WILLIAM BATTEN Born 1780 Long Bootmaker, Gloucester
EDWIN BATTEN Bootmaker, Gloucester and London
EDWIN (JAMES) BATTEN Bootmaker, Toronto, New York, and London
HORACE BATTEN Born 1880 Bootmaker, London and Northamptonshire
HORACE L. BATTEN Bootmaker, Northamptonshire
TIMOTHY L. BATTEN Boot Retailer, Northamptonshire
EMMA J.L. BATTEN Born 1980 Bootmaker, Northamptonshire
In 1998, Emma Batten joined the firm, being the seventh generation of Batten's in the riding boot business. William Batten, Emma's great, great, great, great grandfather was making boots (sitting crossed-legged) in St. John's Street, Gloucester circa 1800-1844.
In those days even the uppers were hand-stitched and one pair per week was the norm.
Even today, our production is less than ten pairs per week.
James Batten emigrated to Canada in the 1860's, working in Toronto and then New Jersey, before returning to London in the 1880's. His son - Horace Batten, became manager of Cook's boot factory in Long Buckby, Northamptonshire before starting his own business in the 1920's.
The picture shows Mr. Horace Batten with part of the workforce in 1910. Incidentally, your boots would be blocked (shaped) on the very same machine shown in the picture.
Mr. H.L. Batten, our Chairman and Managing Director, still takes a very active part in the business despite advancing years.