Aieux Morris

1773 28th. April Friday
John Holker, Chevalier of the Order of St. Louis, and inspector-general of the woollen and cotton manufactures of France, died at Rouen, 28th April. He was born at Stretford, and baptised there 14th October, 1719. His parents were married at Manchester in 1715, and the name is found frequently at Monton. He was a “calendarer,” joined the rebels in 1745, and was taken prisoner at Carlisle. When in Newgate awaiting trial a fellow-prisoner found a means of escape from the same cell, but Holker was too bulky to pass through the “straightgate.” The generous comrade returned, and the two in company enlarged the hole and both escaped. Holker was concealed for six weeks by a woman who kept a green stall, but eventually escaped to France, where he entered the army, and retired on a pension of 600 francs in 1755. He had previously, in connection with partners, erected a velvet factory at Rouen, and in 1758 he retired with a fortune. He was inspector-general of foreign manufactures from 1755 until his death. In 1766 he established chemical works and introduced leaden chambers for the manufacture of sulphuric acid. He is said to have visited England secretly to induce English artisans to settle in France. He was nominated a Chevalier de St. Louis, 27th September, 1770. This remarkable life is given with the fullest detail in communications by Mr. J. G. Alger in the Palatine Note-book, vol. iv.,pp. 47, 111.(7)