The Weavers and Watchmakers of Hillfields, Coventry

By S. L. Sidwell

(Unpublished publication, 1972, Courtesy of Coventry City Records Office)

I was born in March 1895, at a small terraced house in Nelson Street, Hillfields, right in the heart of the weaving industry. My parents and grand parents were master weavers and watchmakers. I have a watch, which is still going strong, made by my grandfather Edwin Everitt. His name is on the watch face and inside is engraved Coventry 1871. There is only one man in Coventry who can repair this type of watch.

My grandfather originally lived at the top of Vernon Street and had his weaving looms here. My parents were married from this address, later on all removed to Bradford Street, where they had the looms on the right hand side, going from Cambridge Street. All the looms in Hillfields district were situated in what was known as The Top Shop, and they were reached by means of a ladder. Some of these top shops still remain in 1972.

My grandfather had five sons and three daughters, all married. It was these large families which provided the labour force so necessary to the silk trade. All families went up to the Top Shop, about 4 a.m. with their food for the day, gas being laid on for cooking, lighting, and for the motive power for the looms. Crossley gas engines were in use for this purpose, the shaftings being run from house to house there being no electricity in those days. I can remember about 1899 going up to the looms and observing my grandfather in his frock coat and top hat, who after seeing the looms were operating OK left to journey to the Drapers Hall (still in use in 1972) to sell his wares, drink a bevvy and return much later in the day to his beloved looms.

A work here may be of interest, concerning the looms, which were of course at this date, Jacquard, invented by Joseph Marie Jacquard, born July 7^th 1752 – died August 7^th 1834. His looms revolutionised the weaving industry. In its simplest form the horizontal loom, provided for tethering a bar carrying the lengthwise warp threads to a stake in the ground. A bar at the farther end was secured to the weaver who thus had a straight set of warps, through which to cross and interlace the weft threads. A comb like implement served to beat up the weft threads closely together after their being interlaced. A device called a Heddle enabled alternate warp threads to be raised, so forming a shed or opening through which the weft thread could be readily passed.

Later the apparatus was improved, to include a frame, a warp beam, and a cloth beam on which to roll the woven fabric. The weft was contained in a spool within a shuttle. In 1733 John Kay of Bury invented the fly shuttle. The weaver was then enabled to throw his shuttle, by jerking a cord instead of passing it laboriously through by hand. Robert Kay, a relative of John Kay, in 1769, invented the drop box loom enabling a second, third or fourth colour or kind of weft to be used at will. Cartwright patented his power loom in 1785 – 1787. Later Jacquard invented his arrangement for permitting an individual set of warp threads to be lifted at one time automatically.

It is worth remembering that Messrs. Wilkinsons of Payne’s Lane, Coventry, made, sold and repaired the looms, also for export. When working the looms did not stop, only for breakdown, meals being taken al Fresco. The weaving families, although not well off for money, were very happy together and when trade was bad, pawnbrokers supplied the necessary cash to live. My watch has been in the pawnbrokers more times than possibly any other article. Weavers were too proud to go to the Board of Guardians, for relief, there being no Social Security in those days. In 1772 Coventry exported their wares to mainly America, for about £2 million, and increased to £3.5 million in 1793 and £7 million in 1798. In 1859 an unprecedented stagnation set in and Coventry Silk traders ceased to come in. Great distress followed. It recovered but in 1903 the weaving trade was again in decline, two uncles of mine left Coventry, with their families to help introduce the weaving industry in America. They settled in Philadelphia and never returned. My Grandfather died whilst living at the Nine Houses, along the Foleshill Road, “Oer the Bridge”, near the Parting of the Heath, as it was called in those days. These houses were situated near The Bricklayers Arms, now called the Heath Hotel. After a short time here my Grandmother died here, trade got worse and one uncle left for Derby, where some of his family are still engaged in the weaving industry. The other members (female) found part time work in Cash’s, Stevens, Leigh Mills and other larger firms. The male members found work in the Cycle Trade, which was then not doing so badly. The looms were dismantled and some were sold for scrap, and later Messrs. Wilkinsons also closed down. One can spare a thought here for what must have been a very difficult job of getting the looms fitted up in the Top Shops.

It is history now, but when the First Tanks went into action, during World War 1, on September 15^th 1916, each tank trailed many yards of special tape, designed and manufactured by an uncle of mine. The idea of this tape was that the following troops could see the direction of these tanks. This worked ok but unfortunately the tanks on their outing were not very successful. They succeeded in “putting the wind up Jerry”, but many broke down; indeed many had great difficulty in starting up. They were rushed into action too soon, modifications were necessary, otherwise WW1 could possibly have been over much sooner. We saw then go into action, indeed we followed them.

S.L. Sidwell
Biggin Hall Crescent
Coventry

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