250 History of the 



by those who embarked in it. The trade had gained a footing in 

 the Rossendale district at the beginning of the century, but at that 

 early time the spinning machinery was rude, and the old handloom 

 \vas in vogue. The firm of Robert and John Munn was one of the 

 first in Rossendale to avail themselves of the improved machinery, 

 which eventually, in 1826, fell a sacrifice to the blind fury of the 

 " powerloom breakers " who invaded the Rossendale valley from 

 Chatterton to the source of the river Irwell. Nine years later, in 

 1833, the firm built Stacksteads Mill, at that time by far the 

 largest cotton factory in the district. In 1S38 they purchased 

 Irwell Mill, Bacup, which had been erected in 1825, and in the 

 year 1844 they built Edgeside Holme Mill, at Newchurch. These 

 were each important enterprises in their day, and their proprietors 

 ranked amongst the foremost cotton' spinners and manufacturers of 

 the time. Prior to the last mentioned date, the brothers had 

 established the now well-known firm of John Munn and Co., of 

 Fountain-street, Manchester, the younger brother having removed 

 to the latter place to superintend the business there. Robert 

 remained in Rossendale, residing at Heath Hill, which house he 

 had erected, and to which he was through life fondly attached, and 

 continued for many years to be the life and soul of the mills 

 belonging to the firm within the valley. 



Mr. Munn was a thorough man of business : his knowledge of 

 the cotton manufacture in its minutest details was of the most 

 intimate kind, and he took pride in excelling in the quality of the 

 productions of his looms. He was strictly temperate and metho- 

 dical in his habits throughout a long and active life, and vigilant 

 and untiring in his business and in whatever else he undertook. It 

 was due to men of his stamp that " Cotton " grew to be a power in 

 the land, and eventually came to be spoken of as "King." 



Though somewhat exacting as a master, and scarcely distin- 

 guished for liberality in the remuneration of his most trusted and 

 valued servants, he yet gained their confidence and esteem by the 

 appreciative manner in which, with his own intimate knowledge of 

 business, he was prompt to recognise a similar knowledge in 



