The Joint Stock Company
The
Todmorden Joint Stock Mill Company built its mill in 1857 following
the 1855 Companies Act, which encouraged outside investment in
return for shares in Limited Companies. However, unlike ALMA MILL,
the Crow Carr Ings Mill was developed to provide power and space
for individual tenants to share, rather than run the mill as one
firm. The Company provided the building, engines, gearing and
shafting. The tenants installed their own machinery, in this case,
power looms. The idea behind this was to encourage the entrepreneurial
working class man with the opportunity to start a business with
a very moderate initial outlay. Indeed, many of these early tenants
did go on to become successful manufacturers, giving employment
to many people.
Notes from John Travis, contemporary historian and clerk of works for the building of this mill
About 1856 a new joint stock mill company in Todmorden, and directors began preparing the ground at Crow Carr Ings on the Stansfield Hall estate for building a large weaving shed for 700 looms etc. The land had originally been taken by a company for building streets of houses, but decided to erect a shed instead. In April 1857, John Travis (author) was appointed clerk of works. Mr. Robert Mills, contractor; Nuttall & Newsome, masons; John Shackleton, joiners; Richard Stansfield, iron; Samuel and James Barnes, slaters; William Sutcliffe, plumber and glazier; Samuel Smith, plasterer; Bracewell Bros., ventilators; James Helliwell, gas fitting; engines and boilers from Benjamin Goodfellows of Hyde in Cheshire; Jonathan Barker of Millwood, shafting and gearing; On 1st May 1858, the engines, a pair of compound beam, high and low pressure, started by Joseph Knowles, treasurer of the company.
Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Advertiser February 1857
Todmorden Joint Stock Mill Co. Ltd.
To be let by tender 14th March; excavating, levelling, dry walling and gravelling in construction of their works at Crow Carr Ings, Todmorden. John Holmes (Hon. Sec.)
Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Advertiser March 1857
Todmorden Joint Stock Mill Co. Ltd.
Upwards of 3,800 shares already allotted. Directors intend to limit present issues of shares to 5,000. Liabilities restricted to amount of shares.
Todmorden and Hebden bridge Advertiser April 1857
Todmorden Joint Stock Mill Co. Ltd. Upwards of 4,000 shares allotted.
Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Advertiser June 1857
Todmorden Joint Stock Mill Co. Ltd.
Josiah Lord Dale Street, Chairman. Mill ready for tenants May or June.
1st July 1857
First General Meeting of shareholders of Todmorden Joint Stock Mill Co. Ltd. held at Queen Hotel. Mr. Josiah Lord in the chair.
Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Advertiser 10th October 1857
Room and Power. Todmorden Joint Stock Mill Co. Ltd.
Persons intending taking room and power – make early representations for same to Mr. Edward Lord, the engineer, Canal Street Works; Josiah Lord, Chairman, Dale Street; John Whitaker, Wellington Terrace; or John Holmes, Secretary, Church Street; John Stansfield, solicitor, from whom conditions of letting may be had.
Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Advertiser 27th February 1858
Todmorden Joint Stock Mill Co. Ltd.
9 out of 11 sections let. Only 2 sections now remain undisposed of, each capable of holding 66 looms.
Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Advertiser 5th June 1858
Saturday last, one year from day when first let, engines set to work for first time. Engines christened “Unity” and “Strength”. During the week, 50 shares sold at premium of 3/3d per pound share.
Stansfield rates Book 1860
Owned and occupied by Todmorden Joint Stock Mill Co. Ltd; Crow Carr Ings; White Platts; mill and power; rateable value £372.17s.5d.
Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Advertiser 16th November 1861
Sale of 45 looms, 37-inch reed space, Lord Bros; 6 looms of 37-inch reed space, Wilkinsons Burnley; 15 looms at 45-inch reed space, Wilkinsons Burnley.
Apply No.10 Crow Carr Ings Mill.
Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Advertiser 8th March 1862
Sale of 60 power looms; apply No.6 Todmorden Joint Stock Mill Co. Ltd.
Stansfield Rates Book 1867-90
Owned and occupied by Todmorden Joint Stock Mill Co. Ltd; Crow Carr Ings; engine, power, looms etc; rateable value £87.11s.11d. (Two rooms unlet in 1867)
Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Almanac 1st July 1868
12th annual meting of the Todmorden Joint Stock Mill Co. Ltd. at Queen Hotel. Dividend 7.5%. Receipts for year from Room and Power £1,731.10s.6d.
Halifax Courier 14th July 1877
Todmorden Joint Stock Mill Co. Ltd. dividend on members shares 12.5%.
Halifax Courier 5th July 1879
Todmorden Joint Stock Mill Co. Ltd. Annual meeting. Dividends 6%
Todmorden Advertiser 5th February 1880
To Let; room and power at Todmorden Joint Stock Mill Co. Ltd. for 264 looms; apply S. B. Priestley, secretary.
Todmorden Advertiser 14th January 1881
Todmorden Joint Stock Mill Co. Ltd. selling 50 shares
Todmorden Advertiser 21st January 1881
Todmorden Joint Stock Mill Co. Ltd. sold 65 £1 shares for £77.
Todmorden Advertiser 28th January 1881
Todmorden Joint Stock Mill Co. Ltd. selling 65 shares.
Halifax Courier 2nd July 1881
Todmorden Joint Stock Mill Co. Ltd. annual meeting. Profit £232.9s.7d. Dividend 5%.
Todmorden Advertiser 3rd February 1882
Manchester Winter Assizes.
A. Ormerod & Bros. v. Todmorden Joint Stock Mill Co. Ltd.
Action brought in respect of the diversion of a watercourse. Ormerods complain their rights were interfered with. ( The Company
discovered earlier that the old land drains were ineffective,
causing flooding and other problems. The Company laid drains to
and from the river in a different position, but then other firms
began to complain that the Company was wasting precious water.
New pipes were installed, but still there were problems. Messrs.
Ormerod and Brothers issued the Company with a warning that they
would take proceedings against the Company over this issue. A
lawsuit followed, leaving the Company in financial distress. In
1883 it had cost the shareholders some £3,579. )
Halifax Courier 18th February 1882
Engine breakdown at Todmorden Joint Stock Mill Co. Ltd. Crow Carr Ings, will be standing for 2 weeks.
Halifax Courier 21st June 1884
Todmorden Joint Stock Mill Co. Ltd. 28th yearly report. Considerable loss again due to having legal expenses, but lawsuit now settled. Balance loss £629.1s.11d.
Slater 1887
Todmorden Joint Stock Mill Co. Ltd., Old Market Place.
2nd July 1906
Todmorden Joint Stock Mill Co. Ltd. 50th annual meeting held at the company offices, Hall Street, Todmorden.
Kelly 1908
Todmorden Joint Stock Mill Co. Ltd. (James Suthers Secretary), Union Offices, Hall Street.
William Greenwood
Kelly 1861
William Greenwood, cotton drill manufacturer etc.
Todmorden Post Office Directory 1861
Greenwood, William – cotton drill etc mfr – Crow Carr Ings Mill
Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Advertiser 30th March 1861
Bankrupt. William Greenwood, Heyhead and Crow Carr Ings, cotton manufacturer. Trustees for creditors, Thomas Helliwell of Greenhurst Hey cotton spinner & manufacturer, and Jonas Marland, Sun Vale, Walsden, machinist. Amongst other things, to sell 120 powerlooms in sections 1 and 2 at Crow Carr Ings.
Thomas and Richard Chambers
Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Advertiser 20th April 1861
Partnership of Thomas Chambers, James Sutcliffe and John Holdsworth, cotton manufacturers at Crow Carr Ings, dissolved. To be continued by Thomas Chambers.
Kelly 1861
Thomas Chambers, cotton manufacturer
Todmorden Post Office Directory 1861
Chambers, Thomas – cotton manufacturer – Crow Carr Ings Mill
White 1866
Richard Chambers, cotton manufacturer
Stansfield Rates Book 1867-71
Occupied by Richard Chambers; owners Joint Stock Co; Crow Carr Ings; 1 room; rateable value £19.10s.4d.
Todmorden West Riding Directory 1871
Chambers, Richard – printer and cotton mfr – Salford & Crow Carr Ing Mill
Census 1871
Richard Chambers, Salford, aged 54, letter press printer employing 4 men and 5 boys, cotton manufacturer employing 26 hands.
John Bentley
Todmorden Post Office Directory 1861
Bentley, John – cotton manufacturer – Crow Carr Ings Mill.
Thomas Greenwood and John Joshua Fielden
Todmorden Post Office Directory 1861
Greenwood, Thomas & Co. – cotton manufacturers – Crow Carr Ings Mill
Stansfield Rates Book 1867-73
Occupiers Thomas Greenwood & John J. Fielden; owners Joint Stock Co; 2 rooms; Crow Carr Ings; rateable value £39.0s.9d.
Todmorden West Riding Directory 1871
Greenwood, Thomas & Co. – cotton manufacturers – Crow Carr Ings Mill
Todmorden West Riding Directory 1871
Greenwood & Fielden – cotton manufacturers – Crow Carr Ings Mill
1871 census
John Joshua Fielden, White Platts Street, aged 28, cotton manufacturer.
William Marshall and James Lord
Todmorden Post Office Directory 1861
Marshall, William – cotton manufacturer – Crow Carr Ings Mill
White 1866
William Marshall & Co. (James Lord house, Myrtle Street), cotton manufacturers
Stansfield Rates Book 1867-70
Occupier James Lord; owners Joint Stock Co; Crow Carr Ings; 2 rooms; rateable value £30.0s.9d.
Halifax Guardian 7th May 1870
William Marshall & Co. cotton manufacturers, Todmorden, have issued circulars calling a meeting of their creditors. Liabilities £8,000 to £10,000.
Thomas Scholfield
Todmorden Post Office Directory 1861
Scholfield, Thomas – cotton manufacturer – Crow Carr Ings Mill.
Joseph Stansfield
Todmorden Post Office Directory 1861
Stansfield, Joseph – cotton check & regatta manufacturers – Crow Carr Ings Mill
Census 1861
Joseph Stansfield, London Road, aged 42, manufacturer of cotton
Todmorden West Riding Directory 1871
Stansfield, Joseph – cotton check & regatta manufacturers – Crow Carr Ings Mill
Stansfield Rates Book 1867-71
Occupied by Joseph Stansfield (house Wellington Road); owners Joint Stock Co; Crow Carr Ings; 1 room; rateable value £19.10s.4d.
Census 1871
Joseph Stansfield, Wellington Road, aged 51, cotton manufacturer.
Mary Sutcliffe & Sons
Todmorden Post Office Directory 1861
Sutcliffe, Mary & Sons – cotton manufacturers – Crow Carr Ings Mill
1861 census
Mary Sutcliffe, widow, 16 Mount Pleasant, aged 56, cotton manufacturer employing 23 hands.
Stansfield Rates Book 1867-73
Occupied by Sutcliffe & Sons; owned by Joint Stock Co; Crow Carr Ings; 1 room; rateable value £19.10s.4d.
1871 census
Mary Sutcliffe, widow, 13 Mount Pleasant, aged 66, no occupation.
Todmorden West Riding Directory 1871
Sutcliffe, Mary & Sons – cotton manufacturers – Crow Carr Ings Mill.
Andrew Pilling & Sons
See DEANROYD MILL
Todmorden Post Office Directory 1861
Pilling, Andrew & Sons – cotton manufacturers – Crow Carr Ings
Kelly 1861
Andrew Pilling & Sons, Crow Carr Ings, cotton manufacturers
1861 census
Andrew Pilling, Wellington Terrace, aged 63, cotton manufacturer employing 34 hands.
John Horsfall Pilling, Raglan Street, aged 27, cotton manufacturer.
James Knowles Pilling, Raglan Street, aged 26, cotton manufacturer.
James Fielden & Bros.
See CARR MILL
Todmorden Post Office Directory 1861
Fielden, James & Brothers – cotton manufacturers – Crow Carr Ings Mill.
1861 census
James Fielden, 2 Victoria Terrace, aged 33, cotton manufacturer employing 8 men and 14 females.
William Fielden, 19 Peel Street, aged 23, cotton manufacturer.
Eli Fielden, 23 Patmos, aged 31, cotton warehouseman.
Crossley Fielden, 12 Victoria Terrace, aged 25, cotton winder-on.
Charles Cunliffe
See ADAMROYD MILL
Todmorden Post Office Directory 1861
Cunliffe, Charles – cotton manufacturer – Crow Carr Ings
1861 census
Charles Cunliffe, 11 Gandy Bridge, aged 27, cotton manufacturer employing 6 hands.
William Spencley
Stansfield Rates Book 1867 (first entry)
Occupied by William Spencley; owners Joint Stock Co; Crow Carr Ings; 1 room; rateable value £19.10s.4d.
Enoch Harrison & Co.
Views and Reviews 1896
E. Harrison & Co. started at Crow Carr Ings July 1866 with 139 looms, and moved to CALLIS MILL in 1887.
Stansfield Rates Book 1867-68
Occupiers E. Harrison & Co; owners Joint Stock Mill; Crow Carr Ings; 2 rooms; rateable value £39.0s.9d.
Rivers Pollution Commission 1869
E. Harrison & Co. Crow Carr Ings, manufacturers of satins and fancy goods for printing and dyeing. Employ 70 hands. Rateable value £58.11s.2d. Water obtained from river. Manufacture yearly 104 tons of goods, value £20,000. Steam power nominal 50hp. 1,000 tons of coal yearly.
Stansfield Rates Book 1869-71
Occupiers E. Harrison & Co; owners Joint Stock Mill; Crow Carr Ings; 3 rooms; rateable value £58.11s.2d.
Todmorden West Riding Directory 1871
Harrison, Enoch & Co – cotton manufacturers – Crow Carr Ing Mill
Stansfield Rates Book 1873
Occupiers E. Harrison & Co; owners Joint Stock Mill; Crow Carr Ings; 5 rooms
Stansfield Rates Book 1874-81
Occupiers E. Harrison & Co; owners Joint Stock Mill; Crow Carr Ings; 7 rooms; rateable value £170.5s.0d.
White's 1877 West Riding Directory
Harrison, Enoch & Co – cotton manufacturers – Crow Carr Ing Mill
The Leeds Mercury Friday November 1st 1878
Messrs Harrison & Co; Joint Stock Mill, 469 looms, full time
Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Advertiser 1st August 1879
Joint Stock Mill, Harrison & Co. 469 looms, running full time.
Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Advertiser 23rd August 1879
E. Harrison & Co. Crow Carr Ings, 10% wage reduction.
Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Advertiser 2nd January 1880
Harrison & Co. weavers’ social, New Year’s Eve at the Sobriety Hall.
Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Advertiser 20th May 1887
Harrison & Co. Crow Carr Ings, have been moving their looms to a shed at Charlestown.
Henry & James Shepherd (Shepherd & Sutcliffe)
See VALE MILL
Stansfield Rates Book 1867-74
Occupied by Shepherd & Sutcliffe; owned by Joint Stock Co; Crow Carr Ings; 1 room; rateable value £19.10s.4d.
Luke Harker & William Suthers
See HOLLINS BOTTOM MILL
Stansfield Rates Book 1870-73
Occupied by L. H. & W. Suthers; owners Joint Stock Co; Crow Carr Ings; 2 rooms; rateable value £39.0s.9d.
Todmorden West Riding Directory 1871
Suthers, Luke Harker & William – cotton manufacturers – Crow Carr Ings Mill.
Census 1871
William Suthers, Bridgeroyd House, aged 35, master cotton spinner
Luke Harker Suthers, Harley Bank, Victoria Road, aged 37, cotton manufacturer.
William & Luke Barker and Richard Crabtree
LUKE BARKER
Notes from John Travis
Firm of Barker & Crabtree formed in 1867. The partners were William Barker, manager of Folly Mill in the Lumbutts Valley; his brother Luke Barker, late warper at Ormerod’s mill in Walsden; Richard Crabtree, late spinner at Green Vale Mill Littleborough; and Thomas Cockcroft, nephew of Henry Cockcroft of CROFT MILL. Thomas Cockcroft withdrew after a short time and took part of the room and power previously occupied by Jonathan Barker near Phoenix Ironworks, Millwood.
In 1872 the firm took room and power at the Joint Stock Mill, and soon afterwards took over the whole of one end of the mill, adding it to their other mill, Wadsworth Mill.
Soon afterwards, Barker and Crabtree purchased FRITHS MILL
then DANCROFT, and then took over the remaining portion of
Crow Carr Ings as tenants of the Todmorden Joint
Stock Mill Company.
Richard Crabtree died before 1890 and the partnership was dissolved. Luke Barker then brought his sons John and Robert to the firm trading as Luke Barker & Sons. They took on the rest of the rooms at the mill, and from about 1890 were the sole tenants.
There is more about Luke and his sons in the FRITHS MILL story, and Luke's own story HERE. |
