Historical information

The Barbour family business dates back to 1783 when John Barbour (1765-1823), moved to Ireland and began manufacturing linen thread at the Plantation, Lisburn, in 1784. His second son, William (1797-1875) transferred the business to Hilden, on the banks of the Lagan. Here thread was spun, bleached and dyed, and by 1837 over 300 people were employed at the factory.
By 1898 William Barbour & Sons was renamed the Linen Thread Co., the largest producer of linen thread in the world. Hilden Mill finally closed its doors in 2006.
This box of thread dates to pre-1898, as it carries the company name of William Barbour and Sons.

Physical description

Lidded cardboard box containing a variety of silk and linen sewing thread. The thead is sorted into hanks, and grouped into seven small cardboard boxes. The inside of the lid shows drawings of a range of products made by the company. The top of the lid shows a drawing of Hilden Mill in Lisburn Ireland.

Inscriptions & markings

On Inside of the lid: "Barbour's LINEN THREAD/WM BARBOUR & SONS, LDT/LINEN THREAD AND SHOE THREAD/MANUFACTURERS/LISBURN IRELAND"
On top of the lid: BARBOURS LISBURN, IRELAND/Barbour's Hilden Mills/Royal Irish Silk or Pure White Lustrous Linnen Thread"