© The John Rylands University Library, The University of Manchester,
Samuel Oldknow (1756-1828) was one of the most important figures in the cotton industry during the early Industrial Revolution. Oldknow's significance rested on his ability to manufacture cloth which could compete with imported Indian muslins. For a period in the 1780s he was probably the most successful cotton manufacturer in the country.
Samuel Oldknow was born on 5 October 1756 at Anderton, Lancashire, the son of Samuel Oldknow, a cotton manufacturer. The Oldknow family had run a successful drapery business in Nottingham for several generations. Oldknow's father had moved to Anderton in the early 1750s to become a cotton manufacturer and intending to use the family business as a sales outlet. He married a local woman, Margaret Foster, in 1754, and they had three children: Samuel, Thomas and Elizabeth. Samuel Oldknow senior died in 1759, aged 25, and his widow remarried to John Clayton, a local farmer, with whom she had three children: Margery, Samuel and John. John Clayton, Samuel Oldknow's half-brother, later worked for Oldknow as a manager, and took over the running of Mellor mill following Oldknow's death in 1828.
Oldknow was educated at a local grammar school before joining the family business in Nottingham. However, like his father, he returned to Anderton in 1781 to establish himself as a cotton manufacturer. This was a time of great opportunity for the domestic cotton industry, particularly following the invention of Crompton's mule in 1779, which allowed much finer cotton yarn to be produced. Such yarn was needed to weave muslin, the most desired type of cotton, which was mostly imported from India ('muslin' is a generic term for cotton cloth made from high counts of yarn i.e. a very fine cloth). Oldknow, who had a good appreciation of consumer tastes, appears to have been successful in producing such cloths shortly after setting up as a manufacturer. By the mid-1780s he had set up valuable contracts with London merchant houses, and opened a salesroom in Manchester to sell both muslins and calicos (a coarser cotton cloth, which was printed with designs using wooden blocks). By the late 1780s, with muslins constituting over 90% of his output and his sales topping over £90,000 per annum, Oldknow was a well-known and wealthy figure in the domestic cotton industry.
Oldknow had used the pre-factory 'putting-out' system of production at Anderton, whereby raw cotton was distributed to spinners and yarn to weavers, who then worked with these materials in their homes and workshops. The finished goods were returned to Oldknow's warehouse for checking and payment. In regard to spinning, this system had major defects for a muslin manufacturer like Oldknow, because it was not suited to producing large quantities of fine yarn. In consequence, Oldknow was forced to purchase yarn from those spinners who had taken advantage of mechanised production, such as Sir Richard Arkwright. Oldknow decided to establish his own spinning factory at Stockport to reduce costs. In 1784, he had purchased an estate at Hillgate in Stockport, which he was to develop as his main spinning factory with the latest steam-powered machinery. In addition, Oldknow established a smaller spinning factory at Carrs in Stockport, a bleaching plant at Heaton Mersey, finishing factories at Bullock Smithy [now Hazel Grove, Cheshire] and Waterside in Disley, and warehouses at Anderton and Manchester. Most weaving continued to be undertaken outside the factory, with Oldknow employing numerous weavers in the Stockport area (at this stage the power loom was still establishing itself). Most importantly as regards his later career, Oldknow also purchased a small estate at Mellor, six miles south-east of Stockport, in 1787, acquiring more land here and at nearby Marple in the following years.
By the early 1790s Oldknow seemed poised to become a leading cotton magnate, but the methods by which he expanded his business revealed serious financial flaws. Factrories had been built on credit, some of it borrowed from the Arkwrights, while a great deal of money had been expended on the Mellor estate. This extravagance coincided with the problems in the muslin market, caused in part by the outbreak of hostilities with France. In order to keep afloat, Oldknow was forced to borrow even larger sums from Sir Richard Arkwright and his son, eventually mortgaging his estates at Mellor and Marple to them. Oldknow was not helped by the fact that the Hillgate factory did not come into full production until 1793, when he was already in the depths of financial crisis. As a consequence Oldknow was forced to lease Hillgate in 1794 (it was sold in 1801), and to sell the Heaton Mersey and Anderton operations.
After this crisis, Oldknow shifted his operations to Mellor, where he pursued his interest in high farming as well as running a spinning factory. The cotton mill at Mellor, which came into operation around 1793, was used primarily for spinning low counts of cotton (Oldknow had ceased to produce muslins). By the early 1800s the mill had over five hundred employees, including a number of parish apprentices, who were brought up from London. The mill at Mellor was never particularly profitable, and Oldknow's indebtedness to the Arkwrights actually grew over time (he owed them almost £206,000 at the time of his death). Other business ventures such as farming, coal mining and production of lime were established at Mellor and Marple, and Oldknow improved communications with nearby industrial centres to sell his products. He was one of the sponsors of the Peak Forest Canal, which opened in 1804, and he invested in a turnpike road which went to Stockport. Oldknow's farming activities allowed him to supply his workers with milk, meat, vegetables and coal (he also built housing). Oldknow used his own system of paper money to pay his workforce (small amounts of coin being difficult to acquire in this rural location); credit notes which could be exchanged for goods at the village shop or for cash via third parties. In general, Oldknow appears to have been considered a good employer.
In his later years Oldknow seems to have been as involved in his farming interests as with cotton production, becoming President of Derbyshire Agricultural Society shortly before his death. His factory was mortgaged to the Arkwrights, and his role was little more than a mill manager. Following Oldknow's death on 18 September 1828, control of the factory passed to the Arkwrights (the mill was destroyed by fire in 1892). Oldknow was buried at Marple parish church, which he had helped to rebuild.
The Oldknow papers remained at Oldknow's mill in Mellor, Derbyshire, until they were discovered by Arthur Hulme and George Unwin in 1921. Unwin deposited the records at the Lewis Library, University of Manchester. At a later date this collection was dispersed. Part of it was purchased by the John Rylands Library from Hulme for £20 in 1934, with a further accession being received in 1951 from Hulme. Some of the Oldknow papers were purchased by Edwin R.A. Seligman in 1926, and these now form part of the E.R.A. Seligman collection, which is in the custody of Columbia University, New York. Another group of papers was purchased by Professor Broadus Mitchell in 1929, and is now in the custody of Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore.
The Oldknow papers, although fragmentary, are invaluable for tracing Oldknow's business activities at different stages of his career, and as such they form an important source for the early Industrial Revolution in the cotton industry. The archive, which spans from the 1780s to the 1810s, includes records from all the main sectors of cotton production including spinning, warping, weaving, finishing and sales. Records exist for both the domestic and factory sides of production, and informative comparisons can be made between the two systems. There is an important body of correspondence and related accounts and invoices, which give a picture of Oldknow's business network. There is a range of interesting material relating to the payment of workers, including some early 'truck' records associated with the Mellor enterprise. The working conditions of Oldknow's employees can be discovered, albeit tangentially, in such records and the time books and the 'disgrace account'. Production records such as warping books, costing books and stock books and inventories give some idea of the extent and sophistication of Oldknow's enterprises. There are also numerous records relating to Oldknow's business activities in high farming, canal and road development, mining and lime manufacture.
The Oldknow collection was originally described as part of the John Rylands Library's English Mss series (Eng Mss 751-840). The classification system has now been changed, with more detailed descriptions of items. Reconstructing the original order of the collection has however proved difficult for several reasons. It does not appear that Oldknow kept his business records in a systematic way, and very little information can be garnered regarding their original arrangement. The loss of many records, together with the dispersal of those which did survive, has also complicated the identification of record series. In addition, the collection appears to have been rearranged by Unwin and Hulme before the collection was deposited in the Library. There are few cases where clearly identifiable record series have existed, and many cases of single items surviving without obvious relationships to other records in the collection; this has particularly true of the financial records which did not constitute a typical system of accounting records. In some cases authoritative identification of particular items has not been possible.
Given these constraints, it has been necessary to impose a largely artificial ordering on the collection. Composite series have been created, based on discrete sectors of cotton production (e.g. spinning, warping, weaving), bringing together all the records which specifically relate to a particular sector. Thus different genres of record such as financial records, wage records and production records relating to a particular branch of the cotton industry are brought together in a single series. Generally, too few of these records have survived to justify further division into sub-series, and differentiation of types of record is in many cases problematic. In some cases, individual records relate to several sectors of cotton production and these been included in a general cotton industry series (SO/15). In other cases, a volume created for one type of record has been used informally for other types of data; in such cases the item has been placed in the series which reflects its original and predominant usage.
In several cases there are handwritten notes on documents, made at a later date (probably by Unwin and Hulme) concerning the identity of the item; these have been retained, although the accuracy of the notes cannot be confirmed. Former reference numbers from the English Mss. classification are given for each description. Samuel Oldknow is referred to by the abbreviation 'SO' throughout the handlist.
The collection has been arranged into the following series:
.
The Oldknow Papers, SO/6/1 (etc.), The University of Manchester Library.
Several items have been closed to public consultation on account of condition.
Photocopies and photographic copies can be supplied for private study purposes only, depending on the condition of the documents.
Prior written permission must be obtained from the Library for publication or reproduction of any material within the archive. Please contact the John Rylands Library, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PP.
Formerly listed in
UML has custody of the McConnel and Kennedy papers (
Oldknow's correspondence with London Friendly Hospital relating to the employment of apprentices is in the possession of Marple Antiquarian Society; a microfilm of this material has been deposited with Manchester Central Library, Local Studies Unit, St Peter's Square, Manchester. Several weavers' pay slips 1791-1794 are held by Stockport Central Library (ref B/JJ/6/26) and orders of payments to weavers 1789-1793 are held by Lancashire Record Office, Preston (ref: DDX 199). A large body of material relating to the Arkwrights and Oldknow, forms part of the E R A Seligman collection at Columbia University Rare Book and Manuscript Library, New York; this collection is particularly strong in correspondence including letters from Sir Richard Arkwright (1732-1792) and his son, Richard Arkwright (1755-1843), the merchants S & W Salte of London, and Oldknow's relations. There are also wages books, flesh books, apprenticeship agreements and truck tickets relating to the Stockport and Mellor enterprises. The collection held by the Milton S. Eisenhower Library at Johns Hopkins University (ref: Ms.Hut 9), Baltimore, comprises 75 items including correspondence, pay-tickets, ledgers and account books, shop notes and tax receipts.
George Unwin,
This series consists of correspondence received by Samuel Oldknow in the course of his business (there are also a few copies of Oldknow's own correspondence). Most items are routine enquiries from clients relating to supplies, orders and payments for goods, but there is also valuable information relating to the types and cost of goods produced by Oldknow (the most important of which were muslins, ballasores, cravats (jaconets), handkerchiefs, aprons, doyleys, huckaback, romals and calico). Overall there is much important information on Oldknow's business network with cotton merchants, suppliers, employees, drapers and customers, including opinions expressed about the quality of Oldknow's goods. The mechanisms by which Oldknow's goods were distributed around the country and the methods by which these were paid for can be traced, albeit indirectly, through these letters. Almost three-quarters of the correspondence dates from 1787-1794, when Oldknow's business was at its peak; relatively few letters exist for the period after 1800. This series contains some items deposited in 1951 which were not recorded in the original handlist. All letters are addressed to Samuel Oldknow unless otherwise stated.
Former reference: English Ms 751
The correspondence has been arranged alphabetically by correspondent.
From William Absolam [writing from the Bull's Head, Manchester], says had been expecting someone to call on him, but as they have not done so; he now forwards a draft to value, £104.11.0., which is due from Cooper and Freemantle.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
Remnants of a seal.
From Peter Ainsworth and Son; confirm they have received a bill for £115.11.0. for bleaching work.
Dated at: Halliwell [Lancs].
Endorsed 'Peter Ainsworth & Son 20 Feb 1792'.
From Joseph Allen, provides a statement of charges on the returned note and notes an error in Oldknow's account which will be repaid when SO is next in Manchester. There is a description of SO's account with this firm.
Dated at: Man[chester] [Lancs].
From Joseph Allen; details the shipment of bags of cotton to SO at Mellor.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
The letter is addressed to 'John Clayton Mellor Mill' [Clayton was SO's half-brother and manager of Mellor mill].
From Littlewood Andrew, sends an account of the two trunks of cotton shirting sold in Buenos Aires, discusses his expenses etc.; discusses conditions of business in Argentina, saying trade conditions not satisfactory to British manufactures at present. He goes on to discuss future orders and type of cloth wanted.
Dated at: Rio de Janeiro [Brazil].
The item is cross-written.
From John Ashcroft, says James Hadfield informed him that SO had asked for prices of slate at Broadheath, and he now provides these. [Broadheath was the wharf on the Bridgewater Canal at Altrincham, Cheshire].
Dated at: Northen [Northenden, Ches?].
Endorsed 'John Ashcroft Northern 21 Feby 1790'.
From Joseph Baker & Co.; asks SO to send a remittance.
Dated at: Raikes [Lancs].
Endorsed: 'Josh Baker & Co Raikes 27 March 1792'.
From William Banks; says he has put sheets of cords in one bundle on board the
Dated at: Liverpool [Lancs].
From William Banks; says he has put a bundle for sheets of cords on the flat
Dated at: Liverpool [Lancs].
From Barclay & Steven; sent two bills for £52.12.0. and asks that the acknowledgment be sent to the Golden Lion in Congleton, Cheshire.
Dated at: Nantwich [Ches].
From Barclay and Steven; they request an order of muslins and ballasores of the newest patterns, and ask for them to be sent to the Crown Inn in Newcastle [under Lyme], Staffordshire.
Dated at: Nantwich [Ches].
From Thomas Barker and Co. enclosing a draft £5.12.0.
Dated at: Birm[ingham] [Warw].
The item includes a remnant of seal.
From John Barlow, who offers SO some deal wood, mentions price, which could be sent by the cart by which he received the lime from Oldknow.
Dated at: Stockport [Ches].
From T.B. [Barnes?], says Mrs Barnes thanks SO for the present [the identity of which cannot be discerned] and the present will be on their table on Tuesday next when they wish for his company.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From John Barrill [?], refers to meeting with 'Mr Lancaster and Mr Gilbert', who have complained about sales and the quality of stock sent by SO. Barrill suggests if Oldknow would write to them, stating that only the best quality goods were available, then goods might be taken. He also refers to the item discussed being ground and laid down at Castle Quay. [It is unclear what commodity is being discussed].
Letter is addressed to 'Henry Hindley at Mr Oldknows Stockport Cheshire'.
From William Bateman; he writes in the absence of his brother and requests SO to send more stones as soon as possible, requiring '7 or 8 heads' immediately.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From J & Ch [?] Bayley, requests to know if SO has received the last bale of lint he sent.
Dated at: 8 Bedfordbury [London].
From Chr Bayley requests a remittance of £12.17.0. from SO, as he is 'much in want of money at this time'.
Dated at: Bedfordbury [London].
From Brothers von der Becke & Co.; discuss invoices for twist sent by SO and explain how they will send the remittance on their account. They note SO has declined to make piece goods, ask for a regular list of prices of twists. The letter includes on the money due to SO and the intermediaries by which it has been sent.
Dated at: Leipzig, [Germany ].
From N Belgrave; has enclosed a draft of £17.12.0. and asks for an acknowledgment.
Dated at: Uppingham [Northants].
'John Bentley Smalley' '25 July' and 'Robinson' are written on the dorse.
From John Benson, asks that his order of cloth be sent by first coach [the order is described].
Dated at: Lancaster [Lancs].
From John Benson, sends a bill for his order [the order for various cloths is described]. He also asks for patterns of checks from SO and hints he might increase his orders; asks for price of 5/4 calico.
Dated at: Lancaster [Lancs].
From Nathaniel Binns [card maker]; discusses the dispatch of super fine shirt cards 'fillets' to SO; says will investigate the order SO has not received.
Dated at: Barkisland, near Halifax [Yorks].
Endorsed: 'Nath Binns 5 Feby 1793'. It appears that Binns has given the wrong date on the letter.
From Nathaniel Binns; discusses an order for 'super fine 3/4 fillets' [cards] he is sending.
Dated at: Barkisland, near Halifax. [Yorks].
Endorsed: 'Nathl Binns 6 April 1793'.
From Nathaniel Binns; describes order for cards which he is sending SO.
Dated at: Barkisland [Yorks].
Endorsed 'Nathl Binns 4 May 1793'.
From Nathaniel Binns; he confirms the order is being sent, and includes invoice for this order of cards.
Dated at: Barkisland, near Halifax [Yorks].
Endorsed: 'Nathl Binns July 9 1793'.
From Nathaniel Binns; confirms order for cards is being sent, and looks forward to receiving further orders.
Dated at: Barkisland, near Halifax [Yorks].
Endorsed: 'Nathl Binns Sep 11 1793'.
From Nathaniel Binns; confirms the order for cards will be sent, and that drafts to the value of £15 have been received.
Dated at: Barkisland, near Halifax [Yorks].
Endorsed: 'Nathl Binns October 13 1793'.
From Nathaniel Binns; confirms an order was dispatched on 18 November, which he hopes Oldknow has received; adds he has not sent the invoice and queries if order was acceptable.
Dated at: Barkisland, near Halifax [Yorks].
Endorsed: 'Nathl Binns Novr 27 1793'.
From Nathaniel Binns, forwards an order for cards to SO, which is described and looks forward to further orders.
Dated at: Barkisland, near Halifax [Yorks].
Endorsed: 'Nathl Binns 8th Feby 1794 Invoice'.
From Nathaniel Binns; confirms an order for cards will be sent by wagon.
Dated at: Barkisland, near Halifax [Yorks].
Endorsed: 'Nathl Binns 29 March 1794 Invoice'.
From Nathaniel Binns; confirms an order for cards; has taken the liberty to send a set of fillets in the chest for Richard Heys, which he wishes SO to give to Heys when it arrives.
Dated at: Barkisland, near Halifax [Yorks].
Endorsed: 'Nathl Binns 24 May 1794 Invoice'.
From Nathaniel Binns; discusses an order for cards, including cards suitable for coarse work which SO might be interested in.
Dated at: Barkisland [Yorks].
Endorsed: 'Nathl Binns 2, 12 & 25 July 1794 Invoice'.
From Thomas Birks; he asks for a remittance from SO for spinning bobbins, value £15.6.0. Birks rejects the opinion he has heard from 'Mr Low the millwright' that he is unable to supply bobbins as quickly as SO wishes; says an order of bobbins has been dispatched and asks if it has arrived.
Dated at: Mansfield [Notts.].
From Birley and Hornby; forward of bills to the value of £1008.1.10 and ask for a receipt.
Dated at: Blackburn [Lancs].
From Robert Blackwall, encloses drafts to value £52.3.0 and places an order [described] which requires as soon as possible. The letter includes details relating to Blackwall's account.
Dated at: Wirksworth [Derbs].
From Robert Blackwall; returns some cravats and calico because he is currently overstocked.
Dated at: Wirksworth [Derbs].
endorsed 'Robt Blackwall Wirksworth 17 Novr. 1793'.
From B. Blayden & Fearnley, say have received his favour and confirms have sent his pack on board on the
Dated at: Hull [Yorks].
Endorsed: 'B. Blayden & Fearnely'.
From Matthew Bloxham, acknowledges the receipt of two bills to value of £1850 which have been placed to the credit of Robert Parker and Co.
Dated at: Southwark Bank [London].
Endorsed: 'Sir James ? [word illegible] London 29 June 1792'.
From G Bodley, says has received bill for £45.17.0. from SO. The order will be dispatched by wagon on Monday morning. He adds he has given SO credit for waste plate [Oldknow had placed an order for gold and silver 'plate waste'] and awaits further instructions.
Dated at: [London ?] .
From John Bolton, says has received bill for the order he bought at Manchester which came to £69.5.3 after deductions.
Dated at: Liverpool [Lancs].
Item has a seal .
From Thomas Boothman for himself and W Kirkby, asks SO to send remittance via a bearer, George Price. He cannot come to Marple himself to collect it and they wish to close their Christmas accounts. At head of the letter has been added 'pd to Geo. price the 6 Jany 1806'.
Dated at: Whaley Colliery [Ches].
From G Bott; says he has received a letter from Th. Parker asking if he could supply SO with 'Nankeen dye as we call it'. He hopes this will encourage 'English manufactory' as a few drops of this dye will restore the colour of fabric and will withstand washing for up to six times afterwards, and claims the colour is as good as real Nankeen. He adds that the dye is greatly in demand and believes one day manufacturers will thank him for the product, as people prefer Manchester nankeens because they can alter the colour to their liking. He has sent him a bottle as a trial.
Dated at: Nottingham [Notts].
From Edward and Rachel Bowden; they refer to the accidental sale of yarn by Edward Bowden to the wrong customer. They ask if SO will not request the money for it immediately but allow them a short time to collect the money or accept payment in the form of the same quantity of same of better yarn and wool.
Dated at: Mellor [Derbs].
Addressed to 'Mr John Oldknowes Stockport' [individual unidentified].
From Bowles & Birch, say they have received some yard-wide romals [thin, checked cotton fabric, often used for handkerchiefs] from Mr Sack. These do not appear to be square SO they have not sent the remittance. They say that SO must make them square and that a larger check is the best pattern for a neck handkerchief. They acknowledge what SO says about the spotted 6/4 muslins, but they have received plenty from Scotland and query why SO cannot make them as well as do the Scots. They add that the SO's aprons are not of as fine quality as the Scottish ones, and they have not sold as many of them as formerly.
Dated at: London .
From Ellis Brewin; sends bill to value of £77.16. to balance his account and asks for order of checked muslins to be sent. He says he could have sold them all if they had been received by now.
Dated at: [Leicester] .
From Phil. Brierly, presents a notice for SO to quit lands occupy as tenant on or before 20 Feb 1794 by order of Messr Joseph [illegible] and Thos Heathfield (merchants).The lands are described as Brookesfield at yearly rent of £4.4.0.; and part of Long Meadow at a rent of £2.6.0.
Dated at: Carrs, Stockport [Ches].
From W Broadhurst on behalf of Smith and Ingle, confirms they have received three bills sent by SO and placed them to his credit.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From Mr and Mrs Buchanan, say they must turn down the invitation sent by SO and Mr Worthington.
Endorsed: 'Mr Worthington'.
From Richard Buckley, apologises for any disappointment caused. He confirms order will be available to SO at Manchester before or on 3 Sep next, which will allow his servants to complete engagements within the specified terms.
Dated at: Carbrook [Yorks].
Endorsed: 'Richd Buckley, Carbrook July 18'.
From B [?] Burnett, has received the two pieces of 'spott Jamdama'; they are not as good as would have wished but as they want them very much, they will take one and return the other. He has called several times at SO's warehouse in Manchester but was unable to meet with him. He asks Oldknow to send an order as soon as he can and adds 'you cannot send us any thing too fine'; also discusses an order which has not been received, and points out the required goods could have been sold.
From B Burnett; says he wrote to SO on 19 July to ask for some goods in addition to those on the memorandum, but has heard nothing further; says they need the 'Spott' in particular and asks him to forward them as soon as he can; has enclosed a draft for £42.9.0.; some of his goods were damaged including a large hole in the ballasore.
Dated at: Wakef[iel]d [Yorks].
From Richard Bury on behalf of Charles Frederick Brandt, discusses an order which was to be returned to SO several weeks ago but was not due to the omission of a servant; hopes this will not cause any inconvenience.
Dated at: Manch[ester ] [Lancs].
Endorsed: 'C F Brandt 11th Jany 1793'.
From James Caldwell, says Thomas Benson, their young man, will pay SO on his behalf a bill for £36 and asks to send goods in exchange payment for order of goods.
Dated at: Nantwich [Ches].
From James Caldwell sends a bill from which a sum has been subtracted for damaged goods.
Dated at: Nantwich [Ches].
From James Caldwell sends a bill for £32 to balance his account and apologises for delay; adds he has made a small discount for damaged goods. he asks for a further order to be sent [described].
Dated at: Nantwich [Ches].
From James Caldwall, says received SO's letter of 22 October, discusses an order which does not seem to have arrived.
Dated at: Nantwich [Ches].
From Thomas Cartwright, discusses an order for muslin handkerchiefs he has received, which says are 'dearest muslins I have seen' [Cartwright is refusing to pay for the goods and is presumably returning them].
Dated at: Bewdley [Worcs].
Endorsed: 'Thos Cartwright 16 July 1794 Invoice'.
From Thomas Cartwright, says has received the invoice for blue checks, is expecting the delivery of blue checks, which is a considerable disappointment to him as he has orders waiting for them. Cartwright says this breaks a promise made to him at Stockport about such deliveries. He also criticises SO for not sending the correct patterns of checks.
Dated at: Bewdley [Worcs].
Endorsed: 'Thos Cartwright Bewdley 21 July 1794'.
From Thomas Cartwright, places an additional order for two pieces of '7/8 s[uper] fine cotton twists'.
Dated at: Bewdley [Worcs].
Endorsed: 'Thos Cartwright Bewdley 22 July 1794'.
From James Cazenove, says S & W Salte have passed on SO's address to him, asks for some patterns for white calicos and asks for lowest price on each pattern; can expect good orders if the cloth is of good quality and pleases 'our friends abroad'.
Dated at: London .
Some notes have been added to the letter, signed 'SO' and numerous financial calculations have been written on the dorse.
From John Clarke and Sons, discuss bills sent by SO to value of £517.8.0.
Dated at: Liverpool [Lancs].
From John Clayton, [SO's stepfather], concerning the purchase of 'Scotch bullocks and heifers' for SO [it appears even at this early date that SO was keen to set up as a farmer and stock-breeder]. He discusses difficulties in finding them for suitable prices. He will look out for heifers and 'young barron cows' at the fairs, which can be sold again in the spring. He says if wants to keep them all summer he would advise purchasing young cows or 'some Good Scots'; mentions some domestic details: 'Either you or your brother must buy Sam a Rockin Cheer [chair] which he is very fond of and Jenny says he must have One Against he comes home'; says he is off to Kendal with some wintering cows, and says if he can buy Scottish cattle he will send them.'
Dated at: Roscow Law [Lancs].
From John Clayton, says SO's brother [presumably Thomas] mentioned that SO wanted to know prices of heifers, and he encloses a list of prices. Proposes to visit the first or second week in Christmas; says if his mother comes back on horseback will be the second week, so he can bring the horses.
From John Clayton, says he would have bought twenty scotch bullocks for SO at Ormskirk, but felt they were too small for the money; saw many Irish cattle and 4/5 year old cattle at the fair; expresses his uncertainty about what he should be buying, believes that Scottish cattle could increase in value over the summer, and could fetch six guineas; there is a large fair at Brough until the end of the month, where he suspects will be many more Scottish cattle than in any fair in Lancashire; believes should be cautious about purchases: 'you had better lett the Grass rott upon the Ground than rin Hazard for nothing'.
Dated at: Roscow Law [Lancs].
From John Clayton, says he has bought him two four- year- old bullocks costing thirteen guineas; these will make good beasts in a year; he will buy two or four more at the first opportunity; discusses the arrangements whereby the cattle will be brought to Stockport fair on 1st March, and if can buy more he will bring them along as well to save any trouble. .
Dated at: Roscow Law [Lancs].
Endorsed: 'John Clayton Senr 23rd Feby 1793'.
From John Clayton says he has bought a cow from a place near Preston. The cow is seven or eight years old, cost 11 guineas, and is 'a good brandle cow and promising as a milker'; adds if this does not suit to send a note by john Bayley and he will buy another; prices are high at the moment; Clayton's son, John, [SO's half-brother and future associate at Mellor] has written to him about his educational progress and has asked for the fife which SO had given him, and they have sent it in the weft: 'We are of opinion it will not do for him to blow a great deal upon it as he is not of the Stoutest sort.'
Numerous financial calculations on dorse of letter.
From Richard Clough, says he has received the three bills to value £533.9.6. from SO; has not made any sales of cotton; will deliver the [raw] cotton to SO's man today; he is expecting a large amount of Brazilian cotton in a short time, which would be happy to offer to him.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From Cooper and Freemantle, they have enclosed £44.15.0. for an order at Salisbury Bank.
Dated at: Salisbury [Wilts.].
From Cooper and Freemantle, send a remittance of £23 for an order.
Dated at: Salisbury [Wilts.].
From John Cowpe, says he has received SO's bill today; sorry to hear his trade is flat, but hopes for a speedy change; believes that he is making as good a yarn as any. [Cowpe was a former apprentice of SO who had set up in business as a spinner apparently with one of Oldknow's uncles at Pleasley, Derbyshire].
Dated at: Pleasley works [Derbs].
From John Cowpe, says he will send an order for twist by Bright's wagon [the order is described].
Dated at: Pleasley works [Derbs].
From John Cowpe (of Cowpe, Oldknow, Pearse & Co.), says he has sent the order by Bright's wagon and adds that Mr Wheldon has charged them with a bag [of raw cotton] sent to SO from Manchester together with twist on 27 August and was not charged when settled for the twist; asks that SO charge him for it or else return to Wheldon.
Dated at: Pleasley works [Derbs].
Endorsed: 'Cowpe Oldknow & Co 19 Jan 1793'.
From John Cowpe, says is sending the order for twist by wagon and will send copy of SO's account and particulars of the three parcels already settled.
Dated at: Pleasley works [Derbs].
Endorsed: 'Cowpe, Oldknow & Co. July 6 1793'.
From John Cowpe, says it is a long time since they have met; asks when he will receive the balance for several parcels of cotton. He mentions that the proprietors have been inspecting the accounts. He assures him it was absolutely necessary to write this letter and hope he can send the remittance.
Dated at: Pleasley works [Derbs].
From John Cowpe, says he has received the bill and will try and call on SO at Stockport next week when he hopes to receive the balance of his account.
Dated at: Pleasley works [Derbs].
Endorsed: 'Cowpe, Oldknow & Co Pleasley 6 June 1794'.
From John Cowpe; encloses cash and small parcel for T. [?] Oldknow, which he asks him to deliver. He thanks SO for his 'kind Instruction and good Advice', which appears to relate to a 'ground plan'; adds would be happy to meet SO at Nottingham. He says 'Mr O' can inform him better about their proceedings than he can.
Dated at: Nottingham [Notts.].
From John Cowpe; encloses order and hopes will mention if there are any faults; has some bundles of 20-25 twist if SO could take them.
Some calculations relating to cost of an order on the dorse.
From John Cowpe, sends an invoice for the twist; apologises that they could send more but there has been an unforeseen hindrance at the works but will send more this week; asks if SO could increase orders for 30-50 counts as these will be produced in the next few weeks.
Dated at: Pleasley works [Derbs].
Some financial figures have been written on the dorse.
From Cox and Hall; discuss an order of cotton hose which was not of adequate and believe it was prepared for a different purpose and ask to have their money remitted to them.
Dated at: Nottingham [Notts.].
Endorsed: 'Cox and Hall Novemr 29th 1793'.
From J Critchley, returns a piece of huckaback, which he considers is not of fine enough quality and wishes the cost to be credited to his account.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From Adam Crompton; confirms delivery of an order of paper ('twist casing paper' and 'parcelling') to the carriers warehouse in Fountains Yard [Manchester] in two parcels addressed to SO.
Dated at: Little Lever [Lancs].
Endorsed 'Adam Crompton 21st May 1793'.
From W? Crowther, asks SO to send two dozen larches at six feet high, one dozen Scotch firs and one dozen beech trees by cart.
Dated at: Bridgefield [Derby?].
Stamped 'Stockport' on the dorse.
From Crowther and Steel, ask for a draft to value £101.12.0. be passed to their credit.
Dated at: Stockport [Ches].
From John Cutwisle; places an order for cotton goods [which is described]; he regrets he was unable to meet SO on Sunday.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From Delawnay and Payant [?]; discuss terms for dyeing of cloth (Turkey red), as Mr Payant had mentioned to SO. They ask for the remittance for an earlier order.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From Dewhurst and Braddock, say they have received a sum of £7.11.0 for the interest of SO's note to the late Mrs Woolley, and also the account against James Woolley for rent which they will present to him for payment.
Dated at: Marple [Ches].
From John Dewsnap, says he has received SO's order for flyers (with curled ends), and the order is nearly completed; has sent an order for spindles and flyers by wagon, which Goddard omitted, and he has twelve dozen more spindles and flyers nearly finished, with a further thirteen dozen to complete to finish the order; wants to know if the remainder of the order should be curled end or swallow tail flyers.
Dated at: Sheffield [Yorks].
Endorsed: 'John Dewsnap Sheffield 24 July 1793'.
From Thomas Dobson; places an order for spotted muslins 'to pattern 63/- not coarse', and wants it charged to Sowden's account and the particulars sent to Watling Street; asks for any surplus to be sent to Parker & Co. where they are wanted immediately.
Dated at: Kendal [Westm].
From John Downes; requires an order of 6/4 wide cloth to be done as soon as possible; presumes SO will have completed the other order, and trusts all items can be sent together.
Dated at: Macclesfield [Ches].
From John Downes; the letter appears to an invoice of payments to workers for brickmaking, cutting a water course, levelling a kiln place etc. in Marple.
From Felix Ehrlihother, says he expected the list of prices of twist a week ago, and supposes that SO must have forgotten about it. He asks to have the order for 45 bundles of twist from counts 36-44 he gave to SO in London on 15 October.
Dated at: 'Walworth in Surrey' .
From Thomas Eley; sends a bill for £11 and lists the goods that the bill is remitted for.
Dated at: Derby [Derbs].
From T Ellison, replying to SO's letter of 27th, says that they have no such thing as iron wire gauges, but do have steel and brass gauges, one of which has been sent to him, and if this does not suit him they ask him to send it back; will send the others to any size he pleases.
Dated at: Liverpool [Lancs].
From James Duckworth on behalf of H and W Fielden, says the wrong type of twist has been sent in the parcel, it was a 34 count not the 36 ordered. The twist is in the hands of the sizer, and they have instructed him to set it aside for SO's inspection and won't use the cloth until they hear from him.
Dated at: Blackburn [Lancs].
From Matthew Fletcher, says there are two large boxes belonging to Messrs. Parker, Topham & Co in the hands of the Newcastle carrier which will be brought to SO at Stockport.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From William H Folliott, says the Hon Thos Fitzmaurice is sending a truss [a package] by Higson's wagon.
Dated at: Chester [Ches].
From J Ford, asks SO to settle the balance of his account as needs the money to settle with his creditors. He criticises SO's behaviour over this matter.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From E Freeman; thanks SO for taking on her son [as an apprentice], and trusts that his judgment will prove correct; would be happy for him to continue with Oldknow after the apprenticeship had expired, and would like to discuss the matter with him, if he could call on his way back from London.
The letter is addressed to 'Mr Oldknow at Messrs S & W Salte's, Poultry'.
From W Freeman, says Samuel Shaw has been making enquiries for him and recommended SO [Shaw appears to be seeking a position with Oldknow]; adds that SO might get to know this person if he worked for him for a month or two; has seen examples of Shaw's handwriting and it will in time become a good tradesman's hand.
Letter is post-stamped 'Coventry'.
From John Freeth, sends a draft and notes an error in an earlier draft and places an order for various muslins.
Dated at: Nottingham [Notts].
Various sketches and notes on dorse.
From John Freeth, encloses a bill for £30 with 4 shillings deducted for the plain ballasores, and asks for an order of four dozen 6/4 corded checks as before.
Dated at: Nottingham [Notts].
From S Cullen on behalf of John Freeth, encloses a draft to value of £10.14.0. in lieu of the bill returned.
From John Fullerton, forwards three trunks, which are of similar size to what he sells to print and muslin warehouses, gives prices, and says that smaller and larger sizes can also be made.
Dated at: Deansgate [Manchester, Lancs].
From M [?] Geary, says he has received the invoice for the two packs of muslins; however only one of these items has arrived, and they can get no further information from the carriers; asks SO to make enquiries as Neal & Co need the goods.
Dated at: London .
From Benjamin Gibson, encloses draft for £68.17.0 to balance his account; adds 'I am sorry that the demands for your Muslins which I think superior in general to any other British or Indian has not answered my expectations.' He enquires if SO has any of cloths listed and asks him to send them if he does.
Dated at: Newcastle [Northumb].
From William Gibson, says that a draft of £10 paid by SO to Jones Barker & Co. has not been accepted.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
Endorsed: 'Jones Barker & Co. Manchester 21st June 1794'.
From Giller Robinson & Co.; discusses purchase of cotton rope by SO; say the reason he had not heard from them before is they have been unable to get suitable cotton, but they are now able to get any quantity and confirm the cost of the rope is eight shilling the dozen.
Dated at: Salford [Lancs].
Endorsed: 'Giller Robinson & Co Salford July 28 1792'.
From John Glover, enclosing a draft £67 15.0.; asks him to inform him about his stock and articles, criticises an order sent to him by the 'Indian Company'.
Dated at: Bewdley [Worcs].
From Robert Goldsmith, has received SO's favour with thanks.
Dated at: Stockport [Ches].
Endorsed: '19 Feby 07 R Goldsmith'.
From Thomas Goodwin; he encloses draft of £104 12.0. with discounts for overcharged goods. He further discusses this order and its deficiency of goods.
Dated at: Coventry [Warw].
From Thomas Goodwin & Co., says will settle his account when in Stockport next week.
Dated at: Coventry [Warw].
From Goodwin and Jenkinson, says they have received some checks they had not ordered, and wish to have the sum charged credited to their account.
Dated at: Coventry [Warw].
Endorsed: 'Goodwin & Jenkinson 12 March 1794 Invoice'.
From Goodwin & Jenkinson; enclose a draft to value £20.6.0. They enquire about an order of checks promised but not received, which were to be sent by Pickford's boat at Manchester and express their disappointment at not receiving this. The goods ordered are described.
Dated at: Coventry [Warw].
Endorsed: 'Goodwin & Jenkinson Coventry 18 March 1794'.
From Goodwin & Jenkinson; enclose draft for £42.16.0.; place an order [described] and hope it will be good quality and 'on the very lowest terms'; add that if cannot send whole order, SO should send what he can as the goods are much wanted.
Dated at: Coventry [Warw].
Endorsed 'Goodwin & Jackson Coventry 17th July 1794'.
From Gosling & Hall; notes a delivery of weft to Mr Heys at Bullock Smithy on SO's account.
Dated at: Macclesfield [Ches].
Endorsed: 'Gosling & Hall 27 Aug 1793'.
From B Gott, encloses draft of £6.17.0. for the muslins, which he considers very cheap. He wishes that SO had included the charges for birling frames on same bill, and asks him to send a note for these. There is also note probably in SO's hands on the order of birling frames.
Dated at: Leeds [Yorks].
Endorsed: 'B Gott Leeds 28 May 1794'.
From J Gould, places order for SO's lowest priced muslin aprons of various sorts.
Dated at: Bakewell [Derbs].
From J Gould; encloses draft for £50.13.0., which he supposes with discount is in full.
Dated at: Bakewell [Derbs].
From Robert Gourlay, says he has not heard from SO about receipt of his bill. He had received some muslins that morning without an invoice, and he now requests this, as present he cannot show them.
Dated at: Edinburgh [Mid-Lothian].
From Robert Gourlay, who sends a draft on Baillie, Pocock & Co. for £25.1.0., to be put to his credit, and acknowledged by a receipt.
Dated at: Edinburgh [Mid-Lothian].
From Greaves, Mackmurdo & Co.; ask for an order of 6/4 cords, 'Ell wides'[?] and 'No.5' and 'No.6.'; express concern that the bleachers may be off work and asks SO's opinion about this; place additional order for calico.
Dated at: London .
From Greaves, Mackmurdo and Hodgson; say the order received is in excess of what was wanted SO will not want any more calicos at present [the order is described in detail].
Dated at: London .
From Greaves, Hodgson and Co., thank him for the information regarding 'firing'. They say that can sell the finer items 'provided they are all as good & no knaves among them, & provided always at this season, because we take stock next month, that you will date them from the 1st August.'
Dated at: London .
From Greaves, Hodgson & Co.; discuss various orders for calico they are placing [described in detail].
Dated at: London.
From Greaves Hodgson & Co.; ask if SO is making any more '9/8 Callicoes, No.41/2 ', and want 300-400 pieces by the 1st December; also want 150 pieces of '9/8 No31/2 at 17d provided they are good as the last 50 ps [pieces], but we cannot dispense with them if they are one jot inferior'; ask him to ensure they get the 'No 5' by the time agreed. .
Dated at: London .
From Graves & Co., say have not received the handkerchiefs described in the invoice of the 21st; criticise the price and will send items 'P.T & S' [prob. Parker, Topham & Sowden, merchants]; 'we shall be glad of our order more exactly executed & if you have still finer than our limit send a dozen or two, they are for Paris.'
Dated at: London .
From Greaves, Hodgson & Co., say cannot give more for the No.5 calicos than 2 shillings per yard; add prices of 9/8 calicos of all numbers are falling in price at 'Blackburne' and cannot give more than two shillings per yard for them; indicate if price is unsatisfactory they will take business elsewhere.
Dated at: London .
From Greaves, Hodgson & Co., say they have adjusted SO's last invoice because of unsatisfactory material, some of which had to be returned, and expect price concession on the No.68 calicos. They complain about 'cable sized warp' in the order.
Dated at: London.
From W Greer, says he has sent the lamps to the 'Duke's docks' from where they will be taken to Manchester; advises SO to weigh them on arrival as the boy may have mislaid some.
Dated at: Liverpool [Lancs].
From Samuel Greg & Co; places an order for twenty dozen 9/8 and 5/4 handkerchiefs along thirty dozen 6/4 as soon as they can be produced.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From H Gregory, encloses a bill for £20 and asks SO to send an order of cloth [described]; also asks for some patterns of prints.
Dated at: Cromford [Derbs].
From G Camwood on behalf of H Gregory, places an order [calicos and chintz] and says will forward bill on receipt of the order.
Dated at: Cromford [Derbs].
Endorsed 'Han Gregory 22d Jany 1794 Order'.
From Hardcastle, Reyner and Crosbie, express thanks to SO for doing business with them. They says that they can send samples of Bourbon cotton, which they assure are of the highest quality; the lowest price they can accept is 5/- per lb.
Dated at: London .
Endorsed 'Hardcastle Reyner & Co. London 11 July 1792'.
From John Hargreaves, says he has sent SO a hare which was left at the Bull's Head, Manchester, and says will be glad to receive his commands if anything is wanted. In a footnote says he has a method of spinning fine yarn which will add 3d per pound to the previous, but will charge nothing for the first trial.
Dated at: Higham [Derbs?].
From Harrison Ansley & Co.; say he has received the order and thinks it well done; believe they will compare with Scottish [cloth]. They think they may want some goods towards Spring.
Dated at: London .
Endorsed: 'Harrison Ainsley & Co.'
From John Harwood, encloses a draft for £24.8.0. and ask for an acknowledgment; order cloth according to a pattern enclosed, says the last pattern sent did not suit, and 'small patterns are much preferred'.
Dated at: Bristol [Glos].
From John Harwood, says he has received the order and is disappointed by quality of patterns, which are not as good as the previous order; pattern of the check is too large and coarse and won't sell at present; offers SO the alternative of returning them or selling at a cut price. He orders send six pieces as described in last order if possible. An addition possibly in SO's hand notes 'allowed 1d p. yd'.
Dated at: Bristol [Glos].
From Jonathan Haworth & Sons, places order [described in detail] and complains about last order: 'The plaine ones we think bad indeed. Therefore you'll take more pains in the choice of the next goods' or they will go to another producer.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From J Smith on behalf J Haworth and Sons; complain about an order received and returns the goods; adds: 'We will in future come to Stockport & look out our own goods by which means will avoid making SO many returns'. He says he will visit SO this week when he hopes to make up a considerable parcel.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From J Haworth & Sons, places an order for goods [described in detail].
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From J Haworth & Sons, sends order for goods [described in detail].
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From J Haworth, makes a complaint about an order placed with SO; says arrived from London that morning and was disappointed to find that SO had not sent the order of calicos requested.; the ships in which the goods were to be transported were sailing, which obliged them to either print the calico immediately or disoblige their customer. They have been forced to print on the calico they did have and they have lost money on the transaction.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From J Haworth, places an order, and asks that the price charged be reasonable as currently profits are low.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From J Haworth, places an order [mostly 'plaines'].
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From John Haywood, asks for money to be sent to him, which needs for work he has undertaken; he requires £21 to be sent in cash or bills.
From Thomas Heathfield, queries an order for four pieces of calico he has not received, and now wants six pieces. He wishes SO would let him know when they will arrive, and also to let him know about the fine twist of Messrs. Statham and Marting.
Dated at: London .
From Samuel Heginbotham, says he has received the draft for £19.11.0., and will deal with SO's order when receives it.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From C & B Herman, say they have received SO's letter saying he had drawn £12 19.0. for their account. They say that they will pay it to any person SO commissions rather than trouble him with so trifling a bill. They add the doyleys received are too small for their purposes.
Dated at: London .
From Thomas Horsfield [SO's manager at Anderton]; raises doubts about amount of money sent to him (£87.5.0) which is insufficient; gives an account of the situation at the Anderton enterprise. He says SO did not mention sending any cotton 'but hope Henry did not forget to tell you as we have very little but East India and if we must spin any warps I think we had better keep it for that purpose'; reports that great number of weavers have applied for work including most of SO's old weavers; equipment shortage of gears and healds with the latter being needed for the finer warps. He reports that Mr Clayton was to have come over last week, until he learnt SO would not be in the house. He has ordered a cash book at Reddish, and he desires the money for it be sent.Provides a list of the weavers who have got work, and those requiring reeds, and says once they have these reeds they will have eighteen weavers; as SO told him not to exceed twenty, wants to know if should take in any more; also wishes to see Oldknow to decide which should be spinning and weaving days; he believes Saturday and Tuesday should be for weaving, and Wednesday and Thursday for spinning and the goods to be sent to Stockport on Friday.
Dated at: Anderton [Lancs].
There is a weekly time table for packing, spinning and weaving on the dorse.
From Thomas Horsfield discusses situation at Anderton. He reports that two weavers, John Heys and James Wrostern, have enquired about work, and being told that they had sufficient workers, had decided to speak to SO personally. Horsfield believes that if they are successful, Oldknow will have many more such claimants. He explains his difficulties in getting hold of reeds and cottons, and says that spinners are waiting for it, adding 'how we shall get this day over I dont know', and wants to know what to say to the weavers.
Dated at: Anderton [Lancs].
From Thomas Horsfield, says he has received the cash and bills and glad to hear the cotton is on the road; has sent an exact account of the reeds and warps which they have in the 'House' and those they have out; has given out material to Thomas Worthing[ton] 'by all account a very good weaver'; says he understands Oldknow's rules for the accounts and will observe them. A list of warps and reeds in the warehouse is given overleaf, as well as those given out to weavers.
Dated at: Anderton [Lancs].
From Thomas Horsfield, says he has received bills to value £93, which are late. He reports that he has altered the spinners' list of prices, and adds 'I straitly charged them to use every endeavour in their power to make it as good as possible as only such will do'; says will be able to judge number of weavers taking work out; refers to a Mr. Yates who will write to Oldknow tomorrow, but Horsfield feels there is no doubt that he will continue there [i.e. at Anderton], 'but if he is to continue here I should be glad when you write to him to give him a caution not to assume to much authority over the work people nor treat them with bad language not letting him know I have mentioned it and I'll do my best with him'.
Dated at: Anderton [Lancs].
From Thomas Horsfield. He pleads with SO for more money to pay workers, and says that if the weft comes in as it did last week he will not have enough money or cotton for the spinners; adds that he has written to Mr Clayton at the Bull's Head about the cotton, but does not think the request reached SO; The weavers are complaining about the quality of some warps, and he asks for instructions on this matter; believes SO will make allowances for the weavers.Some of the text of this letter is missing.
Dated at: Anderton [Lancs].
From Thomas Horsfield, reports that he has received cash and bills. He requests a list of prices for winding, which SO had promised to send as 'the Winders here will not work at the prices I offer them...', and he mentions problems in winding warps; one winder 'Wm L' has been taken off work because of a bad leg. He discusses the offer of Robert Crompton to assist in warping, and his terms; expresses concern about money available for weavers, and says Swift [a neighbouring employer] has taken five of their weavers this week: 'The reason is they are unwilling to knit their oen healds'; mentions a shortage of warps: 'we are badly of warps the weavers are pushing against Christmas and are much afraid of wait[in]g.'
Dated at: Anderton [Lancs].
From John Jackson sends draft, value £192.19.0., and also places an order for cloth [described].
Dated at: Leicester [Leics].
From James Jenkinson; he discusses the 'land that we have exchanged' and wants to know if SO would allow it to be fenced now or whether will have fenced in his own time.
Dated at: Heaton Norris [Lancs].
Endorsed: 'John Jenkinson Heaton Norris Feby 16 1792'.
From Robert Barnes of behalf of Jones, Barker and Co. [bankers]; send a draft of Samuel Rose which was returned for non-payment and will be placed to debit of SO's account with Jones, Barker & Co.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
Endorsed: 'Jones Barker & Co. Manchester 25th April 1794'.
From Jones, Barker & Co., say they have a query over George Marshall's draft on G Swindall, value £20.10.0., which has not been accepted.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
Endorsed: 'Jones Barker & Co Manchester 18 Augst 1794'.
From Messrs. Kearsley; place an order for calico shirting.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From J. J. J. & E. Kearsley; send a draft, value £10.18.0., to settle their account.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From John Kearsley, says he had called at SO's warehouse and ordered some calico shirting, but has not received the full order; wishes to know when he can expect the rest of the order.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
Endorsed: 'Jno Kearsley 13 March 94 Order'.
From J. J. J. & E. Kearsley, place an order for shirting which they want to be brought over by carrier from Stockport tomorrow.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
Endorsed: ' J J J & E Kearsley Manchester 31 July 1794'.
From John Kinnaston, says he missed SO when he was in Stockport and asks him to forward the draft.
Dated at: Salford [Lancs].
Endorsed ' Jno Kinnaston Salford 25 June 1794'.
From John Kinnaston; thanks SO for sending the draft, value £45.5.8. [see SO/1/164].
Dated at: Salford [Lancs].
Endorsed 'Jno Kinnaston Salford July 7th 1794'.
From Thomas Lowe, says he has received the bill, value £40. He discusses a horse he has recently bought, which proved a year younger than he thought; says the horse appears to small for his height at present, but he might keep it or else sell it to a friend.
Dated at: Nottingham [Notts].
From Thomas Lowe, says 'when I came to strike out the wheel find it will be better to drop the shaft 8 square instead of twelve', apparently refers to a piece of machinery.
Dated at: Nottingham [Notts].
From James Lythgoe; requests a bill be sent to him [appears to be for an order of wood].
Dated at: Liverpool [Lancs].
From Samuel Lythgoe and Co., says 'two flat loads of Danzig balks' have been shipped to SO via the 'Dukes Quay' [on the Bridgewater Canal?], and the remaining part will be shipped on Monday, when he will also have the bill.
Dated at: Liverpool [Lancs].
From Samuel Lythgoe, says '22 Riga Balks, 19 Danzick Balks, 5 Maple Logs, one pine Log' have been sent on a 'Riga flatt belonging to the Duke' [presumably Francis Egerton, 3rd Duke of Bridgewater (1736-1803)], and it is hoped they will be at Manchester by Monday at the latest.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From William McCandlish, wishes to know SO's prices for twist and weft of counts nos. 60-120; says he will be in Manchester on the 10th of next month and intends to purchase some of these articles.
Dated at: Preston [Lancs].
From James McGuffog, says he owes SO money and sends a draft to value of £110.6.8.; also places an order for goods.
Dated at: Stamford [Lincs].
From James McGuffog, encloses a bill and asks for rest of the order to be sent; says that 'corded check' is not selling. [The item is barely legible.].
Dated at: Stamford [Lincs].
From James McGuffog, places order for goods [described].
Dated at: Stamford [Lincs].
From James McGuffog mentions problem with earlier order, and places a new order [described].
Dated at: Stamford [Lincs].
From James McGuffog; discusses in detail a previous order of cloth.
Dated at: Stamford [Lincs].
From L Mackmurdo: discusses various problems with the orders for white cloth and wants to change part of an order, but does not want SO to suffer as a result; asks to be allowed to dispose of the goods they do not want. The letter appears to have been used by SO to draft a letter unconnected with above; it refers taking on an unidentified person's nephew for six years or until of age as an apprentice, discusses fee for the apprenticeship, and adds he will give the individual every opportunity of becoming a manager.
Dated at: London .
From H Mason, [who appears to be a manager at Mellor], reviews situation at Mellor where there have been problems with the pickers; says 'the women here are still obstinate' and they will not pick for less 1/6 per dozen, [1/2d per lb]. H Furnace has brought back her cotton saying that 1/2d d per lb is insufficient, but she has taken more out. Mason says if SO wants more cotton picked he should have a 'fleak made and corded' unless one is available at Stockport. Mason explains that lack of cotton is the reason for the scarcity of rovings, but believes that tomorrow will have a better supply; also reports problems with a stretching frame and says James Warhurst and his brother will get timber for new frame as soon as they can get the iron work, but this is not possible at the moment because the smith has gone. discusses work undertaken at the Hall [Bottoms Hall], including gardening. He has been to see the workers in the making-up room, and told them about their errors. He adds the twist that was meant to go to market yesterday was not made up in as neat a way as would have wished. He would have sent the cash account by John but it won't be finished before he goes.
Dated at: Mellor [Derbs].
From H Mason, encloses an invoice for the gears sent to him. Mr C [?] wants him to act as soon as possible and get as much as you can for them. Overleaf is a description of gears from 'Mr Richardson'. [It is unclear whether this letter is addressed to SO].
From H Mason, says that Walker left work immediately after you saw him and he has heard nothing of him since. However Walker's children are at work and he advises Oldknow not to pursue the debts [presumably Walker's] as unlikely to get them back.
Dated at: Mellor mill [Derbs].
From Thomas G Molineux, refers to an invoice he has sent, and says it would be helpful to be paid in cash within three or four months. He says SO's order will be carefully attended to; adds his address is 'N.10 Aldersgate Street, London'.
Dated at: London .
From J Neale refers to an order. [Most of the letter is illegible].
Dated at: London .
From Neale, Wright & Co., say they have received the white calicos and want twenty more of equal quality, together with the cravats already ordered; the cravats are greatly in demand. They also refer to other items that are wanted [checks and corded stripes].
Dated at: London .
From Robert Needham; received a bill from SO; says 'I am obliged for your consideration for the two large oxen' and discusses disposing of SO's heifers at Bakewell Fair but does not feel he can advise on this point, as market for both 'fat and lean stock have lowered considerably'. He believes might be better selling them in SO's own neighbourhood. .
Dated at: Ashford [Derbs].
Described as 'Copy of the Letter to Mr Gill respecting the Anderton Warehouse', this letter is a rough draft by Samuel Oldknow relating the construction of a warehouse in Anderton. Oldknow relates to how he has spent £90 on the warehouse and 'you will say to[sic.] much for me to lay out on any Gentleman's Estate without consideration'. He relates how he had a lease from Mr Hawkshead for the land, and he discusses some of the conditions; refers to some problems with Mr Hawkshead, who threatened to resign his stewardship; appear to be problems with the conditions of the lease: 'I have not a personal acquaintance with Mr Blundle or I wd have wrote to him upon this business myself - I do not think he will hesitate to grant me a lease agreeable to the first intent and means of my buying SO much money [section crossed out] If I understood Mr Blundle right I am sure If I get this matter forward I will take a ride over to him and attend you to Ince to have it executed almost any time you will appoint if it could be done at the time of the music meeting at Liverpool I shd be glad'. The letter also includes a sketch ground plan of the warehouse.
Copy of a letter from Samuel Oldknow to 'Mr Dewhurst' concerning an advertisement he wants printed by 'Mr Clarke', with 500 copies in 'common hand' style and 50 on better quality paper, and adds the items are required by the following day. The item has several additions concerning costs at Mellor mill, rent, wages etc and costs of manufacturing cotton shirting, the rent of Mellor mill [£1600 p.a.], costs of equipment etc at the mill. The letter is addressed to 'Mr Dewhurst at his office Stockport'.
Dated at: Marple [Derbs].
Copy of a letter from SO to Thomas Beard. It relates to negotiations over the Turnpike Road from Stockport to Mellor; Oldknow discusses the road passing over his bridge and leading to Strines; he wishes to have this section included in the Turnpike Act for Stockport to Marple Bridge with a branch to New Mills and Thomset; requests £1000 or the interest thereof for tolls paid between the gates at Offerton and Whittle. He offers to solicit subscriptions of all interested persons from Marple to Stockport, if Beard will do likewise for persons between Marple and New Mills, Thomset and Hayfield. A reference follows to the cost of 'a Storm bridge over the River Goyt - making a new river with Arches equal to the expense of another bridge -- cutting through 8-10,000 square yards of solid rock & making an almost unparalleled costly road -- the whole not less than £3000.'
From Thomas Oldknow jun. [unclear if this is SO's brother] to Mr Crompton; says he has received an order from SO to purchase a quarter of spring wheat and forward it to Crompton at Chorley.
Dated at: Nottingham [Notts].
An account is described on the dorse and the letter is addressed to 'Abram Crompton junr esq. Chorley Lancashire'.
From Thomas Oldknow [uncle of SO] and addressed 'Dr Nephew'; he refers to forwarding some feathers from Mansfield, with appears to be used for bedding; says did not get items made up as would have over-filled the carriage.
Dated at: Nottingham [Notts].
From J Ellis for Mr [Oliver] Ormrod, says he [Ellis] will wait upon SO next Thursday to receive Mr Ormrod's balance of £6.5.7, and hopes their business will continue.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
Endorsed: 'Oliver Ormrod Manchester Sep 1 1794'.
From Parker, Swan and Parker, send two bills to value £43.4.0. with a 45 shilling discount.
Dated at: Liverpool [Lancs].
From Parker, Topham and Sowden, [London firm of cloth merchants who handled a large amount of SO's goods in the early part of his career]; they report that they have received the parcel by coach, but not all the goods described in the invoice were contained. They ask SO to enquire as to the whereabouts of the goods, and provide a list of those missing.
Dated at: London .
From Robert Parker [partner, Parker, Topham and Sowden], says he hopes SO had a pleasant journey; discuss prices of jaconets and describe some 'curious' material they have purchased, superior to any they have had before Doubts they will interfere much with the disadvantage of SO many duties; he mentions this in order 'to govern your future prospects'; expresses concerns about prices at sale; asks for checks and ballasores to be sent to him by coach.
Dated at: London .
From Robert Parker, discusses order which has not yet been received; mentions the state of sales of cloth, and sets out an order for various types of cotton cloth, including jaconets, ballasores, checks, and aprons.
Dated at: London .
From Robert Parker, discusses the state of cotton cloth market in London: says they have sold the gown pieces, and they will satisfy for the moment; however these gowns are 'whimsical and therefore I fear they will be short lived'; considers 'Soossee' gowns more lively and cheaper because they are mixed with silk and adds the 'fine prints are also a Drugg'; asks Oldknow to send what gowns he has by coach.
Dated at: London.
From Robert Parker, asks if SO can provide sixteen demys of 9/8 check ballasores by Saturday to a 'friend in town'.
Dated at: London .
From Robert Parker, explains that the order received by coach is not complete, with two parcels outstanding. He says he does not have time to reply to SO's request in detail but assures him they will endeavour to expand sales. Parker says his health is improving, and he intends to go out as soon as Mr Sowden returns next week, and so cannot meet SO when he is in London next week. The rest of letter lists goods that the company wishes to purchase.
Dated at: London .
From Robert Parker; asks SO to send patterns by Friday's coach; says he is going to Bristol and will take along some jaconets; adds he has not forgotten last night's conversation but 'have not time by this post to give you my sentiments'.
Dated at: London .
From Parker, Topham and Sowden, place an order [described]. They have had problems with one customer over ballasores, they say he is unreasonable but warns 'your People shd be more cautious'; they are enclosing a sample of cotton manufactured in France used for coats and gowns [?], and they would like to know if it could be made and what the cost would be as they are expecting great demand for the winter.
Dated at: London .
From Parker, Topham and Sowden enclose a bill, value £52.7.0., and ask SO to return it when he has finished with it.
Dated at: London .
From Robert Parker, says it will not be convenient for him to come to Stockport until the middle of the week, and will inform him of the day. He requires a few jaconets and ballasores to send to some friends.
Dated at: Sheffield [Yorks].
From Parker, Topham and Sowden; say they have plenty of calico checks and the[?] are 'unsaleable'; they wish to have the jaconet of every price as ordered, and to send what he has immediately; note what he says about the missing demys, but assure him they never arrived.
Dated at: London .
From Robert Parker, says his firm have received the goods which are better than some previous ones. He notes that sales have not reached their expectations.
Dated at: London .
From Parker, Topham and Sowden; send a remittance for an order; order calico checks of small patterns and the lowest quality for a friend as soon as possible.
Dated at: London.
From Parker, Topham and Sowden; request an invoice for the packet of jaconets, plain and checked ballasores they have just received.
Dated at: London .
From Robert Parker, says he is disappointed to find on enquiry at Hull that the box had not arrived and the ship had sailed; points out that this was the second disappointment he has had, and adds in future he will have the goods sent down to London; asks SO to get the small order ready for Lancaster by next Monday, and they will be returning some demys of unsold material. He says: 'I am selling a few things but see the Muslin House are selling the same goods which Salts [S & W Salte, textile merchants] sent you samples of'; requests that SO send a line to Mr Reavley in Newcastle and an invoice for the goods sent; offers Oldknow his assistance on the state of trade when he visits Scotland.
Dated at: Scarborough [Yorks].
From Parker, Topham and Sowden, place order for check cloth; expect Parker's return in a few days and he will forward 'an account of his expectations in respect to business on the other side of the water.' They complain they cannot sell the handcloth or the calico checks, adding 'hope you have declined making these articles'.
Dated at: London .
From Robert Parker, says that the goods SO sent to E Stables & Co. of York was missing check calicos and the 2 dozen caps; asks Oldknow to check and to write to them 'to prevent any further altercation; advises him to take more care with the packing of goods. He goes on to describe an important customer and wants SO to get information from him on his account. The letter also details various orders and has notes in SO's hand regarding orders.Text for the latter part of the letter is missing.
Although the name of the correspondent is missing, it has been identified as Robert Parker from the handwriting.
From Parker, Topham and Sowden; complain about quality of ballasores which are 'still not running square' and this is affecting sales; they are enclosing a sample of these goods and ask Oldknow to make the necessary adjustments.
From J South on behalf of Parker, Topham and Sowden; requests details of their account so it can be ready for 'your arrival in town.'
Dated at: London.
From Parker, Topham and Sowden, say they have opened the 6/4 check which are is of 'middling' quality, and all but six of the demys are 'are of the Old Patterns which we cannot I fear sell'; says they wanted corded checks [a sketch of this pattern is given]; they are returning some 9/8 ballasores which are square and complain 'how long will you persist in this error', mentioning that a 'very particular customer at Lancaster' has complained about these goods.
Dated at: London.
From Robert Parker, discusses the arrival of a friend from France whom he wishes to show some patterns of 'curious things next Spring for dresses,' and asks Oldknow to forward the patterns; also asks for an order of 'yard wide broad stripe' cloth to be sent, and enquires about availability of 'whip cords'.
Dated at: London .
From Robert Parker, asks to have the jaconets sent by coach, and a smaller assortment by wagon. He wants to know if Varley has paid his dividend of 20 shillings as they have only received 10 shillings and they hear he has paid the full.
From Robert Parker; says he has received news from Thomas Oldknow of 'your conclusion of the Muslin Meeting'. Thomas Oldknow said SO wanted examples of different types of Indian goods from last sale, which they will forward; discusses Oldknow's request for an account of Indian sales [of cloth] since 1780, but says people who keep these sorts of accounts will not send them into the country; says he can make notes on them but suspects SO can get such information when in London. They have an important sale beginning on Tuesday of private trade.
Dated at: London .
From Robert Parker; wishes Oldknow success at the muslin meeting; 'but People seem here quite of Opinion Mr Pitt is circumstanced with the Company [presumably the East India Company] in Leaden Hall St. and receiving so much Interest and influence from that Trade you will have much to combat.' He refers to complaints of the Scottish manufacturers, discusses poor trade conditions. Bulmer & Spence have returned the muslins they have sent.
Dated at: London .
From Parker, Topham and Sowden, say they have received an invoice for sundry goods, but the 4/4 ballasores have been omitted; need these and anything he has in fancy goods and pink romals, and mid-priced sham checks and 6/4 calico checks.
Dated at: London .
From Robert Parker, says that he will be with SO about the middle of next week, and has orders to execute.
Dated at: Wakefield [Yorks].
From Parker, Topham and Sowden, place an order, mainly for ballasores, and query another order as it is due to be shipped. They have sent cash for order by night mail; report that trade is flat, 'this confounded sale has stock'd many people and I'm sure with very bad goods'; they have a very large stock on hand, and goods are selling cheaply. The item has been dated from a post-stamp.
From Robert Parker, says he has omitted to send an order; will send a parcel by coach tomorrow, together with a letter and patterns; adds he will be with SO on Sunday evening. The letter also includes 'accounts from Manchester Warehouse' which describe various orders from London firms.
Dated at: Sheffield [Yorks].
From Robert Parker, places an order for goods. [text is missing].
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From Robert Parker, places an order, says Entwhistle took a few demys that morning; found the jaconets too dear; adds part of an order has been returned because it is damaged.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From Robert Parker, says he requires twenty pieces of 9/8 stout calico to complete his London orders.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From Robert Parker, requests an order; says he has sent a parcel of prints to Thwaites, and has received a letter in return complaining about the colour of the jaconets.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From Parker, Topham and Sowden, discuss a difference in opinion over an account; ask when can expect jaconets, which are much wanted, and discuss other orders, including 100 demys of 4/4 and 9/8 and 'changeable doyleys'.
Endorsed: 'P,T & S 2 Feby 1792.'
From Parker, Topham and Sowden; complain about an incomplete order received and ask him to rectify. .
Dated at: London.
Endorsed: 'P T & S London August 14th 1792'.
From Parker, Topham and Sowden; request 6/4 shawls in dark or light blue, which must arrive by Tuesday morning. They ask for the 100 demys of 4/4 jaconet to be with them as soon as possible, as it is needed to complete order.
Dated at: London .
From Parker, Topham and Sowden place an order [ballasores, checks, 'fancy' towels, doyleys].
Dated at: London .
From Topham & Sowden, enclose an invoice for sundry goods forwarded by wagon; ask SO to provide a statement of their account; the goods returned are described.
Dated at: London .
From Robert Parker; regrets not being able to discuss idea with SO yesterday, says not explain it at present, but will discuss when at Stockport; adds Mr Sowden will settle accounts and expresses concern about SO's health: 'I see you have lost your animation and without any material reason - keep up good spirits and make good articles we shall do better for you than ever.'The date has been stamped on this letter, however the particular year is illegible.
Dated at: Leicester [Leics].
From Robert Parker, asks to have the check muslin forwarded and adds: 'How Knight's business will be determined time alone must determine- he is declared a Bank[rup]t about the same time as my security.' Mr Duckworth told him he is on good grounds.
Dated at: Manchester [?].
From Robert Parker, appears to be request for order to Mrs Musgrave at York and Mr Orton at Sunderland, and also asks for a pattern of his new goods; also asks for a few pieces of 6/4 plain stripe and check in the next parcel. [The excision of the first part of this letter makes interpretation of content difficult].
Dated at: Beverley [?].
From Robert Parker, says his people cannot execute his orders for the jaconets as SO has not sent them and believes has more deserving goods, asks him to send by Monday's coach. He also refers to other items he has received.
From Parker, Topham and Sowden, ask for fancy muslins to be sent to Thomas Worswick and Son of Lancaster. They send an account of some nankeens, the other part of which they have sold SO can destroy the invoice; send a piece of jaconet which they ask him to inspect, which is 'of a most currious[?] texture and the first piece of British manufactory I ever felt like a muslin' and adds 'you must strain every nerve to excel this man, or at least keep pace with him or how shall we make drapers rever the name of
From Robert Parker, says he has visited the calico markets and none has any stock; has seen Mr Cheetham about 500 pieces, and praises the quality of his goods and he thinks them better than SO's; mentions a meeting he is to have with SO.
From Robert Parker, complains about quality of cloth received, which he considers 'ill-made'.
From Robert Parker, sends a slip of a dyed red 'puteen'[?] and asks if has any other colours. He refers to a process for improving dyeing; also places an order [described].
From Parker, Topham and Sowden, say that Robert Parker had left a pattern of 6/4 calico check which he said SO charged 2/6 for and it has been sent to a friend who took them at that price; now find SO charges 2/7 for it, and feel it would be difficult to sell at this price; ask him to take more care with ballasore handkerchiefs being square, as they have had to make allowances for these items, and send a sample for his inspection.
From Robert Parker, says he advised Mr Freeman on an equitable price for the goods in the works, and has enclosed the particulars. As he expects SO will be at Manchester tomorrow, he will send the few articles described [not known], when the value may be fixed by enquiry with the whole of SO's stock.
Dated at: Wheaten .
From Robert Parker, says has sent the letter and parcels to Mr Arkwright. He finds prices in the invoice higher than those discussed.
Dated at: Bakewell [Derbs].
From Robert Parker & Co., place an order of twenty dozen cotton caps, which want sent tomorrow.
From Robert Parker, discusses some unsold aprons they have in stock, some of which are 'out of condition' and are unsaleable. He asks SO's advice and says will try to do what he can with them. [The stock of aprons are listed in the letter]. He also refers to problems with a £10 draft.
From Thomas Parkes, says his son tells him the lime kilns are nearly ready and will be complete in three weeks [presumably at Mellor]. [Parkes appears to have been considered for the position with SO, but is trying to get better terms]. He asbeen employed by Mr Duncombe & Co., and they have paid him the equal of £130 p.a.; he criticises SO for not being more definite in his offer, and for offering a salary of only £50 p.a.; also does not like suggestion that his daughters should reside at Mellor; says if SO can offer £100 p.a. he could be available, but his daughters will not settle until they know where he will be employed, and they cannot open a boarding school until extra capital is available; he thinks a 'genteel day school' in Stockport would prepare them for a boarding school. He says will call on SO in about two months.
Dated at: Birmingham [Warw].
From Parson, Shedley and Co. refers to an order for goods [described] and ensure 'free from all kind of blemishes'' In a footnote complain about being overcharged for an order.
Dated at: Bristol [Glos].
Correspondence relating to the 'Peak Forest Canal Meeting', with sender unknown; consists of an agenda with three items 1) 'To examine fully the quantity of tons which can be taken down the present railway', 2) 'To enforce a clause in the act through SO's cmnd', 3) 'To speak to the bad mortar[?] that must go into the aqueduct bridge through the oblique strating Mr Brown & the [word illegible].'
From R. Penrhyn of Winnington [Richard Pennant, Baron Penrhyn of Winnington and Penrhyn Castle, d.1808], discusses an order received, pleased with quality, and asks for two pieces of calico for shirts. [Some text of this letter is missing].
Dated at: Winnington [Ches].
From Lord Penrhyn, says has received the parcel and thanks SO for being 'very liberal to my Servants'; says has sent hats rather than handkerchiefs to Jamaica 'as more usefull' but asks for an order of handkerchiefs for gifts together with cloth to make breeches; thinks it will be pleasant wear. He thanks SO for his vote in favour of Nailor. Lady Penrhyn is very happy and glad he opinion has been of use to him, and thanks him for offering to take William William's son, about whom he promises to write in a day or two.
Dated at: Winnington [Ches].
shellac seal attached.
Fragment of a letter from Henry Petersen, appears to relate to the purchase of cloth.
Dated at: Kirkgate, Wakefield [Yorks].
From John Philips & Co., say have received three bunches of twist for dyeing Turkey red; add that they have not been able to make a calculation about cost of dyeing this but cannot do it for less than 4/6 per lb.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From John Philips & Co, say that Mr Bow cannot do the dyeing as quickly as want, so they cannot take in any more material for dyeing at present.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From John Philips & Co, place an order for goods [described].
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From John Philips & Co. place an order for goods, and asks to dispatch as soon as he can [the order consists of various muslins, jaconets, ballasores, handkerchiefs].
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From John Philips & Co.; a request for a small order of shirting, and slips of patterns of fancy muslins for gowns such as 'sprigged, spotted and checked', together with prices.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From John Philips & Co.; place an order for goods [described], and add they require the waistcoats immediately.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From John Philips & Co.; place a large order for cloth [described in detail].
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From Thomas Millar on behalf John Philips and Co; they ask that he forward an order as the 'other goods for same mark are all upon the Tables and cannot be packed till we receive yours.'
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From Philipson and Seales; forward the hay seeds SO ordered, together with rye grass and white clover in one package by Messrs Milnes & Co. to be delivered to Stockport.
Dated at: Cottingham [Northants].
Endorsed: 'Philipson & Seales 13 April 1793'.
From D H Pugh, asks for five pieces of enclosed pattern to be sent in the parcel to Messrs S & W Salte, and asks SO to ensure they are corded stripes, as previously Oldknow had sent checks he did not want. .
Dated at: London .
From D H Pugh, says the patterns of the 6/4 stripes he requested were not sent in the last letter and asks SO to send them immediately.
Dated at: London .
From Thomas Read, confirms has received two bills to value £60.
Dated at: Leeds [Yorks].
From C Reavey, places an order for calico shirting, which is wanted for the 'Mansion House'; says if do not have goods on hand, to forward the patterns with prices to J Woodvill of Newcastle.
Dated at: Newcastle [Northumb].
From George James Robinson, says has received a bill of £140 from SO, which balances his account; say they have not altered their prices, and appears to suggest SO can order twist from them.
Dated at: Papplewick [Notts].
From M Robinson; an extended order for goods placed with SO for J Robinson, which she needs in about ten days; asks him to ensure goods are 'perfect' and expects her husband to make further orders, when he visits Stockport.
From Rotton & Hollingshead, they have received a package of cotton checks and stripes 'by Dukes Canal' but no invoice; ask him to send it on; enquire whether prices charged were the same agreed with Mr Parker.
Dated at: Liverpool [Lancs].
From John Rowbotham; says SO might have heard that the house at Windy Bottom has been ready for some time, this is not so, 'not a single Room in it is compleatly plaistered'. He asks that it can be got ready as soon as possible as his present state of living is 'extremely expensive' and he hopes it is SO's intention to have the front windows made uniform. [Windy Bottom was a property owned by SO in Mellor and Rowbotham appears to be the tenant].
Dated at: Marple [Ches].
dorse: 'see other side' in later hand and a note addressed to John Clayton by SO dated 23 Feb 1805.
From S & W Salte, say pleased excursion to Doncaster answered his expectation; goes on to discuss Edmund Cartwright (1743-1823), and his new power loom: 'Mr Cartwright was once Professor of Poetry at Oxford, & a really good poet himself. But it seems he has left the barren mountain of Parnassus & the fountain of Helicon, for other mountains and other Vales & Streams in Yorkshire & he has left to them to work in the Wild large and open field of Mechanics - be it so, and may his schemes prosper & fill his purse with gold.'He asks SO's opinion of the new invention: 'Can this new Automaton perform the wonders in weaving SO Confidently & SO flatteringly held to the World? do let have your most candid opinion, distinguish between what is visionary & what may be practicable in their machine. We are far from limiting the boundary of Mechanism in the Arts, Discoveres [words missing] look like miracles will be made. Genius, application, [words missing] with none, or surmount all difficulties...it is in their very essence to produce something new, for the present or the future generations to admire. Mr Arkwright was a happy Mechanic. In his life time he has received the regard of his Ingenuity -- It does not happen SO in general. We think Mr Cartwright will not be equally fortunate & we cannot give you a reason (from our Ignorance) for this Opinion. You will satisfy us a little more.' He concludes by saying that trade conditions for Oldknow's goods are difficult, they are not looking forward to the 'large Company sale' [East India Company sale of cloth].
Dated at: London .
From S & W Salte, say a customer will not give the price asked. They query when they can expect ballasores for shipping; adds they have sent him £215 by wagon.
From S & W Salte; they forward an order they have received from Thomas Heathcote & Riggs for various cloth; enquire what SO's terms would be for this, and hope it can lead to larger orders.
Dated at: London .
From S & W Salte, ask SO not to send any more romal handkerchiefs; the last order arrived after the ship had gone. They do not require No.5 calicos as they have been able to purchase these elsewhere at a better price and at any quantity; ask for No.4 calico if of good quality, as well as towels and doyleys. In a footnote they also ask for coloured and bordered ballasore handkerchiefs.
Dated at: London.
From S & W Salte; asks for no.4 calicos in 21 yard cuts, and say 'our excisemen play tricks with us in the other lengths'. They want to know what quantity he has of other this cloth. They cannot take the No.5 at more than 2/-; order bordered doyleys and towels.
Dated at: London .
Fragment of a letter from S & W Salte, ask SO not to send any more muslins, ask for towels. They will write again when 'the prospect is brighter for goods'; they wish him a happy new year. [some text missing].
Dated at: London .
From S & W Salte place an order [described] and ask him not to send damaged goods as they have had many complaints lately [signed 'WS' -- William Salte]. Correspondent identified by handwriting.
From H [?] Sawyer, thanks SO for sending the bill, and refers to SO's orders for raw cotton, discusses price of cotton.' In a footnote he adds: 'I have the pleasure to say, the commercial treaty with France is nearly complete, which will give fresh vigour to commerce in general.'
Dated at: London.
From Sharp, Greenleaves & Co on behalf of Richard Armistead, say they have placed £30 to his credit for first account of bricks, but an extra payment will also be required.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
Endorsed 'Sharp, Greensleaves & Co April 25 1811'.
From James Sheldon & Co.; request a bill for £20 from SO, so that they can pay wages; hopes the machines will be fixed to his satisfaction.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From William Shepherd; claims to have been overcharged for 'Queens cord'. He asks SO not to send any more of certain cloths [names of cloth illegible]. He places an order for King's cord, and asks that 'the colours be Bright & good.'
Dated at: Melton [Mowbray? Leics].
Shepherd, Cooke & Hulme, say they received SO's bills, to value £562.14.0. They note the contents of his letter but 'we cannot subscribe to your Ideas'; their market is steady and he will find other markets in a similar situation, regret he will not accept a further order of cotton from them. They add they have 'several parcels of Brazil and Dutch cottons' available.
Dated at: London.
From William Siddon, asks for an order to be sent via Marsden; adds that he had hoped to see SO at Nottingham races; says 'Mrs Steward, your Aunt and Uncle and Miss Hollins have just left Mansf[iel]d' and send their regards.
From William Siddon & Co. send a draft to value £19.19.0. and ask him when he expects a good supply of muslin handkerchiefs from the Croft [SO's finishing factory]; add if have any more of the lemon coloured handkerchiefs to send them by wagon.
Dated at: Mansfield [Notts].
Endorsed: 'Wm Siddon & Co. Mansfield 6 July 1791'.
From William Siddon; asks SO to send the five neckcloths he bought at his warehouse as soon as he can.
Dated at: Cromford [Derbs].
Endorsed: 'Wm Siddon Cromford 18 March 1794'.
From John Simpson & Co., says have sent prices of mule twist, but adds depends on circumstances how long can be supplied on these terms; want him to let them know what sort of order he will be placing. In a draft response written on this letter, SO says he can take 100 lb of cop twist of 70-90 counts weekly at the given price, but feels that two months is too short a time to get a suitable return.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
Endorsed: 'Jno Simpson & Co. Manchester 28 May 1794'.
From J [?] Smith, places an order for goods.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From John Smith; has received the draft from SO; says have not been able to dispose of the 'Copper Bottom', and will not be able to until they have an order for an engine about the size of his, when they do they will let him know. They will keep it either at Chesterfield or send to Stockport as he wishes.
Dated at: Griffin Foundry, Manchester [Lancs].
From John Smith, places an order for two pieces of calico shirtings for his father, Thomas Smith.
Dated at: Wakefield [Yorks].
From Thomas Smith, places an order [jaconets, muslins etc.] and says it was their error about the dozen handkerchiefs.
Dated at: Wakefield [Yorks].
From Thomas Smith, places an order for stout, red check, cotton handkerchiefs and stout, gray calicos.
Dated at: Wakefield [Yorks].
From William Smith; sends two bills, value £60; he is returning an order of muslin gowns and handkerchiefs, because they fall to pieces on washing and the gowns are not selling.
Dated at: Wakefield [Yorks].
From William Smith; have returned nineteen pieces of muslin which want 'clear'd' and returned to Thomas Smith.
Dated at: Wakefield [Yorks].
From William Smith, sends a bill to value of £40, which is to be placed to credit of Thomas Smith.
Dated at: Wakefield [Yorks].
From Smith & Blackwall, place order for goods, which they want within three weeks or a month. The letter is torn with some text lost.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From Smith & Blackwall; asks for '6/4 fancy' and queries availability of certain patterns.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From Smith and Blackwall & Co. received SO's bill to value of £32.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From Smith, Blackwall & Co., say have received SO's bill to value of £56. 19.0.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
Endorsed: 'Smith April 25 1811.'
From Smith and Ingle, ask for £60.18s which is owed to them, as they are in need of money at present.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From Smith Payne and Smith, say a bill sent to them is unpaid but they hope to get the money from the drawer, but to do this require SO to inform Henry Lees, from whom it appears he received the bill. .
Dated at: London.
Remnant of shellac seal.
From William Sowden, sends 'above' [text missing] on which SO can try the experiment; places order for ballasores, checks, romals jaconets. fancy goods etc., and asks the price of 'good common calicos'.
Dated at: London.
From Staines and Carpenter to Thomas Oldknow [presumably SO's brother]; place an order for cotton striped ticks and ask when they can expect them; says might expect further orders if 'supply us well'.
Dated at: London.
From Staines and Carpenter, say they have no objection to taking quantity SO mentions on his terms, but must be 7/8 cloth and would like to have some samples sent.
Dated at: London.
Endorsed: 'Staines & Carpenter, London 2nd January 1794'.
From Staines & Carpenter, say they have received four packages yesterday, and have opened one pack; they feel if all of it is of this quality he can draw £216.1.0. at three months. [some financial calculations dated 1 Sep 1790 beneath the letter not clear if related to this letter].
Dated at: London .
Endorsed: 'Staines & Carpenter London 17th April 94'.
From Stephenson, Batson & Co., received SO's bill for £235.
Dated at: London.
From Stirling Hunter and Co.; have received his draft for £200. and have annexed a record of sales for February. They refer to an earlier order, where the goods are now required. Overleaf is appended 'Sales in February 1795 for Mr S Oldknow'.
Dated at: London.
From James Stocks[?], places orders cloth with coloured borders; asks for towels if they are available. [some text is missing].
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From Thomas Swift [SO's manager at Anderton], who sends a list of weavers at Anderton. He has several '7/8 calico' weavers waiting for work who are not on the list. He wants to know if any alteration is to be made amongst the weavers as they are near hay-time. Overleaf is 'A List of Anderton Weavers made out July 4th 1786'; this gives details of individuals weaving different types of cloth; the individuals are not named, however there is a cross-reference possibly to a ledger book.
Dated at: [Anderton].
From Thomas Swift; says he has received twenty-nine bundles of twist with ten bills, which he thinks is correct. He will send one box to Stockport to bring supplies of raw cotton. and twist.
Dated at: Anderton [Lancs].
From Thomas Swift, lists the goods, muslin and rovings, sent to Stockport in one of the four bags; says the cotton which came from Manchester, he thinks from James Wardle, included some damaged goods. In a footnote says that a small parcel for Rev. Bonass[?] of Stockport. A note has been added in pencil at a later date: 'Rev W Bowness curate of [illegible] 1788 [illegible].'
Dated at: Anderton [Lancs].
From Sykes, Townend & Co., ask for remainder of 3/4 Pollicat h[and]k[erchie]fs at ten shillings and some 4/4/ plain muslins when he can do it.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From Sykes, Townend & Co.; place order for jaconets and checks; say the 6/4 jaconets are 'extravagantly Dear' at 39/-.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From Sykes, Townend & Co.; have annexed a few things find unsaleable, and ask him to cut the 6/4 plains into demys and return them when convenient.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From Tarletons & Backhouse; say they have received 4 packs of goods, but this is not the entire order; wish had been informed about this as Mr Backhouse could have purchased 'sattin stripes' at Manchester. They ask SO to forward table cloths, napkins, huckabuck and coating as described within ten days.
Dated at: Liverpool [Lancs].
From Tarletons & Backhouse; Mr Backhouse will be over at Manchester and Stockport in about a fortnight, when he will settle the account; says the returned goods [calicos and canvass] were sent by the Old Quay Flat
Dated at: Liverpool [Lancs].
Endorsed: 'Tarleton & Backhouse Liverpool April 21 1792'.
From Charles Taylor, says has sent 52 lb of dyed twist by Stockport carrier, completing the order; would welcome further orders for this for dying twist turkey red or violet.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From Taylor and Almond; send a draft to value £205; ask for 'low aprons' rather than fine to be sent; the last order of plain muslins and handkerchiefs were not as good as before.
Dated at: Nottingham [Notts].
From Taylor and Almond, enclose a bill for £137, and want a few things sent by Hogg [presumably the carrier]; say expected they would have received samples of the cotton caps and other things SO had spoken about.
Dated at: Nottingham [Notts].
From Taylor and Almond, report they had to return five gowns last week, which they felt they would not sell; says customers will not buy romals and so is returning them.
Dated at: Nottingham [Notts].
From Taylor and Almond, say one of their customers informed them that 'Mr P' [this could be Robert Parker] from Watl[in]g Street, London had said he could sell the same kind of aprons ('low ones') which they had sold him for a lower price than SO had charged them. They add that if SO had reduced the price then the matter is cleared up 'if not it appears extraordinary'.
Dated at: Nottingham [Notts].
From Taylor and Almond; they return goods (jaconet, ballasore, calico) because the price is too high. .
Dated at: Nottingham [Notts].
From W Thorpe & Co., say they have received two bills to value £558.9.6. which leaves a sum of £58.16.6 to SO's credit.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From Henry Thwaites, has sent a note requiring sundries but omitted to mention wanted ballasore handkerchiefs, which would like sent.
Dated at: London .
From Henry Thwaites, places order for cravats, checks, cords, stripes, handkerchiefs, aprons.
Dated at: London .
From Henry Thwaites, places order for muslins, including aprons, jaconets, cravats and handkerchiefs.
Dated at: London .
From Henry Thwaites, places order [described]; had ordered 'tuck aprons' some time ago but they have not been sent.
Dated at: London.
From Henry Thwaites; places order for muslins [described].
Dated at: London .
From Henry Thwaites; places an order for muslins including ballasores, jaconets, cords, cravats, stripes.
Dated at: London.
From Henry Thwaites, refers to order for goods. [Most of the text of this letter is missing].
From P J Tiberghien et fils, says received package and invoice on 29 May, but says did not send the 12 or 14 dotted [?] turkey red handkerchiefs; expresses hope SO is still making the 6/4 plain handkerchiefs, the 135 ordered in last order being insufficient; places a new order [described] and encloses a drawing of the pattern they would like; also require cotton linen for which there is a great demand. In a footnote he says his son thanks him for the civilities shown him when he was in Stockport.
Dated at: Brussels [Belgium].
From James Tomkinson, has received the cotton doyleys, and will pay for them next time in Stockport. He asks for four dozen of the neatest [doyleys?] to be sent by wagon from Manchester and to enclose his bill in the parcel.
Dated at: Dorfold [Ches].
From Henry Tomkinson; says his father has received the cotton doyleys 'which are much admired'. He had been asked by an acquaintance if SO could make table linen which resembled the doyleys; also asks for 10 yards of yard wide book muslin, the same as used for ladies gowns, and for it to be sent to the Royal Oak, Market Street Lane, Manchester, where his clerk will collect it.
Dated at: Nantwich [Ches].
Addressed to 'Mr Oldknow Heaton Norris, Stockport'.
From Henry Tomkinson, says has received the muslin safely and thanks SO for information regarding tablecloths [see SO/1/325]; he was mistaken in asking for the same muslin as used for ladies' gowns, and should have asked only for book muslin, which presumes is of a finer quality than that sent. He asks SO to take back the order and replace it with book muslin; if not possible, he will try and dispose of the order in some way.
Dated at: Nantwich [Ches].
From John Varley sends Allen & Co's draft, value £6.10.6, which appears to be interest on the debt of Messrs Parker, Topham & Co., value £52.4.6.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From Vaughan, Baugh & Co.; ask for 'good and cheap' calico shirting.
Dated at: Bristol [Glos].
From Henry Walmsley; sends an order of three inch reeds and cravat reeds. The rest of his order will be completed in near future; also notes receipt of bill from SO.
Dated at: Blackburn [Lancs].
From Thomas Ward; asks for a 'carrexter' if Mr Tillett should write for one.
Dated at: Wymondham [Leics.].
From John Wardle; sends two bags of cotton, and adds this is the cotton that SO's brother looked at, and discusses a price for it.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From W Watson, asks for remaining three or four 'clear mule' handkerchiefs to be sent by wagon, as well as two piece of 9/8, romals plain muslins and ballasore handkerchiefs. [Watson may be an employee of William Siddon, see SO/1/276-278].
Dated at: Mansfield [Notts].
Endorsed 'Wm Siddon & Co 9 Jany 1794 Order'.
From James Watts; reminds SO that he advised him about eight bales of Bourbon cotton belonging to George Lomas; Lomas will not let them go at 4/-, and SO was lucky to hit on this mark as it was very good cotton. He wishes to know how much he will offer for it; adds will pay balance to Mr Lomas in cash. .
Dated at: London .
From Watts, Lowe and Co.; discuss an order for cotton wool [raw cotton]; say received twenty bags but only ordered ten bags from Mr Parker; complain the tare [weight allowance] granted is considerably less than they have from Bristol or London, making a penny a pound difference and they are not satisfied unless they can have the merchant's customary allowance. They will be writing to Parker [Robert Parker?] on this subject.
Dated at: Lonsdale Mills.
From P & H Wells and Co., report some items missing from the two packs sent by wagon; request costs of jenny spinning for 100-130 bundles of gray of counts 10-40, which would want delivered in four to five weeks. On the inner side of letter is a draft reply by SO accepting their proposal regarding the spinning.
Dated at: London .
From P & H Wells & Co.; confirm received an order, ask for bundles of twist to be sent; ask that the cotton be 'free from specks' as previous order was 'very full of Black Specks'.
Dated at: London.
From P & H Wells & Co., complain about amount of waste in a previous order of yarn, and send a sample of it for SO's opinion; ask whether they should return or an allowance can be made; request information about the packs of cotton ordered. .
Dated at: London.
From O Williams, says he has received his bill for parcel of sundry articles; asks for an order of romals to be sent via Chester; previous order of jaconets was damaged, for which he wants an allowance, and also asks for a further piece of 6/4 check.
Dated at: Holywell [Flint].
From O Williams, says has made an allowance for the jaconet; advises that Thomas Stott will deliver payment to SO; previously mentioned about not receiving an order of muslin, but still has not had it; asks for patterns of linen and cotton checks to be sent.
Dated at: Holywell [Flint].
From O Williams, says will have to cancel his last order as his customer had changed his mind about the calico shirting; asks for order of handkerchiefs, with more colour and a smaller check than previous orders, and for patterns; encloses some twist, which he says is in demand and asks for samples of each colour.
Dated at: Holywell [Flint].
From O Williams; received last parcel but because this did not contain invoice was misled about the price and now says it is too high; sends sample of yarn and orders goods if they are available at the price quoted.
Dated at: Holywell [Flint].
From Henry Winterbottom; asks for a bill of £50 today and the remainder to be sent later in the week, when he has to pay his spinning shop.
Dated at: Stockport [Ches].
From David Wolff; queries why he has not received a bill due to him.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From John Wood, says he has received his bill for £21.11.0.
Dated at: Bolton [Lancs].
From William Woolley; says they have had a 'pipe of iron liquor' on their premises for some time, which they believe is his and request he have it collected.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
From Isaac & George Worthington; informs SO that the next meeting 'of the Committee for conducting business relative to the canal from Ashton Canal to Limestone Rocks in Derbyshire' will be held at the Rams Head Inn in Disley on 5 December to discuss the results of meeting with the Duke of Devonshire's agent [this refers to the Peak Forest Canal, for which an Act was passed on 28 March 1794, although the Canal itself did not open until 1800].
Dated at: Altrincham [Ches].
From Samuel Worthington; has sent a few aprons, appears to be wrong order and asks for aprons at 2/4 or 2/6 .
Dated at: Nottingham [Notts].
From E A W Wright; asks what amount the bill he is sending SO should be for, as forgot to mention this when at Stockport; hopes he will receive the handkerchiefs of the newest patterns, adding remember I should like to grace some of the ladies pockets, and exceeding handsome ones for the Gentlemen'.
Dated at: Nottingham [Notts].
From Henry Wright & Brooks; has sent 12 dozen spindles and flies, with remainder to follow shortly; the spindles will come by carrier to Skipton and from there to Manchester.
From Henry Wright discusses delivery arrangements for an order of spindles.
Dated at: Pateley [prob. Pateley Bridge, Yorks].
From N Wright to Mr [John] Clayton; says Mr Parkes has settled with him paying £34.3.10. for Mr Oldknow's half year rent due at Michaelmas last [the breakdown of Parkes' rent is described].
Dated at: Low Marple [Ches].
From James Wylie, asks SO to pay £6.17.0 to bearer, Mr Hargreaves; looks forward to further orders.
Dated at: Bolton [Lancs].
Name of correspondent unknown: fragment of a letter refers to 'the Hfs [handkerchief?] weavers does not yet close their borders well yet though they have a great charge to do.'
The name 'Nancy Grundy' has been written on the dorse [possibly the correspondent].
Name of correspondent unknown; discusses receiving cotton for spinning [possibly written by one of Oldknow's managers at Anderton].
Dated at: [Anderton?].
Name of correspondent unknown; fragment of a letter referring to an invention to batt cotton, which takes 'little power and not liable to be out of repair'; he offers Oldknow a demonstration.
Name of correspondent cannot be identified; asks for an order to be sent to Hugh Waterworth at Preston; the order is described.
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
Fragments of a letter in four pieces of a letter ordering handkerchiefs, with drawings of the patterns desired.
Handwritten copy of letter from J Robinson to SO; Robinson wonders if there is an alternative way of sending goods to Manchester other than by Jenkinsons, as the behaviour of this firm is unsatisfactory. This carrier has not been turning up, and he mentions various unsatisfactory dealings with this firm. Discusses inconveniences of not being able to muslins in Stockport but not possible because of 'impudence of the Stockport carrier'. The transcript has been made at a much later date [c.1920s], and there is a note 'Mr Andrew has original.'
Dated at: Manchester [Lancs].
This series comprises various invoices, customer accounts and receipts received by SO in the course of his business activities. The records include information on his business dealings and are related in many cases to the correspondence described in SO/1. Researchers interested in Oldknow's commercial dealings with particular individuals and firms should therefore consult material in both series. Some material which had been mis-filed in this series has been removed and put in the appropriate series; in several cases material which could be more properly considered business correspondence was placed in SO/1. This series incorporates material which was part of the 1951 accession and was not recorded in the original handlist. In the original handlist, Eng MS 752, this material was arranged alphabetically, although on examination this appeared to have been done imperfectly. The material has been rearranged chronologically by year, and alphabetically within a particular year; some material in this series cannot be dated.
Former reference: Eng Ms 752
The series is arranged as follows:
.
This series comprises a variety of a records relating to pickers' employed by SO. Pickers were responsible for cleaning raw cotton in preparation for carding; employment was predominantly female.
The volume consists of production 'accounts' for individual pickers recording the amount of cotton picked. Entries comprise the amount of cotton distributed ('gross'), the amount of picked cotton returned ('neat') and the allowance for waste ('trett'). A date '1790' has been pencilled in on the first page, possibly contemporaneously. This item was removed from a cardboard folder, marked 'Stockport Pickers', into which it had been placed at an later date.
Former reference: Eng Ms 764.
An account for pickers employed by SO, described on cover as 'Pickers Book June 1 1792'. The volume contains a rough index of pickers. There are individual accounts for each picker, recording amount of cotton distributed for picking, amount returned plus waste and payment per batch picked. The residences of the pickers are recorded; these are all in the Mellor and Marple area, indicating the pickers were outworkers for Mellor mill.
Former reference: Eng Ms 765
Consult archivist before issuing.
These bills consist of accounts of payments made to pickers. The individuals were probably employed at Stockport. SO/3/3/(9) is not a bill but an account of total cotton picked at Bullock's Smithy.
Former reference: Eng Ms 766.
Loose account sheets relating to payments to pickers, probably at Mellor.
Former reference: Eng Ms 822
An account book recording payments made to cotton pickers. The residences given are in the Mellor-Marple area.
This item was wrongly described as a 'Women spinners' account book' in the original handlist; the subject matter makes clear it is a pickers' record.
Former reference: Eng Ms 771.
Notebook recording receipt of cotton bales at Mellor mill [recorded by weight not value].
Former reference: Eng Ms 806
Records relating to the spinning enterprises of Samuel Oldknow. Some records are financial records relating to payment to spinners, and some are production records relating to yarn produced by Oldknow; most of the latter relate to Mellor mill. The earliest records relating to the payment of spinners indicate the existence of the domestic spinning, while those from the early 1790s onwards relate to the factory system, as Oldknow set up spinning factories in Stockport and Mellor. The records from Mellor mill contain valuable information on the relative costs of yarn and labour.
Consult archivist before issuing.
Ledger for payments to spinners. The volume records the working of the pre-factory system of spinning, whereby raw cotton was disbursed by SO to numerous small spinners, who would return the finished yarn to his warehouse for payment. The ledger records in the amount of cotton taken by each individual spinner in the left-hand column('credit') and the amount spun, the count, unit price and payment to the spinner in the right hand column ('debit column'). The place-names given indicate that the spinners were providing for Oldknow's Stockport enterprise. The value of the raw cotton disbursed is indicated, although the spinner did not in fact pay for it. The ledger shows that some of the spinners were women. Places of residence mentioned include Mellor, Marple, Ashton, Stockport, Hyde, Stalybridge, Ludworth, and Charlesworth.
Former reference: Eng Ms 758.
Various accounts relating to payment of spinners comprising: pieces 1-7 record payments to spinners for work undertaken 18 Sep 1788 - 23 Dec 1788, include amount of yarn spun, count, cost per unit and total payment; pieces 8-12 are similar records for 9 Sep -30 Nov 1790 and pieces 13-15 are similar for the period 31 Jul - 23 Dec 1792`; piece 16 is similar but undated; pieces 17-21 (pieces 20 and 21 refer to spinners at the Carrs factory] record cash paid to spinners and are cross-referenced to a ledger book; piece 22 records payments to winders, reelers and slubbers.
Former reference: Eng Ms 760
This volume records production at what appears to be a single location; the amount of material is recorded together with its value or payment made for it. Material is described as 'sent up Mr Oldknow' and is described as weft, warp and slubbing [slubbing is a preparatory stage of drawing cotton fibres before spinning].
Former reference: Eng Ms 802
This volume records weekly and fortnightly spinning production. It records name of spinner, number of frame, no of spindles, weight, counts and hanks. The total number of hanks produced is given. The volume is made up of two booklets stitched together. It is unclear if this record relates to the Mellor or Hillgate factories.
Former reference: Eng Ms 769
A daily account of value of hanks of twist produced at Mellor; the figures are totalised for each month.
Former reference: Eng Ms 804
The volume appears to record the amount of cotton spun at Mellor mill. The document records output at various locations in the mill in the following manner: the record is divided into two columns, the left-hand column apparently representing the weight of bobs without cotton [the net weight is calculated by subtracting the weight of the skip holding the bobs from the gross weight], while the right-hand column records the weight of cotton yarn produced [the gross figure for bobs with cotton is given and from this is subtracted the weight of the skip and the weight of the bob itself to give a net figure which is the weight of yarn]. The output was recorded at daily or every other day intervals.
Former reference: Eng Mss 808 (i)
The volume appears to record the amount of cotton spun at Mellor mill. The document records output at various locations in the mill in the following manner: the record is divided into two columns, the left-hand column apparently representing the weight of bobs without cotton [the net weight is calculated by subtracting the weight of the skip holding the bobs from the gross weight], while the right-hand column records the weight of cotton yarn produced [the gross figure for bobs with cotton is given and from this is subtracted the weight of the skip and the weight of the bob itself to give a net figure which is the weight of yarn].
Former reference: Eng Mss 808 (ii)
Various loose sheets described as 'Monthly Acct. of Mellor Mill...'; These 'accounts' detail the relative costs of standard units of yarn and labour costs. The figures include amount of raw cotton carded and amount of yarn spun, and the difference between the two. Figures for the average price per thousand hanks and average wages per hand per week are given. The first piece has the date '1807' added in pencil, but this is not corroborated by internal evidence.
Former reference: Eng Ms 791
Loose sheets recording monthly output and cost statistics for yarn, detailing amount of twist produced per spinner, wage costs and average price per 1000 hanks of yarn. Figures are given for the number of employees at Mellor mill. Two pieces (9 and 10) record monthly average prices [presumably for yarn].
Former reference: Eng Ms 824.
Account book containing payments made to roller coverers and drawers employed by SO at Mellor. This item was formerly filed with Eng Ms 829, and is part of the 1951 accession.
Reeling and winding are intermediary processes between spinning and weaving which involve preparation of yarn by winding on a reel for weaving.
Fragment of a volume described as 'Winding Acct 1786', which records payments to winders. 'Anderton names' has been pencilled in at a later date.
Former reference: Eng Ms 756
This item was described in the original handlist as a 'Weight book'; it appears to record amount of yarn wound at various locations.
Former reference: Eng Ms 784
Consult archivist before issuing.
A volume recording amount of yarn wound at the Hillgate factory, Stockport. The winding was undertaken winding machines powered by a steam engine.
Former reference: Eng Ms 786
A volume described 'Reeling Book' recording payment to reelers for doffings, includes a loose account which was not originally part of the volume.
Former reference: Eng Ms 770
Sheets recording amount of twist reeled and made up into 10lb bunches for weekly period. Some pieces also record the amount spun under each over-looker at Mellor mill.
Former reference: Eng Ms 789
This series comprises one item: a sizing account book. Sizing gives protection to the warp during weaving, preventing it breaking, as well as giving extra weight to thin cotton fabrics. Size contained several ingredients including flour, tallow, soap, and china clay.
The volume records amount of twist received for sizing. Each entry is divided into two sections, one for twist received, and the other for twist sized. There is also some additional information such as colour and bleaching of twist. The volume appears to be incomplete, with the section for 22 Dec 1788-23 Apr 1789 missing.
Former reference: Eng Ms 799
Warping is a preparatory process for weaving, involving the laying of warp threads parallel and in equal length with each other.
Warping was an essential preparatory phase for weaving. The nature of the warp determined the pattern and quality of the manufactured goods. In 1787 Oldknow appears to have decided to carry out this process in small warping mills. It is believed that Oldknow had up to twenty nine of these mills at various times (they were very small-scale enterprises). The records in this series relate to thirteen mills between 1787-1794. Most volumes relate to one mill only. A single individual was in charge of the mill, and their name is entered at the top of age page of the warping book; it is clear that there was a considerable turn-over of such supervisors. The books record the amount of warp produced and are arranged chronologically and typically divided into thirteen columns representing: date; number [presumably warp reference number]; reed [an instrument for separating the threads of a warp, made of metal wires]; width; sort; cuts; beers [variable number of ends in a warp]; ends; dents; twist (fine); twist (coarse); pattern; [note].
Former reference: Eng Ms 761
Consult archivist before issuing.
Production records for Mill No.1.
This item is closed to public consultation on the grounds of its condition.
Production records for Mill No.2.
Production records for Mill No.3.
Production records for Mill no.6 (20 Jun 1788-5 May 1794); Mill No.2 Sep-Nov [1793?].
Production records for Mill No.7.
Production records for Mill No.10.
Production records for Mills No.11 (12 Sep 1787-28 Oct 1791); No.21 (17 Apr 1790-3 May 1791).
Consult archivist before issuing.
Production records for Mills No. 12 (23 Aug 1788-7 Oct 1791); No.22 (8 Apr 1790-24 Oct 1790).
Production records for Mills No. 16 (12 Nov 1787-29 Jun 1793); No.26 (5 Apr 1790-23 Apr 1791); No.10 (22 Jul 1793-23 Sep 1793).
This item is closed to public consultation on grounds of its physical condition.
Production records for Mill No.17.
Production records for Mills no.19 (22 Mar 1787-9 Mar 1791); No.21 (11 Nov 1788-14 Apr 1790); no.29 (1 Apr 1790-5 Oct 1791); No.17 (1 Jan 1793-14 Dec 1793).
Records relating to production of warp at Mellor mill.
The volumes records amount of material warped by warpers.
Former reference: Eng Ms 772(i)
The volumes records amount of material warped by warpers.
Former reference: Eng Ms 772(ii)
This is described as 'Warpers Delivery Book' which records material produced by warpers at Mellor; each entry is divided into name of warper; ref. no. time [delivery] breadth; gross [weight] and tare [allowance].it includes time taken by a worker to complete a job, breadth of cloth, weight of cloth [gross], and weight of the tare [i.e. the amount subtracted for waste].
Former reference: Eng Ms 772 (iii)
The volume appears to be a rough daily record of warp produced at Mellor mill. A totalised figure for number of warps produced per day is given.
Former reference: Eng Ms 809.
This series comprises of records relating to weavers in Oldknow's employment. Most of the records relate to the payment of weavers under the 'putting-out' system. All the records relate to weaving undertaken for Oldknow at Anderton and Stockport.
The ledger is arranged by accounts for individual weavers and includes details of material used and produced, and amount paid. Under the putting-out system warp, weft and reeds were handed out to local weavers who would weave the cloth at home, and return the finished cloth to Oldknow's warehouse [the individual job lots were called 'cuts'] and received payment. It is believed that up to 100 weavers were working for Oldknow at the time this ledger was produced (see p.42).
Locations for weavers given in this volume include: Bredbury, Blackbower Fold, Bullock Smithy, Romiley, Offerton, Werneth, Rusholme, Hyde, Heaviley, New Bridge, Woodley, Greave Fold, Reddish, Marple, Ashton, Stockport, Cheadle, Little Moss. The pages are numbered 21-24, 26-42, 45-98, 981/2, 99-241, 243-8, 251-253, 255-260, 262-266, 269-271. The item includes two loose leaves i) account relating to William Howarth 1786, ii) account relating to William Hegginbottom [1786?]. It is unclear whether these were originally part of this volume.
Former reference: Eng Ms 755
Fragment of a weavers' ledger, consisting of individual accounts of weavers, most of the weavers were domiciled in the area around Stockport.
Former reference: Eng Ms 762 (b).
Fragments of a weavers' ledger consisting of accounts of individual weavers.
Former reference: Eng Ms 762 (a).
Fragment of a weavers' ledger comprising part of an index (E-W); the ledger numbers in the index do not cross-reference to names in the previous item [SO/9/3].
Former reference: Eng Ms 762 (c)
This volume records goods produced by weavers working for SO and prices paid. The journal is divided into columns representing: date; name of weaver; ledger number; number of cuts produced; type of cloth; cost per unit; and amount paid to weaver. Between ff.84 -86 is a 'Spinning Account' 8 Jan 1788-28 Jul 1788, recording payments to spinners; ff.88-123 are accounts for individual winders [as indicated by the type of material used in column two] Jul 1788-Jan 1789; recording amount of material wound and price paid.
Former reference: Eng Ms 757
Pay tickets for weaving work undertaken for SO; the tickets gives the name of the weaver, the cloth woven and price paid. The ticket is cross-referenced to another volume [which has not survived], which is probably a ledger. The dates of these tickets suggest the work was undertaken in the Stockport area.
Former reference: Eng MS 753
Loose leaves which appear to a production record for weaving. The item is cross-referenced to another volume, possibly a weavers' ledger. The item originally formed part of a volume, and the original pagination indicates record is incomplete. The description of this item in the original handlists as a 'delivery book' is inaccurate.
Former reference: Eng Ms 800.
Loose account sheets recording payments to weavers, described as 'Weaving Account'. Each record is divided into seven columns representing: date; name of weaver; number [possibly cross-reference to a ledger entry ?]; number of pieces produced; type of piece; unit cost; total price paid to weaver.
Former reference: Eng Ms 763.
Weavers' wage account; the records are sequentially numbered, with name of weaver, cloth woven and payment given, together with a cross reference to a ledger.
Former reference: Eng Ms 768 (i)
A Weavers' journal, sequentially numbered, recording name of weaver, cloth woven and payment, together with a cross-reference to a ledger.
Former reference: Eng Ms 768 (ii).
Fragments of wage accounts for weavers, cross-referenced to a ledger.
Volume containing prices of various cloths woven by SO Cost of various types of cloth including: towels, doyleys, calico, shirting, romals, cord stripes, checks cravats, muslins, ballasores.
Former reference: Eng Ms 797(i).
Described on cover as 'Prices of Weaving 7 March 1791' Cost of various types of cloth including: towels, doyleys, calico, shirting, romals, cord stripes, checks cravats, muslins, ballasores.
Former reference: Eng Ms 797(ii).
A volume recording receipt of cloth presumably by SO from his weavers; includes details of the cloth, its width and the reed used. A number of sketches of different patterns for cloth are also included in this volume.
Former reference: Eng Ms 827.
Item is closed to public consultation, on account of condition.
A volume recording amount and value of yarn received for weaving; it records weight of yarn count, and cost per unit, and cost per batch. Final folio of the volume 'Sent to Bullock Smithy' records material sent to the finishing factory, dated 23 Aug 1790-1 Jul 1791. This volume has been included with the weaving records, because it was created as part of weaving operations.
Former reference: Eng Ms 787.
A volume described as 'Manufacture to Spinning Account' records daily figures for twist (including the count no.) used for weaving at Hillgate. The volume also includes information on the amount of yarn reeled [f.33] and weekly totals of the amount of yarn used in weaving [ff..33-34]. This volume has been included with the weaving records, because it was created as part of weaving operations.
Former reference: Eng Ms 788.
These are accounts of stock in the hands of weavers, employed by SO. The records indicate the place of residence of the weaver and the type of cloth etc. in their possession. The records also have a reference number: it is not clear if there is a cross-reference to a ledger. Most of the residences of weavers are in the vicinity of Stockport, indicating an association with the Hillgate enterprise.
Former reference: Eng Ms 767 (i).
These are accounts of stock in the hands of weavers, employed by SO. The records indicate the place of residence of the weaver and the type of cloth etc. in their possession. The records also have a reference number: it is not clear if there is a cross-reference to a ledger. This volume also classifies stock by type and indicates the individuals holding it. The weavers' residences are in the vicinity of Stockport, indicating an association with Hillgate.
Former reference: Eng Ms 767 (ii).
This composite series comprises records relating to the bleaching, dyeing, cutting and finishing of cloth. Most relate to Oldknow's bleaching factory at Heaton Mersey, and his finishing factories at Bullock Smithy and Waterside.
Fragment of an account book described as 'Mr Saml Oldknow's [Account] with Edge & Beswick', detailing cost of cloth bleached and dyed by this firm for SO.
Former reference: Eng Ms 752.
Various papers relating to cutting: piece 1 is a section of a cutting account recording cloth sent for cutting and date returned; piece 2 is a account of goods 'sent to Croft' [i.e. to the finishing factory]; piece 3 lists goods sent to Croft and cravats received from Sir Richard Arkwright; piece 4 is a cutting account similar to piece 1.
Former reference: Eng Ms 792.
Consult archivist before issuing.
Volume described on cover as a 'Report book': this is a register of mistakes made by women working in the finishing industry. It includes some remarks about poor behaviour, such as 'very noisy and badd' and 'very idle' and uses a circle symbol to record a mistake. The volume also contains accounts of women engaged in sewing caps. This item was described as a 'Disgrace Account' in the original handlist.
Former reference: Eng Ms 815
Closed to public consultation on account of condition.
Account book for goods for finishing, including cravats, romals and various types of muslins. The volume appears to record cloth entering the factory and the batches completed, measured by number of days work taken. Cloths described include cravats, 4/4 & 9/8 muslins, 5/4 & 6/4 muslins, 13/8 & 7/4 muslins and romals [a type of handkerchief].
Former reference: Eng Ms 795
Loose account sheets for payments to bleachers dated 1 Jun & 25 Jun 1791. These probably related to the Heaton Mersey bleaching factory.
Former reference: Eng Ms 822
The volume records work undertaken on thirty cutting frames by employees of Oldknow. The entries are divided into five columns: page; name of cutter; date and time work commenced; pattern of material; date and time work completed. Some of the patterns are described by drawings. [The original catalogue entry gave '1787?' as a date but no corroborating evidence for this has been located].
Former reference: Eng Ms 759
Receipts of payments made mainly cutting and finishing work [the majority dated at Stockport]; the bundle also includes other papers relating to payment for work done.
Former reference: Eng Ms 753(c).
A volume described as 'Stretchers' Work Book' recording the amount of material stretched per day [stretching is a finishing process].
Former reference: Eng Ms 807.
Various financial records relating to sales of cloth by SO's firm, and accounts of customers. A few records relating to the delivery of goods to SO are included in this class.
The day book of sales records sales made per day. This volume has however been used for several different functions. It has been used as a cash book between ff.6-17 and 91-93. A stock-taking is recorded between ff.48-52 ['Stock taken 11th August 1783'] consisting of an inventory of materials between ff.48-51 and of fixtures and utensils, ff.51-52. also recorded is an inventory of manufactured goods between f.54-55, value of goods in hands of weavers between f.55-56 and 'debts' ff.56-57. An account of 'manufactured goods brought hither' is between ff.57-59 [this is probably linked to the stock take] and 'Book debts owing' between ff.59-60.
Former reference: Eng Ms 774
The volume records sales of cloth to SO's major customers. The volume is foliated: 331-378, 381-453, 454-482, 483-560, 586-631, 632-641, 647, 648.
Former reference: Eng Ms 775.
The volume records sales to SO's major customers.
Former reference: Eng Ms 776
The volume records sales to SO's major customers.
Former reference: Eng Ms 777
Loose leaves of a day book of sales, original volume missing. Pieces 7 and 8 appear to be from a cash sales book.
Former reference: Eng Ms 778.
Item is closed to public consultation on account of condition.
A volume detailing stock produced by SO for sale by SO. It is possible that these goods were not produced to order and may be surplus produce. At the top of each page is written 'Want places in Sales'; the record consists of a batch number, a description of the cloth and a date; each item is then crossed through, presumably indicating it had been sold. An unidentified number is given alongside the crossing-through.
Former reference: Eng Ms 810
Various loose papers relating to sales of cloth, include notes of orders placed; notes on patterns, including examples of hand-drawn patterns and specifications for particular types of cloth.
Former reference: Eng Ms 826; Eng Ms 827.
Volume recording deliveries of cotton to SO, includes details of merchant selling cotton and destination of the cotton after delivery [much of it was sent to the Carrs mill].
Former reference: Eng Ms 801.
A volume described as 'Callicoes and Other Goods for Sale at the East India House, March Sale, 1789'; a catalogue of various Indian cloths for sale at auction, including names of the ships which brought the cloth from India. Such sales by the East India Company could have a major impact on the market for domestically manufactured cloth.
Former reference: Eng Ms 839.
Order book for Wells, Fisher & Co.; records goods sent to this firm, appears to be twist.
Former reference: Eng Ms 779.
Delivery notes, described as 'Deliver'd from Croft' ['croft' is the term used for a finishing factory]; the records relate to the delivery of cloth from a finishing plant to SO's warehouse for sale.
Former reference: Eng Ms 803.
Various loose sales accounts recording SO's sales of goods 1798-1811: Piece 1 records sales of twist for Oldknow by Richard Clough, 9 May -30 May 1797; pieces 2-5 are returns of sales at Manchester wharf for SO by Joseph Allen, Dec 1809-Sep 1811[mostly lime sales]; piece 6 records sales at the Manchester warehouse April 26-1 May 1798 and 14 Feb 1806 to various customers [twist].
Former reference: Eng Ms 790
A ledger recording accounts of customers of SO, for sale of twist, produced at Mellor mill.
Former reference: Eng Ms 781.
The item is described on cover as 'Carriers Book'; records deliveries of parcels to Mr George Haworth from Mellor, presumably of yarn and cloth presumably from the Mellor mill. Includes signature of recipient.
Former reference: Eng Ms 805.
A volume described on cover as 'Cotton Book 1801'; contains records of raw cotton purchased and twist sold by SO. Each page is split into four columns; two on the left-hand record date [of purchase] and 'Cotton bought lbs'; two right-hand columns record date [of sale] and 'twist sold lbs'. The figures are totalised. Most of Oldknow's production at Mellor seems to have been yarn.
Former reference: Eng Ms 813 (v).
Account book for sales.
Former reference: Eng Ms 829 (v).
Fragments of a cash book relating to sales.
Former reference: Eng Ms 778.
The time books record attendance at work of various types of workers. These records are an interesting indication of the effects of a transition to a factory system of working, where the monitoring of workers by employers becomes more explicit. These records are fairly rudimentary examples of employer surveillance, as they only record parts of the day worked.
Former reference: Eng Ms 816; Eng Ms 817.
Time book recording days worked by various employees including warpers, winders, carders, cutters, smiths and joiners at Mellor mill. Each day is divided into four represented by a cross [each bar of the cross represents a quarter of a working day]. The book is incomplete and several of the leaves for 1793 are loose; it is not clear if they were formerly part of this volume.
Former reference: Eng Ms 816 (i)
Fragment of a time book includes days worked by smiths and filers, and attendance at a 'day school for cotton pickers'. Formerly filed with Eng Ms 816; part of the 1951 accession.
Time book recording days worked by various employees including spinners, apprentices, carders, rovers and drawers, reelers, makers-up, smiths at Mellor mill. Each day id divided into four represented by a cross [each bar of the cross represents a quarter of a working day]. The item is described on the cover as 'Time Book 1793'.
Former reference: Eng Ms 816 (ii).
A volume consisting of daily attendance records for carders, reelers, spinners, night spinners and apprentices. A mill regulation is described at f.66: '1 Jany 1795. New Regulation. That the Time taker (Wm. Ask) do twice every day put this simple question to each overlooker viz. 'Do you want anything?' if he says he does let a minute be made of such wants on a slip of paper - the same be placed in the memorandum cratch over the counting house chimney.'
Former reference: Eng Ms 816(iii)
An attendance book recording the number of hands off work per day [individuals are named]; the day is divided into quarters and periods of absence for part of the day are recorded.
Former reference: Eng Ms 817 (i).
An attendance book recording the number of hands off work per day [individuals are named]; the day is divided into quarters and periods of absence for part of the day are recorded.
Former reference: Eng Ms 817 (ii).
A time book recording days worked spinners, carders, labourers and lime kiln workers. Each day is divided into four represented by a cross [each bar of the cross represents a quarter of a working day].
Former reference: Eng Ms 817 (iii).
The item is a record of time worked by Oldknow's employees in a variety of occupations. However it is difficult to determine what is actually recorded with the information given. A Numerous notes in pencil exist in the latter part of the volume. Formerly filed with Eng Ms 817, this item was part of the 1951 accession.
A time book described as 'Mens' Time working hout of doors in 1809', which records days worked by employees engaged in non-cotton activities: hayworking at the sheep farm, cutting timber, lime works and at the 'new chapel, Marple'.
Former reference: Eng MS 817 (v).
Consult archivist before issuing.
The item appears to be some form of time record, although it is not clear what it is actually recording. Lists of workers at various locations in Mellor mill are given, alongside these are numerous figures and symbols in pencil, probably contemporary. Although the date '1807' has been pencilled in on the first leaf, there is no internal evidence to corroborate this.
Former reference: Eng Ms 717(iv).
This series consists of stock records and inventories made by Oldknow at various business premises. The stock books are particularly valuable for information on the equipment and products of Oldknow's factories at various stages of his business career.
Former reference: Eng Ms 811, Eng Ms 812, Eng Ms 813.
Stock book recording amount of twist and cloth at various locations including warping mills, store room, taking-in room, 'T Oldknow's' [possibly the Heaton Mersey bleaching plant, which was managed by Oldknow's brother, Thomas] and at Anderton [includes equipment]. The original handlist dated this volume to 1788, however no corroborating evidence for this has been discovered in the volume.
Former reference: Eng Ms 811 (i).
The volume includes a record of reeds and healds in the warehouse and 'in weavers hands without work', together with stock of warp, weft and cloth. [Reeds and healds were used in weaving, and it was normal practice for employers to supply this equipment to domestic weavers].
Former reference: Eng Ms 794 (ii).
Stock book recording stock of weft, twist, warps and cloth. Yarn appears to be arranged by count and cloth by type. The date '1790' has been written on the front. It is unclear whether the stock-take was made at Anderton or Stockport.
Former reference: Eng Ms 811(ii).
Stock book described as 'Stock of Materials in Weavers Hands 24 Augt 1790'. Each entry has a page reference number and description of cloth. Between ff. 22-23 there is a description of 'Anderton stocks of weft' and between ff.23-24 'Anderton reeds and healds'. From f.30 there is a totalised account of numbers of reeds and healds. The volume relates to weaving activities at Anderton.
Former reference: Eng Ms 811 (iii).
Stock book described as 'Stock taken 1st Septebr 1791', includes stock of weft, twist and cloth in winding room, engines, mills, store, size house, carding room, spinning rooms, picking room, store room, taking-in room, cotton in cellars. This stock-take evidently refers to the Hillgate premises. The volume also records 'Cotton in Spinners' Hands' (ff.23-24); 'Money owing Spinners' (f.25) and 'Stock of Matterials at Carrs 1 Sepr 1791'(ff.26-29). The volume is actually two booklets stitched together.
Former reference: Eng Ms 811 (iv).
Stock book described as 'Stock of Reeds and Gears for August 1792', record the reeds and gears for particular types of cloth weaving. There is also a loose sheet 'Reeds and Healds in Weavers hands'.
Former reference: Eng Ms 812 (i).
Stock book described as 'Stock taken 11 July 1793': records cloth and warps [the figure in right-hand column appears to record counts]. The location of this stock is unclear.
Former reference: Eng Ms 812 (ii).
Stock book described on cover as 'Manufactured Goods'; includes stock of cloth in sale room, shop, cutting room and croft, and there are descriptions of types of cloth held.
Former reference: Eng Ms 812 (iii).
Consult archivist before issuing.
An inventory of stock of cloth indicating increase or decrease of stock over given periods of time.
Former reference: Eng Ms 812 (iv).
Stock book recording stock of different counts of twist and sales per day. The item is not dated, although as it records production and sale of relatively large amounts of twist, it probably dates from later than the mid-1790s period.
Former reference: Eng Ms 813 (i).
Stock book described on cover as '1798 Stock of Cotton etc. in the Mill 1 September', records stock of twist, drawings, rovings at Mellor mill.
Former reference: Eng Ms 813 (ii).
Stock book described as 'Stock of Cotton in the Different Stages' includes raw cotton, roving, twist, and cloth. The volume also includes an account of 'Debts Owing by SO' (ff.9-10). [as one of SO's creditors is the Peak Forest Canal Company, the date of the volume must be at least the later 1790s].
Former reference: Eng Ms 813 (iii)
Stock book recording stock of cotton, drawings, rovings, and twist at Mellor mill. An approximate date has been given for this item by its watermark '1800'.
Former reference: Eng Ms 813 (iv).
Item is closed to public consultation on account of its condition.
Described as 'Stock of cotton etc. in Mill Jany 1806 & 1807'; records rovings, drawings and twist at Mellor mill. This item is part of the 1951 accession.
Record of stock of twist of various counts held by SO, with subtractions for sales made. The item is similar in format to SO/13/9.
Former reference: Eng Ms 814 (i).
Fragment of a stock book described as 'Stock of Sundries in difft Rooms Jany 1808'; describes stock of tools and equipment at Mellor mill.
Former reference: Eng Ms 814(ii).
Inventory of furnishings and equipment at Hillgate including the sale room, counting house, new counting house, packing rooms, taking-in room, weft room, cellars, size house, spinning rooms, engine rooms'.
Former reference: Eng Ms 836(i)
Inventory of furnishings and equipment at 'Cotor House' cutting shop, machine room, printing shop, 'Callender House', dye house, lower dye house, counting house and finishing room. The inventory may refer to the Heaton Mersey plant.
Former reference: Eng Ms 836(ii).
Loose sheets relating to various inventories of SO's premises, including 'Manchester Warfe' [dated 1800].
Various notebooks kept by SO in the course of his business. Given the nature of the material, it is difficult in many cases to make authoritative identifications of the data contained within the notebooks, although much of it seems to relate to the purchase and sale of cotton goods, and to Oldknow's financial circumstances.
Former reference: Eng Mss 827-829
A notebook containing petty accounts for postage etc. This item was formerly filed with Eng Ms 829, and is part of the 1951 accession.
A notebook containing rough accounts for cash received and paid out.
Former reference: Eng Ms 829 (i)
Notebook titled 'Debts 1 Jany 1802' recording debts owed to and owed by SO & Co.
Former reference: Eng Ms 828 (ii).
A notebook which appears to include details of sales and debts.
Former reference: Eng Ms 829 (ii).
A containing information on debts and sales, together with unidentified financial data.
Former reference: Eng Ms 829 (iii)
Notebook titled 'Debts owing to Small Oldknow'; this is more of an account books of debts owed; cross-referenced to another volume, presumably a ledger.
Former reference: Eng Ms 828 (iii)
Volume described as '1805 Memorandum Book' on cover; includes details of debts owed to SO and owed by SO and unidentified financial data.
Former reference: Eng Ms 828 (iv)
This volume appears to be a sales account of cloth to SO's own employees. It record type of material and individual who purchased it.
Former reference: Eng Ms 829 (iv).
Volume described on cover as 'Memorandum Book 1806', includes details of debts owed to and owed by Oldknow & Co., together with unidentified financial data.
Former reference: Eng Ms 828 (v).
Volume containing details of debts, sales, unidentified financial data.
Former reference: Eng Ms 829 (vi).
Notebook containing a record of debts owed to SO and debts owed by SO. The figures are totalised and cross-referenced to another volume, presumably a ledger.
Former reference: Eng Ms 828 (i)
A rough notebook containing unidentified information; could be an order book or a record of cloth in weavers' hands.
Former reference: Eng MS 827.
A notebook containing: data on raw cotton and raw rovings; money owing to spinners, cross-referenced to a ledger; and numerous notes in pencil on dimensions of doors and door cases. This item was formerly filed with Eng Ms 829, and is part of the 1951 accession.
Notebook recording expenditure of money by SO.
Former reference: Eng Ms 827
This composite series consists of items which relate to Oldknow's cotton industry activities in general, covering more than one activity, and thus not fitting in with the functional division of records used elsewhere in the handlist.
Consult archivist before issuing.
A volume recording various payments, probably wages, for spinning, warping, and weaving work.
Former reference: Eng Ms 793
Consult archivist before issuing.
An account book for reed-makers. It records reeds made and mended for SO by named individuals, which a re differentiated by type, including brass, steel, and cane. The reed was used to preserve the order of warp threads during weaving, and for beating up the weft into warp after the passing of the shuttle. Oldknow distributed reeds to weavers together with yarn.
Former reference: Eng Ms 794(i).
Miscellaneous records relating to the payment of wages to Oldknow's cotton workers; most of the pieces are rough records of amounts paid to groups of workers, including printers, bleachers, cutters, iron and brass workers, smiths, joiners, rovers, carders, warper, weavers, spinners; other groups of workers are unidentified.
Former reference: Eng Ms 785; Eng Ms 820
Fragment of an index of workers (D-T); this may be an index of a weavers' ledger.
Former reference: Eng Ms 821
Index containing a list of workers names and cross-referenced to another volume. Most of the workers are women. Folio 1 has a 'A list of prices of winding p[er] bunch', dated 17 Dec 1788 and at ff.12-14 there is a note of receipts of cotton and twist from various sources, 1789-1790.
Former reference: Eng Ms 798
A cost book which records cost of producing particular types of cloth. This is a comprehensive record with most of types of cloth produced by SO covered; the cost is broken down into such components as cost of twist, weft, winding, warping, sizing and bleaching to give a unit cost. The original handlist gave 1788 as the approximate date of this item, however no internal evidence has been found to corroborate this.
Former reference: Eng Ms 796 (i)
Fragments of a weaving cost book. The break-down of the cost for standard types of cloth is given, including amount of hanks of different types of twist, weft, weaving, winding, warping, sizing, bleaching and finishing.
Former reference: Eng Ms 796 (ii)
Pieces enclosed in the melinex folder (pieces 5-18) will not be issued, due to poor physical condition.
Loose accounts relating to amount of wages paid at Mellor. Several leaves are still bound together, although it likely that the pieces in this file come from several sources, as the records have different formats. Several records are similar in format to SO/15/9.
Former reference: Eng Ms 824
The item is part of a wage account, recording total wages paid at Mellor [it is not indicated whether these are solely for cotton workers], and details of what appears to Oldknow's account for wages.
Former reference: Eng Ms 825.
Various items relating to Oldknow's cotton enterprises including; papers on warps and cloth (4 pieces); sent to Anderton; a paper on carding of cotton at Mellor in 1791 and sales of cotton; a note on rent paid by Robert Parker to William Egerton for the Heaton Mersey bleaching factory prior to his taking ownership in November 1793 [Parker bought the factory from SO in 1793]; price list for machine twist, dated Mellor 18 Sep 1797; an account of roving sold Oct-Dec 1792; an item which apparently relates to s carding machine, includes specifications; a fragment relating to the insurance of SO's properties by Sun Fire Office, Phoenix Fire Office and Royal Exchange.
Former reference: Eng Ms 826
This item is closed to public consultation on account of its condition.
Sample book, presumably of SO's cloth, comprising 34 samples of cloth, mostly blue and white checks.
Former reference: Eng Ms 827
Records relating to the wage payment system operated by Oldknow at Mellor in the 1790s. This involved the issue of credit notes that could be exchanged for goods at the local shop or for money. Many workers appear to have traded the notes with those able to supply cash, so the system was not strictly one of truck, as usually understood. The notes were in effect promissory notes issued by Oldknow. Acquiring large amounts of coin to pay wages was difficult in a rural area like Mellor, so this system had obvious benefits for Oldknow. Furthermore as most of the records date from the period when Oldknow was setting up the Mellor enterprise, it is likely this system also gave him a more flexible liquidity at an important time for his business.
Consult archivist before issuing.
Sheets recording names of individuals to whom credit notes were issued. The notes could be exchanged for goods at Oldknow's shop or exchanged for cash after an agreed waiting period. Piece 16 is an unrelated document concerning wages owed to 'Staffordshire Men'.
Former reference: Eng Ms 818.
Shop notes of individual workers employed by SO; these record payments made in kind by Oldknow; the notes could be exchanged for goods in his shop. Most of the tickets relate to Mellor, but some are for workers at 'Heaton' [presumably the Heaton Mersey bleaching factory]. These notes differ from the credit notes because it appears they could not be exchanged for cash as an alternative; this constituting a form of 'truck'. The notes date from the opening of the Mellor factory, when it can be assumed Oldknow's credit would have been at its most limited. It is believed that the notes could have been exchanged for cash with the proprietor of the Mellor shop or others, who would then have been repaid at alter date by Oldknow.
Former reference: Eng Ms 753(a)
Credit notes of individual workers recording amount credited to worker, deductions made for purchases [rent, coals, food etc.). Many of the notes are signed by H Mason [presumably a manager at Mellor]. Some of the notes have running accounts on the back. Oldknow used these notes to pay his workforce due to a shortage of currency. The notes could be exchanged for goods at the village shop or for cash. The practical difference between this type of note and the shop notes described in SO/16/2 is more apparent than real, as both were exchanged for both goods and cash.
Former reference: Eng Ms 754(b).
A volume described as 'Notes deliv'd out at Mellor', detailing the issue of credit notes to SO's employees. The record includes amount paid, date of payment, and to whom paid. A shop note has been attached to the volume between ff.6-7, payable to George Wilson. 23 Nov 1793.
Former reference: Eng Ms 819.
This series consists of financial records which relate to all aspects of Oldknow's business activities, both for cotton and other activities, and includes general ledgers, a record of bills of exchange and a set of financial papers relating to the Mellor enterprises as a whole.The series has been created because it was impossible to separate these items into specifically cotton or non-cotton-related records.
The ledger contains accounts relating to a variety of subjects. In the main it records accounts with customers, including Richard Arkwright on p.24, 32, 60, and the Anderton cash account, pp.65-66, 112-113. There are also accounts relating to SO's stepfather, John Clayton of Anderton, pp.55-65 and Giles Walmsley, p.10, from whom SO bought the Hillgate estate in 1784. Some of the entries relate to wages for employees e.g. William Bradshaw on p.42.
Former reference: Eng Ms 773.
Fragments of a ledger, with original numbering pp. 311-314, 389-396-414, 431-442, includes accounts for Peak Forest Canal Account, p.394; Oldknow's own account p.411; 'opposition to the Ashton Canal Co.' p.436.
Former reference: Eng Ms 783
Records of bills of exchange received. These record the person from whom, bill was received, its date, the person to whom the bill was payable, the value, the person drawing he bill and the person or company on whose behalf it was drawn. Bills were one of the most commons methods of payment for goods and services in this period. Records were often kept in separate bill books, and these records were copied from the bill books.
Former reference: Eng Ms 782.
Sheets recording a variety of production and financial data relating to Mellor, including the stock of cotton and of twist, wages paid to cotton workers. It also records sales receipts for lime, ashes, stone, canal transport etc. There are also figures relating to average weight of weight of twist, average production per spindle per day and by hand per week. The data appear to give an overall picture of costs and profits at the Mellor enterprises, although these are difficult to interpret. Each sheet covers four weeks.
Former reference: Eng Ms 814(i)
A composite series comprising records relating to Samuel Oldknow's business activities in Mellor and Marple, other than those connected to cotton production. These activities include lime production, coal mining, forestry, farming, and various building activities. There are also records relating to transportation of goods, including transit records for the Peak Forest Canal. The series contains information about Oldknow's relationships with his employees and with other business people.
Miscellaneous wage accounts relating to activities at Bottoms Hall, Marple, purchased by Oldknow in 1787 as his principal residence in the area. Pieces 1-7 record payments for work on Oldknow's Bottoms Hall; pieces 8-23 include payments for hay-making, wood-cutting, erecting fences cutting stone' and working a horse and cart. Piece 24 is an account for coal sales at Bottoms Hall April 1791 and piece 25 is an 'Measurement of Work at Old Lodge' gives specifications for rooms at old Lodge, with instructions for painting and plastering.
Former reference: Eng Ms 833.
Rough account book recording payments for labours and disbursement of tools etc. to workpeople. This volume may relate to activities at Bottoms Hall.
Account for wood sawn; this is probably a record of wages for sawyers employed by SO. This item was formerly filed with Eng Ms 829, and is part of the 1951 accession.
An account book recording work done by sawyers employed by SO. This item was formerly filed with Eng Ms 829, and is part of the 1951 accession.
Loose papers relating to lime sales, receipts for loading at Whaley Bridge Machine [3 pieces]; a loose account for SO's lime works, coal trade, farm and garden [not dated]; and an account for wood purchased.
Former reference: Eng Ms 826; Eng MS 827
An account book for sales of coal by Oldknow. A date of '1792' has been added in coloured pencil on the cover, but it is unclear whether this dating is contemporaneous.
Account for purchase of iron and brass work by SO. This may relate to the equipping of Mellor mill, but there is no corroborating evidence for this. This item was formerly filed with Eng Ms 829, and is part of the 1951 accession.
The flesh book records the disbursement of meat to SO's workforce, probably as a payment in kind for wages.
Former reference: Eng Ms 834.
Notebook recording purchases of mainly agricultural tools (wheelbarrows, iron maws etc.) from various sources. This item was formerly filed with Eng Ms 829, and is part of the 1951 accession.
Described on cover as 'Mr Oldknow coal book 1794', the volume records coal distributed to SO's employees, possibly as a payment in kind.The item was formerly filed with Eng Ms 835, and was part of the 1951 accession.
Permits for Oldknow's boats to use the Peak Forest Canal; the record consists of data referring individual requesting permit and type of goods carried, where goods loaded, where destined, weight of goods, distance travel and cost.
Former reference: Eng Ms 837.
A volume described as 'Joshua Wrigley In Account with Saml Oldknow & Co.', this is a cash account of Joshua Wrigley, who was proprietor of the village shop at Mellor, with Samuel Oldknow. The volume records advances of cash by Wrigley to Oldknow, presumably to help pay wages, and the corresponding issue of bills by Oldknow to Wrigley.
Former reference: Eng Ms 780
Receipts for payments of wages to SO's employees. Individual slips recording time worked by individual and payment, relating to non-cotton work, including lime working and coal working. The slips have been pasted onto brown paper.
Former reference: Eng Ms 823.
Receipts for payments to employees of SO engaged in road work, probably relating to work on the turnpike road from Norbury Smithy to New Mills.
Former reference: Eng Ms 752
Account book recording sales of bricks by Richard Goodwin; some of which are sold to SO. It is unclear whether Goodwin operated this business on behalf of Oldknow. The volume is described as 'Brick book May 8th 1804'.
Former reference: Eng Ms 832
Receipts for 'fire coals' purchased by SO at 'Hagbank' and described as 'Bought of the Trustees of J & J Hodgson'.
Former reference: Eng Ms 837
Sales book containing accounts for bricks bought and sold.
Vouchers recording transport of materials from Bank End to Marple on the Peak Forest Canal.
Former reference: Eng Ms 837
Fragment of an account book recording purchases of equipment and sundries for 'Coal Works', 'Buildings' 'Lock Concern' and 'Lime Works'. Formerly filed with Eng Ms 835 this item was part of the 1951 accession.
Receipt book for sales of lime from SO's lime-works; receipts are numbered and cross-referenced to a cash book.
Former reference: Eng Ms 752.
Receipt for fee for transporting lime from the trustees of the late Duke of Bridgewater.
Former reference: Eng Ms 837
Consult archivist before issuing.
An unidentified account book recording distribution of commodity to SO's employees [possibly coal].
Former reference: Eng Ms 835
Notebook containing record of amount of stone cut by David Wilson & Co. described as 'for getting stone in Cobden'. It appears that the stone was cut as blocks. An annotation in pencil on cover of volume at later date reads, 'Stone probably for New Bridge near Old Hall built Aug-Nov 1800'. The date of 'Aug-Nov 1800' given in the original handlist is not corroborated by internal evidence.
Former reference: Eng Ms 831
Fragment of account book for coal distributed or sold to SO's employees in Mellor and Marple.
A volume described as 'The Inventory of Wm Smithell's tools'; value of Smithell's tools.
Former reference: Eng Ms 830
A volume described as 'Dimensions of Jas Bate (His Work)' -- notebook containing dimensions of a building a requirements of lime and plastering of walls, probably for work done by James Bate for SO. This item was formerly filed with Eng Ms 829, and is part of the 1951 accession.
A volume described 'Dimensions of earth work at the New Turnpike road', contains details of the amount of earth moved to build the turnpike road, the turnpike road ran from New Mills to Stockport, passing through Marple. The volume also includes brief notes on payment for loading a boat with lime ashes and the wharfage charged for landing coals. This item was formerly filed with Eng Ms 829, and is part of the 1951 accession.
Account book described as 'S Oldknow Bot of Mattw Redfern' records purchases of bran and meal by SO apparently by intermediaries. This item was formerly filed with Eng Ms 829, and is part of the 1951 accession.
Two auction notices; for the sale of land belonging to the Beech family at Newcastle-under-Lyme on 31 Mar 1789; and for the sale of the SO's properties at Hillgate, Stockport, Dan Bank, Marple, Waterside, Disley and other properties in Marple and Mellor, at the house of John Wright, Navigation Inn, Marple, on 27 Sep 1798.
Former reference: Eng MS 838.
Miscellaneous tax records of SO; include a handwritten receipt for land tax dated 1 June 1800; two receipts for composite taxes including window duty, house tax, land tax etc., one dated 1 March 1806; a Notice of Assessment for 'Samuel Oldknow Esq. at Bradshaw edge' for income tax, dated 29 July 1807; receipt for land tax for Thomas Bennett, tenant of SO, 26 Dec 1810; two receipts for property tax for SO's properties in Store Street, Manchester for the year 1808-1809; receipt for property tax in Manchester 1809-1810; hand-written receipt for property tax paid by SO at Romiley, dated 16 Apr 1808; receipt for poor rate at Romiley dated 12 Aug 1811; receipt for composition rate at Romiley dated 18 Apr 1811; two receipts for property and land tax at Romiley dated 31 Jul and 20 Oct 1811.
Former reference: Eng Ms 838.
Three copies of a reward notice issued by SO for information about vandalism of some larch trees alongside the road from New Marple to Longhouse Lane, with the offer of reward of five guineas for information.
Former reference: Eng Ms 838
Items which are not believed to have formed part of Oldknow's archive, but which were discovered in the collection or added at a later date.
This item appears to be a prices book for various items such buckles and fasteners. The volume is dated to 1770 (f.2), indicating that it is unlikely to have been produced by Oldknow; it may however relate to the family's drapery business in Nottingham, although there is no evidence for this.
Former reference: Eng Ms 840.
An undated photograph of Mellor mill [?].
Former reference: Eng Ms 827.