Arkwright & His
Cotton Mill in Matlock Bath |
Masson Mill was Richard Arkwright's third mill in the district |
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Richard
Arkwright's imposing red brick Masson Mill is situated on
the west bank of the River Derwent in Matlock Bath, near
the south entrance to the dale. This mill was built in 1783
and is sited close to Willersley Castle, the mansion house
Arkwright built for himself. Willersley is slightly down
river on the opposite bank from Masson Mill and the mill
is hidden from view.
Masson Mill was Arkwright's third mill and the photograph
of it, right, was taken looking upstream towards Cat
Tor. The white bar just discernible in the centre of the
picture is the weir that held back the water for both the
cotton mill and a nearby paper mill - which was built before
the cotton mill[1] but
is now part of the mill complex. Slightly lower left of centre
is where the mill stream returns to the river.
Arkwright built his first mill in 1771 in the nearby village of Cromford, at the end of the dale, and this mill
was the world's first water powered cotton spinning mill. It was never a weaving mill, as has been alleged in
a recent television programme. Weavers worked in the locality, but not at the mill.
A few years later it was to become the subject of a very powerful painting, dated about 1782-3, by the Derby painter Joseph Wright.
'Arkwright's Cotton Mills at Night' shows all the mill windows illuminated, which must have been an awesome sight in what were very small
country villages. The artist painted Arkwright's second Cromford mill in 1776. In 1840 the mineralogist William Adam opined that the night
time view of Masson mill was "exceedingly imposing. The spacious mill, with its hundred lights reflecting on the river
and the thick foliage, mingling the din of wheels with the noise of the waterfall"[2].
Two late eighteenth century antiquaries, William Bray and James Pilkington, were the earliest to write about Arkwright's
mills. Bray recorded that the first mill, at Cromford, "carries on the business [of spinning cotton] with great advantage
to himself [Arkwright] and the neighbourhood. It employs about 200 persons, chiefly children. Another mill, as large as the first,
is building here (1783), new houses are rising round it and every thing wears the face of industry and cheerfulness"[3].
Pilkington thought the third mill, "in Matlock Dale", was "a very large and handsome building"[4]. The
mills were by then (1789) employing a total of 800 people.
William Adam noted that Masson Mill was "replete with
the improved machinery employed in making cotton thread"[2].
Not everyone approved of the mill or the site that Arkwright
and his partners had chosen. Around twenty years before Adam
was in Matlock Bath Ebenezer Rhodes expressed his dismay
in "Peak Scenery": "... a cotton mill
obtrudes on the scene. _ What is such an object to do in
such a place? _ Its presence here, amidst some of the finest
scenery of nature, is only calculated to disturb ... In another
place, the weir near the cotton mill might be a pleasing
object; but in a scene like Matlock dale, where every artificial
interference is offensive, it is incongruous and out of place"[5].
Nor was Rhodes the only person to voice criticism. Firth
was less than flattering about the architecture in 1908 when
he described "the great brick cotton mills with their
stone quoins and windows, and their tall chimney"[6].
The chimney, which has been restored within the last few
years, had not been erected long before Firth wrote this.
He clearly didn't think much of either the mill or Glenorchy Chapel, which he considered to be even uglier than the mill. |
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The original Masson Mill is a grade II listed
building
beside the River Derwent in Matlock Bath.
Reproduced with the kind permission of the late Frank Clay. |
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Advertisements for skilled workers for the
first mill, built in Cromford:
{ Derby Mercury, 13 December
1771
{ Derby Mercury, 20 December 1771
Cotton Mill, Cromford, 10th
Dec, 1771.
WANTED immediately, two
Journeymen Clock-Makers, or others that
understands Tooth and Pinion well : Also a Smith that
can forge and file. - Likewise two Wood Turners that
have been accustomed to Wheel-making, Spole-turning,
&c. Weavers residing in this Neighbourhood, by
applying at the Mill, may have good Work. There is
Employment at the above Place, for Women, Children,
&c. and good Wages.
N.B. A Quantity of Box Wood is wanted : Any
Persons whom the above may suit, will be treated with
by Messrs. Arkwright and Co. at he Mill, or Mr. Strutt,
in Derby. |
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Davies, who wrote a "History" of the county in
1811, had described Willersley, the mill workers and their housing
in the early years of the nineteenth century: "The spacious
and elegant mansion of Richard Arkwright Esq. ... together with
the numerous dwellings of the persons he employs [at Cromford].
This is indeed a different scene from the calm and sequestered
environs of Matlock ; but it is by no means an unpleasing one ;
for industry and neatness are combined to give an air of comfort
and animation to the whole of the surrounding district ; and cold
and unfeeling must be the heart which does not experience gratification
at the sight of happy human faces, or know a sentiment of delight
at hearing the sounds of merriment and cheerfulness amongst the
poorest of their fellow mortals"[7].
When Sir Richard Arkwright was alive he worked long hours and expected
the same from his employees.
Hereford Journal 31 July 1783
COUNTRY NEWS. Derby, July 24.
Richard Arkwright, Esq. of Cromford, near Matlock, has given
to 27 of his principal workmen, 27 fine milch cows, worth from
81. to 101. each, for the service of their respective
families.
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Leeds Intelligencer 17 May 1785
Last week between 40 and 50 North Britons, with bagpipes and
other music playing, arrived at Cromford near Matlock
Bath, from Perth in Scotland : These industrious fellows
left that place on account of the scarcity of work, were
immediately taken into the service of Richard Arkwright,
Esq; in his cotton mills and other extensive works, entered
into present pay, and provided with good quarters.-They
appeared highly pleased with the reception they met with,
and had a dance in the evening to congratulate each other
on the perfrmance of so long a journey.
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Masson Mill's employees were walking some distance to get to and
from work, including from homes in Wirksworth - "more
than three miles of one of the steepest roads in England".
A few were walking twice that distance. Glover noted in 1829 that
of the 1500 employees at Arkwright's three mills, four-fifths are
women and children[8].
In 1850 much of the workforce was made up of "young
girls, the children of lead miners ... these young girls are employed
under the new law ten hours a day ; under the old one it was often
fourteen, and even sixteen - at a kind of work which keeps them
rigorously standing the whole time. ... The Arkwrights are not
famous for giving high wages ; their rates are probably" 20%
lower than in the wages paid in the Lancashire mill towns of
Preston, Blackburn etc. Yet most did not want to exchange the
pleasant surroundings of the Derbyshire towns and villages they
lived in for higher wages available in a large industrial town[9].
Ownership of the mill remained with the Arkwright family
until 1897 when Masson Mill became part of the English Sewing
Cotton Company. At the turn of the century (19th to 20th)
the man in charge of Masson Mill was John Edward Lawton,
who built a very imposing house overlooking the mill. Lawton's
house was called Woodbank when it was first built it but
later became Cromford Court. Mr. Lawton was described at
the time as "being
the chief director of the English Sewing Cotton & American
Thread Combines, which have a value of £8,000,000 in
shares"[10].
A 1908 Directory stated that "the Masson Cotton Mills
.... give employment to many of the inhabitants" of the district[1908].
Apart from a few additions over the years, the Masson
Mill of 1910 was "practically identical with that erected
by Sir Richard Arkwright in 1784, though its scope and the
machinery have changed and developed with the times. Situated
low, on the leafy banks of the Derwent, the tall chimney
and close set of windows form a by no means unpicturesque
feature among the surrounding trees, especially when approached
from the direction of Derby. At night, the brilliant light
pouring from many windows, and the distinctive throb of the
engines, gives a furious and relentless activity, an impression
quite at variance with the quiet, steady progress of the
work actually existing. ... For night work, a separate staff,
of men only, are employed, who receive a higher rate of pay.
Having become accustomed to the turning of night into day,
these are unwilling to change, the great attraction of night
work being the holiday of three whole days involved at the
end of the week. ...
The hours of labour are ten for women and twelve for men".
The journalist added that one of the advantages Masson
Mill had for its workers, whether consciously or unconsciously,
was the view - instead of the grimy bricks and mortar of
northern towns, the view from the windows was "the delightful
and ever changing beauty of the Lovers' Walks, and in summer
the ripple of the river and the song of birds are heard through
the rush of machinery"[12].
If they had the time to look out it would have been a major benefit,
but one suspects there was little opportunity for the enjoyment
of the scenery in the working day. |
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Employees of Cromford & Masson
Mills[11]
Beginning of nineteenth century - 1150
(150 men, 300 women, 700 children)
1845 - 1200 hands
Owner & employer: Mr. Peter Arkwright |
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Things were soon to change. The following year a major extension
was added to the southern end, covering a garden tended by
the mill's foreman that can be seen in some postcards and
photographs. Building began in the first week of January
1911 and by May the same year it was practically complete.
Over 500 tons of steel had been used in the new build as
well as a million and a half bricks, with additional material
in the form of local sandstone from the Black Rocks also
used. It was planned by Sydney Stott of Oldham and the building
contractors were E. Marshall and sons of Ashton-under-Lyne.
The third storey of the new building was level with Derby
Road and this was connected by a cart way to the loading
door. A sprinkling tank, in case of fire, was at the top
of a square tower with the main entrance at its foot.
Although the Derby newspaper described the building as "handsome" it
was hardly a ringing endorsement that the architects had
endeavoured to make the new building "as little of an
eyesore as possible" as they were careful of "tender
local susceptibilities where scenery is concerned"!
A historic cedar tree to the south was therefore spared[13].
During evidence given at the hearing for Matlock's Traction
Bill on 10th May the same year, the select committee of the
House of Lords were told that "the road [through Matlock
Bath] could not be widened where Masson Mill had just been
extended[15].
At the outbreak of the First World War the mill's Directors
encouraged its male workers to enlist and fourteen of them
did not come home. After the conflict had ended those who
had survived were welcomed back with a tea for them, plus
their wives and fiancées, at the mill and they were
presented with a small token of appreciation[15].
By 1922 the Masson Cotton Mills were "now the property
of Sir Richard Arkwright and Co. Limited (branch of the English
Sewing Cotton Co. Limited)"[1922]
and the mill continued to be a major employer in the district
for many years, finally closing on Friday 8 November 1991.
In relatively recent times the mill building has been turned
into a Museum and shopping centre.
In December 2001 UNESCO´s World Heritage Committee
in Finland awarded World Heritage status to the mills,
along with other notable mill sites in the Derwent Valley.
Arkwright's buildings have, therefore, been acknowledged
to be of importance both nationally and worldwide.
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Sir Richard Arkwright |
born Preston 23 Dec 1732; died Cromford 3 Aug 1792
Image of bicentenary commemorative plate © Ann Andrews. |
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Arkwright was one of the greatest men in the British Industrial
Revolution and some say that he was the greatest of them all.
Adam said of the inventors and mill owners generally that "they
have opened new and boundless fields of employment[2]".
They totally changed life in Britain.
He was a "self-made man", having being born into a poor
household and a large family. He received a little education, but
was largely self taught. He began his working life apprenticed
to a barber[16] and
later travelled the country buying human hair
which he then dyed, using a secret recipe he had, and sold to wig-makers[17].
Whilst travelling around "he was brought into constant intercourse
with persons engaged in weaving and spinning"[11].
He began to experiment with machinery. |
He became acquainted with a Warrington clockmaker called Kay
and the two men applied to Peter Atherton of Warrington (later
of Liverpool) for assistance to construct an engine for spinning
cotton. Whilst Atherton withdrew a loan offer to Arkwright
because of the his appearance, he lent money to Kay[18].
So Arkwright was still able to make his first engine, afterwards
patented. A venture with Mr. John Smalley of Preston, to
construct his machine in a Preston schoolhouse, aroused suspicion
amongst the locals. This caused Arkwright, Smalley and
Kay moving to Nottingham; Smalley became Arkwright's first
partner and Kay became a mechanic for him. It resulted in Arkwright's
first patent for spinning cotton. "His circumstances were
too unfavourable to enable him to commence business on his
own account and few were willing to risk the loss of capital
on a new establishment"[7].
In 1770 Arkwright entered into a partnership with Samuel
Need of Nottingham and Jedediah Strutt of Derby, initially
for a horse powered cotton mill in Nottingham though this
proved too expensive. Then came the idea change to water power
and Cromford Mill was built using water from the Cromford Sough.
The Arkwright / Need / Strutt partnership ended about 1781[19].
Arkwright also had dealings with Peter Nightingale of
Lea, with whom he eventually fell out[20].
It was Nightingale who built Rock House in Cromford, Arkwright's
Derbyshire home. |
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Model of Arkwright's Spinning Frame[11] |
Richard Arkwright bought the Willersley estate, which lies within
the parish of Matlock, from Thomas Hallet Hodges Esq. in 1782[21].
About three thousand pounds was spent removing a "large rock" so
the mansion could be built[7].
Unfortunately for the family, a stove caught fire on 8 Aug 1791,
as Willersley Castle was nearing completion, and they were unable
to move in. The house was rebuilt but Arkwright himself never lived
there.
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Willersley Castle.
Built by Arkwright, but he never lived in the property. Repairs
following the 1791 fire, which he had witnessed, were not complete
when he died.
In his Will, written on 1 Jul 1892, he mentions Willersley:
" It is my express wish and direction
that my said son [Richard] shall with all convenient speed
after my decease complete in a proper manner the mansion house
I have lately built ... " [22] |
He was knighted in 1786[23],
when he was the Sheriff of the county, and arms were
granted a little later. Reverend Davies, who regarded Arkwright
as a genius, said that "He was knighted by his present majesty[24],
on the 22nd of December, 1786, on occasion of presenting an address,
as high sheriff of the county of Derby"[7].
Just under four months after receiving his knighthood he celebrated
King George III's recovery from illness at Cromford "in a
style of superior elegance to any thing ever exhibited in that
part of the country". A large bonfire was lit during the day,
with ale provided "for the populace". At night "a
large transparency was exhibited, the whole length of the semi
circular cotton mill" with the words "Rejoice all men
for the King liveth" displayed in lights. A large number of
people, accompanied by torch bearers and a band, marched to Arkwright's
house where he and several gentleman drank various loyal toasts.
This was accompanied by hearty cheers from the crowd who sang several
songs. Arkwright also marked the occasion by giving 2,000 loaves
of bread to the poor inhabitants of Cromford and its vicinity[25].
Davies stated that "at the same time that he was inventing
and improving the machinery ... he was extending his business on
a large scale ; he was introducing in every department of the manufacture
a system of industry, order and cleanliness, till then unknown
in any manufactory where great numbers were employed together...[7]".
He added "that during this entire period, he was afflicted
with a grievous disorder (a violent asthma) which was always extremely
oppressive, and threatened sometimes to put an immediate termination
to his existence, his great exertions must excite astonishment.
For some time previous to his death, he was rendered incapable
of continuing his usual pursuits, by a complication of diseases
which at length deprived him of life ...[7]
[26]
The merits of Sir Richard Arkwright may be summed up by observing "that
the object in which he was engaged, is of the highest public value
; that though his family were enriched, the benefits which have
accrued to the nation, have been incalculably greater ; and that
upon the whole he is entitled to the respect and admiration of
the world"[7].
Arkwright led and others followed. His ideas about a factory system
were reproduced elsewhere - from the German mill of the same
name (Cromford Mill in Ratingen, Germany) to, many years later,
Titus Salt's factory at Saltaire near Bradford. A good example
of the factory system in the United States is Blackinton in North
Adams, Massachusetts.
Lithograph
of Blackinton from 1889 by L.R. Burleigh with list of landmarks.
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Sir Richard Arkwright.
Three-quarter-length portrait of the great industrialist. He
was wearing a brown coat and knee breeches, seated in a chair,
with his left arm on a table.
Landscape background (this information from the Castle's sale
catalogue, 1927) [27] |
Arkwright had to be wary of others trying to steal his inventions.
It was for that very reason there were no windows onto the roadway
on the ground floor of Cromford Mill. He also had to undergo two
trials regarding some of his patents that were set aside as a
result. Recent research by Dr Richard Hills, discussed in "The
Derwent Valley Mills and their Communities", shows he
should not have lost.
A few days after his death in 1792 the whole population of the district turned out to line the roadsides when his funeral
took place[11]. It was said that "more than 2000 Persons, and near 200 Carriages
attended the Funeral solemnities"[28]. He was at first buried at Matlock's Parish
Church, but when St. Mary's Church at Cromford was completed his body was moved and reburied there[29].
J. P. Malcolm described the funeral in a piece for The Gentleman's Magazine in 1793. This is transcribed
elsewhere on this site (pp.44-46).
The rise in the fortunes of the Arkwright family had been rapid. They continued to improve after Sir Richard's death, thanks to
his son's interest in finance and land; shortly after his death in 1843 Richard Arkwright was described as "the wealthiest
commoner"[30].
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Additional
notes |
The Arkwright Festival was held in 1971 to
celebrate the bicentenary of the building of his first mill at
Cromford. The image of Arkwright, above, is on a small commemorative
plate produced for the festival.
Joseph Wright painted several portraits of Sir Richard Arkwright
including the famous privately owned portrait of him that shows
a seated Arkwright resplendent in scarlet jacket and striped cream
and green waistcoat with a model of the machine which revolutionized
the cotton industry on the table beside him[31].
National
Portrait Gallery : for example, see Sir
Richard Arkwright, two portraits
There is a painting of his grandsons also by Wright of Derby, Three
Children of Richard Arkwright with a Kite (1791), that
is listed amongst the Collections of the Tate Gallery, London.
Tate
Gallery, London
Richard Arkwright's Will is held by The National Archive and
you can purchase and download a copy of it.
Discovery
- at the National Archives ( Will of Sir Richard Arkwright
of Cromford, Derbyshire 4 September 1792, PROB 11/1222)
Erasmus Darwin wrote a comment about Arkwright and his mill in
verse.
Matlock & Matlock Bath: Inspiration of Poets.
Suggested Further Reading
- Fitton, R. S. and Wadsworth, A. P. (1958) "The
Strutts and the Arkwrights 1758-1830", Manchester
University Press.
- Fitton, R. S. (1989) "The Arkwrights, Spinners
of Fortune", Manchester University Press ISBN
0/7190/2646/6.
- Unwin, G. (1924) "Samuel Oldknow and the Arkwrights
1758-1830", Manchester.
- Dictionary of National Biography, Volume I - Look under
Arkwright, Sir Richard.
- "The Derwent Valley Mills and their Communities"
There is more information about titles1, 2 and 5 on
Books & Other Publications. |
The
Arkwright Society has done, and is still undertaking,
an enormous amount of restoration work at Cromford Mill.
Their address is:
The Arkwright Society,
Sir Richard Arkwright's Cromford Mill,
Mill Lane,
Cromford,
Derbyshire,
DE4 3RQ
Visitor Services Department :
Telephone +44 [0]1629 823256
Or visit:
Arkwright
Society web site |
Masson
Mill (this site will open in a new window)
The Mill is now a shopping village. It also is home to
a collection of historic working textile machinery. |
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More
onsite information about the Arkwright family |
Description
of ARKWRIGHT Coat of Arms
Matlock
Biographies See ARKWRIGHT
Arkwright
Family MI's
Find the Arkwright
surname in Eighteenth
Century: Game Duty Lists | Nineteenth
Century - Game Duty Lists
Matlock
and Matlock Bath Trades Directories & Census
Cromford,
DBY : 19th century trade directories
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And more about Willersley |
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Photograph of Masson Mill © Frank Clay.
Masson Mill 1900 © Susan Tomlinson collection.
Photograph of Arkwright Commemoration saucer © Ann Andrews.
Scanned photograph of Arkwright's spinning frame by and © Ann
Andrews collection[11].
Photograph of Willersley Castle, Matlock © Andy Andrews (enlarged
Jan 2018).
Scanned photograph of Sir Richard Arkwright by and © Ann Andrews
collection (enlarged Jan 2018)[27]
Researched, written and © Ann Andrews.
Intended for personal use only.
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References (coloured links go to transcripts
or information elsewhere on this web-site):
[1] The paper mill was built by a Mr.
George White of Winster and a Mr. Robert Shore of Snitterton (see
Wolley Manuscripts, vol
6670 f.90d and vol 6671 ff.310-313).
In the early 19th century it was run by Anthony Debanke, whose Will
is elsewhere on this site. Following Debanke's death John Skidmore
eventually took over the business.
[2] Adam, W. (1840) "The Gem of
the Peak" London; Longman & Co., Paternoster Row.
There are extracts on this web site.
[3] Bray, William (1783) "Sketch
of a Tour Into Derbyshire and Yorkshire" (Second Edition)
London, Printed for B. White at Horace's Head, in Fleet-Street.
The first edition was published in 1778.
[4] Pilkington, James (1789) "A View of the
Present State of Derbyshire; with an Account of its most Remarkable
Antiquities ... in two volumes. Volume I". Derby : Printed
and sold by J. Drewry; Sold also by J. Johnson, No.72, St. Paul's
Churchyard ; And J. Deighton, Holborn, London.
[5] Rhodes, Ebenezer (1824) "Peak
Scenery" pub. London, Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, Brown,
and Green, Paternoster Row.
[6] Firth, J. B. (1908) "Highways
and Byways in Derbyshire" MacMillan & Co., London
[7] Davies, David Peter (1811) "History
of Derbyshire" pub. S. Mason, Belper. Derbyshire's
Parishes, 1811 is based on this book.
[8] Glover, Stephen (1827-8-9) " Directory
of the County of Derby", Intro. p.viii.
[9] "Mornings at the Mills",
"Daily News", 10 September, 1850. The journalist
was referring to various Factory Acts, which had resulted in better
working conditions. For example, the 1847 Act meant that Women
and children under 18 years of age working in the Textiles Industry
could not work more than ten hours a day.
[10] "The Derby
Mercury", Wednesday, December 5, 1900.
[11] Bryan, Benjamin (1903) "History
of Matlock - Matlock, Manor and Parish" London by Bemrose & Sons,
Limited.
[12] "Derbyshire
Advertiser and Journal", 2 July 1910. A Picturesque
Factory.
[13] "ibid.", 5 May
1911. Masson Mill Extension, Matlock.
[14] "ibid.", 19 May
1911. Matlock's [Railless] Traction Bill. Important Evidence. Bill
Lost. The bill was opposed by Matlock Bath UDC, Derbyshire County
Council, Mr. Gill of Matlock and the Midland Railway Company. Others
believed that the system at the time was out of date and this scheme
would be beneficial. The hearing lasted for three days, after which
the committee decided it should not proceed.
[15] Masson Mill's offer to its men at the outbreak of war can be found on Matlock & Matlock
Bath Newspaper Cuttings, Jul 1914 - Nov 1918, 1914. The welcome back party is reported on Matlock
Bath & Scarthin Newspaper Cuttings, 1919.
[16] Whittle's "History of the Borough of Preston", vol. ii (1837) says that,
whilst serving his apprenticeship, Arkwright probably attended school during the winter months. He was first taught to read by his uncle.
[17] An advertisement was placed in "The Derby Mercury" of 23 Sept., 1846 by R. Knevett of Oxford
Street offering Sir Richard Arkwright's famous recipe for dyeing hair. The prospective purchaser was promised a splendid fortune for
the outlay of £1,000.
[18] Various accounts refer to his appearance at this period. Arkwright had by this time given
up business to concentrate on his experiments, so must have been short of money. An election took place whilst he was
in Preston: it is unclear whether or not he voted, as some sources say he was too ashamed to vote, whilst others say he was bought
a new suit to enable him to do so.
[19] Samuel Needs moved to London, where he died; he was buried at Bunhill Fields, aged 63, in 1781. Strutt
went on to build mills at Belper and Milford.
[20] Peter Nightingale persuaded a trusted employee of Arkwright, one Benjamin Pearson, to go into partnership
with him. Their partnership did not last long and was dissolved on March 28, 1785 ("The London Gazette"). Also
see: Biographies, N | Pedigree of Nightingale.
[21] Eighteenth Century Lists: Matlock Land Tax,
1780 records Thomas Hodges Esq. as the owner of "Willersley land", which he had bought from Edmund
Hodgkinson two years before. Eighteenth Century Lists: Poor Rate, 1784
(part 1) shows Arkwright had bought the estate in the interim.
[22] PCC Will of Sir Richard Arkwright of Cromford, Derbyshire, proved 4 Sept 1792 by his son Richard Arkwright
(TNA Ref: PROB 11/1222). Power was reserved to William Strutt the Younger, the other executor.
[23] "The London Gazette", 13 Feb 1787.
[24] Davies was referring to King George III.
[25] The event was reported in at least
three newspapers: "The Derby Mercury", 26 March 1789; "Sheffield
Register, Yorkshire, Derbyshire, & Nottinghamshire Universal
Advertiser", 28 March 1789; "Leeds Intelligencer",
31 March 1789. There were similar events in other parts of the county.
[26] Davies' comment about Arkwright's poor health is borne out by a report in "The
Times", Tuesday, Jun 20, 1786: "The reported death of that ingenious mechanic Mr Arkwright is premature; but we are
sorry to find he is dangerously ill at his house at Cromford, near Matlock". This was over six years before he died.
[27] From "A Catalogue of the Contents of the Mansion Willersley Castle, Matlock Bath",
Knight Frank & Rutley (1927).
[28] "Manchester Mercury", 21 August 1792. Several newspapers around the time claimed that
he had been born in Manchester.
[29] "The Times", Tuesday, Aug 14, 1792, reported his internment at Matlock on 9 May. The
notice said he had one son and one daughter (Mrs. Hurt). See Matlock St. Giles burials for 1792.
[30] "The Times", 12
May, 1843.
[31] Information from: The Masters Volume 22: Wright of Derby (1966) Purnell and Sons, Bristol.
[1908] "Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire", 1908, Matlock Bath. There is a names only transcript.
See 20th century directories.
[1922] "Kelly's Directory of
Derbyshire", 1922 (not transcribed on this site).
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