Oldham Historical Research Group

Scan and page transcript from:
Historical Sketches of Oldham by Edwin Butterworth
Pub. 1856

Historical Sketches of Oldham by Edwin Butterworth

1833, he employed 186 hands in spinning, and 153 in weaving. In 1846, when the manufactory had been still further extensively increased, and become the property of his sons, Messrs. Joshua and Samuel Radcliife and Brothers, the entire number of hands employed was 900, the number of mule spindles 20,000, power-looms 1100, amount of horse power 146, and the quantity of yarn produced weekly 36,000 lbs. Messrs. Radcliffes are also the proprietors of extensive cotton mills at Rochdale, so that the concerns they possess render the firm one of the first magnitude in the manufacturing districts. The new power-loom mill of Messrs. Radcliffe is one vast apartment, forming the four sides of a quadrangle. The extent of the building and the sight of the busy throng form a scene equally curious and admirable. The noise produced by the united rattling of thousands of frictions and collisions may be imagined, but can never be conceived, unless they are heard. The workpeople appear to be most industrious, orderly, and comfortable. A manufactory in such hands presents no unpleasant drawbacks to the feelings. The entire concerns of Messrs. Radcliffes spin about 45,000 lbs. of cotton per week. In their mills upwards of 400,000 miles of cotton thread are produced in about 66 working hours. In round numbers this is at least 6000 miles per hour, or 100 miles a minute. What an astonishing effect of the combination of mechanism! what an inconceivable wonder, if it might not be witnessed by their favour at any time! One penny per pound on the price of cotton wool makes a difference to such a firm of upwards of £2000 a year. Mr. James Greaves, of Dirtcar house, who erected Dirtcar mill, is the son of Mr. John Greaves, yeoman and manufacturer of Thorp, in Saddleworth, whose ancestors have possessed that place ever since the reign of James I. In 1846, Mr. Greaves employed about 300 hands in spinning and 200 in weaving. Messrs. Joseph and James Lees, juniors, of the family of the Leeses of Lower Clarksfield, erected Clarksfield mill, and Mr. James Lees, partner with Mr. Bailey, is

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