The Old Lawnmower Club
Collection, Preservation and Display of Old Lawn Mowers

Birth of John Ferrabee

John Ferrabee was born c1788 near Stroud, Gloucestershire. His ancestors were local broadweavers, blacksmiths, and millwrights. Over the following decades, initially working with his father, Edward Ferrabee (sometimes recorded as Veriby), John was to grow the family's cottage industry to create a major business at Thrupp Mill and the Phoenix Foundry & Ironworks.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF JOHN FERRABEE
Year Event
1788 Birth of John Ferrabee.
1792 Father Edward rents property at Thrupp.
1816 Birth of son William Ferrabee.
1818 Birth of son James Ferrabee.
1828 Takes lease on Thrupp Mill.
1828+ Converts Thrupp Mill from cloth production to iron foundry.
1829 Death of Edward Ferrabee, aged 82.
1830 Partnership with Edwin Beard Budding covering development of lawnmower.
1830 Register patent for improvements in machinery for preparing the face of woollen and other cloths.
1830+ Begins exclusive production of Budding's Patent Lawnmower.
1831 Writes will.
1833 Dissolves transportation business with John George and John Price.
1834 Gloucestershire electoral register records John Ferrabee as freehold resident of Thrupp Mill.
1843 Buys Thrupp Mill for £4000.
1843 Amends will.
1852 Business taken over by sons William and James.
1853 Death of John Ferrabee.
  • Map of Frome Valley

    Map of Frome Valley

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