James Rowland, Esq., J.P., of Maygate, and brothers, the present proprietors of the large manufactories of Orleans and Park mills. In 1802 and 1803, several of the old mills were greatly enlarged, namely, Rhodes mill, Wallshaw mill, Mount pleasant mill, and Acre mill. In addition to these changes, six other manufactories were in existence from 1800 to 1805, and a few beyond the latter period: these concerns, which seem to have been large spinning rooms, solely moved by hand power, were situated at Coppice nook, top of Bent, Greaves street, Mumps brook, Mount pleasant, and Fowleach brow. The number of cotton mills erected in the township of Oldham, from 1796 to 1805, was nine, exclusive of additions to old mills, and also of spinning rooms; deducting, therefore, one mill which had ceased to be such, the number was thirty.

The machine making business, afterwards a highly important branch of the trade of Oldham, was as yet in its infancy, and never became of more than ordinary extent till the great enterprise and perseverance of the late Elijah Hibbert, Esq., fully developed its capabilities. About 1797 Mr. William Rowbottom, brother of Mr. John Rowbottom, now of Hunt lane, established a small machine making workshop in School croft, and a roller making concern at Bell factory. In a few years afterwards Messrs. John Garnett and William Jackson, commenced machine making works, the former at Side of moor, and the latter in Manchester street. The first iron foundry established at Oldham was erected by Mr. John Mackie, a native of Scotland, adjacent to Buckley mill, Manchester street, in 1805.

In the early part of the present century, the hatting manufacture was greatly extended by the spirited firms of Messrs. Henshaws, Barkers, Hadfield, and Taylors, Hargreaves; Messrs. Clegg, Bent grange and Lower Bent; and Messrs. Allen, Nelson, and Co., Bow street.
Thomas Henshaw, Esq., the princely founder of the

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