The Boot and Shoe Trades in London and Paris in the Long Eighteenth Century

estricted to only nine London shoemakers whose business went bankrupt
between 1822 and 1829 (table 5.8).
Table 5.8 - Geographical distribution of nine London shoemakers' debts,
1822-1829
Total in
Year (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) percentage
London 1,096 1,344 2,431 1,499 2,863 1,821 611 866 209 45.04
Northampton 204 305 - 486 - - 265 248 3,970 27.97
Daventry - - - 58 - - - 164 35 0.01
Wellingborough 1,052 - - - - - - 206 - 6.51
Liverpool - - - 100 - - - 42 - 0.01
Walworth - 40 - - - - - - - 0.01
Not available 8 1,149 - - - - - - 2,800 20.20
Total
2,360 2,838 2,431 2,141 2,863 1,821 876 1,526 7,014 100.00
Source: PRO: (1) B 3/467; (2) B 3/965; (3) B 3/1059; (4) B 3/1357; (5) B 3/1626; (6) B
3/3118/9; (7) B 3/3826; (8) B 3/5286; (9) B 3/5325.
This is the period of maximum expansion of Northampton and we can see
how more than 27 per cent of debts were due to curriers, tanners and shoemakers
in Northampton itself. Other Northamptonshire centres such as Daventry and
Wellingborough were becoming important in shoe manufacturing. The fact that
most debts to Northampton creditors were recorded as debts to curriers or
tanners can be interpreted in different ways. It appears improbable that London
shoemakers were buying leather in Northamptonshire. Much more convincing
can be the case that Northamptonshire leather dealers acted as middlemen
producing shoes on commission and putting out production to local shoemakers.
5.4.2 The take-off of the provinces
After 1815 the relationship between Northampton and London changed. The
first element to evaluate is the new position acquired by Northampton. The
shoemaking trade was the primary activity of the town and experience stretching
back almost a century had provided not only local skills but, most importantly,
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