Sherborne Silk Mills, Sherborne
of Westbury, Sherborne, Dorset
'DEATH AND FUNERAL OF MR ROBERT WILLMOTT. ..... It is now our duty to record the death of Mr. Robert Willmott, of Sherborne House, a gentleman universally respected and beloved by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance or enjoyed the privilege of his friendship. He was the son of the late Mr. Thelma Willmott, whose father, the late Mr. William Willmott (2), established in Westbury in this town more than a century since a silk factory, which has been conducted by the family to the present time, giving employment to an average number of 400 men, women, and children of the town and the neigbbouriug villages, a benefit which, it may be here remarked, we trust will be continued by Mr. Willmott's successors, for it would be a sad calamity should the works be closed, as such a contingency would bring great distress upon Sherborne. After the decease of Mr. Thomas Willmott, in 1834, the factory was for a great many years carried on by the two brothers, Mr. John Percival Willmott and Mr. R. Willmott, and during that period a great improvements were wrought in the buildings and machinery, &c., and Mr. Robert Willmott, ever anxious for the welfare and comfort of the employees, from time to time erected cottages in Horsecastles and the neat row of houses with their trim gardens suitable for tho labouring class, numbering altogether 36, stand out as a monument to his name, for had he not possessed the desire for the good of the town, and manifested a sincere earls for his workpeople, these cottages might never have been erected, and the insufficiency at present existing in this respect would have been vastly increased. We may mention another praiseworthy enterprise which the late Mr. Robert Willmott undertook the building of about eight respectable houses on the east side of South-street. So that in all his works he endeavoured to accomplish something which would be beneficial to his native place. On the decease of Mr. John P. Willmott in 1858, his sons, William and Albert, joined the late Mr. Robert as partner, but the former died in 1864, leaving his uncle and brother as the surviving partners. Mr. Albert Willmott, the now surviving partner, has been a great assistance in the management of so large a concern. The deceased gentleman was very energetic in his business, and his knowledge of all the working parts and his judgment in all things relative to the silk trade, markets, Ste., could not be surpassed. It is a very noticeable feature that he took particular interest in looking after the morals and well being of his employes when he was on the premises, and wo have heard it expressed that by his kind and gentle yet firm manner he could ease the troubles of the perplexed children as well as assuage the feuds of those of riper age. At times, when the markets were adverse, it always grieved him to reduce the tune of labour, and he never resorted to this course unless stern necessity compelled it. The subscription lists of the various charitable associations in the town testify to his large-hearted and unsectarian benevolence, and he was ever ready to support or take an active part in every object for the advancement of the interests of Sherborne. He was in all respects a straightforward and perfect gentleman, a man to whom many would go for advice and be met with cordiality, and the subject carefully and minutely entered into, regardless of trouble it there was any chance of his services being useful. For many years Mr. Willmott has been one of the brethren of the almshouse and a Governor of Sherborne School. ....'[1]
1887 'Silk Mills.— A company has been formed, and is now registered, under the name of J. & R. Willmott, Limited, "for the purpose of purchasing and working the silk factories at Sherborne, Dorset, which have been carried on for 150 years, and generally to carry the trade of silk throwsters and manufacturers in connection therewith." The capital of the undertaking is £8,000, divided into 800 shares of £10 each. The promoters arc Messrs. E. B. Dingley, J. H. Dalwood, W. H. M. Brown, B. Chandler, A. Stewart, A. Dingley, S. W. Chandler, E.Symes, Dr. Williams, and the Rev. J. Ogle.'[2]