Thomas Adams (manufacturer and philanthropist)

[2] Not long after Thomas' birth, the family moved to Ware, Hertfordshire (his father's birthplace) to try to improve their situation.

Safely back in London, he had a brief time in the warehouse of Messrs Boden, a Derby lace company, before moving to Nottingham.

On 2 September 1830, he married Lucy Cullen, daughter of a Nottingham businessman, in St Mary's Church, just a stone's throw away.

Adams had some reverses in trading, the scope of his business being reduced in 1843 and 1844 through a financial crisis brought about by the failure of an agent.

In 1857 there was a fluctuation in the lace trade prompted by panic in America, and the American Civil War caused a worldwide shortage of cotton for much of the 1860s.

The evangelical proprietor wrote a short tract, a copy of which was given to every employee before the move into the new warehouse; outlining not only the provision for their physical well-being, but also for their spiritual side:[citation needed] Hine, in fact, designed a special chapel located in the basement (designated as Floor B in the ncn Adams Building).

This was provided with "comfortable benches and kneeling" and had stained glass windows facing onto the main Stoney Street facade.

Later, the tradition of a New Year service in the chapel was established, with (as late as the 1930s) the Bishop of Southwell or Sheffield providing the address.

[citation needed] The opening of the Stoney Street warehouse was inevitably the high point in Adams' career.

The end of the American Civil War had brought about a general improvement in the cotton-based textile trades, and there was a need for fresh capital to expand the lace industry.

With the support of businessmen from Nottingham (including Adams) and Birmingham, the Joint Stock Bank was formed with a capital of £1 million and offices at 60 Bridlesmith Gate.

Even in his last year, Thomas was serving on several Borough committees, namely: the Bridge Estate, Parliamentary and Free Public Libraries and Museums.

The stretch of Derby Road, which nowadays climbs along the edge of the University of Nottingham Highfields campus, close to Lenton Firs is named Adams Hill to this day.