The Early family were already established in Witney when Thomas Early, aged 14, was apprenticed to Mr Silman, a local blanket maker in 1669. Thomas became a gifted and well-respected blanket maker, and inherited his old master's business when Silman died without issue. Thomas rose to become Master of the Witney Blanket Weavers Company in 1711, an honour shared by his son John in 1760. The tradition of blanket manufacture in the Early family had begun.
For detailed guides to the history of the Early family, see 'The Blanket Makers' by Alfred Plummer and Richard E. Early (1969), and 'A History of the Early Family of Witney' by Jane Cavell (2010).
This collection consists of family correspondence, financial records, genealogical records, photographs and presscuttings.
The collection is formed from parts of two larger accessions, 4111, which was deposited in July 1996, and 6184, which was deposited in July 2013. Parts of the collection were previously catalogued as part of the larger B1, Early's of Witney, collection, so a conspectus of old and new reference numbers is provided at the back of the hard copy catalogued.
Given the multiple generations of the family who lived there, the history of the Early's is inextricably linked with the history of blanket manufacture in Witney and the development of the town. Researchers may therefore find it helpful to also consult the following catalogues
B1 Early's of Witney
P13 Diaries of Charles William Early
P18 Personal Papers of Janet Dolton Early
P21 Deeds and documents for Witney Blanket Hall
P442 Research Notes of J.B. Crawford
Catalogued by Hannah Jones, December 2014.