Manoah Rhodes - Manoah Rhodes & Sons Ltd.

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Manoah Rhodes - Manoah Rhodes & Sons Ltd.

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Manoah Rhodes was born in Morley, Yorkshire, on the 7th March 1810, he was Baptised at his families local church on the 21st March 1810, and was educated at the Endowed Grammar School at nearby Batley.

On the 9th November 1822 he was indentured to the Bradford silversmith John Allott, to whom he was to remain with for fourteen years. The year 1836 saw Rhodes set up business for himself in Bradford, it was a venture that was to grow into one of the largest jewellers in the North of England. Also in that year Manoah Rhodes married Ann Watson and they went on to raise a family of six sons and two daughters.

A noted Freemason and devout Wesleyan Methodist, Rhodes was known as an honourable and generous man and was held in high esteem, he was to serve the people of Bradford in many postions including his appointment as Mayor of the Corporation of Bradford in the period November 1873-November 1874.

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Manoah Rhodes died in March 1881 and in 1888 the firm coverted into a limited liability company known as Manoah Rhodes & Sons Ltd. with (Thomas) Ackroyd Rhodes as the managing director.

The 'AR' trefoil mark of Ackroyd Rhodes, in three sizes, appears to be the first entered for this firm at the London Assay Office on the 12th August 1893, the address entered as 31, St Bride Street, Ludgate Circus, London. The second, in four sizes, from 64, Hatton Garden, was entered on the 28th August 1895. The third entry from the address of 45, Kirkgate, Bradford* was entered on the 18th December 1907 and this was followed by further entries on the 30th June and 4th August 1910, both of three sizes, from the Bradford address.

The firm also entered their mark at the Sheffield Assay Office on the 7th January 1907, again this was from the Kirkgate, Bradford address.

Ackroyd Rhodes died in 1915, and the firm was then under the control of F.C.M.S. Rhodes.

* The premises situated at 45, Kirkgate are not without interest. Manoah Rhodes had traded for forty years from a shop at the junction of Westgate and Kirkgate, he then had errected, what was described as ' one of the handsomest jewellery establishments in the provinces' on the site of John Allott's premises, his former employer.

Sources:
The History and Antiquities of Morley--William Smith-1876
Historial Notes on the Bradford Corporation--William Cudworth-1881
Marks of London Goldsmiths and Silversmiths 1837-1914--John P. Fallon-1992
The Directory of Gold & Silversmiths--John Culme-1987


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Re: Manoah Rhodes

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A couple of early advertisements by Manoah Rhodes:

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Manoah Rhodes - Bradford - 1839

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Manoah Rhodes - Bradford - 1840

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Re: Manoah Rhodes

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A couple of advertisements that show a temporary removal of Manoah Rhodes's business that occured during the period April - October 1855, to allow for the refurbishment of the Westgate premises.

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Manoah Rhodes - Bradford - 1855
Source: Bradford Observer - 12th April 1855

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Manoah Rhodes - Bradford - 1855
Source: Bradford Observer - 1st November 1855

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Re: Manoah Rhodes

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Manoah Rhodes - Bradford - 1845

Source: Bradford Observer - 1st May 1845

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Re: Manoah Rhodes

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NEW COMPANY
Manoah Rhodes and Sons, Limited.–On the 5th ult., this Company was registered, with a capital of £25,000, in £10 shares, to acquire the business, goodwill, stock-in-trade, plant, fixtures and effects of, and now belonging to, the firm of Manoah Rhodes and Sons, of Bradford, in the county of York, jewellers, watchmakers and silversmiths. The first subscribers are :–
*T. A. Rhodes, Bradford, jeweller, one share; W. Boyes, Bradford, jeweller, one share ; *R. N. Rhodes, Bradford, solicitor, one share ; C. G. Lee, 73, Rodney Street, Liverpool, one share; Ann Watson Lee, 73, Rodney Street, Liverpool, one share ; *E.R. Owen, Holmwood, Blackheath, Kent, one share : P. C. Owen, Holmwood, Blackheath, Kent, one share : The number of directors is to be three, and the first are the subscribers denoted by an asterisk. Thomas Ackroyd Rhodes is appointed managing director at a salary of £400 per annum. The future remuneration of the other directors shall be determined by the company in general meeting.


Source: The Watchmaker, Jeweller and Silversmith - 1st May 1888

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Re: Manoah Rhodes

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OBITUARY

Mr. Leo Sweeney, at the age of 77. For 60 years Mr. Sweeney had been engaged in the jewellery business. He was a director of Manoah Rhodes & Sons Ltd., and Sweeney Ltd., Bradford, and up to eight years ago had been managing director of both concerns.

Source: Watchmaker, Jeweller & Silversmith - August - September 1959

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Re: Manoah Rhodes

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THE BRADFORD EXHIBITION


The display of articles of vertu, specimens of the gold and silversmiths' arts, and general ornamental ware is, in its value and extent, probably quite unique, for a provincial exhibition. Most of these things are contributed by the leading firm of jewellers in Bradford, Messrs. Rhodes & Son, of Darley-street, and nearly all of those shown were manufactured in their own 'attliere'. In the reception rooms of the Prince and Princess of Wales, besides the furniture, &c, referred to in our last, there are various costly clocks of Japanese and English design, in brass and enamel work. The toilet-stand and writing-tables are adorned with some fine specimens of ivory toilet-ware and writing-table accessories, executed in the most exquisitely-carved brass figure-work.

In the centre of the floor of the Art Museum are three large cases, the centre one, which is oval, being flanked on either side by a case of octagonal shape. In the first of these is a handsome silver vase, presented by his mother, on his twenty-first birthday, to Captain Dawson. The design of the ornamentation is emblematical of English sports, and on one side, on a shield, are emblazoned in pure gold the arms and crest of the owner, surmounted by a wreath of acorns and oak-leaves. On the reverse side is a finely-executed group of English game in bas-relief, formed in solid silver. The handle is supported by a stag's head and antlers, adding much to the general effectiveness of the design. As a mount for the lid is a figure of the owner, attired in a sportsman's costume, gun under shoulder, deer-hound in leash at side, and a group of the trophies of the hunt at the feet, making a striking composition. The vase is supported on an ebonized stand, bearing on one side an inscription and on the reverse a shield made up of a group of dead game and fish.

In the same case is shown a collection of silver-gilt beakers, chalice cup, and a masque cup, as well as a silver-gilt oxydised tankard with chased figures representative of the defeat by Alfred the Great of Guthrum at Ethandune. It is a very remarkable example of the silversmith's art, the vigour and faithful execution of the figures with which the cup is covered entitling it to great attention. This was originally exhibited at the Goldsmiths' Hall, London, and there earned the highest praise from, among others, Mr. Poynter, R.A.

The central oval case is filled with a variety of objects of an ornamental and domestic character. The centre is occupied by a large silver vase of Bacchanalian character, flanked on the right hand by an exquisite claret cup, which is said to be an exact copy of one found on the wreck of one of the ships of the Spanish Armada. It is certainly a most excellent specimen of high-class goldsmith's work. The general design, and the ornamentation with which the cup is covered from lip to stem, show that in such productions the Spaniards had ideas which English goldsmiths in years long after had found worthy of imitation.

As a specimen of the English style there is shown on the left an English silver and gilt and oxydised claret cup, which, however, is not to be compared with the older one. Then as a contrast is shown a Japanese tea-set, suitable for a tete-a-tete, which is both attractive and fanciful. Near this is exhibited a silver-chased tankard and pair of cups, the subject of which is taken from Landseer, the "Otter Hunt," the original of which forms a part of the collection of Alderman Holden, of Woodland, Yorks. Landseer is also adopted as a source for the ornamentation of a silver chased beer jug, of noble proportions, after the well-known picture " Bolton Abbey in the Olden Times." The original picture is in the gallery of the Duke of Devonshire.

There are also in this case several other interesting objects, including a beautiful tea and coffee set, engraved with birds, flowers, and ferns, after the Japanese pattern. In the second octagonal case is a collection of silver and gold plate of peculiar interest to local inhabitants, as it will recall events in the recent history of the town. The central object is a silver and gold presentation vase, made in Bradford, on the occasion of the marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales. On one side are flags, armorial bearings, plumes, &c.; on the reverse, an inscription, the whole being surmounted with a figure of Victory holding the sword, and scales, with figures representative of Plenty and Industry. The base of the vase is supported by four cupids, finely drawn. There are also shown golden keys, silver gilt trowels, ivory mallet, for ceremonial purposes, and finely-executed enamelled backs, of watches.


Source: The Furniture Gazette - 29th July 1882

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Bros. Manoah Rhodes & Son - Bradford - 1870

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Manoah Rhodes - Bradford - 1845

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Re: Manoah Rhodes - Manoah Rhodes & Sons Ltd.

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Notice is hereby given, that the Partnership heretofore subsisting between Manoah Sharpley Rhodes, late of Shipley, in the county of York, deceased, and the undersigned, Joseph Rhodes, carrying on business together as Jewellers, Goldsmiths, and Silversmiths, at Bradford and Leeds, both in the said county of York, under the style or firm of Manoah Rhodes and Sons, was dissolved on the 21st day of May, 1885. All debts due and owing to or by the said late partnership will be received and paid by the said Joseph Rhodes, by whom the said business will in future be carried on under the same style or firm of Manoah Rhodes and Sons. -Dated this 13th day of July, 1885.
Emily Rhodes. Executrix of the will of Manoah Sharpley Rhodes, Deceased
Joseph Rhodes.


Source: The London Gazette - 21st July 1885

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Manoah Rhodes & Son - Bradford - 1873

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Re: Manoah Rhodes - Manoah Rhodes & Sons Ltd.

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BRO. MANOAH RHODES.

WE regret to state that Bro. Manoah Rhodes, the head of the firm of Messrs. Manoah Rhodes and Sons, goldsmiths, of Kirkgate, Bradford, expired on Sunday morning, 20th March. Recent references to the prostrate condition to which Bro. Rhodes was reduced by the paralytic attack with which he was seized on Friday, the 11th ult., in the local press had somewhat prepared his friends, as from the first the case was regarded with grave concern.

Bro. Rhodes was born on the 7th of March 1810, so that he had entered upon the 72nd year of his age. Up to Thursday evening, the 10th inst., he had attended to business with his usual activity. The business concern, which under his management had risen to one of leading importance in Yorkshire, was of his own creation. His father a slay and heald manufacturer, lived at Morley, where Bro. Manoah Rhodes was born, and where he resided until he had completed his twelfth year. On the 9th of November 1822, he left his father's house and walked over to Bradford to enter upon an apprenticeship with Mr. John Allott, then a silversmith in Kirkgate, upon the site of whose shop Bro. Rhodes subsequently erected the fine building now standing there. After completing his engagement with Mr. Allott, Bro. Rhodes began business upon his own account in premises at the bottom of Westgate. In 1877 these premises, which had been much enlarged during Bro. Rhodes's occupation of them, were vacated for those at present occupied by the firm in Kirkgate, and which, it may be remarked, constitute one of the first establishments of the kind in the provinces.

For many years Bro. Rhodes occupied a prominent position in the Masonic body in Bradford, having been initiated into tho Craft in November 1851. He was a member of the Hope Lodge 302, of which he was Worshipful Master in the year 1888. He was also connected with the Pentalpha Lodge 974, from its foundation, and was its Worshipful Master in 1871. He was a P.Z. of the Chapter of Charity, No. 302 in 1876, P.E.C. of Faith Preceptory of Knights Templar. In 1871 he was elected to the office of President of the Charity Committee of West Yorkshire, and had been one of its most earnest promoters since its formation on 13th April 1859. He had held the Vice-patron of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys, a Vice-president of Royal Masonic Institution for Girls, and was a large contributor to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and widows of Freemasons.

Mr. Rhodes has left a widow and a family of six sons and two daughters.


Source: The Freemason's Chronicle - 2nd April 1881

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Manoah Rhodes - Bradford - 1845

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Manoah Rhodes & Sons - Bradford - 1909

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An example of the marks of Manoah Rhodes & Sons Ltd.:

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MR - MANOAH RHODES & SONS Ld./BRADFORD - Sheffield - 1932

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Re: Manoah Rhodes - Manoah Rhodes & Sons Ltd.

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Another example of the marks of Manoah Rhodes & Sons Ltd.:

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MR - MANOAH RHODES & SONS Ld./BRADFORD - Sheffield - 1929

In this image we can see by the 'Lamp mark' that the actual maker is Roberts & Belk of Sheffield and Manoah Rhodes & Sons Ltd. the sponsors.

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Re: Manoah Rhodes - Manoah Rhodes & Sons Ltd.

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Manoah Rhodes & Sons, Ltd. - Bradford - 1917

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Re: Manoah Rhodes - Manoah Rhodes & Sons Ltd.

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Bradford Mayoralty Insignia.—A superb gold chain and badge have just been presented to the Corporation of Bradford at the cost of about £250. The badge bears the Corporation arms, with the motto, “ Labor omnia vincit.” it is surmounted with the regal crown, and the Royal cyphers reversed, and bears this inscription: —“ Presented by the Burgesses and Inhabitants of Bradford to the Corporation of this Borough during the third successive and exemplary Mayoralty of Samuel Smith, Esq., October 24th, 1854.” The chain and badge have been designed and manufactured by Mr. Manoah Rhodes, of Bradford.

Source: The Illustrated London News - 28th October 1854

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Re: Manoah Rhodes - Manoah Rhodes & Sons Ltd.

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OBITUARY

We regret to record the death of Mr. Thomas Ackroyd Rhodes, in his 63th year. He was the son of the late Mr. Manoah Rhodes, and had been manager of the firm of Manoah Rhodes & Sons, and also managing director of Manoah Rhodes & Sons, Limited, jewellers, of KIrkgate, Bradford, since 1888. His father was a mayor of the town in 1873.


Source: The Jeweller and Metalworker - 1st February 1915

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