Messrs. Willett and Nephew, of Pottergate Street, are manufacturers on a large scale. The factory itself is not very extensive, for most of the weavers work for the firm at their own houses; and there, in humble dwellings, produce the beautiful fancy fabrics, which are destined to adorn the daintiest ladies in the land. The extent of the operations of this firm enables them to introduce a great variety of novelties in every season, and thus to compete successfully with the manufacturers of France. They were the first to introduce the manufacture of paramattas, which superseded the bombazines, at one time in such great demand. They produce superior poplins, (plain, figured, and watered) bareges, balzarines, tamataves, coburgs, camlets, challis, crinoline, crêpe de Lyons, grenadines, shawls, scarfs, robes, and also a great variety of plain fabrics. They exhibited a large assortment of goods at the London Exhibition of 1851, and received a certificate of “honourable mention” for their paramattas, being the only award made for that article. Messrs. Willett and Co. also received a silver medal at the last Exhibition in Paris. In 1867, the same firm supplied some rich poplins, which were selected for the queen and royal family, from the stock of Mr. Caley, in London Street. Mr. Caley has always on hand a large stock of Norwich goods, including shawls and fancy fabrics of the newest designs. Visitors to Norwich should not fail to call at his establishment, if they wish to carry away any idea of the productions of the old city.
Messrs. C. and F. Bolingbroke and Jones, manufacturers of all kinds of textile fabrics, carry on a large business in a building which was formerly the city residence of the priors of Ixworth. On an old door, which formerly opened into the prior’s hall, is the following inscription in black letter on the transoms which divide the panels:—
Maria plena, mater mic
Remembyr Wyllyá Lowth, Prior 18.
William Louth was the 18th Prior of Walsingham, from 1505 to 1515. This door has been noticed by Blomefield and others, but not correctly; Mr. H. Harrod gave an engraving with description in his “Gleanings Among the Castles and Convents of Norfolk,” (1857). John Aldrich, a grocer, resided here prior to 1549. He was elected an alderman in 1544, sheriff in 1551, mayor in 1558 and 1570, and member of parliament for Norwich in 1555, 1558, and 1572. He was buried inside of St. Clement’s church, on the north side of the chancel, June 12th, 1582. His wife, Elizabeth Aldrich, was buried there April 3rd, 1587. Messrs. C. and F. Bolingbroke and Jones have almost rebuilt the house. They produce large quantities of textile fabrics, including poplins (plain, figured, and watered) paramattas, bareges, winseys, linseys, grenadines, and a variety of fancy goods for dresses, which are in great demand. At the first Great Exhibition of 1851 a medal was awarded to this firm for poplins, and at the Great Exhibition of 1862 for poplins and poplinettes. In addition to the old extensive premises, the firm, some time since, purchased the steam-power mills in Calvert Street, and they also occupy a steam-power shed at St. James’ factory.
Messrs. Towler, Rowling, and Allen, of Elm Hill, occupy large rooms in the new buildings adjoining St. James’ factory, where they produce large quantities of plain and fancy goods, which have been in great demand. They make also large quantities of plain fabrics, for wholesale houses only. At the London Exhibition of 1862, honourable mention was made of the shawls of this firm.
Mr. J. L Barber has a large establishment in St. Martin’s Lane, where he carries on business, making reels and winding cotton on them. He supplies great quantities of cotton-thread to wholesale and retail houses.
Messrs. Sultzer and Co. carry on the manufacture of crapes to a considerable extent in premises built for the purpose in St. Augustine’s.
Messrs. F. Hindes and Sons, who have a warehouse in Botolph Street, manufacture paramattas, bareges, tamataves, grenadines, poplins, shawls, and cloakings. They hire a floor also in the steam-power factory.
Messrs. French and Co. formed a Limited Liability Company, and built a new factory in the Mill Yard Lane, where they manufacture crapes, which are in great demand.
Messrs. Grout and Co., manufacturers of gauzes, crapes, aerophanes, &c., in addition to their mills in Norwich, have other mills at Yarmouth and Ditchingham, and at Ponder’s End near London. Theirs is, in fact, the greatest concern in the world in the production of crapes and other silk goods. In their several mills they employ about 2000 hands.