Smeaton Brothers

The Smeaton family have been making beds for over 125 years. The tradition of bed making was first started by Henry Smeaton, who made palliasse mattresses filled with straw, under the archers of a bridge in Masborough, Rotherham.

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Every week on market day, he took them on a horse and cart to Retford Market to sell to the farmers who brought their animals and produce in to sell. Luckily the horse knew the way back, as Henry had a tendency to visit several hostelries and drink the proceeds on his way home. Hence he had to start all over again the following week.

This family tradition of bedmaking was passed down to his son, Arthur and his grandsons; Henry Smeaton known as Harry, the youngest of three brothers, Harold, and Leonard being his elder siblings.

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Arthur Smeaton served with his two brothers, Ernest and George, in the First World War at Ypres, miraculously they all returned unscathed.  Coincidentally, to this day, we source some of our woven damask fabrics and tickings which adorn our mattresses and divan sets from this area of Belgium.