SALFORD STEAM FACTORY

Rochdale Road

Todmorden

Map Ref. SD934239

Known occupiers

1805

RAMSBOTTOM John

1814-1841

RAMSBOTTOM Henry

Additional information

Notes from John Travis, contemporary historian:

John Ramsbottom, tailor, built the Steam Factory at Salford, long occupied by his son Henry and family.

There were malt kilns at Todmorden in the first half of the century, and malt-rolling was done at “th’ Steam Factory,”

The Steam Factory in front of the Turnpike Road, so named because it was the first mill in the district run entirely by steam power, was now closed and the premises converted into shops and dwelling houses.

Hebden Bridge Times and Caldervale Gazette, 15th March 1882

Recollections of Todmorden 50 to 60 years ago.

Salford

Here in Salford, the iron, cotton and machinery interests were exhibited in their earlier stages at Todmorden. Forty to fifty years ago what was known as the “weft fork” was first applied to a loom erected in part of the old shop occupied by Jeremiah Jackson. It was the invention of John Ramsbottom, son of Henry Ramsbottom of the Steam Factory, and the patent right of it was sold on his account, and the representatives of the late Richard Holt of Todmorden, to a firm in Blackburn. It has been universally adopted almost as an indispensable appendage to the calico powerloom ...

... Then came the “new end” of the Steam Factory; next to it were dwelling houses including the Lord Nelson, which at that time was occupied as a private house by John Smith, roper. The licence for this house was not used for several years, but when again taken up, James Sutcliffe of Millwood, if I am not mistaken, kept it. I am recently told by a person that when a child he was in this house, rocked by steam, a mechanical contrivance from the adjoining mill. The old end of the Steam Factory and the residence of Henry Ramsbottom finished the line of buildings now called Cheapside.

Todmorden Tithe Deeds 1805

John Ramsbottom shown at plot 17216.

Crompton’s spindle enquiry 1811

Todmorden Steam Mill; 2,592 mules and 480 throstles.

Manufacturers in Todmorden in 1814

The 1888 edition of Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Advertiser lists Henry Ramsbottom of Steam Factory as a manufacturer.

Leigh’s Directory 1818

Henry Ramsbottom, Todmorden, cotton spinner

Todmorden Township map 1823

Shows reservoir and land and presumably buildings at Salford owned by Mr. Buckley of RIDGEFOOT.

Baines 1824

Henry Ramsbottom, Salford, cotton spinner

Henry Ramsbottom, (miller), Salford, maltster

Pigot & Dean 1824

Henry Ramsbottom, Steam Mill Salford, cotton spinner

Baines 1825

Henry Ramsbottom, Steam Mill Salford, cotton spinner

Parson & White 1830

Henry Ramsbottom, Salford, cotton spinner

Pigot 1834

Henry Ramsbottom, Salford, cotton spinner and manufacturer

White 1837

Henry Ramsbottom, Salford, cotton spinner

Anti Poor Law Petition 1838

Signed by Henry Ramsbottom, Salford, cotton spinner

Census 1841

Henry Ramsbottom, Salford, aged 50, malt grinder

Todmorden Township map 1843

Shows buildings on the Turnpike Road split into 5 properties.