| Administrative History | Thomas William Beard (1856-1921) was a joiner and wheelwright in Kniveton. The first volume of accounts shows the range of his work in the 1880s and 1890s, for customers including local farmers and landowners such as [John] Melland of Atlow Winn and [John Charles] Adams [of Pett Hills], fellow tradesmen such as blacksmith Luke Mather, Ashbourne Rural District Council (footbridge repairs, 1897), Kniveton School (Paving, desks, fixtures, etc, 1895), Hognaston Congregational Chapel (work on roof, doors, pulpit etc., 1883), and Kniveton Church (kneelers, carpeting etc., 1885).
Thomas William Beard was succeeded by his son William Stafford Beard (1881-1964), who had worked in the business from at least 1901 (according to the 1901 census). |
| Custodial History | The first volume was purchased by Derbyshire Record Office on 19 January 2010 and accessioned in February 2010. The volume covering 1917-1938 was purchased by Derbyshire Record Office in April 2015. |