Ignore the date! In the late 1700s some of our Lapthorn family moved from South Devon to the Southampton area and founded a Sail Loft. At one time there were sail lofts in many countries. The book "Classic Sails" gives the history but Ratsey and Lapthorn made sails for some very famous ships including HMS Victory, Nelson's flagship. This is the Sail Loft in West Cowes, Isle of Wight.
