Revision as of 22:08, 15 April 2012 edit ClemRutter (talk \| contribs) Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers 42,734 edits →Macclesfield: 1815-1820 ← Previous edit		Revision as of 23:40, 15 April 2012 edit undo ClemRutter (talk \| contribs) Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers 42,734 edits →Macclesfield: Paterson and more economics Next edit →
Line 76: In 1790 the weaving of silk was introduced into Macclesfield by Leigh and Voce who introduced looms and Hugenot weavers to teach the skills, into a loomshop in Back Street. One of the weavers, Margaret Moborn was induced to leave and work for the James Pearson in a weaving shed in Sunderland Street. It was James's father George who had invited John Wesley to preach in Maccclefield. Margaret lived with James for several years as well as teaching the principles of weaving and warping. George Pearson and Sons were the leading silk weavers here in the early nineteen century. Britain was again at war with France between 1793 and 1815 so weaving prospered. A good employed weaver could earn eighteen shillings a week, and a self employed weaver upto ₤3. but he would have the costs of maintaining his apprentices. In general by the end of the French Wars a pattern has been set, of power and hand throwing, waste silk working and weaving by hand in weaving sheds in independent homes. <ref name=Davies122> {{harvnb\|Davies\|1961\|pp=122-129}}</ref> The years between 1815 and 1820 were ones of recession, followed nyby the boom of the 1820s. Twenty six throwing mills were established, and the throwsters often attached weaving sheds. The workforce was divided equally between the employed and outworkers and weaving was all done by hand. In 1821 the population was 21,819, and about 10,000 were employed in the silk factories- some of course would come in from the surrounding villages. They worked a 62 hour week, ~~metn~~men earning eleven shillings.<ref name=Davies133> {{harvnb\|Davies\|1961\|pp=133}}</ref> Duties on finished silk and raw silk were reduced in 1824, 1825 and 1826. Firms went bankrupt and while there were 70 silk mills in 1826 by 1832 there were 41 in 1832. Wages halved, and workers were put on short time. Recessions continued on a ten yearly cycle and the fewer firms survived, the techniques were refined, new products were produced. and management became more adept. Brocklehursts was the largest of these firms. In the 1830s the power driven loom was perfected, and throwing was done on a metal frame, similar to a throstle,. ~~which~~These could be incorporated into existing buildings.<ref name=Call73> {{harvnb\|Callendine\|Fricker\|1993\|p=73}}</ref>. The Jacquard loom was introduced on hand loom in the 1820's. Because the Jacquard head was placed on top of the standard loom an increased ceiling height as needed to accomodate them. Power looms were only suitable for coarse broad cloths and hand looms continued to be used for the finest silks and the complex Jacquard work. In 1839, two silk workers James Mayers and John Ryle left the town and on the Marion sailed to New Jersey settling in the town of Paterson. Together they opened mills (1846) and established the American silk weaving industry. In hard times 3000 townsfolk left and joined them, and in 1900 the Paterson newspaper regularly included the Births, Marriages and Deaths column from the Macclesfield Chronicle.<ref name=Davies140> {{harvnb\|Davies\|1961\|p=140}}</ref> After 1850 silk manufacture stopped Stockport and in other towns and Macclesfield became known as 'the silk town'. The industry contracted as fashion showed a preference for cottons and French silk. The workforce contracted to 5000 in 1886. <ref name=Davies135> {{harvnb\|Davies\|1961\|p=140}}</ref> ===Congleton===

Silk industry of Cheshire: Difference between revisions