CAUSEWAY (MIDGEHOLE) MILL

Lumbutts

Todmorden

Map Ref. SD953235

Known occupiers

c1807

BAMBER William

1812-1881

FIELDEN Bros.

1883

Dilapidated

1907

Not named on OS 25” map

Demolished

Notes of John Travis, contemporary historian

The principal feature of the Lumbutts valley for manufacturing purposes was the constant supply of waterpower without which it is extremely doubtful if there would have been any manufacturing concerns of that magnitude in the district.

At Oldroyd and Causeway Wood there are two derelict cotton spinning mills where a fair amount of work has been done in a space of sixty or seventy years. These mills have long been out of use. Foley Mill was the lowest of these two mills, and was built on part of the Oldroyd Farm with CAUSEYWOOD MILL the next in order up the valley.

Then Midgehole or Causeway Mill, one of the Fielden group. Then next up the hill was the UTTLEYS MILL in Lumbutts proper, with one on either side of the road higher up, both belonging to Messrs. Fielden Bros. of WATERSIDE. 

All those mills were run by the same power, the water passing from one to the other and so on down the long range of Causey Wood and the Folly.

Additional information

researched, recorded and referenced by Mrs Sheila Wade

Hebden Bridge WEA Local History Group

Langfield Rates (no dates but between 1805 and 1813)

William Bamber pays for Causey Mill; rateable value £6

Langfield Poor Rate 24th February 1813-14

Samuel Fielden for Midgehole, rateable value £10.

Langfield Poor Rate 1st May 1816

Fielden & Co; Cawsey Mill; rateable value £8

Langfield Poor Rate 1st May 1817

Fielden & Co; Cawsey Mill; rateable value £8.

Fieldens of Todmorden by Brian R. Law

Causeway on Lumbutts Clough, although occupied by the Fieldens from 1812, was bought in 1815 for £1580.

Fielden papers1832

Causeway; cotton preparation; 18 mules/5,208 spindles; 6hp water; valuation buildings and power £2,400; machinery £1,030.

Langfield Highway Rates November 1849

Owners & occupiers Fielden Bros; Midgehole Mill; rateable value £72.16s.0d; 5hp waterpower £41.1s.3d.

Fielden papers 1856

Causeway; spinning; 6,000 mules; 5hp steam; 6hp water; 9 females and 14 males employed all over 13 years old.

Langfield Rates Book 1856-59

Owned and occupied by Fielden Bros; Midgehole; mill; rateable value £72.16s.0d; 8.5hp water rateable value £65.10s.0d.

Langfield Rates Book 1860-64

Owned and occupied by Fielden Bros; Midgehole; mill; rateable value £72.16s.0d; 8.5hp water rateable value £65.10s.0d; additions to mill £10.11s.0d.

Langfield Rates Book 1865-81

Owned and occupied by Fielden Bros; Midgehole; mill and power; rateable value £106.14s.6d.

Fielden papers 2nd January 1868

Fielden Bros letter offering old boiler for sale at Causeway Mill.

Langfield Rates Book 1883

Dilapidated; Fielden Bros; Midgehole; mill and power.