Title
Archive of the Harrison Knitting & Textile Machinery Co Ltd
Reference
YA2005.59
Production date
01-01-1892 - 31-12-1982
Creator
- Harrison Knitting & Textile Machine Co. LtdBiographyBiography
Knitting machine manufacturer established in 1856 by William Harrison, Manchester. The company was the only English manufacturer of knitting machines to win 10 gold medals for craftsmanship in the knitting machine industry.
- Harrison Wools LtdBiographyBiography
Harrison Wools Ltd was established by directors of the Harrison Knitting and Textile Machine Company Ltd. in 1953. The company was involved in spinning wool, cotton, rayon and other materials, as well as trading in yarns and threads. In a letter to customers written in 1970, Harrison Wools' directors explained that the company would cease trading but that its branded products would continue to be manufactured by Ward Jones of Chester.
- Wools and Embroideries LtdBiographyBiography
Wools and Embroideries Ltd was established by the directors of the Harrison Knitting & Textile Machine Company Ltd in 1935. The company manufactured and sold 'art needlework', embroidery, haberdashery, fancy goods, woolen goods and other related items. The company is known to have remained in existence until at least 1969.
- Harrison Precision Engineers LimitedBiographyBiography
Harrison Precision Engineers Limited was set up by the directors of the Harrison Knitting and Textile Manchinery Company Ltd in 1953. The business was established as a mechanical, electrical, construction and consulting engineering firm, as well as being involved in metal working.
Scope and Content
Includes Memorandum & Articles of Association for the various name changes of the company, share registers, financial records, publicity material, manuals, photographs and papers relating to the J.S. Harrison Trust.
Extent
3 boxes of documents, booklets, volumes and photographs
Physical description
The condition of the archive is fair to good. Some documents and booklets have paper tears, particularly on the covers and at the edges. There is significant damage to the cover of a volume which has had its clasp torn open. The same volume shows wear along the board edges and spine. The legal documents and photographs are in good condition. Photographic material consists of 8 inch by 10 inch and 8 inch by 6.25 inch photographic prints (original), black & white, on photographic paper.
Language
English
Archival history
The archive was donated to the museum by the son of one of the Directors of the company.
Level of description
TOP
Repository name
Science and Industry Museum
Associated people and organisations
- Harrison, Jane StewartBiographyBiography
Jane Stewart Harrison, daughter of William and Sarah Bruce, was born in Caithness, Scotland. She married John William Harrison in 1892, who was then employed at his father, William Harrison's firm: the Harrison Knitting and Textile Machinery Company Limited. John William Harrison became the chairman and director when his father died in 1914. In her will, Jane left money in trust to be used for the benefit of past or present employees of Harrison's.
- Harrison, John WilliamBiographyBiography
John William Harrison was eldest son of William Harrison, founder and chairman of the Harrison Knitting & Textile Machinery Company Ltd. William employed his son from the age of 14 in various parts of the business, including demonstrating the bicycles the firm sold for a time. John also had the opportunity to travel to demonstrate Harrison's equipment, and is known to have visited South Africa.
On his father's death in July of 1914, John William Harrison took over the company as Chairman and Director. His younger brothers Charles and Pedro had also been employed by the business, and became directors too.
Harrison died in Colwyn Bay in March 1949.
Conditions governing access
Restricted Access, series 3 only. A Data Protection form must be signed in order to access this material. All other material is Open Access.
Conditions governing Reproduction
Copies may be supplied in accordance with current copyright legislation and Science Museum Group terms and conditions.
External document
Related object
