Greenham Mill, Drimpton

Transcription

1 Greenham Mill, Drimpton Duncan Harris (February 2014) (I wish to thank many people from the museum and Beaminster who have provided the information for this document) 1

2 Greenham Mill, Drimpton History of factory Built in water problems steam power introduced to supplement water power Attempt to burn down mill 15 (continued next page) 2

3 1860 business is booming because of the opening of the Yeovil to Exeter section of the London and South Western Railway in July The sidings at Hewish permitted far easier bringing in of raw materials and the coal used to power the engines s most processes mechanised driven by water wheel supplemented by steam power. 1860s Machinery inventory at time of purchase by Richard Hayward 10 3

4 1878 further fire at the mill carrier pigeons introudced 12 for communication between factories, taking about 10 minutes Attempt to burn down mill 20 Correction to above business thriving mill closed 10. 4

5 Owners 1824 built by James Haydon indenture between Henry Henley, the owner of Paul s Meadow and Thomas Haydon senior, his son James and Messrs Clay, Pratt and Turner (James s brother-in-law on the other side; these gentlemen being flax and tow spinners and co-partners in Greenham Mill). Three lesser tenants were also nominated, having no real claim on the land: the three young lives were a sort of insurance against the payment of the Heriot s Covenant death tax Partnership dissolved By the early 1840s there were 13 shares divided amongst four partners: Josiah Flight (7), Thomas Flight (3), James Haydon (2) and Robert Turner (1). The property covered the flax and tow spinning mill and also cottages or dwelling houses, warehouses, workshops, yards, gardens, lands and other premises free from 5

6 encumbrance, machinery, utensils, tools, stock in trade, flax, lint, tow yarn, twine thread, book debts, horses, harness, wagons, books of accounts and all other effects James Haydon and Robert Turner bought Flight s shares for 290 (Josiah was emigrating to New Zealand and Thomas sold his shares at the same time). They also took on the full responsibility for the mortgage of 3000 on the extensive property and for 5000 of other debts. James Haydon is now 40 years old and listed as being a merchant formal document about Robert Turner leaving partnership: Notice is hereby given, that the Partnership existing, between 'us ' the undersigned, James Haydon of Drimpton, in.the parish of Broadwindsor in the county of Dorset; and Robert Turner, of Bridport in the same county, under title style and firm of Haydon and Turner, in the trade or business of Flax and Tow Spinners carried on at Greenham Mill, in the parish of Broadwindsor in the county of Dorset, is this day dissolved by mutual consent; and that the said business will be continued at Greenham Mill aforesaid, by, the said James Haydon alone. Dated this 1st day of July 1848 James Haydon. Robert Turner James Haydon is listed as a flax and tow spinner, employing 150 labourers James, Haydon died (will 1854, proved 1856) Thomas Haydon listed as flax spinner employing 150 hands; 1862 Thomas Haydon dies. The business passes from the Haydon family because he had no children. The firm is Richard Hayward and Sons. Richard Hayward was in partnership with William Toby A dispute arose when Richard bought a second mill in Crewkerne against William s wishes Richard Hayward and William Henry Wheaton Toby9, 19. London Gazette Feb Notice of the dissolution of the partnership between Richard Hayward and William Henry Wheaton Toby on 1st july 1868 "carrying on business under the style or form of the Greenham Mill Company Yarn, Thread and twine Spinners at Greenham and Beaminster Mills in the parishes of Crewkerne and Beaminster". There is more information about William Toby in Appendix Richard Hayward and Company, Crewkerne 6

7 1886 Richard Hayward s business was thriving now being valued at over Mill ceased in operation 10. Location The mill is off the road between Drimpton and Winsham about ½ mile to the west of Drimpton.. OS Explorer map 116 ST Processes Greenham Mill at Drimpton spinning flax 1. Hackling (done mainly by men) and dressing of the fibres was done by hand, the spinning was done by women and appears to have been replaced by water powered machinery from about Some long fibres went from Greenham to be spun in other mills, the tow was spun here. Carding room, Tow spinning room, Flax spinning room, Flax preparing room, Twisting room, hackling shop. (1863) 10. The mill had three floors, the upper room was the flax room, the middle the tow room and the under room was the lowest. Bales of raw flax were unloaded from horse and cart, taken down to the Devil s Hole where the bales were broken open, They then went to the devilling machine, which breaks up the compressed flax and fluffed it up. It was then moved to the middle floor where it was wound onto large bobbins and produced a thick rope-like yarn. This was moved to the top floor where it was spun again into a fibre of twine-like thickness 10. (This seems be a largely garbled version of what happened from a lady in her 90s). Products Spun flax and tow, 1901 Hemp included. Early years of 20 th century the flax that was spun was taken to other works to weave into sailcloth and to make ropes 10. The 1829 information identifies horses and wagons suggesting that the mill transported its own goods in and out at that time 10. Power Sources The machines were run by a steam engine. During each afternoon a waterwheel would come into play to aid the steam engine 10. 7

8 Steam engine(s) and water wheel, later possibly water turbine (mentions Turbine Wheel House in valuation for sale to Richard Hayward.) 10. Around 1835 a 30hp Boulton and Watt steam engine was installed to supplement the water wheel 24. Boiler house, Engine house, Over turbine wheel house, Gas works. (1863) 10 Map of leat from Tithe Map Leat for mill Stream Leat and ponds Factory buildings There seems to be a complicated sequence of ponds and overflows that feed the leat into the mill. One pond, near to the road, seems to be a controlled outflow into the stream. Employees Mills in Broadwindsor including Drimpton?; 1 male and 3 females between 13 and 14; 1 male and 3 females between14 and 15; 2 females between 15 and 16; 2 females between 17 and 18; 2 females between 18 and 19; 2 females between 19 and 20; 2 males and 14 females under 21; 2 males and 8 females over 21. Totals 4 males and 22 females In October the Guardians Minute Book showed: Mr Haydon Master of Grinham Factory applied for several boys in the House to work for him. Resolved that William Tuck 17 years, John Brown 15 years, Charles Pitcher 15 years, Thomas Swatridge 14 years, Sprackling Thomas 14 years, John Thorn 13 years be sent out 8

9 there on Monday next and that each shall be provided with 2 kits of clothes and 2 changes of Linen and 1 Pair of Shoes at the expense of their respective parishes James Haydon is listed as a flax and tow spinner employing 150 labourers of whom the great majority are women and of these 80% or more are single 10. Presumably some of these came into work on a Monday morning and slept in the dormitory for the rest of the week Netherhay 5 female flax spinners. 22 living in Drimpton - 10 flax spinners, 7 flax dressers, 4 Flax workers in factory/mill, 1 handloom weaver canvas. The rest (65 people) appear to be living in the village, e.g. Chapel Street, Mill Lane, Fore Street, High Street etc. and are flax spinners, sailcloth weavers (handloom), yarn spoolers, flax hacklers and bleachers etc Mary Hawker a worker at the factory with children Sarah Colmer. Aged about 21, she was a flax spinner in the 1851 census, by 1861 after a series of births and some deaths to her children she is again listed as a spinner, still unmarried but apparently living with John Caddy an agricultural labourer 10, Elizabeth Good was among those who lived by the mills. In Pulman s Weekly News Elizabeth Good died on the 11 th November at Greenham Mill after a painful and lingering sickness borne with much patience, aged Jane Bagg, aged 17 from Winsham is working a flax factory hand 10. She marries Thomas Hodges. Hannah Bagg lives next door and is also a hand at the factory. 9

10 Age ranges employed in mills Netherbury Beaminster Hooke Broadwindsor Data from Factory Inspectors report 23 10

11 1861 Sophia Wootton, Charlotte Butler and Sarah Ann Hodges all lived as housesharers or immediate neighbours in Drimpton Rhoda Aplin and Rhoda Stoodley were single women working at the mill with children, again with a tragic death One man was paid 16s 6d for five and half days work at a daily rate of 3s. A labourer, who was employed for six and a half days, received 15s 3d. Some employees, and ex-employees, lived in mill-owned cottages rent free Selina Burridge loss of baby Death at Greenham Mill living in Netherhay, 4 in Greenham, 26 in Drimpton Thomas and Jane Hodges (see above) now both factory operatives. Thomas has an accident falling from a cart and severely injuring him. Jane becomes the breadwinner. Lucy Bagg, a younger sister, now lives with them and works at the factory. Harriet Jeffery, aged 48, daughters Mary, 19, Frances, 17 and son Samuel, 15 all work at the mill Thomas and Jane Hodges (see above 1861, 1871) both working at the mill

12 1891 Thomas and Jane Hodges (see above) both working at the mill along with their son Edward, now a teenager in Netherhay (twine factory mechanic); 16 in Drimpton (flax spinners, reelers, yarn bundlers, hecklers. Also mention of "factory flax and tow", turner in twine factory) Hacklers required Thomas and Jane Hodges (see above 1861, 1871, 1881) both working at the mill In the early years of the 20 th century work started at 6 a.m. after the hooter had sounded at 5.45.a.m. Breakfast was at 8 a.m. Workers who lived outside Greenham cooked their food over open fires in the kitchen. These women walked on Monday and stayed during the week, sleeping in the dormitories (this may explain the many workers living in Laymore, Thorncombe). The middle shift started at 8.30 a.m. and went on to 1 p.m. Lunch was from 1p.m. to 2 p.m. The last shift was from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m in Netherhay (twine factory mechanic). 1 in Greenham (flax factory spinner. 12 in Drimpton (Factory flax and tow, reelers, spinners, drawing, labourers etc) 8. Other trades and professions at the mill 8 : William Gibbs Forsey, engineer Fred Ackerman, bobbin maker Jabez Gibbs, blacksmith George Forsey, carpenter Fred Way, carrier The mill manager was Mr Wilkins. For further newspaper reports see Appendix 1. Customers In later years, other factories belonging to Richard Hayward and Sons Landscape legacies Part of the mill buildings are still by the road coming out of Drimpton at the bottom of the hill towards Chard and still survives as a factory making pet products 3. 12

13 Photographs Artists Impression of the mill from a poster produced in 1880 Left is a terrace of workers cottages; the block housed the mill kitchens downstairs and dormitories above (no longer standing); the main mill is on three floors bearing a date stone 1824, it became known as the factory 10 (see 1905 photograph). Rear view of mill before demolition in

14 Entrance to Greenham Mill c The main tree-storey building lies along the yard. Henry Chant is standing on the extreme right with a bag over his shoulder

15 Appendix 1 Extracts from newspapers relating to Greenham MIll From the newspapers which have been archived. Publication dates are given. Jane Marsden at Drimpton has the full versions of the articles should you need/wish to know more: 10/8/1829: Dissolution of partnership 12/11/1829: Haydon v. Hull over water rights 6/2/1830: Dissolution of Mill partnership; Mr Samuel Griffin, principle engineer at Mill 1/11/1845: Haydon showing interest in proposed Bristol Channel to English Channel railway line 2/12/48: Matilda Stanton, 15, charged with attempting to set fire to Mill 17/3/1849: James Haydon summonsed Robert Lane for removing soil 11/11/1851: Haydon present at meeting to discuss extension of railway from Bridport to Exeter via Axminster 22/11/1851: Mary Robins charged with leaving Haydon employment without leave 4/5/1852: James Haydon v. George Templeman over damages re road traffic accident! Very detailed account 15/5/1852: Elizabeth Stuckey leaving James Haydon s service without permission. 19/6/1860: James Selway summonsed for leaving Thomas Haydon s employment without notice 28/5/1863: Death notice of Thomas Haydon 6/6/1863: Burial sermon for T Haydon at Independent Chapel, Bridport 12/11/1863: Bridport to Clapton railway line proposed! 18/1/1866: Marriage of Thomas s widow, Catherine, to Rev Mellonie 27/4/1867: Inquest into death of baby of mill hand, Selena Burridge 8/7/1870: Death of John Orchard at Mill 6/3/1879: The use of carrier pigeons between Hayward Mills 13/2/1880: Assault of Greenham Mill operative? March 1882: Fire at Mill, no damage June 1883: Netherhay Fire Greenham Mill girls donation to the fund 24/7/1885: Help from Mill in form of fire engine to put out farm fire 23/11/1886: Court case Hayward & Co v. Hayward & Sons [detailed report] 20/4/1888: Matches found in tow, row over hackling machines 26/10/1888: Eli Abbott accused of stealing coal from Mill. [detailed account] 7/3/1890: Advert for mill hands 12/9/1890: Advert for fireman at Mill 1/4/1892: Death of Susan Cousins, 44, at Mill, from Litton Cheney, residing at Mill in 1891, had been to prison for misbehaviour at Workhouse in /5/1895: Rhoda Bryant charged with stealing brooch, said to work at the Mill 19/2/1897: Advert for foreman at the Mill; advert for mechanic at the Mill 17/11/1899: Advert for hacklers at the Mill 15

16 Other documents: [Source: Shirley Gibbs who wrote a thesis on the Mill] 1826: Greenham Mill insured by James Haydon with Society of Sun Fire Office, London for a premium of : Thomas Thompson partnership with firm dissolved 1841: J Haydon with Thomas Biddlecombe bought 32 acres of land known as Childhay Estate plus other land from Thomas Pearce 1848: James Haydon became sole owner of Mill as partnership with Robert Turner dissolved [see relevant part of attachment] 16

17 Appendix 2 William Toby Family history c.1790 John Toby senior born Kenton, Devon. [Parish 7 miles SSE of Exeter, includes village of Starcross] 1812 John Toby marries at Kenton Nancy (or Betty) Wheaton [Note spelling - not Wheadon] 1816 John Toby junior born. Kenton 1819 Caroline Wheaton Toby born, Kenton, father John, mother Betty Wheaton William Henry Wheaton Toby born, Kenton, father John, mother Nancy (or Betty!) 1841 None of the above can be found Exeter 6, John Toby senior aged.61, widow, retired surveyor John Toby junior aged.35, unmarried, solicitor Caroline Toby a.31, unmarried William Toby a.25, unmarried, veterinary surgeon out of practice John Toby senior appears to have died but his death cannot be pinpointed Exeter 29, John Toby junior, solicitor + wife.elizabeth aged.40, born Exeter. Dawlish, Caroline Toby a.41, unmarried, visitor. Crewkerne, William Toby a.35, unmarried, Sailcloth manufacturer & flax spinner?yarn Mills employing 360 hands & farmer of 51 acres employing.5 men 3 boys Toby & Hayward at Whatley Mill Hine p William Toby mentioned among the "zealous Masonic townsmen" Hine 1869 London Gazette. Partnership dissolved between Richard Hayward & William Toby of the Greenham Mill Company at Greenham & Beaminster Mills, Richard Hayward to carry on the business William H. W. Toby aged.45, unmarried, Beaminster 7, East Street, Landowner, flax & tow spinner & weaver & bleacher. Farmer. Caroline W. Toby sister, a.52, unmarried William Toby installed as Senior Warden of the Beaminster Lodge. Hine 1873 & 1878 William Toby installed as Worshipful Master of the Beaminster Lodge Neither William nor Caroline can be found - are they abroad? Bankruptcy of William Toby of Beaminster but carrying on business at Mosterton as a flax and hemp spinner & manufacturer. Solicitor acting for the debtor - John Toby. 17

18 1891 Starcross 5, Kenton, Devon. William Toby, retired sail cloth manufacturer. Caroline Toby, sister, living on own means 1892 Death of Caroline Toby 1901 Starcross 34, Kenton, William Toby a.75, boarder with a solicitor's clerk & family 1911 Starcross 35, Kenton, William Toby a.85, boarder with a carpenter & family 1914 St.Thomas' Registration District Death of William Toby a.88. It is not clear from where the Toby money came. From being an unemployed vet in 1851 to employing 360+ people in 1861 is quite a jump - did he inherit from his father at this time? Mosterton Mill Flax, Rendell 1867, Toby census flax mill closed, 1881 The bankruptcy Act William Henry Wheadon Toby of Beaminster "carrying on business at Mosterton... as a Flax and hemp Spinner and Manufacturer trading as the Mosterton Mill Company" put up for sale Times April owner shown as Henry Wheadon (note the other names of William Toby!) 18

19 Notice of the dissolution of the partnership between Richard Hayward and William Henry Wheaton Toby on 1st July 1868 carrying on business under the style or form of the Greenham Mill Company Yarn, Thread and twine Spinners at Greenham and Beaminster Mills in the parishes of Crewkerne and Beaminster" 4. (As for Greenham Mill) Whatley Mill 1865 Toby (and) Hayward27, Richard Hayward and William Henry Wheaton Toby 28 Greenham Mill, Drimpton 1869 Richard Hayward and William Henry Wheaton Toby 28 London Gazette Feb Notice of the dissolution of the partnership between Richard Hayward and William Henry Wheaton Toby on 1st July 1868 carrying on business under the style or form of the Greenham Mill Company Yarn, Thread and twine Spinners at Greenham and Beaminster Mills in the parishes of Crewkerne and Beaminster" 28. (As for Whatley Mill) 19

20 References 1 Martin, Celia (2003) The Bridport Trade. Rope, and Net: Hemp and Flax. Bridport, The Constandros Press. p 56 2 James Haydon of Drimpton will 1854, proved 1856 Dorset History Centre document D.501/T/1 3 Drimpton, Wikipaedia 4 Guardians Minute Book, Beaminster Union (Dorset History Centre) census census census census 9 London Gazette Feb Pastor, Andrew (2009) Who were we? Connecting the lives of a 19 th century community pp The London Times/Gazette 1 st July Bath Chronicle 6 Mar Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette 12 November Western Gazette 8 July Exeter and Plymouth Gazette 2 December Bath Chronicle 21 November Taunton Courier 29 November Bath Chronicle 30 July London Gazette 18 February Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser 18 April Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser 23 April

21 22 Image from Bridport Hemp and Flax exhibition, caption from Andrew Pastor s book House of Commons Parliamentary Papers On-line, 1839(41). Return of Mill and Factories which have neglected to transmit Returns to Inspectors, : Number of Persons employed in Cotton, Woollen, Worsted, Flax and Silk Factories of United Kingdom, p INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION: A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY Series One: The Boulton & Watt Archive and the Matthew Boulton Papers from Birmingham Central Library Part 11: Engineering Drawings, c also in Sims, R Sailcloth, Webbing and Shirts: the story of the Crewkerne Textile Industry. To be published shortly. 25 London Gazette May The Times (London, England), Saturday, Apr 23, 1881; pg. 20; Issue Marie Eedle s handwritten notes. Copies held in Beaminster Museum 28 London Gazette Feb census census census 32 Extract from newspaper July 8 th Extract from newspaper March 6 th census census 21