Genealogy Chat

Three generations of rellies in the 1800's in London and Middlesex are either horse hair weavers or horse hair seaking (not seeking) dealers, does any one out there know what they would make from horse hair at this time? Thank you in advance Laraine

I seem to remember having a Horse Hair Mattress and I am sure they also made Hairbrushes from it too, but I am sure someone will tell you more , oh and in case you are wondering no I am not ancient !!!!!!

Yes - mattresses, sofas, chairs, anything which needed stuffing got horse hair! Much superior to flock and extremely hardwearing. OC

Sorry to seem so thick but would they have woven it to stuff things with? as why would it be weavers?

take a look at this site History of Horsehair weaving at John Boyd TextilesThe horsehair fabrics were initially woven by hand. This would require a weaver to stand at a loom all day and a small child would sit in the loom with the ... (www.)johnboydtextiles.(co.uk)/history.html - 8k - Cached - Similar remove brackets

We used to have a sofa, inherited from my parents, that was supposed to be made from horse hair, the fabric as well as the stuffing. Not sure if that was true but I can tell you it was pretty darn prickly on bare legs and it certainly was hard wearing as I know it lasted about 40 years before the slightest sign of wear when the arms started to get a bit shiny! H.

Helen, Thats what I thought we have had horses for our daughters, and just could not imagine what you could weave out of it, at least not to wear, but then it was the 1800's Thank you Laraine

Thank you Valerie, will take a look. Laraine x

You worried me there for a minute, I thought you said you 'had horses for daughters' which seemed a tad harsh, especially about your own dear offspring! Guess misreading stuff is my clue that it's time for bed. Mmmm, nice soft, comfy matress with defintely NO horse hair. H. xx

Horse hair was also used as an insulation material. The gap between the outer lap-board and the inner tongue and groove walls of the listed village hall where I used to live were stuffed with it. This was discovered during the renovation. The hair over the period of around a hundred years had slid down in clumps and we assumed that this was why the hall was so cold. It could not be reinstated when the renovation was done as it was considered to be a fire hazard. Horse hair used in upholstery was treated with something to make it less attractive to insect occupation. I think it was cyanide. I would think this would make it very dangerous if burnt, and also for workers. Anyone else heard of this.

When we were kids and visited our nans - she had a huge sofa with I think a cover of leather or similar but it was stuffed with horse hair. As kids, we used to sit there pulling tuffs of the hair out from tears in the arms. I can still feel the texture now - almost like thin wire! Also when we renovated our first cottage, the plaster work was full of horsehair, they used to use it to bind the materials togeter.

didnt you used to get horse hair blankets???? really rough they were Julie