Bolton, Nov. 3rd, 1784 - At a meeting held this day at Mrs. Cooper's, the
Three Crowns Inn, by the following bleachers in and about this
neighbourhood, it was unanimously resolved that after having made a fair
trial, they find it impracticable to carry on their business (owing to the
heavy penalties, expenses, and unavoidable inconveniences they are subject
to from the present tax on bleached goods), and are under the disagreeable
necessity of informing the merchants and manufacturers of the towns and
neighbourhood of Manchester and Bolton that they intend not to take in any
more goods after Wednesday, the 10th instant. Witness our hands-
Edward ROTHWELL : John BENTLEY : John HOPWOOD : John HORRIDGE :
Edward ENTWISTLE : Thomas THWEAT : John GRUNDY : John LOMAX : Samuel
HARDMAN : John BOARDMAN : Peter AINSWORTH : James COCKER : Thomas
RIDGWAY : James LOMAX : James MORRIS : James AINSWORTH : Thomas
THWEAT jun. : Richard BENTLEY : John THWEAT
Samuel HARDMAN conducted a small bleaching establishment at Lee Gate, in
Harwood township, in the low ground near Bradshaw Church. His son (James
Hardman) still survives him at the age of 80 years, and resides at Brook
Fold, in Harwood.
Extract from Historical Gleanings, Bolton & District, B T Barton, published
1882.
N.B.The Fustian Tax was repealed on 21st April 1785