CARRFIELD MILL

Burnley Road
Portsmouth

Todmorden

Map Ref. SD902261

Known occupiers

1848

Cotton mill on 6” OS Map

1846-1861

REDMAN William & HOLDEN Robert

1861-1870

BARLOW William & Sons

1867

MARSHALL Abraham

1865-1908

CROSSLEY John & Sons (Henry, William, Alfred)

CROSSLEY James

1968

WHITEHEAD W & J.

1979

K MARSDEN Ltd., upholstery manufacturer

1984

J.R. SUTCLIFFE, furniture maker

2006

Due for demolition

Additional information

researched, recorded and referenced by Mrs Sheila Wade

Hebden Bridge WEA Local History Group

Notes from John Travis, contemporary historian

William Redman, shuttle maker of Carrfield near Portsmouth built a house and workshop there. Later, his son, a loom overlooker, put in some powerlooms. Later extensions were made to form Carrfield Mill, a weaving shed for 400-500 looms, carried on by William Redman junior and his partner Robert Holden, a loom jobber from Burnley.

Diary of Sam Banks of Portsmouth (1849-1930’s)

In the 1850’s to 1870’s, the mill was known as Redmans because one partner was William Redman. The other was Robert Holden. It was a small weaving place at that time, the wheels of which were at the back, outside, for driving. Many of the weavers came, daily walking, from Cliviger. Some came from Copy Pit Bottom, Thievely, Scout Farm and Holme.

Census 1851

Robert Holden, Carrfield Cottages, aged 35, manufacturer of cotton in firm of 2, employing 5 males and 15 females.

William Redman, Carrfield Cottages, aged 31, manufacturer of cotton in firm of 2, employing 5 males and 15 females.

Todmorden Rates Book 1860

Occupied by Redman & Holden; owned by R. Redman; loomshop; Carrfield; rateable value £22.10s.0d.

Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Advertiser 23rd November 1861

Sale; Powerloom weaving shed, Carrfield near Todmorden.All that newly erected weaving shed with warehouses, engine house, boiler house, chimney and other buildings, and vacant land at Carrfield lately in the occupation of Messrs Redman and Holden, cotton manufacturers, and also all that other weaving shed with buildings and fixtures adjoining the above named New Shed, and now or late in the occupation of Redman and Holden. New Shed has not commenced working and can hold 400 looms. The other shed is now working with 74 looms. Sufficient vacant land for a large sized mill. New Shed and vacant land held for term of 2,000 years from 9th May 1860. Ground rent £20. Other shed and premises for 2,000 years from 20th August 1846 at £2.10s.0d.

Todmorden Rates Book 1861

Occupied by Barlow & Son; owners Reid & Barlow; Carrfield; sheds etc; rateable value £163; 520 looms at 34hp; rateable value £54.

Todmorden Rates Book 1862

Occupied and owned by Reid & Barlow; Carrfield; sheds etc; rateable value £163; 520 looms at 34hp; rateable value £54.

Todmorden Rates Book 1863

Owned and occupied by William Barlow & Sons; Carrfield; sheds etc; rateable value £163; 520 looms at 34hp; rateable value £54.

Todmorden Rates Book 1864

Occupied by William Barlow & sons; owned by Reid & Barlow; Carrfield; sheds etc; rateable value £163; 520 looms at 34hp; rateable value £54.

Todmorden Rates Book 1865

Occupied by Crossley & sons; owned by Reid & Barlow; Carrfield; sheds etc; rateable value £163; 520 looms at 34hp; rateable value £54.

Halifax Guardian 20th May 1865

Auction 24th May; trustees of John Crossley & Sons mill at Portsmouth, Todmorden. Machinery – calico powerlooms; plaiting up machines; cloth presses; winding on frames; reeds and healds etc.

White 1866

William Barlow & Sons, cotton spinners & manufacturers.

John Crossley & Sons, cotton spinners & manufacturers.

Todmorden Rates Book 1866

Occupied by William Barlow & sons; owned by Reid & Barlow; Carrfield; sheds etc; rateable value £196.4s.0d.; 520 looms at 34hp; rateable value £54.

Todmorden Rates Book 1867

Owned and occupied by William Barlow & Sons; Carrfield; sheds etc; rateable value £196.4s.0d; 520 looms at 34hp; rateable value £54.

Factory Inspectors prosecutions 1867

24th October 1867

William Barlow & Sons, Carrfield Mill, Todmorden, cotton manufacturers

Case heard before – Capt. Sutcliffe chairman – Rev. T. Sutcliffe, Abraham Ormerod, and Geo. Hinchcliffe Esqrs at Todmorden Sessions.

Having employed a child from 23rd July to 13th September 1867 without surgical certificate, and after refusal by certifying surgeon.

Penalty of £5 and costs of 18s.3d

2nd case for the same mill – 24th October 1867

Having employed the same child during the week ended 14th September without a school certificate for the foregone week.

Penalty of £1 and costs of 18s.3d

24th October 1867

Abraham Marshall, operative in the same factory

Case heard before – Capt. Sutcliffe chairman – Rev. T. Sutcliffe, Abraham Ormerod, and Geo. Hinchcliffe Esqrs at Todmorden Sessions.

Having employed the same child in a manner forbidden by the Factory Act, he being the uncle, and having direct benefit in the wages of the child.

Penalty of 10s.0d and costs of 18s.3d

24th October 1867

John Crossley & Sons of Carrfield Mill, Todmorden

3 Cases heard before – Capt. Sutcliffe chairman – Rev. T. Sutcliffe, Abraham Ormerod, and Geo. Hinchcliffe Esqrs at Todmorden Sessions.

1st. - having employed a child for three weeks without having registered her name in the register for children, penalty of £3 and costs of 13s.9d

2nd. - having employed the same child without a surgical certificate, penalty £2 and costs 13s.9d

3rd. - having employed the same child on the 7th October without having obtained a schoolmaster’s certificate of attendance at school during the foregone week, penalty of £1 and costs of 13s.9d

Todmorden Rates Book 1868-69

Occupied by Barlow & Co; owned by Barlow & Sons; Carrfield; sheds etc; rateable value £196.4s.0d; 520 looms at 34hp; rateable value £54.

Todmorden Rates Book 1870

Occupied by Barlow and Crossley; Occupied by Barlow & Co; owned by Barlow & Sons; Carrfield; sheds etc; rateable value £196.4s.0d; 520 looms at 34hp; rateable value £54.

Halifax Courier 16th July 1870

Flood damage at Carrfield Mill and weaving shed, occupied by Mr. John Crossley and Messrs Barlow & Son. Nearly 400 looms in shed.

Halifax Guardian 23rd July 1870

Flood last week. Carrfield Mill being cleared and rebuilt.

Todmorden Rates Book 1871

Occupied by Crossleys; owned by John Crossley & Sons; Carrfield; sheds etc; rateable value £196.4s.0d; 520 looms at 34hp; rateable value £54.

Census 1871

Alfred Crossley, Corn Holme Cliviger, aged 28, cotton manufacturer

John Crossley, Mount Pleasant, aged 44, cotton manufacturer.

Todmorden Rates Book 1873-90

Owned and occupied by John Crossley & Sons; shed and power; Carrfield; rateable value £196.4s.0d.

1880 – rateable value £208.

1881 – rateable value £184.10s.0d.

1885 – rateable value £170.

1888 – rateable value £174.10s.0d.

Slater 1875

John Crossley & Sons, cotton spinners & manufacturers and calicoes.

Halifax Guardian 29th January 1876

200 work people at Carrfield Mill, John Crossley & Sons.

Halifax Guardian 20th April 1878

Weavers employed by J. Crossley & Sons out on strike since Wednesday last week due to reduction in wages of 7.5%.

The Leeds Mercury Friday, November 1st. 1878

Messrs Crossley, Carrfield Mill, 300 looms working 5 days.

Halifax Guardian 1st March 1879

Hands employed at John Crossley & Sons, Carrfield Mill, commenced work at further reduction of 7.5%.

Halifax Courier 19th July 1879

John Crossley & Sons, Carrfield Mill, reduced wages further 0.5%

Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Advertiser 1st August 1879

Carrfield Mill; 400 looms running full time.

Census 1881

Alfred Crossley, 4 Carr View, aged 38, cotton manufacturer

Henry Crossley, Bearnshaw Tower, aged 45, cotton manufacturer.

Halifax Courier 10th June 1882

Petition for liquidation, William and Albert Crossley in partnership with Henry Crossley as cotton manufacturers at Carrfield Mill, Cornholme, under firm of John Crossley & Sons. Liabilities estimated at £9,700.

Halifax Courier 24th June 1882

Creditors meeting for William and Albert Crossley trading as John Crossley & Sons, cotton manufacturers, accepted composition of 5 shillings in the pound.

Halifax Courier 7th April 1883

Todmorden trade very depressed. Crossleys of Carrfield have taken steps to reduce production.

Slater 1887

W. & A. Crossley manufacturers of cotton goods.

Factory Inspectors prosecutions

16th August 1888

W. & A. Crossley cotton manufacturers of Portsmouth

Case heard before Rev. T. Sutcliffe, D.J. Crossley and J.A. Ingham Esqs.

At Todmorden Petty Sessions.

Employing a child without being registered

Convicted in costs of 11s. only

Worrall 1891

W. & A. Crossley, Carrfield Mill Portsmouth, 400 looms; jeans, drills and domestics.

Kelly 1893-97

William & Alfred Crossley, cotton manufacturers (400 looms)

Kelly 1908

James Crossley, cotton manufacturers.

18th January 1913

Death of Mr. Alfred Crossley of Southport, late of Cornholme, aged 69 years. He was a member of the firm of John Crossley & Sons, manufacturers, Carrfield Mill.