Richard Early and Henry Early
of Worsham Mill, Witney, blanket makers
1860s Henry Early acquired the factory on Woodgreen, Witney, and made blankets there from the 1860s until his business failed sometime in the 1890s - he is recorded as a 'woollen manufacturer' in Kelly's 1891 Directory but does not appear in the 1903 edition. It is possible that his premises were just too large to be economic.
In addition, it was probably Henry who made blankets at The Captains, a small mill and warehouse in West End, Witney.
1864 Richard Early (cousin of Charles Early) bought Worsham Mill.
1874 After Richard died, the mill passed to his son Arthur
Arthur became ill and the mill was leased for 21 years from 1877 to his uncle Henry, who made blankets there. It is possible that he also made cycles too, because when the mill was transferred to Pritchett and Webley the transfer document included 'the goodwill of the business of woollen and cycle manufacture'.
1896 Worsham Mill was transferred to Pritchett and Webley; Charles Early and Co acquired the Witney premises of The Captains, probably at the same time.
See Also
Sources of Information
- [1] Witney Blankets