George Pescott (formerly William Maude)

William Maude was a Portmanteau and Travelling Bag Maker in Manchester in the second half of the 19th century. He was born in 1832 and commenced his own business at some point between 1853 and 1863 at 66 Portland Street. He was married to Elizabeth, and they had five children, born between 1863 and 1874. In 1871 the family were living at their 66 Portland Street shop. The 1881 Census notes his daughter Isabella and his second son William as 16-year-old shop assistants, presumably in his business. The eldest son John does not appear to have entered his father's business and had possibly died young. The Maudes moved a number of times on Portland Street and were at numbers 69 in 1876, 50 and 73 in 1877, just 73 in 1879, 99 in 1883 and 90 in 1886. They also expanded their business interests opening further shops on 122 Market Street and 91 Piccadilly by 1876. Not all their shops were selling trunks and luggage as they had also set up in business as Confectioners by 1879. This side of their enterprise was mostly located at the Portland Street addresses but in 1883 they also sold confectionery at 93 Piccadilly, next door to their Portmanteau shop at 91. In 1882 Maude advertised in The Manchester Courier that he had removed to 119 Market Street, although Slater's Directory of 1883 still lists him at 122. They also had workshops at Back Piccadilly.

When William senior died on the 14th of February 1888 ... show more

William Maude was a Portmanteau and Travelling Bag Maker in Manchester in the second half of the 19th century. He was born in 1832 and commenced his own business at some point between 1853 and 1863 at 66 Portland Street. He was married to Elizabeth, and they had five children, born between 1863 and 1874. In 1871 the family were living at their 66 Portland Street shop. The 1881 Census notes his daughter Isabella and his second son William as 16-year-old shop assistants, presumably in his business. The eldest son John does not appear to have entered his father's business and had possibly died young. The Maudes moved a number of times on Portland Street and were at numbers 69 in 1876, 50 and 73 in 1877, just 73 in 1879, 99 in 1883 and 90 in 1886. They also expanded their business interests opening further shops on 122 Market Street and 91 Piccadilly by 1876. Not all their shops were selling trunks and luggage as they had also set up in business as Confectioners by 1879. This side of their enterprise was mostly located at the Portland Street addresses but in 1883 they also sold confectionery at 93 Piccadilly, next door to their Portmanteau shop at 91. In 1882 Maude advertised in The Manchester Courier that he had removed to 119 Market Street, although Slater's Directory of 1883 still lists him at 122. They also had workshops at Back Piccadilly.

When William senior died on the 14th of February 1888

it was no doubt necessary for his widow Elizabeth to consolidate the family's business. She is listed as a Confectioner at 239 Deansgate in the 1895 Directory with their other addresses gone. If this is being read on a listing other than by Christopher Clarke Antiques, it has been copied without their permission. A Fishmonger was at 93 Piccadilly and 90 Portland Street was still a Confectioners but under the name of Miss Elizabeth Clarke. It seems that none of the children carried on the Trunk Making business.

George Pescott took over the lease of the property at 119 Market Street and continued as a Trunk Maker in his own name. It is not known if he had previously worked for the Maudes or another Trunk Maker. The Greater Manchester Rate Books of 1888 list the property as being owned by a Rylands and occupied by George Pescott. Slater's 1895 Manchester & Salford Directory lists Pescott under Portmanteau and Travelling Bag Makers at the same address. He was one of 24 Trunk Makers in Manchester at the time with 3 others also on Market Street. He was still working at the same address in 1911 but we haven't been able to find reference to him after this date.