The part played by the Chapman’s works in the development of the fertilizer industry in Bramford has been all but lost but they operated for 30 years, literally sandwiched between the two bigger manufactures of Edward Packard and Joseph Fison.
Henry and William Chapman were the sons of Samuel Belcher Chapman (1800 – 1880).
Samuel was born in Eastbourne, Sussex and qualified as a Chemist and Druggist. He set up his business in Tavern Street, Ipswich in 1832. In 1857 he founded the St Matthews Industrial Home for Girls in Blackhorse Lane.
Henry and William both became Chemists and Druggists and took over the business from their father and operating as “H Chapman & Co”.
1865 Suffolk Chronicle
In 1858, seemingly following in the footsteps of Edward Packard, the brothers started operating their own artificial fertilizer business on a small site adjacent to that of Packard’s. As with Packard’s works it exploited a frontage onto the branch line from the former lime works and road access onto to Paper Mill Lane.
Handwritten notes on the original sale particulars indicate that although a bid of up to £1875 was made it was not sold on that date. Another note says, “24 June 1890 Sold by private contract Edward Packard & Co £2750”.
The site was still referred to as “Chapman’s Acid Works” into the 20th Century (Les Beckett – Chronicles of a 20th Century Bramford Man – Fison Packard & Prentice Edition 1998).
In the July 1947 Edition of the Fisons Journal, describing the previous winters conditions, a photograph shows the remains of lettering on one of the original buildings.
For research of Fisons this detail is informative and I need to give it credit and re -read and digest.
Thanks.
Jane Cantwell Nee Hayes