And another guess . . .

In 1851, James Underwood appears to be a 'Manchester Agent'. I'm sure I
should know, but what does one of them do . . . ?

CWatters...

I believe "Manchester" is/was a lathe manufacturer (or possibly a type or
model of lathe?). I recall the second hand machine tools we had at school
30 years ago were referred to as "Manchesters".

Ebay has this - which is a cutter for a lathe and is marked "Warner Swasey
Manchester"

Peter Goodey...

As SeeAll has already said, the Dictionary of Occupational Terms has:
"Manchester Agent - agent acting for manufacturers of Manchester goods eg
cotton goods made in Manchester and district".

Budgie...

Thanks all.

octiger...

Perhaps a dealer in corduroy cloth. I've seen corduroy trousers referred
to as "Manchesters" in Sweden.

A bit of searching the web supports the above, but probably you'll get an answer
from someone more knowledgeable.

CWatters...

school

Eve McLaughlin...

Not in this case -cotton goods.

CWatters...

Guess I'm out voted :-)

Budgie...

But thanks again, everyone, for the information!

hedleyh...

Not thinking of Colchesters are you? (Having spent many hours bending
over them!)

CWatters...

Ah yes that's possible. Also rings some bells.

I can't imagine kids being allowed to use machines like this today - what
with all the health and safety rules. We even had Aluminium sand casting
facilities. I remember there was a large burn mark on the celing that the
teacher said was caused by an explosion when someone squirted water in the
furnace a few years earlier. We only blew ourselves up in Chemistry
Club...but that's another story.

Eve McLaughlin...

Sell cotton textiles, as made in the mills in Manchester and the
surrounding district.