mill; hay band spinning machine ; core wagon and rails ; pipe testing machine: moulding boxes, and other contents of foundry ; the valuable wood and iron patterns of the late firm of Jonathan Barker and Sons; the whole of the valuable Smith and Coventry's and other turning tools ; screw cutting and slotting tools ; drums; drills ; files ; stocks; taps and dies ; 1½ in. to 6in. strapping ; grindstones ; glaze wheels ; vices; oil cisterns ; mandrels ; nuts and bolts ; Haley's patent and other screw jacks ; platform weighing machines, by various makers ; Weston's chain blocks ; shaved blocks and ropes ; chains; 5 crabs; general stores: pattern makers' and fitters' benches; sledge and other hammers; two - wheeled dog-cart; lurry; box carts : sleigh ; hay chopping machine ; hand carts ; bogies ; trucks : wheel-barrows ; two-legs ; trestles ; whole of the office furniture : safe, and other effects. Sale to commence …. Descriptive Catalogue (price 6d. each) maybe had from the Auctioneers, at their Offices, Temple Buildings, Todmordon, and further particulars from Mr. Richard Crabtree, Chartered Accountant, Hebden Bridge; or from J. Gledhill & Son, Auctioneers and Valuers, Temple Buildings, Todmorden.'[5]
A summary of the occupants and various events at Phoenix Foundry is available online [6]