Page 156 - Redditch People

Redditch People

On the 1841 census Samuel lived with his wife and family in Fish Hill, Redditch. In 1843,
he introduced pointing machines and the fan for drawing away the dust from the grinder’s
wheel in his works at the British Needle Mills, Redditch.

In 1856 the needle finishers in Samuel’s employ went on strike because of poor pay and
the tyranny and injustices on the part of the overlookers.

In 1857 he brought shares in the proposed Railway, from Redditch to Barnt Green.

At the International Exhibition of 1863 Thomas and Sons of Redditch got a medal for
excellence in needles and fish hooks. In that same year, at the Vice Chancellor’s court,
he sought to restrain the fraudulent use of his trademark.

In 1865 he was charged with an assault of horse whipping on a Mr. Henry Howell, an
accountant. During the case it came out that Samuel had a mistress of 20 years as well
as a wife and seven children. He was found guilty and fined £5 and costs.

Samuel Thomas died on the 6th September 1878 and was interred in the family vault in
the burial ground of the Congregational Church, Evesham Street, Redditch.

After his death, there were disputes within the family between his sons Henry and John
about who should take over the business. The claim by John was rejected and Henry took
over as requested by Samuel in his will.

A map of the British Mills site in Prospect Hill/Albert Street

Page: 156 © RLHS 2015