Benjamin North was the 2nd of 3 generations of Benjamin North. He and his wife had 14 children altogether.
He officially handed over all control of the North and Sons (West Wycombe) company to his son Benjamin North (3rd) in 1920.
NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2022
HIDDEN AWAY in a white envelope on a shelf in High Wycombe reference library is a copy of an autobiography of Benjamin North, a nineteenth century founder of a local furniture factory. It's an
unusual first-hand account of the life of an entrepreneur, and it's just one of many gems I have discovered thanks to Simon Cains and Brian Robertson whose recently published book is entitled "Piddington Furniture — a history and dynasty".
Born into abject rural poverty but with a strong will to live a full and meaningful life, the above Benjamin North is credited with founding a dynasty, but it was not until the turn of the twentieth century, when the family business had outgrown its first premises in West Wycombe village, that his son (also Benjamin) brought it to Piddington, choosing a then green-field site for his new factory, with surrounding building plots for workers' housing.
The subsequent development of Piddington village and the business fortunes of B. North and Sons (Steam Chair and Furniture Works) were intertwined for many decades as successive generations of Benjamins took over the manufacturing reins and responded to the challenges of the times. Sustained in their efforts by their Methodist faith, they left traces of their industry which can still be found today if you know exactly where to look.
But the authors avoid wallowing in too much nostalgia, choosing instead to acquaint their readers with up-to-date information wherever they can. Even the early history of the area is examined through the lens of recent LIDAR analysis which clearly shows the nearby hollow ways used by drovers long before the first brick was laid in the Piddington factory.
Relative newcomers on the scene, Davison Highley furniture manufacturers, now occupy part of the old Norths' factory. Theirs may not be a household name, but most of us are familiar with some of their "bespoke sofa" products as they feature regularly in high-profile TV shows — a point of pride for Piddington that deserves wider recognition.
Had it not been for the recent Covid restrictions the authors admit they might have been engaged on wider adventures rather than focused on this work. The book must surely therefore be one of the most positive products to emerge from the pandemic. It encourages all of us to take a closer look at the history to be found on our doorsteps.
At $12.00 it is well worth the purchase price — copies can be obtained by contacting the authors via email at simon.cains@gmail.com. Simon can deliver locally or will post (for an additional sum of Q. 70). A copy will also be available at Society events for inspection.
Jackie Kay