LOBB MILL

Halifax Road

Todmorden

Map Ref. SD954246

Lobb Mill about 1900

Known occupiers

Lob Mill began life as a fulling mill and was certainly in use in the first half of the 16th century. As early as the 1300's fulling mills were being built as the system became mechanised with the use of waterpower. Wooden mallets powered by a water wheel were used to beat the material. The mills were built close to large streams and a fulling miller would be employed to do the work. Such mills were often known as "walk" mills after the old fashioned method of walking on the cloth.

Additional information

researched, recorded and referenced by Mrs Sheila Wade

Hebden Bridge WEA Local History Group

Richard Horsfall’ s will 14th October 1557

Richard Horsfall of the Parish of Heptonstall:

I give to Anne my daughter my bargan and tack of one walk mill with one holme belonging to it, lying and being within the Township of Longfield, which I had by lease of Thomas Briggs, now in the occupation and holding of John Robshay.

Feet of Fines 1603

Quer: William Eastwood and John Helliwell (buy): Def: Robert Crossley and Margaret his wife (sell) 2 messuages, lands and rent, and a third part of a fulling mill in Stansfield and Langfield.

William Sutcliffe’s will 4th September 1711

William Sutcliffe of Stansfield gave to his son William, then living at Stansfield Hall, “the half of 2 fulling mills in Langfield, now in the tenure or occupation of me the testator”, and the other half "of those my two fulling mills in Langfield" to his third son, John.

Todmorden Parish Registers 28th April 1725

Buried at St. Mary’s – James Ogden, fuller of Lob Mill

William Sutcliffe’s will 13th May 1726

William Sutcliffe of Stansfield Hall, yeoman, gave to his son William 2 fulling mills called Lob Mill

Extracts from Lob Mill deeds 1734

3 fulling mills under the roof called Lob Mill or mills at Brigg End. Robert Sutcliffe of Field Head conveyed to John Sutcliffe of Stansfield Hall and Robert Sutcliffe the elder of Upper Ashes in Stansfield for £46.10s.0d.

Extracts from Lob Mill deeds 1746

John Sutcliffe of Stansfield Hall conveyed to Abraham Fielden of Todmorden Hall for £50.

Heptonstall Chapel rentals 1750

Lob Mill, Langfield: Richard Gledhill; John Crossley

Extracts from Lob Mill deeds 1767

Abraham Fielden to John Pilling the younger of …? in the Forest of Rossendale for £120.

Land Tax Assessments 1781-1784

owned by John Pilling; occupied by Westby Newby; tax £1.5s.10d.

Extracts from Lob Mill deeds 1785

Mr. Pilling to Christopher Rawdon of Halifax for £500.

Land Tax Assessments 1785

owned by Christopher Rawdon; occupied by Westby Newby; tax £1.3s.10d.

Langfield Poor Rates 1785-1787

Westby Newby; Lob Mill

Langfield Constables Rates 1786

Westby Newby; Lob Mill

Langfield Poor Rates 1789-1790

Christopher Rawdon; Lob Mill

Notes from John Travis, 19th century local historian:

On the opposite side of the road is Lobb Mill proper, which was first started by James Hollinrake of Higher Knowl, Walsden, his first occupation being that of putter out of weft and warps to home workers. The mill was not a very ambitious one to commence with and it was worked by waterpower. For a time he did well, and during the time of his prosperity he built Horsfall House near the mill.

Extracts from Lob Mill deeds 1790

Spinning worsted by machinery at Lob Mill. Partnership between Christopher Rawdon, William Ingham of Haugh in Langfield, and James Hollinrake of Horsfall. Christopher Rawdon began to enlarge the mill and make a new tail goit.

18th November 1791

Conveyance of 2 parcels of land at Lobmill from Christopher Rawdon of Underbank to James Hollinrake of Horsfall. Lying on upper and lower sides of Lobmill New Bridge End, between the Turnpike Road side and the edge of the River Calder. Intended for building upon (excepting water course conveying scouring water to a fulling mill called Lob Mill, now converted into a factory.

Registry of Deeds (Wakefield) DO 549 700 27th January 1794

Grant from James Hollinrake of Horsfall in Stansfield, worsted & stuff maker, to William Ingham of Haigh in Langfield, merchant, of 4 new erected cottages or dwelling houses at Lob Mill, Bridge End in Stansfield betwixt the Turnpike Road and the River Calder … and also those two several warehouses, rooms or workshops situate within or under the same roof or building as the said cottages … now used and occupied by Messrs Ingham & Hollinrake & Co. as warehouses or workshops.

1794

1. Lob Mill, owned by Robert Atkinson, occupied by William Ingham, supported bill for the Rochdale Canal.
2. Lob Mill, owned by Robert Atkinson, occupied by James Hollinrake, supported bill for Rochdale Canal.

Guildhall ref: 7253 - Royal Exchange Insurance Policy 25th August 1795

Vol. 29 No. 146602

William Ingham, John Hollinrake and Christopher Rawdon of Langfield, worsted manufacturers. Worsted spinning mill, stone and slate, Langfield; first class cotton risks £500. Millwrights work etc £300. Spinning & carding engines and moveable utensils £1,400. Trade £300. Premium £11.0s.6d.

Langfield Poor Rates 1795

Ingham, Hollinrake & Co. Lob Mill

Langfield Constable Rates 1795

Ingham, Hollinrake & Co. Lob Mill

Guildhall ref: 7253 - Royal Exchange Insurance Policy 29th September 1797

Vol. 32A No. 158615

As above but premium £13.2s.6d.

Lob Mill Brass Band!

Guildhall ref: 7253 - Royal Exchange Insurance Policy 4th November 1801

Vol. 32A No. 187370

William Ingham, James Hollinrake, Thomas Knowles jnr and John Howarth, all near Todmorden, worsted manufacturers. Worsted spinning mill, stone and slated, called Lob Mill, Langfield, conformable to first class in cotton risks but no cotton manufacture carried on. In own occupation only £600. Millwright’s work £300. Clockmaker’s work and all fixed machinery £1,400. Stock in trade £1,700. Total £4,000. Premium 21 plus duty etc.

Deans Manchester Directory 1804

J. Knowles, fustian, Todmorden, attending the Manchester markets

Langfield Church Ley 1805

Ingham, Hollinrake & Co. Lob Mill

Stansfield Township valuation 1805

Cottages near Lob Mill owned by James Hollinrake.

1 warehouse owned by James Hollinrake, occupied by John Pilling.

1 old warehouse – empty – owned by James Hollinrake.

Leeds Intelligencer 20th May 1805

Partnership dissolved 27th April – William Ingham, James Hollinrake, Thomas Knowles and John Howarth, worsted and cotton spinners at Lob Mill & Oldroyd Mill. Firm of Ingham, Hollinrake & Co.

Murgatroyd family papers 14th October 1806

1 year's lease Christopher Rawdon and James Hollinrake of mill in Langfield called Lob Mill, or Mill at Bridge End, lately used as a fulling mill, now used for spinning worsted, in the occupation of Messrs Ingham, Knowles and Howarth.

Murgatroyd family papers 15th October 1806

Release of Lob Mill, Langfield, Christopher Rawdon to James Hollinrake.

Notes from John Travis, local 19th century historian:

After the death of James Hollinrake, the business passed into the hands of his 3 sons. John the eldest son first succeeded his father at Lobb Mill. Abraham Hollinrake succeeded his brother John as spinner and manufacturer at Lobb Mill. After struggling against a declining trade for a few years he succumbed.

2nd September 1808

Deed of Partition - Mr. David Hollinrake and his brothers and sisters.

Murgatroyd family papers 1808

Abraham Hollinrake of Bankfoot, Heptonstall, cotton spinner, and Mrs. Byfield (sister) mortgage Lob Mill to John Whiteley for £1,000.

Holden 1809-1811

Ingham, Knowles & Co. cotton & worsted spinners, Lob Mill.

Land Tax Assessments 1808-1814

owned by Abraham Hollinrake; occupied by Ingham, Knowles & Co; tax 10s.3d.

John James History of Worsted Manufacture in England

Claimants for soap drawback in 1810 include Ingham, Knowles & Co. of Lob Mill - £47.

Murgatroyd family papers 6th October 1814

Lease for 1 year. David Hollinrake and Abraham Hollinrake.

Deed of exchange, piece of land and right of water, David Hollinrake and Abraham Hollinrake. Lob Mill, property of Abraham Hollinrake, occupied by Ingham, Knowles & Co.

Langfield Poor Rate 1814

Ingham, Knowles & Co. Lob Mill

Stansfield Township map 1816

Lob Mill shown as a district of Stansfield, and millrace shown for a mill in Langfield. Abraham Hollinrake is the owner of the buildings and land at Bridge End and the field behind is owned by Messrs William Ingham, Thomas Knowles and John Howarth. John Hollinrake owns Horsfall and lands running down to Lob Mill Bridge End.

Langfield Poor Rates 1816

Ingham, Knowles & Co. Lob Mill

Leigh’s Directory 1818

Abraham Hollinrake, cotton spinner & manufacturer, Lob Mill

Baines 1822

Abraham Hollinrake, cotton spinner & manufacturer, Lobb Mill

Baines 1824

1. Abraham Hollinrake, cotton spinner & manufacturer, Lob Mill
2. William Hodgson, cotton spinner & manufacturer, Lob Mill

Pigot & Dean 1824

Abraham Hollinrake, cotton spinner & manufacturer, Lobb Mill

Baines 1825

Abraham Hollinrake, cotton spinner & manufacturer, calico, Lobb Mill.

Notes from John Travis, local 19th century historian:

Abraham Hollinrake's successor was Samuel Hollinrake (married to John’s daughter Elizabeth Hollinrake). He also struggled against adverse circumstances for a time, and then gave in.

Murgatroyd family papers 1827

Abraham Hollinrake late of Bankfoot, Heptonstall, now of Lob Mill, cotton spinner, leased Lob Mill to Samuel Hollinrake of Hallroyd House in Stansfield, cotton spinner. Samuel Hollinrake mortgaged to Robert Sunderland for £1,000.

Pigot 1828

Samuel Hollinrake, cotton spinner & manufacturer, Lob Mill

Parson & White 1830

Abraham Hollinrake, cotton spinner & manufacturer, calico, New Shop.

Halifax Guardian 28th September 1833

Abraham Hollinrake, late of Vicarage in Stansfield, cotton manufacturer, bankrupt.

Murgatroyd family papers 1835

Samuel Hollinrake had further mortgage of £1,000 from John Sutcliffe

White 1837

George Sutcliffe, worsted spinners & manufacturers, Lob Mill

White 1842/43

George Sutcliffe, worsted spinners & manufacturers, Lob Mill

Halifax Guardian 6th May 1843

To be let by ticket – cotton mill called Lob Mill, Langfield; steam engine 12hp; with or without machinery. Rooms in old part 18 yards by 10 yards. Rooms in new part 18 yards by 14 yards. Part of mill worked by River Calder 16hp. Apply Samuel Hollinrake, Springside, to view.

The Leeds Mercury Saturday June 24th 1843

All that capital and substantial cotton factory. Five storeys high and the greater part thereof recently built and completed at considerable expense situated at or called Lobb Mill in the township of Langfield. Together with the waterfall, water wheels head and tail goits, steam engine, boiler, workshops and other erections … now or late in the possession of Mr. Samuel Hollinrake or his tenants.

The above commodious premises are most advantageously adapted for carrying on the cotton spinning or manufacturing business, the rooms in the old part being 16 yards in length and 10 in width, and in the new part 18 by 14.

The mill is partly worked by a constant supply of water from the River Calder with a wheel of 12hp and partly by a steam engine of 18hp and is conveniently situated for land or water carriage, being bounded on the south by the Rochdale Canal and on the north by the Halifax and Todmorden Turnpike Road, and at a short and easy distance of about one mile from two stations of the Manchester and Leeds Railway, while from the surrounding populous neighbourhood an abundance of hands may at all times be relied upon.

The premises are freehold of inheritance, in good repair, and fit for immediate occupation …

Halifax Guardian 1st July 1843

Sale by auction. Lob Mill cotton factory. 5 storeys and greater part recently built; water wheels; steam engine; boilers; workshops; now or late in possession of Samuel Hollinrake or his tenants. Rooms in old part 18 yards by 10 yards; in new part 18 yards by 14 yards. Mill worked partly by constant supply of water from River Calder with a wheel of 12hp; partly by 12hp steam engine. Bounded on south by Rochdale Canal and north by the Halifax to Todmorden Turnpike Road. Freehold.

Walker 1845

J. & J. Hodgson, cotton spinners & manufacturers, Lob Mill

Langfield Highway Rates November 1849

Occupied by Horsfall & Smith; owned by John Hodgson; mill; rateable value £141.3s.11d; 10hp water £82.2s.2d; 10hp steam £7.13s.2½d.

Halifax Guardian 16th October 1852

Sale by private contract at Lob Mill near Todmorden. 1 high pressure steam engine, cylinder 15 feet diameter, metallic piston, 2 feet stroke. Also 1 condensing steam engine. Apply Mr. John Hodgson, Sunderland House, Luddenden Foot, or W. Kay Esq. engine maker, Bury.

White 1853

Hodgson & Smith, cotton spinners & manufacturers, Lob Mill

Halifax Guardian 20th May 1854

Lob Mill near Todmorden.

Notice given that a portion of the carding and spinning machinery, now in the cotton mill called Lob Mill occupied by William Horsfall of Todmorden, cotton spinner, as tenant to Mr. John Hodgson of Sunderland House, valued at £1,454.5s.0d; and steam engine, boiler, water wheel, are not the property of William Horsfall but of John Hodgson.

Langfield Poor Rate 1856-1857

Occupied by William Horsfall; owned by John Hodgson; Lob Mill; mill, 9hp water, 13hp steam; rateable value £254.18s.7d.

Langfield Rates Book 1856-1859

Occupied by Barker Sutcliffe; owned by John Hodgson; Lob Mill; shed; 6hp; rateable value £26.18s.8d.

1857 – plus warehouse £7.19s.0d.

Halifax Guardian 9th January 1858

William Horsfall, Lob Mill Langfield, cotton spinner, bankrupt.

Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Advertiser 28th May 1859

Room and Power to let at Lob Mill, apply Lob Mill Co.

Langfield Poor Rate 1860

1. Occupied by John Wright; owned by Lob Mill Co; part of Lob Mill; house, mill, 9hp water; rateable value £240.16s.3d.
2. Occupied by Henry Crossley; owned by Lob Mill Co; Lob Mill; shed & warehouse; 7hp steam; rateable value £34.7s.8d.

Kelly 1861

1. John Wright, cotton spinner & manufacturer, Lob Mill
2. James Plant, cotton spinner, Lob Mill

Langfield Poor Rate 1861-62

Occupied by John Wright; owned by John Hodgson; part of Lob Mill; house plus 27½ hp steam; rateable value £296.5s.0d.

Langfield poor Rate 1863-64

Occupied by James Plant; owned by John Hodgson; part mill; Lob Mill; rateable value £331.2s.8d; part empty.

Langfield Rate Book 1865

Occupied by M. Brennan; owned by John Hodgson; Lob Mill; mill, power, shed; rateable value £254.3s.9d.

Halifax Guardian 16th December 1865

Legal Notice;

Lob Mill near Todmorden – the whole of the cotton spinning machinery as well as water wheel, steam engines, boilers etc now in Lob Mill, Langfield, and now occupied by Mr. Michael Brennan as lessee or tenant are the sole property of Mr. John Hodgson of Sunderland House, the owner.

White 1866

1. Michael Brennan, cotton spinner & manufacturer, Lob Mill
2. James Dawson, cotton spinner & manufacturer, Lob Mill
3. Crabtree & Maden, reed and heald makers, Lob Mill

Fielden papers 27th April 1868

Letter to Messrs Ashworth Bros of Lob Mill

Langfield Rates Book 1868-1881

Occupied by Ashworth Bros; owned by John Hodgson; Lobb Mill; mill and power; rateable value £254.3s.9d.

Kelly 1871

Ashworth Bros. cotton spinners & manufacturers, Lob Mill

1st August 1872

Newscutting on “Improvements in cotton spinning & doubling” refers to a patent of Messrs Ashworth Bros of Lob Mill Todmorden. (In Isaac Holden’s papers deposited at the Brotherton Library I Leeds)

Slater 1875

Henry Ashworth & Bros. cotton spinners & manufacturers, Lob Mill, Woodbottom and Walsden Mills

Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Advertiser 1st August 1879

Depressed trade - Lob Mill closed – 13,236 spindles and 77 looms

Langfield Rates Book 1885-1888

Occupied by Ashworth Bros; owned by John Hodgson; Lobb Mill; mill; rateable value £182; steam and water power not used.

Halifax Courier 9th January 1886

To let or sell – Lob Mill, containing 4,546 throstle and 7,400 mule spindles with preparation for same; also 77 calico looms. Apply James Hodgson, Sunderland House, Luddenden Foot.

Slater 1887

Henry Ashworth & Bros. cotton spinners & manufacturers, Lob Mill, Woodbottom and Walsden Mills

March 1888

Freehold cotton mill and premises at Lob Mill near Todmorden to be sold by auction on 25th March 1888.

The valuable cotton spinning mill and weaving shed known as Lobb Mill with the steam and water power, shafting, piping, machinery and fixtures therein.

The buildings are well and substantially built of stone, and in good condition, and comprise boiler house, circular stone built chimney, beam engine house, main spinning mill, 5 storeys and attic, about 40 yards by 15 yards with projecting staircase and hoist house. One storey building forming cotton mixing and scutching rooms. Two-storey building forming beam, store and winding-on room. Weaving shed to hold 77 looms, and building forming office and smithy.

The steam and water power comprise 2 double-flued steam boilers, 28 feet by 7 feet diameter; splendid beam steam engine compounded on McNaught’s principle with 28” and 24” cylinders, 6 foot stroke; breast water wheel with iron buckets, about 15hp; geared box hoist for 5 storeys, and the whole of the excellent polished shafting, gearing, piping etc throughout.

The machinery consists of 11,502 mule and throstle spindles and 77 power looms, with full complement of preparing machinery.

Langfield Rates Book 1890

Empty; owned by John Hodgson; Lob Mill.

Langfield Rates Book 1893

Permanently unoccupied; owned by John Hodgson; Lob Mill

Kelly 1893

James Bancroft & Co. cotton manufacturers, Lobb Mill

Kelly 1897-1908

James Hirst, wholesale clothier, Lob Mill

19th July 1898

Letter to Mr. Moss from R. Crabtree & Son of Hebden Bridge about a deed of assignment by W. W. Moss who owes rent to J. Moss. Crabtrees also state they are allowing Moss Bros. (a portion of whose premises were destroyed by fire on Sunday) to use the machinery, and possibly they may eventually buy the plant and wish to take up the tenancy from the debtor.

Further letter 27th July 1898 – from Mr. Crabtree to J. Moss about W. Moss. Moss Bros to buy machinery and would like to rent the premises for 6 months. Pencil reply on the back by J. Moss “Moss Bros may have the room at Lob Mill lately occupied by Mr. Moss.”

29th September 1906

Mr. J. Forrest, the Lancashire steeplejack to raze the chimney of Lob Mill. Fire lit at 3pm. He gave a prize for the best photograph to Frank Stenhouse of Walsden.