Corporate Lea Mills; John Smedley Ltd; spinning and hosiery manufacturers DS/UK/P/2935 John Smedley Ltd spinning and hosiery manufacturers Lea Mills Lea Mills

The company was founded in 1784, at Lea Mills, Matlock, Derbyshire, by Peter Nightingale and John Smedley. The mill specialised in the production of muslin and spinning cotton to send out to local cottages with hand frame looms, before expanding its activities to include knitting and hosiery manufacture. ¶ ¶John Smedley, son of the founder, took over the firm in 1825 at the age of 24. Along with modernising and expanding the company, he also took an interest in philanthropy, including hydrotherapy, which saw him establish the Smedley Hydro in Matlock. He built Riber Castle, the family home which overlooks the town, in 1862. ¶ ¶The firm became a limited company in 1893 and during the following 50 years it extended its production to include swimwear and lingerie. The company remains a going concern and still has its base at Lea Mills, exporting its products to over 35 countries worldwide. Yes International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) 2nd edition - ICA 2004 ISBN 2-9521932-2-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 Derbyshire Record Office Collections Manual Section 7 v5.1 (May 2020) DERBYSHIRE\a7005277 31/12/2021 41f0e3df-e47b-4d3b-bb3f-b1c4fa7612ab