298 History of the 



must be made of Robert and John Munn. This enterprising firm 

 entered into the Cotton trade at Old Clough Mill, Irwell Springs, 

 about the year 1824. The regular business habits and vigilant 

 attention exercised by the firm, who, in the erection of Stacksteads 

 Mill had launched boldly out into the business, secured their 

 success; and this had the effect of greatly encouraging and 

 stimulating the growth of the Cotton trade in Rossendale, with 

 which trade their name will always continue to be intimately 

 associated. 



At Rawtenstall the brothers Whitehead were amongst the 

 earliest, and eventually became the largest. Cotton Spinners and 

 Manufacturers, and it is mainly to their energy and enterprise that 

 this portion of the district has made such rapid and substantial 

 progress in population and wealth. The firm of Hardman 

 Brothers are also of old standing here, both as Woollen and Cotton 

 Manufacturers, and give employment to a large number of opera- 

 tives in both departments. 



There are a number of Limited Companies having Mills in the 

 immediate vicinity of Rossendale, a large proportion of the capital 

 of which is contributed by persons residing in this district. 



From the beginning of the century down to the year 1830, 

 about twenty-three of the smallest of the mills at present engaged 

 in the Cotton Manufacture, and the greater portion of the Shoddy 

 Mills, were erected. Most of these were, however, originally 

 intended for, and were used in, the Woollen trade. From 1830 to 

 1839 eleven Cotton factories were built. From 1840 to ^849 

 twenty more had sprung into existence. The next decennial 

 period, from 1850 to 1859, witnessed the greatest extension of the 

 trade in Rossendale, forty-five mills being erected in that time. 

 From i860 to 1867 eighteen of the largest Cotton Mills in the 

 district were built. Since the latter year to the present, the 

 number has only been increased by three, whilst some of the 

 older mills have been abandoned, the buildings being unsuitable 

 for the trade under existing conditions. 



