Monument record 8479/1 - Kingsthorpe Brickworks

{1} 1755-1790- The establishment of the brickworks may have been because of its location next to a good transport route (turnpike road) between two centres of population, Northampton and Kingsthorpe. In this period the brick kilns seem to be worked as a capitalist enterprise by a brickmaker on behalf of wealthy Northampton individuals.
1790-1845- For the first time, through map evidence from the 1810's we are able to see the type of buildings on this land. These maps show that the brick kilns continued only in the area formerly owned by Billson and Cole.
1845 onwards- Brickworks on the the former Billson and Cole area continued to be worked up to c. 1893 and c. 1906 respectivley. Documentary and map evidence shows that by 1881 new brick kilns were constructed directly to the north of the Billson and Cole site on land belonging to the Kingsthorpe parish. This venture was shortlived as brickmaking finished in the two areas by c. 1914 and c. 1925 respectivley.
By the 19th century, including the new Kingsthorpe area, more than half of the Northampton brickmakers were producing on this site.

{2}{4} Brick kilns were in 1847 still a significant feature to the north of The Racecourse.

{5} This large complex of working to the east of the Kingsthorpe Road around Freehold Street, has been in existence at least from 1847 and probably from Much earlier. In 1847 there were already more than one kiln and by 1883 there were nine. There have been a multiplicity of owners over the century (particularly since there were always at least two owners here) and it has been impossible to decide who owned what. In 1866, however, John Clarke was already advertising his making of bricks 'by steam', and John Mills also had a 'steam brickworks' in 1877. By 1894 Greenough Rand Sherwell and Henry Martin (see Nether Heyford) were the occupiers, Martins place being taken by A.J. Chown by 1910. The works closed shortly after this date.

<1> Atkins, R., 2003, Brickmaking in Holy Sepulchre Parish, Northampton, P. 85, 87, 90 (checked) (Article). SNN103917.

<2> Wood; Law, 1847, Town Map of Northampton, (unchecked) (Map). SNN752.

<3> Ishmail-Bibby Z., 2000, A History Of St George's Conservation Area & Its Environs, (unchecked) (Booklet). SNN100299.

<4> Butler A., 2007, Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment for The Racecourse Park, Northampton August 2007, p.6 (checked) (Report). SNN108091.

<5> O'Rourke R., 1970, Some Northamptonshire Brickworks, p. 20 (Article). SNN103347.

Record last edited

Jan 13 2017 2:10PM