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J Chestermans' Bow Works


Guest mpitts07

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Guest mpitts07

Well, i'm new to this site, but i figured it was worth a try.

I've been trying to find out the history of the Bow Works buildings on Pomona Street, Sheffield. I know they used to be owned by J Chestermans, but thats pretty much all. There doesn't seem to be much out there on the internet about them.

I now work in them, and i'm interested in knowing about them. The main thing i'm trying to find out is when they are constructed, if anyone knows? but, of course, all other information would be welcome too!

I hope someone can shine a light on this for me...

thanks

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This ad from Pawson & Brailsford's Illustrated Guide to Sheffield (1862) has the Bow Works in Nursery Street...

Chesterman_ad.jpg

but this entry in the Sheffield Local Register suggests a re-location...

17 Jan 1867

Fire at Messrs. J. Chesterman and Co.'s Works, Ecclesall road.

The move might just have something to do with the Sheffield Flood (1864).

An undated advert from PictureSheffield: Bow Works, Pomona Street

Hugh

 

Edit: link repaired

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What does the plaque to the right of the entrance say? :)

To answer my own question, having walked across the city with a torch*...

"James Chesterman (1792-1867)

James Chesterman moved to Sheffield from London in 1820. Nine years later he patented the spring tape measure. He also invented the self-winding window blind, produced the first long steel Measuring tape and the first Woven metallic tape. His business adopted the bow as its trademark, and he named his factory the bow works which moved to this site in 1864.

James Chesterman & Co became synonymous with high quality measuring instruments, especially tapes, callipers and squares. In 1963 amalgamation with John Rabone & Sons created Rabone Chesterman, who were subsequently bought by Stanley Tools and transferred to Stanley's Woodside Plant.

Bow Works was refurbished and extended for its new occupants, Norwich Union in 1993."

Hugh

*sure thing lol - quoted at this site which also has a family tree of the Chestermans :)

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From the Sheffield City Libraries catalogue:

The First 200 Years : A Short History of Rabone Chesterman Limited

by Hallam, Douglas J

ISBN: 095095151X

136pp.

(1 copy, in the Business, Science and Technology Library)

Hugh

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To answer my own question, having walked across the city with a torch*...

"James Chesterman (1792-1867)

James Chesterman moved to Sheffield from London in 1820. Nine years later he patented the spring tape measure. He also invented the self-winding window blind, produced the first long steel Measuring tape and the first Woven metallic tape. His business adopted the bow as its trademark, and he named his factory the bow works which moved to this site in 1864.

James Chesterman & Co became synonymous with high quality measuring instruments, especially tapes, callipers and squares. In 1963 amalgamation with John Rabone & Sons created Rabone Chesterman, who were subsequently bought by Stanley Tools and transferred to Stanley's Woodside Plant.

Bow Works was refurbished and extended for its new occupants, Norwich Union in 1993."

Hugh

*sure thing lol - quoted at this site which also has a family tree of the Chestermans :)

According to the web site link, he was born 15th September 1804 and died 25 April 1876 ... which kind of conflicts with what it says on the Plate.

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1852 Cutts, Chesterman and Bedington, Tape Measure Manufacturers of 43 Division Street.

Cutts initial was "C" or possibly "I P" (don't ask !)

James Chesterman lived at 26 Mount Zion Buildings

Trade directory entry :

Cutts, Chesterman and Bedington, patentees & manufacturers of spring tape measures, blind and map rollers, door hinges, roasting jacks 43 Division Street.

[Reminder to self : Get a life !]

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1837 Directory

James Chesterman, patentee and manufacturer of the newly invented spring tape measures, spring map and window blind rollers, and spring hinges & door closers; at I P Cutts', Division Street, home Broomhall Field Street.

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1832 Poll Book

James Chesterman of Bakers' Hill (he voted for John Parker Esquire of Woodthorpe and James Silk Buckingham, Esquire of London.

I can't work out where Bakers' Hill was (sure someone will remind me) and given the names of the other two candidates (Samuel Bailey and Thomas Asline Ward - more information on these fellows elsewhere) I don't think James backed the winners.

Category of Tape manufacturer not mentioned in 1828 Directory - because they hadn't invented it yet !

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James Chesterman & Co Ltd. Bow Works.

Sheffield, England ND (1930s)

German Text Edition of a 45 page Illustrated Catalogue of Measuring Instruments manufactured by Chestermans' under their Constantia, Treble, & JC Trade Marks.Tapes, Steel Rules, Feeler, Vernier and Caliper Gauges etc. A good copy The same catalogue is also available in French text (Book ref. 408)

£10.00

Offered for sale by John L Capes

http://ukbookworld.com/cgi-bin/search.pl?s...rade%20catalog*

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Administrative history.

Michael Rabone carried on a business as rule maker at 8 Snow Hill, Sheffield in c1780; the business was continued by John Rabone and his (John's) grandson, Eric Rabone. It worked under the name of John Rabone & Sons c1784-1953, becoming a public company in 1948. The Headquarters were in Birmingham.

James Chesterman had set up business with Mr Housfield in 1821 with a factory in Nursery Street. Known as James Chesterman and Co Ltd from c1832 the business specialised in making measuring tapes and instruments. In 1837 James Chesterman was listed as patentee of the spring tape measure and self rolling window blind. William Chesterman was elected Master Cutler in 1880, with his premises being badly damaged by fire in the same year.

The businesses were amalgamated in 1963.

In 1990 it was taken over by Stanley.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/A2A/rec...m=2008-06-18#-1

Contents:

Customers' book 1905; records of material produced 1925-1952; price lists for rules; ready reckoners for engineers' squares and rules; reports, bulletins and process charts for products; reports on product tests and manufacturing processes; wages accounts; order books; minutes of meetings 1950-1955; correspondence relating to an expedition to Iceland by Sheffield students 1964; photographs of products; trade and manufacturers' catalogues; advertising literature and news cuttings; notes on firm's history and the merger which formed Rabone Chesterman in 1977

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1849

Cutts, Chesterman and Bedington, 39 Division Street.

(Forgot to check 1849 ... trying to squeeze it in here).

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