A well cited account states that in 1852, George Bradbury worked as a skilled machinist at Platt Brothers Engineering Company in Oldham, Lancashire. At that time, his employers were involved in an industrial dispute that resulted in the loss of an order to produce machines somewhat akin to the earliest heavyweight American designs.
Bradbury, together with fellow colleague Thomas Sugden, decided to tender for the work themselves, and were subsequently awarded a contract. A small workshop at Primrose Bank was established, and Bradbury's first machines were soon completed.

Records reveal that the workforce totalled 244 in 1871. The famous Duke of Wellington trademark was introduced in the mid 1870s. A serpentine hand lockstitch machine named the "Wellington" features this trademark. The Howe system machine was marketed as the "A1" by this time.
A budget chain stitch named the "Magic" was also offered, described as being of the "Willcox & Gibbs system".

During this period of great expansion, Thomas Sugden continued to play a vital role in the business, together with former Platt Brothers "old boy" Thomas Chadwick, who had joined Bradbury in 1864. Both widely employed their considerable skills within the business. Chadwick became joint managing director with Bradbury in 1874, following the firm's transition from a private concern to a limited company.
In that same year, a new London office opened at 14 Newgate Street, together with depots to supply machines on the "new hire system", with UK mainland orders the responsibility of Mr S.A.Thorpe.

By 1876 the London manager was John Tester. The Bristol operation was overseen by Mr J.T.Smith. Similar duties were undertaken in Wakefield by Mr C.Knowles.
During the 1880s, Mr Walmsley was noted as the company Secretary. Thomas Chadwick remained as overall manager until the mid 80s, when his health began to fail. His duties were gradually relegated to Mr Cunliffe, a former Birmingham depot manager. Chadwick died in 1886, and Cuncliffe subsequently became General Manager of Bradbury & Co. Ltd by 1890.

The business continued to expand and prosper for several decades, aided not only by newer sewing machine designs, but also other branches of light engineering manufacture. The Bradbury name became synonymous with quality items in areas such as bassinettes, mail carts and cycles, and by the turn of the century, motorcycles. The business finally ceased trading in 1924.

A Family Affair.

According to the 1861 census Charles Cliffe, later Charles Bradbury, was the stepson of founder George. He entered the firm's employ as a very young man during the 1860s. While serving his apprenticeship he received a salary of just four shillings for a regular working week of sixty hours plus.

It would appear that all was not smooth running in the Bradbury family's relationship with the company after it became a limited concern. Records reveal that in about 1876 a new company had been initiated by the Bradbury clan. The enterprise was christened the Pendleton Machine Co., the objectives of which were the manufacture of sewing machines utilizing George Bradbury & H. Lomax's patents. Offices at 27 Wards Buildings, Deansgate were announced, together with works situated "near the Railway Station, Pendleton". As for the manager - you've guessed it - Charles Bradbury.
It is likely that Bradbury & Co. Ltd. directors were not well pleased with these developments, and the fledgling Pendleton Co., for whatever reason, did not progress further.

Within a year or two of this debacle, it would seem George Bradbury exited the company, followed in April 1883 by his stepson.
Charles subsequently entered the employment of Messrs. Grimme, Natalis & Co. of Brunswick, as their representative in the UK, a position he held for many years.

G.D.
Jan 2003
revised 28th March 2005.

Call back later - more previously unpublished research to follow.