| has gloss | eng: The Binns family (per. c.1810–1897), who were drapers, originated with George Binns (1781–1836), born at Crawshawbooth, Lancashire, the fourth son of David Binns, a clogger, and his wife, Ann, née Robinson. The Binns family were Quakers who had extensive links with other Quaker families throughout the North of England. David and Ann, along with their eldest children, began a drapery and later grocery shop in which George learned his craft. The family soon entered the expanding cotton trade, putting out work to local hand-loom weavers and selling finished calicoes in Manchester. After Georges marriage in 1807 to Margaret, the daughter of Joshua and Rachel Watson of Staindrop, County Durham, he began to look for an opening near by. In 1811, he purchased the woollen drapery and linen shop of Thomas Ellerbury at 176 High Street, Bishopwearmouth, which employed a journeyman and three apprentices. |
