Description

Admin History:

Henry King from Wensleydale, started the firm in 1744 when he purchased from William Southern, a plane and tool making and ironmongery business in Church Lane, Hull. 2 years later in 1746 he had moved to bigger premises in 59 Market Place, adding a smithing shop. He provided 6 cottages for his workers whilst he lived over the premises. 1762 saw alterations to Market Place thus allowing King to expand, adding a domestic and furnishing department. Henry's son, Samuel was brought in as a partner in 1770, with more expansion, this time covering more general merchandise and contract requirements. In 1776, Henry retired and Samuel became sole proprietor. 1780 saw King purchasing the Market Place property and the company developing links with Carron Co. Iron Founders of Falkirk. The next year saw a new partner, John Spence joining the company, now known as Spence & King. Spence's death in 1790 saw his share reverting back to Samuel King. 1806 saw Henry King, Samuel's nephew, joining the firm as a partner. Samuel lived on West Parade Anlaby, with Henry living over the premises. ('The House of Kings 1744-1946' A.E. Spring 1947 Pp1-30) The following year saw Henry King buying land on Nassel Plain from Thomas Kilburn of Muker. (DBKC 1 (bundle 2))

In 1811, the firm employed 37,000 people. Samuel retired in 1815 whilst Henry purchased 54/55 High Street in Hull in the next year. The plane making, smithing and casting works were transferred there. 1817 saw John Turner a local iron merchant admitted into partnership. He took charge of the High St. works. The company was now called Henry King, Turner & Co. 1829 saw the death of Samuel King. 1843 saw Henry bring in his son, William Robinson King as a partner, with the company now called Henry King, Turner, Peach & King. But, Turner died the next year. ('The House of Kings 1744-1946' A.E. Spring 1947 Pp1-30) In 1847 Henry King and W.R. King dissolved their partnership. W.R. King and Robert Peach became partners, with Henry and his wife, June, receiving covenants allowing them to be paid annuities by King & Peach. (DBKC Deeds (bundle 2)) However, Henry died the next year. The company was now called King & Peach.

King's won a bronze medal at the 1851 Great Exhibition for their planes. 1853 saw 59 Market Place enlarged, with fireplaces added to the range of goods sold in 1860. 1864 saw the death of Peach with W.R. King purchasing his shares & calling the business King & Co. W.R. King retired in 1866, with 4/5ths of the business sold into the hands of four others, although it continued to expand. 58/59 Market Place were vacated in 1877, with sites on South Church Side and Vicar Lane occupied instead. (The Yorkshire East Riding Farmers Journal Vol.19 No.12 Dec 1967 p12) It was turned into a limited company in 1881, with W. R. King as it's first chairman. Ten years later saw more expansion and alterations, with the addition of an electrical dept. Two years later though in 1893, W.R. King died and his son, another W.R. King succeeded as chairman. The wood plane works finally closed in 1907, but additional premises were acquired in Vicar Lane and Mytongate. A zeppelin raid in 1916 saw the premises near Holy Trinity Church damaged. John Watson became chairman in 1920 due to W.R. King's declining health. He died the year after.

A Darlington branch was acquired in 1924 when the Thomas James Foundry was purchased. Air raids and H.E. bombs in 1940 caused a great deal of damage to the showrooms, stock and works in Hull, resulting in a move to a four-story building on Mytongate the next year. ('The House of Kings 1744-1946' A.E. Spring 1947 Pp1-30) 1948 saw the Queen opening the newly modernised fireplace and sanitary ware showrooms. A fire hit the site at South Church Side on 2&supn;&supd; December 1958, with the roof destroyed. (Hull Daily Mail 'Flashback' 28/11/98 p5) 1961 consulting and fittings display rooms were added in order to develop links with local architects. At this time Kings had the following divisions: architectural fittings, builders ironmongery & hardware, engineers supplies, electrical goods, fireplace stoves & cookers, bathroom suites & sanitary ware, household & catering equipment, paints, tools for the trade, gardening equipment, iron & steel bards & sheets and sliding door gears and spur shelving. By 1963, the last of the king family, W.B.R. King, retired as company chairman. (Port of Hull Journal Vol.2 No.3 July 1963 Pp23-31) 1967 saw the Darlington branch move to larger premises. (The Yorkshire East Riding Farmers Journal Vol.19 No.12 Dec 1967 p12)

However, by 1970 there were trading and financial concerns, with a warning of reduced profits. (King & Co. Report & Balance Sheet Dec. 1970 p2) By 1973 King's had been taken over by the Ferguson Group, with an emphasis on trading with the general public rather than the trade. (Port of Hull Journal Vol.12 No.4 Winter 1973 p21) Eventually the company appears to have left the area because by 1980 the site of the former King's showroom had been converted into a market area, with stalls and small shops, and called the 'King's Market'. (Hull Civic Society Newsletter June 1980 p9)

Description:

DBKC/1 Deeds

DBKC/2 The Heating Department

DBKC/3 The Supply of materials to building contractors

DBKC/4 Miscellaneous