RichardB Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 One rule maker, Zachariah Belcher, seems to have flourished from at least 1792, when the following advertisement appeared in the local press (Sheffield Register 16 March 1792) : A Manufactory of Rules ZACHARIACH BELCHER, Box & Ivory Rule Maker. Wishes respectfully to inform the Merchants, Factors, Hardwaremen and the Public in general, in Sheffield and its Vicinity, that he has taken a Shop in the New-Market, opposite the Gaol, where he makes RULES of all Sorts, in the best and neatest Manner, which he sells on the lowest Terms, Wholesale or Retail, and shall be particularly thankful to receive their Orders, which they may depend upon being executed with the greatest Punctuality and Dispatch. Rules mended in the neatest Manner. Belcher first appeared in the directory in 1797; by 1879, as Zachariah Belcher & Sons, the firm had moved to Mary Street, apparently making a final directory appearance in Napier Street in 1909. Yet no items with their signature have been recorded, suggesting that other firms retailed their products. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vox Posted December 14, 2010 Share Posted December 14, 2010 I am looking for any info I might find relating to the Belcher Brothers of NYC who had a rule making business in NYC during the 1820's through mid to late 1870s. They were three brothers - Thomas, William & Charles. They appear to have emigrated from Sheffield England where they may be related to the rulemaker Zachariah Belcher. Source ============================== Thomas Belcher, New York Thomas Belcher most likely emigrated from England as an apprenticed rulemaker. He may have been a descendent of Zachariah Belcher, listed as a Sheffield rulemaker from 1839-1865 1860 Belcher Brothers & Company Catalogue, A Ken Roberts' Reprint, describes Thomas Belcher at 145 Division Street in the 1822 New York Directory, rulemaker. The 1860 catalogue states "1821." Roberts reports that Thomas Belcher's brother William joined the firm in 1825 forming T. & W. Belcher at 141 Milbury Street later moving in 1832 to Water Street and operating as Belcher Brothers. In 1840 the business was at Platt Street and in 1851 moved again to 271 Pearl Street. Roberts reports that the sons joined in 1853 and the firm was then named Belcher Brothers & Company. "rules, 17 Platt" in The New York City Directory for 1842 and 1843, John Doggett Jr, Publisher. Alexander Farnham in his book "Early Tools of New Jersey and the Men Who Made Them" suggests the factory was moved to New Jersey about 1843 leaving the sales office in New York City. Ken Roberts' reprinted catalogue lists William Belcher at 233 Pearl Street, New York City as the sole sales representative for Belcher Brothers & Company. ================================= Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardB Posted December 14, 2010 Author Share Posted December 14, 2010 I am looking for any info I might find relating to the Belcher Brothers of NYC who had a rule making business in NYC during the 1820's through mid to late 1870s. They were three brothers - Thomas, William & Charles. They appear to have emigrated from Sheffield England where they may be related to the rulemaker Zachariah Belcher. Source ============================== Thomas Belcher, New York Thomas Belcher most likely emigrated from England as an apprenticed rulemaker. He may have been a descendent of Zachariah Belcher, listed as a Sheffield rulemaker from 1839-1865 1860 Belcher Brothers & Company Catalogue, A Ken Roberts' Reprint, describes Thomas Belcher at 145 Division Street in the 1822 New York Directory, rulemaker. The 1860 catalogue states "1821." Roberts reports that Thomas Belcher's brother William joined the firm in 1825 forming T. & W. Belcher at 141 Milbury Street later moving in 1832 to Water Street and operating as Belcher Brothers. In 1840 the business was at Platt Street and in 1851 moved again to 271 Pearl Street. Roberts reports that the sons joined in 1853 and the firm was then named Belcher Brothers & Company. "rules, 17 Platt" in The New York City Directory for 1842 and 1843, John Doggett Jr, Publisher. Alexander Farnham in his book "Early Tools of New Jersey and the Men Who Made Them" suggests the factory was moved to New Jersey about 1843 leaving the sales office in New York City. Ken Roberts' reprinted catalogue lists William Belcher at 233 Pearl Street, New York City as the sole sales representative for Belcher Brothers & Company. ================================= But, but, but ... Please Sir ... Thomas seems to have been a butcher ... Shambles; h. Eyre Street (1833) In the Shambles; Hall Carr Place (1828-9) 57 Norfolk Street (1841) 27 Charles Street (1849 & 1852) probably ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardB Posted December 14, 2010 Author Share Posted December 14, 2010 No idea what this lot means (I'm watching Frost and looking after a post-operative kitten) but it doesn't have "may" and "appear" in one sentence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vox Posted December 15, 2010 Share Posted December 15, 2010 Proof, positive that I, The VoxMeister, am Holmes to RichardB's Moriarty ... Zachariah Belcher Brass and iron founder Universal 1791 Zachariah Belcher Box and Ivory Rule Maker New-Market (opposite Sheffield Gaol) Register 1792 Zachariah Belcher Rule makers Sheffield Moor Robinson's 1797 Zachariah Belcher Box and Ivory Rule Maker 4 Bright Street, Sheffield Moor Gell's 1825 Zachariah Belcher Rule makers 4 Bright Street, Sheffield Moor Pigot's 1828-9 Zach Belcher & Sons Ivory and box rule mfrs. 1 Bright Street; h. Ecclesall New Road White's 1833 Zach Belcher Jun. Rule manufacturer h. Cumberland Street White's 1833 John Belcher Rule manufacturer h. 1 Bright Street White's 1833 Zachariah Belcher Ivory and box rule manufacturers 4 Bright Street, Sheffield Moor White's 1837 Belcher & Sons Rule makers 270 Bright Street Pigot's 1841 John Belcher Rule Manufacturer Ecclesall New Road Rodgers 1841 Belcher & Sons Rule Makers 272 Fitzwilliam Street Slater's 1846 Zach. Belcher & Sons Ivory and box rule makers 272 Bright Street White's 1849 Zach. Belcher & Sons Ivory and box rule manufacturers 272 Bright Street White's 1852 John Zachariah Belcher & Sons Ivory and box rule manufacturers h. Eastfield Terrace, William Street White's 1852 Arthur Hy. Belcher 79 Lansdowne Road White's 1871 Zachariah Belcher & Sons Rule Manufacturers Bright Street (Moor) White's 1871 Zachariah Belcher & Sons Rule Manufacturer Mary Street 1879 Belcher & Sons Rule Manufacturers 74 Mary Street Kelly's 1893 Arthur Hy. Belcher (Zachariah Belcher & Sons) Rule Manufacturer 74 Mary Street Kelly's 1893 Arthur Henry Belcher (Zachariah Belcher & Sons) Rule Manufacturer h. 6 Priory Avenue, Priory Road White's 1905 Zachariah Belcher & Sons Rule Manufacturer Wallace Works, 34 Furnival Street White's 1905 Zachariah Belcher & Sons Rule Manufacturer Napier Street 1909 Mary (Mrs) Belcher h. 6 Priory Avenue, Priory Road White's 1911 Z. Belcher & Sons English & Foreign Rule Manufacturers, 101 Napier Street White's 1911 Harold William Belcher (Zachariah Belcher & Sons) Rule Manufacturer h. 6 Priory Avenue, Priory Road White's 1911 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madannie77 Posted December 16, 2010 Share Posted December 16, 2010 Are you sure that you are not actually Grytpype-Thynne to RichardB's Moriarty? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vox Posted December 17, 2010 Share Posted December 17, 2010 More like Manuel to Basil This is jolly isn't it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Vicks Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 One rule maker, Zachariah Belcher, seems to have flourished from at least 1792, when the following advertisement appeared in the local press (Sheffield Register 16 March 1792) : A Manufactory of Rules ZACHARIACH BELCHER, Box & Ivory Rule Maker. Wishes respectfully to inform the Merchants, Factors, Hardwaremen and the Public in general, in Sheffield and its Vicinity, that he has taken a Shop in the New-Market, opposite the Gaol, where he makes RULES of all Sorts, in the best and neatest Manner, which he sells on the lowest Terms, Wholesale or Retail, and shall be particularly thankful to receive their Orders, which they may depend upon being executed with the greatest Punctuality and Dispatch. Rules mended in the neatest Manner. Belcher first appeared in the directory in 1797; by 1879, as Zachariah Belcher & Sons, the firm had moved to Mary Street, apparently making a final directory appearance in Napier Street in 1909. Yet no items with their signature have been recorded, suggesting that other firms retailed their products. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Vicks Posted January 14, 2011 Share Posted January 14, 2011 Hi I am a descendant of the Sheffield Belchers. There are Belcher rules still in existance and when I work out how to post the pictures will do so. The American brothers were the 3 sons of Zachariah Belcher who emigrated to New Jersey. Vicks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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