Forest of Rossendale. 297 



clothier; and James Maden, of Lane Head, Bacup, Cotton 

 Spinner, shows an advance in the extent of the trade. The sum of 

 the Capital subscribed is larger; and along with the carding, 

 roving, and spinning of the cotton wool, was combined the manu- 

 facturing of the cotton goods. This partnership was to continue in 

 force for the term of six years, and each partner brought one 

 hundred pounds into the concern. 



The old mill at the corner of Burnley road, Bacup, was the first 

 considerable Cotton Factory erected in the district, and dates back 

 to the end of last century. About the year 1800 James and William 

 Clegg began to spin cotton yarn at " Little Baltic," near Waterfoot, 

 and at the old " Soke Mill " at Mill end, in Wolfenden-Booth fold. 

 It is probable that these were the earliest cotton-spinners in the 

 immediate vicinity of Newchurch. At this early time the cost of 

 a Hand-Loom was five pounds, (the price paid for a Power-Loom 

 at the present day,) and the newly-married couple who could boast 

 the possession of a pair of such looms on the day of their wedding 

 were looked upon as being well provided for. 



From 1815 to 1830 the trade of cotton-weaving on the hand- 

 loom was at the briskest. In the latter year there were, at the 

 lowest computation, thirty Weaving Shops, apart from the looms 

 in dwelling-houses, in the Forest of Rossendale. The cloth made 

 varied in quality and strength, and, in addition to the ordinary 

 calico, consisted of " Fustians," " Pillows," or " Twills," " Bangups," 

 and " Satteens," the latter having a fine velvety covering. 



For a lengthened period after its introduction into Rossendale, 

 the 'Cotton Manufacture was in quite an embryo state. The 

 Woollen trade held a position far in advance ; nor could the 

 most sanguine advocates of the claims of Cotton ever have 

 anticipated that during the first half of the present century the 

 old-established Woollen trade of Rossendale would have been so 

 completely outstripped in extent and importance by its younger 

 rival. 



Amongst those who, at an early date, took a leading position as 

 Cotton-Spinners and Manufacturers in Rossendale, special mention 



