T. Corbett Perseverance Iron Works
A Christmas and New Year greeting from Mr Thomas Corbett. The illustration shows the factory on Castle Foregate Shrewsbury now occupied by Morris Lubricants.
On 28th December 2006 I met with Mrs Elizabeth Morris great-great-grand daughter of Mr Thomas Corbett, she told me the story of a man who from small beginnings in 1865 built the Perseverance Iron Works in Shrewsbury into an award winning and global business.
Mrs Morris is continuing her studies of her great-great-grandfathers business and would be delighted to receive any details of the company and its products.
Many products survive in various forms in museum and in private collections many are used as garden ornaments and plant holders. We would be interested in hearing of the locations of these items.
Marketing was one of Thomas Corbett`s strong points and this poster shows The Factory some of the medals and many of the products made.
As an innovator he was exceptional as can be gathered from the 1000 prizes he won over the life of the business. He grasped new ideas and new technology and was part of the development of more mechanisation on farms.
In later life he took on civic responsibilities and became a councillor and in 1906 he was made Mayor of Shrewsbury.
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- This front page from the Industrial Gazette of New Zealand from March 1883 covers the visit Thomas Corbett made to that Country to sell products made in Shrewsbury.
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- This scene depicts a steam engine using belts to drive a process to left in the background early horseless carriages.
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- An example of how far the machines travelled was seen by Mr George Jones of Shrewsbury on a trip to South Africa when he took this shot of a preserved ‘Little Gem’ thrashing machine
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- Pictured celebrating Empire Day at the Shropshire and West Mid Show with a party of dignitaries in 1907.
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- This is a late photograph of Thomas Corbett.
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- Thomas Corbett continued to be involved in business and civic duties and met King George V at the Royal Show in 1914.
Corbett Links
THE CORBETTS
Website dedicated to the Corbett family:
http://odin.prohosting.com/overross/homepage.htm
Print from Elwyn G Evans
Nigel,
This is another print I have found.
You will see from the print that it is the building opposite the Railway Station forecourt. It was a newspaper distribution centre for several years and last was a furniture store.
The building backs through onto Chester Street and Corbett’s name appears on that elevation at high level.
Elwyn.
Thanks to Elwyn for that.
Video from Feargal Corbett!
S Corbett & Sons stand at an agricultural show. It was filmed on 8mm in the early 50s by my grandfather. He took a lot of cine films and I’ve been converting them to digital recently for the family. Most are of family holidays, but this is a rare film of something to do with the business. As you can see, they’re were still selling the same Victorian machinery!
Corbett Cheese Press Found in Australia by John Parker
I received a phone call and a series of photographs from Mr John Parker President of the Canning Districts Historical Society Inc an affiliated Branch of the Royal Western Australian Historical Society. He states that the press stands 5 feet 6 inches high and the press plates have a diameter of 19 inches.
From the detail it seems to have won a prize in an exhibition.
Another of the photographs shows the name of Peel the original partner of Thomas Corbett so this could be a very early survivor.
Corbett Fanning Mill Found in USA by Michael J Hulme
When we were on holiday in the USA in December 1991 we visited the Pier at Long Beach and whilst walking around the Pier I spotted the Corbett Winnowing Machine which was on display (for no apparent reason as far as I could see – there was nothing else similar nearby).
I come from a farming background and immediately recognised the Winnowing Machine and when I looked closer I saw the plaque showing it had been manufactured in Shrewsbury so couldn’t resist taking a photograph of the machine and a close-up of the plaque. Ever since I have been looking for something useful to do with the photographs.
The two photographs are attached and I am perfectly happy for them to be used on your web site.
Thomas Corbett 2 blade 12 inch chaff cutter from Rob Smith
I have had my 1912’ish Thomas Corbett 2 blade 12 inch chaff cutter for around 22 years. It has been carted around serveral counties and is now in our back garden near Peterborough. Amazingly it is all complete with all its loose pieces still here. The woodwork is very poor but is all here.
Corn Dressing Machine from Linda Hall
This corn dressing machine is at Hough Mill Swannington nr Coalville. Hough Mill has been restored and is run by a group of incredibly committed volunteers. Check Website www.swannington-heritage.co.uk
Open at weekends from Easter.
Nigel Notes “This looks to be a very interesting restoration and well worth a visit”
I am a small cheesemaker and use a press by T.Corbett. It is in perfect working order, and is my favorite. It produces great cheese and I am very pleased with it. We are located near Monmouth.
I am also a small cheese maker and own a T. Colbertt cheese press. Dad bought it in 1996 and we have used it constantly up until this April (2011) when it was replaced with a stainless steel equivalent. I prefer Thomas Colbett’s design as our new one isn’t nearly as pretty! It is still in working order. Near St David’s .
have aquired a Thomas Corbett Exhibition First Prize Cheese Press. Not sure all parts are there? Looking for pictures of others to compare.
I am researching a Corbett Eclipse corn dresser on loan to the swannington mill in NW Leicestershire. I would be grateful to receive any information about Thomas Corbett, his work and family. My aim is to create a small display by the machine to explain its use but also to create interest for visitors. Thank you Lynda Hall
Hello I am the Facilities manager at Salisbury Cathedral. We have in our possession 2 x coal trolleys that carry the badge of Corbett & Peele whom i imagine are the same as discussed above. These items are soon to be auctioned.
Hi I found a plark which has some sort of coat of arms it has an loin and a horse then corbett & peele. Perseverance Iron, Works, Shrewsbury england. I found it with a metal detector at Crookwell N.S.W Austrailia around a old inn, I am a little puzzeled about Peele, I love history and would like to find out more about this item, can we help each other.
Address. Llewyn Dowling 30 oroin st Yass nsw 2582 Austrailia, or email llewyndowling@yahoo.com.au
Cheers Llewyn
Re comment from Llewyn, I have just obtained an identical rusty plaque as part of a lot that I bought in an auction. It is slightly convex from top to bottom and therefore must have been fixed to a curved surface. I wonder what??
I have a clover barrow drill in very good condition. We are shortly moving house and unable to keep it. Does anyone have an idea as to it’s value
Hi
I am a distant relation of T.Corbett (& family) and would love to be able to access the website dedicated to them. When I click on the link – it doesn’t work, is there another way of accessing this site? Thanks
i have just bought a horse plough at a sale near crommer i have cleaned it up and i am going to use it at the brailsford ploughing match tomorrow 2nd oct on the plough in the casting is cast the name Thomas Corbett shrewsbury patent RBM No 5 what i would like to know is what coulor would it have been painted.. thank you
Sorting out a desk drawer I found a spring paper clip which was the only ‘antique’ I inherited from my parents! OK it’s not farm machinery but I thought someone may be interested. It’s 3 inches long and is inscribed T.CORBETTS patent and is quite ornate. Possibly an promotional gift? Or an early manufacturing effort? Forerunner of bulldog clips? Any ideas?
We have found a ploughshare on our land with T Corbett Shrewsbury HL2 R.A.S.E First Prize 1888 (0r 1898 – the last 2 numbers are not clear on the date). Does this suggest that other plough shares were cast with this on it as the result of a prize given by the Royal Agricultural Society to T Corbett or is it a one off given to an individual for a competition e.g. ploughing? It would be interesting to know. Thanks.
I have an old plough with a single furrow which I use as an ornament in the garden with Corbett and Peel Shrewsbury in the Casting. I would like to know a bit more about it and the approximate year of manufature if possible
Many Thanks
We found a plough at the front of Hills Health Ranch, 108 mile town in British Columbia, Canada. It had a plaque on it saying Thomas Corbett, Shrewsbury. Should have taken photos of it.
I have come across copies of letters written by my grandfather Moses Williams Gellyfawnen Farm Glanaman dated 1907 and 1908 to Mr Thomas Corbett. Would you like copies of these.
I would like copies if you still have them. My great-grandfather is Thomas Corbett.
I have one of these in my possession, can someone tell me what I have, what its worth and does anyone want to buy it from mehttp://www.madeinshrewsbury.co.uk/resources/userfiles/Corbett_Iron_Works/album/fanningmill/t/t_corbett_fanning_mill.jpg
I have just purchased a cheese press by Thomas Corbett. It is in need of a tidy up but it is an amazing piece. I live in Ohaupo, New Zealand.
I have a clover and grass broadcast barrow drill which is 12ft in length. Name states it was manufactured by Thomas Corbett perseverance iron works Shrewsbury. Would like to know the more about the year of manufacture or any other information available.
Have just found spike harrows with T. Corbett Shrewsbury stamped on it, would like to know more. It was found on a farm in South Wales.
I have a corn dresser made by Thos Corbett It is marked as a A5 patented Eclipse machine it is almost complete except for two sieves which i would love to know what they were so as to try and replace them I have already replaced the metal cover of the blower and all is working, If i can sort out the missing sieves it is my intention to add it to our show unit which is traveled around shows , it is a collection of kit from the 30’s and onward with a fully working thresher onwards