True, the planting of great industries by a Hibbert and Platt, a Collinge and Lancashire, a Thomas Mellodew, or a John Lees (all honour to them), has been productive of untold blessings, and speaking of the condition of the people under this regime, we may take up the words of the Psalmist, and say: “though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold”. Yet in the relations between employer and employed, how little is there of the old patriarchal nature? How purely commercial are all those relations! How much more purely commercial are those relations becoming every day? On the other hand how different the relations which for four or five centuries existed between the Radcliffes, of Fox Denton, and their tenants and dependents? In the words of the old Roman populace to their patrician leader, they would say of their lord and master, “We’ll hear him; We’ll follow him; We’ll die with him!” As regards the financial condition of the people under the old and new state of things, of course there is no comparison. That is not the point I am driving at. I doubt not there are many working families in Chadderton, who, from their earnings, have an income equal to many of the old lords of Fox Denton. What I am pointing out is the pre-eminent service rendered to this country by our old aristocracy in nurturing a peasantry which is the pride of the world, and what is true of Fox Denton, is true of many other of our old halls and homesteads. Let us look over the list of the families who for a long time have resided in Chadderton, and have been bound to the lords of Chadderton in fealty and service – many of which families have in later days risen to wealth and affluence, and go to make up the finest population on the face of the earth. Many of the descendants of which families still reside in Oldham, and many others are scattered through the length and breadth of England and her colonies, as the Scholeses, the Taylors, the Cowpers, the Nields, the Ogdens, the Ashtons, the Whiteheads, the Smethursts, the Halls, the Thorpes, the Hartleys, the Coups, the Hopkins, the Walkers, the Heaps, the Stocks, the Matthews, the Wolstencrofts, the Marslands, the Brocks, the Tomlinsons, the Collinsons, the Schofields, the Townsons, the Jacksons, the Beswicks, the Whittakers, the Briggs, the Pawletts, the Lords, the Greens, the Berrys, and others. All of which cognomens strike the eye in glancing down the rent rolls of Chadderton, going as far back in some cases as 1455. Many of these names are common in Oldham today. Loyalty to the old aristocracy survived in Oldham only till the new aristocracy established itself.
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How much of that poverty which is detailed in these annals is attributable to the struggle which naturally ensued between these aristocracies it is not for me to say. It would, however, be an interesting inquiry for a novelist to follow. The transition period which existed in Oldham between the years 1775 and 1825, was one of extreme trial and suffering. This trial and suffering did not arise from any one cause. The death of the native woollen industry, and the advent of king cotton with the steam engine, the spinning jenny, and the power loom, in his train, did much towards destroying the influence of the old nobility in Oldham. It was, however, a bloodless revolution and in the end both sides were enriched. Fox Denton looks forlorn enough today, and its “walks and private arbours”, Its orchards and “Hawk’s mews” will shortly all be sacrificed to the improvements of a different age to that in which it was reared. A newer aristocracy has also arisen of late years, called the aristocracy of labour. The historian of a century hence may be able to make comparisons among all the three. It will then be seem with clearer vision what service the old nobility rendered to their country. Dec. 24th. – The Lancashire Volunteer Fencable being upwards of 1000 men were reviewed at Manchester by Major General Scott, and all returned fit for duty. The subscriptions for forming this corps were only started in the previous October, some idea may be formed of the progress of the war party, by this statement showing that 1,000 men had joined the corps between October and December. Dec. 31st – The year 94 is now nearly concluded, and all things have a dreary appearance for notwithstanding there is the greatest demand for nankeens and other light goods, owing to the low wage given, and the dearness of all necessaries of life, it is impossible for persons with large families to get what nature requires. The minister has again set up the war whoop, which is a harbinger for future miseries, for by the sounds of the martial drum and the alluring sergeant holding in his hand a bounty of from 10 to 25 guineas per man, and pressed on all sides by the greatest necessity causes a great deal of husbands to leave their virtuous wives and darling children. May God of his great goodness take us poor under his protection, and preserve us from such pressing necessities and wants as the ardent prayer and wish of. |
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ANNALS OF OLDHAM No. XVIII 1794-5 “It was at this period,” says E. Butterworth, that what may truly be called the present system of the cotton manufacture commenced. Previously the manufactories were comparatively small and in many instances the processes were conducted in large two-storeyed and three-storeyed dwelling-houses, or portions of them, chiefly in commodious chambers. The introduction of the steam engine led to the building of spacious mills specially devoted to all the processes of the spinning department of the trade.” The first steam engine used at a cotton mill was erected about this time at Lees Hall Higher Mill. About this time, also, new turnpike roads were being made through Oldham between Manchester and Huddersfield, and from Mumps to Lees and Uppermill, and other new roads were being projected from Oldham to Rochdale, and from Oldham to Ashton-under-Lyne. It was about this time that Daniel Lees erected Bankside Mill, then said to be in the New-road, now Manchester-street. Not only does this period (1794-5) mark a starting point in our commercial growth, but, as will be noticed in one of the annals already published, in the year 1794 political growth took a decided spring. The “Radical party” of Oldham and district underwent its baptism of fire, and from that time under many guises, and through many vicissitudes, and trials, and sufferings has maintained its existence. An event of imperial importance may be noted here before going on with the annals. Our armies abroad were beginning to meet with serious checks. Napoleon, “a young artillery officer from Corsica,” had rushed to the rescue of France, and in 1794 he had kicked the English out of Toulon. From this time forth Napoleon was the great bogey of every man, woman, and child in Oldham, and, need I say it, in the country generally. Rowbottom proceeds:- “This year (1795) commenced on Thursday, which was a very fine day, but owing to the poverty of most families the ancient hospitality was nearly forgotten. Roast beef and pies were more scarce than last Christmas, so that misery dwells on every countenance, and there is the greatest reason to be apprehensive of the sorrows which are hovering round.”
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Prentice says that “besides the pulpit and the press a new and more truthful teacher had come into the field – want.” As regards Oldham this teacher had bee present long enough, as appears by what has gone before. Indeed, this want had driven many to enlist in the army.
For several days last past uncommon cold, frosty weather, and the wages of light goods decreasing, and all the necessaries of life rapidly increasing. Feb. 2nd – 1795 – Petitions, one for peace with France and the other to carry on the war with spirit, were signed by the different parties at Oldham. Wheeler says:- “The war, however, was not universally popular. In 1795 a petition was sent from the town (Manchester) praying for peace.” The same divided opinion existed in Oldham, but it seems a counter petition went from Oldham praying for the war to be continued. Jacob Radcliffe, ever famed for his benevolence, killed a cow and gave it to the poor. January 2nd, 1795. Jan. 17th, 1795. – James Mellor, a person famed for simpleness and peaceableness, died at Chadderton Workhouse. “Famed for simpleness and peacableness” and dying in the workhouse. The record leaves something to be desired. One would like to know more of such a man living in such a war-like age. Have I not read elsewhere of a simple “wisdom, whose ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.” Have I not also read of a class of people who are said to be “refreshed in the multitude of peace.” Adversity sometimes finds us with strange bedfellows. Many respectable families were reduced to the beggar’s staff during these wars, and had to go to the workhouse. This no doubt one of those examples. Jan. 21st, 1795. – Hannah, wife of George Wood, of Winnook, died; disorder, a consumption; aged 33 years. Jan. 16th, 17th, and 19th, 1795 – The Lancashire Volunteers marched through Middleton on their route to Doncaster, Rotherham, Wakefield, and Bawtry: they were, as usual, attended by a large group of females. Jan. 26th, 1795. – A child so shockingly burned near Chadderton Workhouse that it died next day. |
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William Rowbottom's Diary as published in the Oldham Standard |
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