In
1797 William Moore set up an ironmongery business
in Cockey Lane (now Little London Street) in Norwich.
His partner, John H Barnard established the business
of Barnard, Bishop and Barnard. 40 years later, on
Moore's death, Williams Staples Boulton became a partner
in the now well established iron mongery firm.
In 1853, John Dawson Paul, a 12-year-old boy joined
the company as an apprentice. A decade later he became
manager of the Works department making stove grates
and kettles.
In 1864, William Staples Boulton set up a manufacturing
site in Rose Lane Norwich. Their main products were
agricultural and horticultural tools. In 1867 three
new machines were installed to manufacture wire netting.
These were made of wood and operated manually. The
looms were very similar to those used by weavers.
This was the first known case of the commercial production
of wire netting.
The business of WS Boulton and Paul came into being
in 1869, after the death of Barnard. W.S. Boulton
and Company was formed with Boulton contributing £5,500
and Paul £500. The business was in a new foundry
at the junction of King Street and Rose Lane. A decade
later the firm was reconstituted as a limited company
and Paul was in sole charge. |
