We see the silver lining to the dark cloud. The factory system was growing. I am not quite sure what the 1 1/4d. per hank means. I expect it means 1 1/4d. for every 840 yards. I rather think the weft was 20’s. The weaver would hardly earn his 2d. per hour, even at the higher rate, which was exceptional. November 17th – Last night Thomas Tonge, sheriff’s officer, arrested Thomas Fletcher, of Oldham, when Fletcher, by his unpareled spirit and dexterity, made a clear escape. Tonge was so chagrinned at this misfortune that he had Fletcher cried by the public belman and distributed handbills, offering five guineas reward for his apprehension. November 21st – No alteration in price of provision ; treacle 4 1/2d. a pond. November 23rd – Thomas Andrew, of Edge-lane, corn-dealer, was found drowned in a pit near Holden-fold. He left home early this morning, and had been for some time deranged in his sences. It is the same pit wich an unfortunate person lost his life in in March 1800. A fall of snow and a keen frost commenced about the middle of this month. December 3rd – This morning died Thomas Taylor, of Royton. He was one of the staunch patriots of Royton who have so manfully stepped forth in the cause of freedom ; age, 32 years. A tombstone on the south side of Royton Churchyard commemorates Thomas Taylor of Royton, orator, poet, and litterateur, who died December 3rd. 1801, aged thirty-two years. He is also further described as a philanthropist, and a citizen of the world.
Thomas Taylor was a veritable ‘village Hampden,” and why was he named “Mechanicus?” This was his nom de plume, and over this signature he wrote letters on political subjects. One letter we find in Eaton’s publication, called “Politics for the People.” It is dated Royton, March 1st 1794, and is a somewhat severe expostulation with the Prime Minister, Mr. Pitt, on the ill condition of the people of England on account of the war, more especially the people about Royton, for, of course, in his mind, the interests of England were concentrated at Royton. Mr. Pitt had asserted in his place in the House of Commons that commercial credit was admirably restored since the beginning of the war, and that trade was much better than it was six months ago. Mr. Thomas Taylor felt called upon to contradict this assertion, and he did so in the following terms :- “I have lived within twelve miles of Manchester all my life (a very short space excepted), and have generally been employed at the loom in weaving strong fustians, and could have earned a comfortable subsistence previous to the war.
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Yea more, by hard labour and frugality I could have saved some trifle to assist me in case of sickness or to support me in the winter of life; but I now experience a sad reverse. No sooner were we bid to quit our peaceful habitations, and to repair to the sound of the clarion and discordant drum, than our commerce left us, and wages fell to such a degree that I, who am a young man and unmarried, can scarcely earn the common necessaries of life.” Taylor’s account exactly agrees with Rowbottom’s, but each took a loom-house view. From their point of vision, perhaps, they were right; but we all know today that the country actually prospered commercially during the war ; that our imports greatly increased, and that we secured at this period our great maritime carrying supremacy. Pitt, from his high position, could see all this, and had the courage of his opinions. He could not make the old-hand fustian weavers believe it, though. A Nemesis was waiting for them in the shape of the power-loom. Perhaps neither Pitt nor they dreamt of this. Despite the doleful accounts given of the distressful state of the country, the population of Oldham increased between 1778 and 1801 faster than it ever did before, or has done since. In 1778 the population of the four townships was estimated at from 8,000 to 10,000 people. If we take 9,000 and compare it with the first official return in 1801, it shows an enormous increase of 12,000 in 23 years, the several townships numbering in 1801 as follows:- Oldham 12,024; Crompton 3,482; Chadderton 3452; Royton 2719; total of four townships 21,677, being an increase of 6 per cent, per year since 1778, the population doubling itself once every 16 ½ years. And this in the face of a disastrous war, causing “two nymphs to one swain” at the local Wakes. The next period to this in the point of a high rate of increase, was when the floating mania was on in Oldham between 1871 and 1881 when the population was doubling every 27 years. In Oldham township only, it seems in 1801, out of 12,000 people, 5906 were engaged in trade and manufacture, and 42 solely in agriculture. Thus one half of the population worked for their living; the other half, no doubt, would be mostly children. December 12th – Died, Betty, wife of Abraham Mills, hatter, Oldham, disorder consumption. The frost continues with great severity, yet, modest, for the wind is down. December 16th – The storm still continues with unabateing fury, fortunately there is no wind. December 21st – Yesterday it commenced a very fine thaw and stopped the carreer of a very severe storm. December 26th – Died, Joseph Mellor, 26/12/1801 of Bent, disorder consumption, aged 39 years. December 30th – It commenced a very keen frost. December 31st – The frost continues and very keen. |
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ANNALS OF OLDHAM No. XL 1802 The year one thousand eight hundred and two began on Friday, which was a fine, frosty, clear day, and never a more plentiful Christmas appeared, for everyone vied with his neighbour which could be best stocked with Christmas cheer, and most people forgot the misery of the past years, firmly hoping and trusting that misery, want, and oppression were banished away. The following is an authentic statement of the different necessaries of life:- Meal, 2s to 2s.1d. per peck; flour, 2s. 8d. to 2s. 10d.; malt, 2s. 3d. to 2s. 9d.; treacle, 4 1/2d. per lb.; old butter, 9d. per lb.; candles, 9d. per lb.; cheese, from 6d. to 7d.; pork, 9 1/2d.; beef, 8 1/2d.; mutton, 9d.; potatoes, 6d. per score; onions, 2d. per lb.; hops 1s. 4d. per lb.; bacon, 10d. to 1s. per lb.; soap, white or brown, 8d. per lb.; sugar, brown, 8d. to 10d. per lb.; hay 6d. to 9d. a stone,; white peas, 3 1/2d. a quart. Coals extremely dear and scarce. Jan. 3rd –Yesterday, an uncommon day for snow for a very large quantity of snow fell, and George Travis, of Crompton, fustian manufacturer, was found drowned in the channel, Hollinwood, this day. It appeared in returning from Manchester on Wednesday last he lost his way, and was not found till this day, Monday. Jan. 10th -This day widow Radcliffe, and Mary, wife of Benjamin Murfit, both of Oldham, intered this day. Jan. 14th - A very high wind, which blew and drifted the snow very much. Jan. 14th -Last night Mr. John Wood, of North Moor, gave an exalent supper, with plenty of ale, &c. Contrary to the present fashion he persues the old English hospitality, throwing aside all consideration of interests, selects his guests to humour his own fancy, no one is objected for his poverty, nation, or religion; but the harmony of this company was destroyed by that pragmatical fool and monster of nature. Jan. 17th -Last night, it began to thaw, and put an end to a long severe frost.
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Jan 18th -It is worthy of remark that James Rowbottom, of Alderroot, in the last year as a journeyman rover at a factory got by his own labour £91, and in the great drought last May there were three weeks which he got but a few shillings, as the works were stopped for lack of water. We are not told how long James Rowbottom had to work daily to earn his 36s. a week. But we know from old people that the mills used to work night and day in many cases - or at least in water mills as long as the water lasted. - At a mill called the “Calico” worked by the late Mr. John Mayall, of Hey, old Bill o’ Franks was the carder, and Robert Mayall, of Taylor Green, was the under carder, and it was a very common thing for the mill to work all night. The first Factory Act was passed during this year, but it only applied to parish apprentices. The hardships endured by those poor lads called for the protection of the legislature. January 19th -Died old John Dunkerley, of May Gate-lane. The Dunkerleys were never a very numerous family in Oldham, though I meet with the name John Donkerley among those of the baptised at Oldham in 1565. In 1641-2 I find among the protestators a James, a John, and a Moses Dunkerley. Later on, in 1739, I find a Daniel Dunkerley at further Barrowshaw. E. Butterworth says a Matthew Dunkerley possessed Clegg’s tenement in Sholver in 1747. Joseph Dunkerley, of Mumps, who was one of the principal ratepayers of Oldham in 1757, died 1788. Another branch of the Dunkerley family held Paulden Slack in 1756, as appears by a copy of an old deed made by me some years since, one James Dunkerley being then sub-tenant to John Sevill, under James Farrer, Esq. January 25th -Died old Jonathan Jackson, commonly called Duke Jonathan, of Oldham, age 73 years. January 21st -Hurricane and tremendous high wind commenced this morning, which for its power and velocity was scarcely ever equaled. It leveled without distinction helpless cots and high chimneys, blew down several factories, and killed several people. It entirely unroofed a deal of thatched buildings. Very few houses escaped having their windows blown out or some material damage; slate and lead blown off the houses, and a deal of trees torn up by the roots and shivered to pieces. Such was its effective power that the country was thrown into the greatest consternation. |
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William Rowbottom's Diary as published in the Oldham Standard |
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