Winslow History | Tanneries

Tanneries

In common with most market towns, Winslow had tanneries where animal skins were treated with tannin and made into leather. The leather was bought by leather dressers, saddlers, glovers and lace pattern makers to be turned into finished goods. One of the tanyards was on the sharp bend in Horn Street. Amongst the deeds to the house called Sunnyside, on Horn Street, is the following conveyance, by which Thomas Blake sets aside part of his orchard to create a tannery business for his son John Blake:

16 January 1740

1) Thomas Blake of Winslow gentleman
2) John Blake of Winslow tanner (one of the sons of the said Thomas Blake)

In consideration of the natural love and paternal affection which the said Thomas Blake hath and beareth unto the said John Blake his son and for his better provision and advancement in the world and in consideration of the sum of 10s ....

All that piece of inclosed ground belonging and adjoining to the homestall of the said Thomas Blake and lately an orchard but now converted into a tanyard containing by estimation one acre be it more or less the Rickyard of the said Thomas Blake westward the home close of the said Thomas Blake southward the garden of William Hobbs eastward and the cottage of the said Thomas Blake by him purchased of Nicholas Plaistead northward thereof with liberty of ingress egress and regress in and through the yard and rickyard of the said Thomas Blake to and from the said Orchard or tanyard now in the occupation of the said John Blake together with all houses buildings trees hedges ditches mounds fences tan vats lime pits water pits privileges profits and appurtenances whatsoever to the said orchard or tanyard belonging

Oxford Journal, 5 Jan 1771

TO be Lett and entered upon at Lady-Day next; a very good HOUSE and TAN-YARD complete, situate in Great-Horn Street, Winslow, Bucks, being within two Miles of Whaddon Chace, wherein is plenty of Bark. It likewise lies well for Hides and Skins.

Enquire of Mr. Thomas Blake of Winslow, or of Mr. Francis Blake, of King’s Sutton.

The tannery is included in Land Tax and insurance records for Blake House. It closed in the early 19th century.

Northampton Mercury, 23 Oct 1813

Freehold and Copyhold Estates, W I N S L O W, BUCKS,
To be S O L D by A U C T I O N, By SAMUEL DUDLEY,

On Thursday the fourth Day of November, 1813, at the Bell Inn, Winslow, at Five o’Clock in the Afternoon.

A Very desirable Freehold and Copyhold ESTATE, situate in GREAT HORN STREET, in WINSLOW, aforesaid; comprising in Front next the Street, a Brick and Timber-built Stable, (lately used as a Cottage), a roofed Gateway, and behind the same a well-timbered Barn of three Bays, with a good Thrashing Floor therein, Stabling for five Horses, several small Barns, two Bays of Hovelling, and other convenient Out-buildings; a large Paved Yard, wherein is a Well of Excellent Water, and a capital Lead Pump, and a Piece of Ground, now used as a Garden, containing in the Whole, by Estimation, one Acre, (more or less), now in the Occupation of Mr. George Jones, who is under Notice to Quit at Lady-Day next.

The above Premises were a few Years since used as a Tan Yard, are well calculated for that or any other Business requiring Room, or for Building upon.

The Freehold Part consists of the Piece of Ground, now used as a Garden, and Part of the Yard, containing in the Whole by Admeasurement 1R. 29P, and the Remainder is Copyhold of Inheritance, and nearly equal to Freehold.

The Premises may be viewed on Application to the Tenant, and further Particulars had of Mr. CHAS. WILLIS, Solicitor, or the AUCTIONEER, Winslow.

Bucks Chronicle, 24 May 1856

HORN-STREET, WINSLOW.
A VALUABLE Piece of LAND, called the “TAN-YARD,”
With a very convenient HOUSE and GARDEN, AND LARGE BARN, TABLE, AND OTHER OUTBUILDINGS,
Containing together about an ACRE of GROUND,
Situate in HORN-STREET, nearly in the Centre of the Town of WINSLOW,
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, BY Mr. James King,
On Wednesday, 28th May, 1856, At 5 o’clock in the Afternoon,
At the GEORGE INN, WINSLOW. Subject to Conditions of Sale to be then produced,

THOSE very ROOMY PREMISES, called the “TAN-YARD”, situate in Horn-street, Winslow; comprising a three-bay Barn, Stabling, Cow-house, Hovel, and Farm-Yard; and a Garden and Paddock adjoining, containing about One Acre, occupied by the Proprietor, Mr. E. W. French. Also, a very convenient HOUSE, with Outbuildings and Garden adjoining, in the occupation of Mr. James Spicer, at the rent of £5 : 10 per annum.

This Property is part Freehold and part Copyhold of the Manor of Winslow. It presents an opportunity to any person requiring roomy premises rarely to be met with in this town, of obtaining room, eligible situation, a convenient house, and substantial building, capable of being converted to any purpose that may be requisite, at a very moderate outlay.

It is very suitable for converting into Hunting Stables.

For leave to view apply to the Tenant, or to Mr. E. W. French, Winslow, and for further particulars to D. T. Willis, Esq., solicitor; or to the Auctioneer, Winslow.

In 1857 the Tan Yard was again put up for sale by E.W. French the owner: see 8-10 Horn Street

The other tanyard was adjacent to the Greyhound Inn on the corner of High Street and Greyhound Lane. It was unusual in Winslow in that it was freehold land, and the owner did not therefore have to have any conveyances copied into the Winslow Court Books. However, the following entry may refer to it while it was still copyhold:

Manor Court, 16 April 1700
William Benson of Aylesbury gent. and Jane his wife surrendered the messuage scituate in the Cowe Streete of Winslowe now in the occupation of William Shelton sr, with all trees, fences, etc. To the use of the said William Shelton, leather-dresser [alutarius] for his life, then Ellen his wife for her life, then William's heirs in perpetuity. William was admitted as tenant. Rent [blank], fine 5s.

Like many small town tanneries, it went out of business in the mid 19th century, in this case on the death of the proprietor, George West. The last tanner was Mr Elliott.

Buckingham Advertiser, 14 March 1863

WINSLOW TANYARD.
THE undersigned, having taken to the above premises, will be happy to take the HIDES, SKINS, and BARK of the Neighbourhood, at the Market Price.
E. L. ELLIOTT.

The following advertisement for the property is taken from the Bucks Herald, 25 August 1866, when the Wests hoped to keep the tannery as a going concern.

Bucks Herald 25 August 1866

Winslow, Bucks
An Excellent Residence, Coach House, Stabling, Greenhouse, and Garden
A most convenient Tanyard, with well arranged sheds, Hovels etc and a Valuable Piece of Garden Ground

To be Sold by Auction by Dudley & Son, on Friday, August 31st 1866 at the Bell Inn, Winslow, at Four o'clock in the Afternoon

In Three Lots (or in Two Lots as may be agreed at the time of Sale)

By direction of the Executors of the late George West Esq.

The whole of the Property is in excellent Repair and is now in the occupation of Mr Gibbs, a quarterly tenant.

The House is most conveniently situate, and is valuable either for a House of Business or a Private Residence

The Tan Yard offers every facility for carrying on a large and profitable trade, there being no other Yard within six miles of the place.

Part of the Purchase Money may remain on Mortgage if required.

Lots 1 and 2 are Freehold, and lot 3 is Copyhold of the Manor of Winslow, Nearly equal in value to Freehold.

For a View, apply to the Tenant, Mr Gibbs, and for further Particulars, to Messrs Willis and Willis, Solicitors, or to Messrs Dudley and Son, Auctioneers and Land Agents, Winslow.

The tanyard evidently didn't sell, and it was offered again in 1867 for development. The property was actually purchased by the Solicitor Thomas Willis and became his principal residence. It has only recently been demolished and the site used for flats.

Bucks Herald, 27 April 1867

WINSLOW, BUCKS,
A Valuable Piece of Building Ground, with a Brick and Slated Hovel,
IN THE CENTRE OF THIS TOWN
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, BY DUDLEY & SON,
On FRIDAY, the 3rd Day of MAY, 1867
At the BELL INN, WINSLOW
At 5 o’Clock in the Afternoon, by direction of the Rev. M. R. WEST,
A VERY convenient piece of BUILDING GROUND, situate in the High-street, Winslow, walled round, on which stands a newly built Brick and Slated Hovel, a pump of excellent water, and 12 bricked Tan Pits.
The Property is Copyhold of the Manor of Winslow.
Immediate possession can be given.
For further Particulars with permission to View, apply to Messrs. Willis and Willis, Solicitors, or to Messrs. Dudley and Son, Auctioneers and Land Agents, Winslow.