Richard Bealey and Co
of Radcliffe, Lancs, bleachers and chemical manufacturers.
William Bealey (1683-1763) and his sons Richard (d. 1772) and Joseph (1717-97) were bleachers at Radcliffe from 1750 or earlier.
Under Joseph Bealey the business developed rapidly in the latter part of the 18th century.
1794 Advert: 'To Cotton Manufacturers. RICHARD and RALPH BEALEY, BLEACHERS, RADCLIFF Take this method of method informing their employers and others, that they now dye fast Buff, Blue and Turkey Red; which said Colours they warrant to stand fair and marketable, provided they Bleach the same themselves, but not otherwise, nor will they stand answerable for Colours not of their own dying.'[1]
1797 Joseph Bealey was succeeded by his son Richard (d. 1817)
The adoption of the new chlorine bleaching created a major need for sulphuric acid and the Bealeys were one of the first firms to make it themselves, adding a chemical works to their business in 1791.
1817 Richard was followed by his own son, Adam (1780-1821).
1821 After Adam's early death the business was continued by his widow Mary (d. 1858), under the style Mary Bealey & Sons. The family were staunch Wesleyans and Mary Bealey built the Radcliffe Close Wesleyan Chapel in 1839.
1838 Partnership dissolved: Mary Bealey, Richard Bealey, Adam Bealey, and John Bealey, Radcliffe and Manchester, bleachers, and vitriol and bleaching liquor manufacturers. [2]
1850 The works belonged to Mary's eldest son, Richard, from 1850 until his death in 1896
1891 Directory (Radcliffe): Listed as bleachers, dyers and finishers. More details.[3]
1896 The works passed to Richard's second son, Adam Crompton Bealey (1840-1907).
1907 Following Adam's death the works were managed by his son Herbert Crompton Bealey (1865- ).
See here for photos of the Radcliffe beachworks [4]
Railway System
Bealey’s brought in salt, pyrites, limestone, manganese and coal on the Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal. At some point a steam crane was installed at Bealey’s Wharf, and materials were taken from here on a 2 ft 6" gauge carried by a ¾-mile single-track light railway to the bleachworks on Dumers Lane. The line passed under the main line railway via a tunnel dictated the use of small locomotives, named Ferret and Ferret II.[5]
1873 'ACCIDENT TO A BURY MAN NEAR RADCLIFFE.-On Wednesday an accident of a rather alarming nature occurred to a man, named Martin Henry, of Bury, while following his employment. He was in the employment of Mr. Bealey, of Radcliffe, and at the time above-named was assisting another workman with some waggons which were being drawn by a horse along the tramway, near Hagg Side. Henry was unhooking one of the waggons, when the man in charge used his whip and the animal moved the waggons so suddenly that Henry could not get away from them as hastily as it was necessary. The consequence was that he was struck by the waggons, three of his rite were broken; and his left arm dislocated.'[6]
1876 Advert: 'Wanted, Tramway Locomotive, three to four horse-power. To pass through a Tunnel 6 feet 7 inches by 6 feet. Address R. Bealey and Co., Radcliffe.'[7]
1876 Advert: 'Wanted, tramway Locomotive, three to four horsepower. To pass through a Tunnel 6 feet. Address R. Bealey and and Co., Radcliffe. [8]
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ Manchester Mercury - 7 January 1794
- ↑ Weekly Chronicle (London) - Sunday 13 May 1838
- ↑ Cotton Mills in Radcliffe 1891
- ↑ [1] Heritage Photo Archive: Bealey's works
- ↑ [2] The Tram Roads of the Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal by Paul Hindle, Manchester Geographical Society. North West Geography, Volume 5, Number 1, 2005
- ↑ Heywood Advertiser - Friday 11 July 1873
- ↑ Midland & Northern Coal & Iron Trades Gazette - 6 September 1876
- ↑ Midland & Northern Coal & Iron Trades Gazette - Wednesday 28 March 1877
- Archives of the British chemical industry, 1750-1914: a handlist. By Peter J. T. Morris and Colin A. Russell. Edited by John Graham Smith. 1988.