Our Heritage

E. E. Newton & Sons leather goods has been a family business for more than 150 years, established in Tasmania during the mid 19th century when Edward Elwell Newton left England with his wife and new born son. Edward was the younger brother of Thomas Newton the owner of their father's leather factory in Walsall, England. Edward came to Tasmania to expand the Newton line of leather goods by setting up a tannery and shop in Cressy, he used the wattle bark native to Tasmania because of its high tannin content to tan the leather. This was the beginning of the E. E. Newton & Sons. This family owned and run business continued for 6 generations and supplied all manner of leather goods including boots and leather harness gear. The skill of leather work has been passed down the generations since the factory in Walsall, England.

William 'Bill' Newton (1925-2014), who had been involved in harness racing and raising horses throughout his life, was known for making his own harness gear and for quality repairs to horse tack of all kinds. He continued to use the fittings and tools from the old family workshop at Cressy. These items he passed on to Edward Elwell pictured right. and his son Harry pictured below, who continue the manufacture of Leather Goods.