James (Morcombe) Morcomb (1822 - 1873)

Born 10 Jan 1822 in Constantine, Cornwall, England

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Saunders) Morcomb — married 30 Jun 1842 in Constantine, Cornwall, England

Descendants

Died 8 May 1873 at age 51 in Waymouth Street, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

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Biography

James was born in 1822.^[1] Immigrated aboard the ‘Adelaide’, departing Plymouth on 8 November 1851, arriving Port Adelaide on 31 January 1852, with wife Elizabeth and children John and Elizabeth. He passed away in 1873.^[2]

FRANKLIN-STREET COACH MANUFACTORY.— J. MORCOMB (late of the firm of Morcomb & Hubble) begs to inform the Public and his former Customers that he has REOPENED Mr. Armour's Extensive Premises, lately occupied by Preston & Applin, and trusts, by prompt attention and moderate charges, to obtain a share of public patronage. The extensive SHOW-ROOM is also open for the Sale of every description of Vehicle at a merely nominal commission. JAMES MORCOMB. Ref.- South Australian Register, Tuesday 25 September 1860, page 1

Research Note - By July 1864 the Franklin St premises used by James Morcomb were advertised for rent. In Dec 1864 James Morcomb advertised his Morcomb's Coach Factory as at Waymouth Street (near the Criterion Hotel)

OUR CARRIAGE AND COACH FACTORIES Messrs Hubble Bros. Factory.- — The site of this establishment is in King William-street, just beyond the Supreme Court-house, and the business was founded in 1854, when the firm was Morcomb & Hubble. The factory covers about a third of an acre, but a portion of it- the former show-room has been altered and converted into a public-house. The sheds which run down one side of the premises include the bodymakers, wheelers' and smiths' department. There is also a small 4-horse engine which works a turning and boring lathe, a circular saw, and frame saws, which latter are used for cutting out compass or curved work. There are also a tire bender, a tire furnace, and a tire plate. Nine men and three boys are employed, besides the partners, in turning out all sorts of general coachbuilding work.

Mr. J. Morcomb's Factory.-— Mr. Morcomb commenced business about 15 years ago, but he has been situated in Waymouth Street for only about three years. He makes all sorts of vehicles ranging from a spring-cart to an omnibus. In the wood shop we saw the body of an omnibus, which is being made for the Glen Osmond-road. It will be capable of seating 18 passengers. Respecting these coaches, we may say that no omni-buses are now imported. They are all made in the colony, although, of course, the wood has to be brought from England or America. Two forges have been kept going in the smiths' shop till recently, when business has become slack. We saw a tire-bender similar in construction to those in use at other similar establishments and also a pair of rollers for making springs, which Mr. Morcomb told us was the only one in the colony. Adjoining the smiths' shop is a large open shed for doing repairs in or for running in vehicles. At the rear, also there is a furnace for heating and an apparatus for tiring wheels. Six men, including Mr. Morcomb, are engaged on the premises. Ref.- South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail, Saturday 13 June 1868, page 5

Sources

1. ↑ 1. Register Office: Registers of Births, Marriages and Deaths surrendered to the Non-parochial Registers Commissions of 1837 and 1857; Class Number: RG 4;; Class Number: Rg 4; Piece Number: 559
2. ↑ 2. South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839-1900), Australia Trove Digitised Newspapers