John & William Dent

  • 16 Jan 2025
  • Trade and Industry
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John Dent was born in 1751, and served his apprenticeship with James Perkins, glover, and was given his Freedom to trade in Worcester in 1772. Shortly after this he married and had four children, John, Thomas, William and Benjamin. In 1792 he was living at 26 Sidbury, with his son Thomas until his death in 1811, and the business was continued by Thomas until his death in 1824.                                                                                                John Dent junior was born in 1777, and after serving his apprenticeship with his father, was granted his freedom to trade in 1798. He did not remain with John Dent senior, but started as a glove manufacturer on his own account. In 1807 he was so described, and by 1820 he had premises in the High Street. By this time he had been joined by his brother William. Together they carried on the gloving business until the death of  William in 1854, and John in 1855. They were both prominent citizens, John having served the office of Mayor of Worcester in 1825, and William in 1833. For many years they lived at 34 Foregate Street. In 1837 they purchased Sudeley Castle, but kept their Foregate Street house as their Worcester residence.

Under an agreement dated March 13, 1846, Messrs John Darby Allcroft, William Lord, Francis Lycett and John Gervan  purchased the business of J & W Dent & Co. On January 18, 1853, J.D.Allcroft made a substantial payment towards a purchase of a Worcester factory. This was the building formerly known as Warmstrey House in Palace Row, and was the site of the Worcester Porcelain Works. It was at this time that the name of the firm was changed to Messrs Dent, Allcroft & Co.

Although John Dent, Snr, began his gloving business as early as 1772, it will be seen that his two sons, John and William, were the real founders of what eventually became Messrs Dent, Allcroft & Co.

The last of Dent's Glove Factory in Warmstrey Slip and Palace Yard, was once known as Warmstrey Mansion, but in 1751, it was leased to the Worcester Porcelain Works, and then followed, in 1775, Dents. The Glove Factory closed in 1959, and the build demolished for the site of the Worcester Technical College.

 

Warmstrety Slip