The Silk Manufactory of the Beuzeville
Family at 24 Steward Street, Spitalfields
(1725 - 1889)

Abt. 1725   The silk manufacturing business was established in "Spitalfields, Old Artillery Ground, within the Liberties of the Tower of London, by Jacques Beuzeville, the original Huguenot emmigrant of this branch of the Beuzeville family, and was carried on by various partners, first Beuzeville, Beuzeville & Levesque (a cousin) then, as partners died or retired, a son or son-in-law became a member of the firm.

1743   The firm was then Beuzeville, Beuzeville, Levesque & Belconcle (son-in-law of Jacques).

1785    Beuzeville, Levesque & Belconcle

1790    Beuzeville, Levesque & Barbet.

1799    Beuzeville, Levesque & Barbet. William Levesque was a cousin and James Barbet a son-in-law of Jacques Beuzeville (d. 2January, 1799) His on Stephen was born 2 February, 1784.

Following the death of Jacques Beuzeville, Barbet objected to any portion of his capital remaining in the business, since there was no-one to manage it, Stephen B. being still a minor. Levesque objected to Barbet remaining a partner without capital. Jacque Beuzeville's executors, with the consent of all the interested parties, agreed to lend Barbet four thousand ponds, on his bond, from the Estate of Jacques.

circa 1800     William Levesque retired from the firm, and it appears that James Barbet purchased his interest. The firm was the Beuzeville & Barbet.

1805    Stephen Beuzeville attained his majority and James Barbet repaid the four thousands which had been lent to Stephen Beuzeville by the executors because Barbet objected to him entering the firm without capital. The firm then became Barbet & Beuzeville.

1809    Stephen's son, James Beuzeville, was born at 24 Steward Street, Spitalfields. This property was later sold by the Executors for One thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine pounds and the proceeds invested in London Dock Stock.

1823    Stephen Beuzeville's home was 'Lavender House' Park Place, Berks. His son, James, sketched Charles Hovelles School in 1823/4 when a pupil there.

1824   The firm of Barbet & Beuzeville was dissolved. Stephen left an undated memo as follows:

At the time of the dissolution of the partnership of Barbet & Beuzeville, James Barbet owed the estate of his father-in-law, Jacques Beuzeville one thousand eight hundred and forty six pounds fifteen shillings. this amount was never repaid by Barbet, but was eventually recovered from his estate. However, the sum of one thousand pounds owed to Stephen Beuzeville by the Barbets (Father and son) was never recovered. this represented a considerable sum in the early 19th century.

James Barbet, senior, must have been, to say the least, an astute business man. at the time of his father-in-law's death in 1799 he was a junior partner in the firm, without capital, but by 1805 he had bought Levesque's share when the latter retired. thus, he had a two third holding in the firm of Barbet & Beuzeville.

1825    The Townsford Mill, Halstead, Essex was converted from a corn mill to a silk throwing mill by Samuel Courauld and his partners and operated by them for Stephen Beuzeville 1828 when it was acquired by them, probably from Stephen Beuzeville's assignees, following his insolvency.

1827    Stephen Beuzeville declared himself insolvent. at the time he was living at Hurley, Berks.
(In 1828 he was living at Gibbons End, Braintree. James, his son, sketched there).

1829    Living at Oxney House, Writtle, near Chelmsford, about 12 miles north of Braintree. Also sketched by James.

1830    James Beuzeville went to Spain to manage a silk concern. He sketched the 'Fabrica de Vinaler(?)' near Valencia.

1833    On March 12 James was admitted into the Freedom of the City of London. The certificate quotes him as being the son and later apprentice of Stephen Beuzeville. He visited England and was married December 7.

1834    James Beuzeville returned to England because of his wife's health.

1838    Sometime prior, or during this year Stephen Beuzeville returned to Braintree, and lived at Bocking End until his death on November 4, 1862. His mother, Mary Beuzeville, died at Bocking in 1838 and possible Stephen had returned to take over her home.

1848    On January 6 James Beuzeville, with his family, migrated to Australia on the 'Brankinmoor' under the command of Captain Pain(?). They arrived on 2 June 1848 after a voyage of 5 months. His daughter, Ellen, was then 13 years of age.

1862    Stephen Beuzeville died at Bocking end, and his widow died on November 25, 1864.

1889    Stephen's daughter, Eliza, died on 2 April. She was the last Beuzeville of this branch of the family remaining in England.