John Heathcoat's Tiverton Lace Manufactory c. 1836

Courtesy Devon County Council

From "The History of Devonshire"

The Rev. Thomas Moore

" A large manufactory of this lace (bobbin-net or Nottingham lace) was established in 1816 at Tiverton, by Messrs Heathcoat & Co., which affords occupation for numerous operatives, whose means of substance had failed on the removal of the cloth trade. We learn from Mr. Lysons, that in 1822 these works were employing about 1500 hands, including men, women and children. They are still carried on with success, and, as we are informed on good authority, employ at present several thousand workpeople in the town and vicinity.

About the time mentioned above, the largest factory in Tiverton, formerly belonging to Messrs Heathfield & Co., was purchased for this manufactory by Mr. Heathcoat, who afterwards added very considerably to the premises. The twisting and preparation of the cotton and silk, together with the machines by which the lace is manufactured, occupy the principal part of the building. Bleaching -  and gas- works have also been constructed, as appendages to the factory, and brass and iron works established, which, besides supplying the factory, are a great accommodation to the town and neighbourhood. The machinery is put in motion by a water-wheel of one hundred horse power; it is of the best construction, and large dimensions, being 21 feet wide, and 25 feet in diameter, and is made entirely of iron, except the float boards.

The machines by which this lace is made a re among the most ingenious of any that are employed in the manufacturers of the country, and are well worthy the inspection of the curious. They are, however, too complex, and admit of  great improvements, which indeed are frequently taking place. At any rate, they serve to show that the wonderful excellence to which British ingenuity and perseverance are capable of attaining in the construction of machinery for the manufactories, is not exceeded, if equalled, by any other country. Pieces of lace made by these machines from one to two, and in some instances three yards in width, and of a convenient length. One machine will produce in one minute a quantity of met, which by the method in use twenty years ago, would occupy a woman a fortnight in making.

From the rapidity with which the lace is made, the profits, eight or ten years ago, were enormous, and large property was consequently accumulated by many manufacturers in a very short period. this was the case with Mr. Heathcoat himself, who has risen by his ingenuity and perseverance from the state of a working mechanic to his present affluence and prosperity."