Tag Archives: varnish

G. Purdom & Co., Ltd.

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96 Church Road, near corner with Fox’s Path

Listed as a varnish factory in the 1963 Borough of Mitcham List of Factories.

Eric Montague, in his book Mitcham Histories: 8 Phipps Bridge, page 79, said that he interviewed the works manager in 1966. The manager told him that he had heard it said that the work was originally mostly during the winter months and so local Gypsy and other casual workers were employed.

Montague goes on to say that the gates to the firm had written on them Established 1842, which he doubts.

Clip from Merton Memories, photo reference Mit_​Work_​Industry_​8-1 taken 4th April 1974

1860 ad

1860 ad

Text of ad:

Important to BUILDERS and PAINTERS.
Genuine White Lead, 31s. per cwt.
Linseed Oil, 2s. 2d.; Turps, 2s. 10d. per Gallon.
Fine Oak Varnish, 7s. 6d. per Gall.
Dry and Ground Colours, Brushes, &c, &c, for Cash, at
G. PURDOM’s, 20, Kings-road, Chelsea, S.W.
Every Article requisite for the Trade at Wholesale Prices.

T.S. Jackson & Sons, Ltd

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Varnish and paint manufacturer based at the former Holborn Union Workhouse site in Bond Road/Western Road.

Established in 1853, according to this ad from Grace’s Guide :

Dundee Evening Telegraph – Friday 01 April 1927

NIGHT-TIME BLAZE AT VARNISH WORKS.
Fire Discovered By Late Home-Goer.

Fire broke out during the night the Mitcham buildings that were formerly the Holborn Union Workhouse, and is now used by Messrs T. S. Jackson & Sons, varnish and floor polish works. They occupy an extensive range of build ings, including the dining hall and what was the chapel. The fire was discovered by a ‘bus driver, who was returning home at 3 a.m. . The outbreak was in a building adjoining the chapel, used as stores and messroom. The Mitcham Fire Brigade, when they arrived, found flames shooting up through roof. They made great efforts to save the adjoining buildings, which contained inflammable goods, and succeeded after a struggle lasting two and a half hours.

Listed in the 1930 commercial directory as

Thomas S. Jackson & Sons Ltd., paint manufacturers, Western Road. Trading as “Woodstains, Mitcham;” Telephone number 2977.

Listed in the 1954 telephone directory as

Thomas S. Jackson & Sons Ltd., varnish and paint manufacturers
Jasonite Works
132 Weston Road
telephone : MIT 2977

Listed in the 1963 List of Factories as

Blocks ‘C’ and ‘S’
James Estate
Western Road

Paint and Varnish

Source:
Borough of Mitcham List of Factories,
Town Clerk’s Department,
July 1963.
Available at Merton Heritage and Local Studies Centre at Morden Library.
Reference L2 (670) MIT