sandholmemill

After 1814 a size works was started at Sandholme by Robert Smith from near Burnley. He was the brother of Margaret Smith, wife of Robert Barker the millwright. William Sutcliffe of Great House Clough was the book-keeper at Sandholme. He also married a relative of Mr. Smith. He became a partner and ultimately became a corn miller at Bacup. William Sutcliffe and Robert Smith were brothers-in-law, having married respectively Mary Smith, daughter of James Smith of Burnley, and Ann Sutcliffe, sister of William.

Sandholme Mill was a long, narrow building of three storeys. New scutching, winding and warping rooms built on left hand side of entrance gate. In 1852 they also erected a weaving shed for about 300 looms near the warp sizing works at Sandholme. A 20hp steam engine by Jonathan Barker of Millwood was installed.

Messrs S. and J.W. Sutcliffe, manufacturers of single and double warp wigans, twills, domestics, sheetings and coloured goods, Sandholme and ANCHOR SHEDS. Among the firms of the district which have made exceptional progress during the present generation, one of the most important is that of Messrs. S. and J.W. Sutcliffe of the Sandholme and Anchor factories, makers of a variety of important fabrics. The business, like so many others in Yorkshire, was begun on a modest scale twenty years ago, Mr S. Sutcliffe in partnership with his father in law starting in HOPE STREET SHED with 90 looms. Mr Sutcliffe's brother in law, Mr. J. W. Sutcliffe eventually became the second partner and the substantial progress the firm has made is seen in the fact that 90 old fashioned looms of 20 years ago are now represented by between 500 and 600, devoted to the manufacture of five or six classes of fabrics, and all of the most modern type, for effective and economical production.

The mills are of the normal type, large and solidly built stone structures, flanked by ranges of one storey weaving sheds let from the roof. A fine steam engine drives the looms and machinery appliances, and from two to three hundred hands find regular employment in weaving and preparatory operations. During the twenty years covered by their operations, their employees have been kept in full work, with but one slight break. The wigans, twills, domestics, sheetings and coloured goods, made by Messrs. Sutcliffe are now generally regarded as standard articles on the market, and are readily disposed of. Great care is constantly exercised in the selection of yarns, and in the weaving process, so that it would not be easy to produce better goods. Both partners are highly popular in the district, and Mr S. Sutcliffe has just been elected an Alderman of the new borough.

Additional information

researched, recorded and referenced by Mrs Sheila Wade

Hebden Bridge WEA Local History Group

Baines 1824

James Smith, sizer, Sandholme

Parson & White 1830

James Smith, sizers

Pigot 1834

James Smith, sizers

Bradford Observer 9th October 1834

The partnership dissolved between William Smith of Bacup and Robert Smith of Sandholme, Todmorden, cotton manufacturers.

White 1842 and 1843

Edmund Whitaker, dyers

White 1847

Edmund Whitaker, dyers

Halifax Guardian 29th April 1848

Fire at size house of Edmund Whitaker at Sandholme. Damage estimated at £400 to £500. Building was insured.

Langfield Highway Rates November 1849

Owner and occupier Edmund Whitaker; Sandholme; size house rateable value £28.18s.0d; power £4.15s.0d; mill £52.10s.0d.

1851 census

Edmund Whitaker, Sandholme, sizer employing 24 men and boys.

James Whitaker, son, clerk to his father.

White 1853

Edmund Whitaker & sons, Sandholme and Gauxholme, cotton spinners, manufacturers & sizers etc.

Langfield Rates Book 1856-58

Owner and occupier Edmund Whitaker; Sandholme; mill, size house etc. rateable value £71.13s.6d.

Langfield Rates Book 1859-62

Owner and occupier Edmund Whitaker; Sandholme; mill and size house rateable value £87.9s.0d; boiler house rateable value £5.16s.10d.

Kelly 1861

Edmund Whitaker & sons, Sandholme Mill and Copperas House, Walsden, cotton warp sizers, spinners and manufacturers.

Langfield Rates Book 1863-64

Owner and occupier Edmund Whitaker; Sandholme; mill, size house; additional shed at 10hp; rateable value £148.10s.4d.

Langfield Rates Book 1865-67

Owner and occupier Edmund Whitaker; Sandholme; mill, shed, size house and power, rateable value £208.17s.0d.

Langfield Rates Book 1868-81

Owner and occupier John Whitaker; Sandholme; mill, shed, size house and power, rateable value £208.17s.0d.

1880-81 – rateable value £241.15s.0d.

Kelly 1877

Edmund Whitaker & sons, Sandholme Mill and Copperas House, Walsden, cotton warp sizers, spinners and manufacturers

White's 1877

Whitaker, Edmund & Son – warp sizers mfrs – Sandholme.

Factory Act prosecutions

18th January 1877

E. Whitaker and Sons, Sandholme Mill, Todmorden cotton manufacturers.

Case heard before A. Ormerod and ... Sutcliffe Esqrs at Todmorden

Employing a child under 14 without causing him to attend school

Penalty of £2 and costs of 19s.6d

Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Advertiser 1st August 1879

Sandholme Mill, Whitaker’s, 200 looms closed.

Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Advertiser 13th Feb 1880 to 18th March 1881

To let; sizing business and premises at Sandholme. Apply E. Whitaker & sons, Sandholme.

Halifax Courier 3rd January 1885

John Horsfall of Hebden Bridge has taken Sandholme Mill for the ready made clothing business. During the last 2 or 3 months, four mills or sheds in Todmorden have been taken for this business.

Halifax Courier 22nd August 1885

Accident at mill of Sugden Sutcliffe & Co. of Sandholme.

Factory Act prosecutions

1st October 1885

Sugden Sutcliffe and Co – cotton manufacturers Sandholme Shed

Case heard before Rev. T. Sutcliffe, J. A. Ingham, H.C. Taylor M.D.

Employing a child before and after 1pm. same day

Penalty 10s.0d – costs 7s.6d

Langfield Rates Book 1885-88

Occupied by Sugden Sutcliffe; owner John Whittaker trustee; loom shed, size house and steam power; Sandholme; rateable value £182.15s.0d.

1886 – size house boarded up, rateable value £125.10s.0d.

Slater 1887

John Horsfall, wholesale clothier.

Manchester Examiner 22nd July 1887

Sandholme and Hope Street Mills, 400 looms running full time.

Slater 1887

S. & J.W. Sutcliffe, manufacturers of cotton goods.

Langfield Rates Book 1890

Empty; owner Whitaker representatives; size house; Sandholme; rateable value £57.

Langfield Rates Book 1893

Occupiers Lord Fielden and John Dawson; owner Luke Barker; part of size house; Sandholme; rateable value £47.

Langfield Rates Book 1890-93

Occupiers Sugden and James William Sutcliffe; owner John Whittaker trustee; mill and power; Sandholme; rateable value £116.10s.0d.

Worrell 1891

S. & J.W. Sutcliffe, Sandholme, Anchor and Hope Street Sheds, 639 looms, wigans, domestics, sheetings, twills etc. Manchester warehouse 35, Spring Gardens.

Kelly 1893

S. & J.W. Sutcliffe, Sandholme and Roomfield Lane, cotton manufacturers.

Kelly 1897

S. & J.W. Sutcliffe, Sandholme and Anchor Sheds, cotton manufacturers.

Todmorden in Coronation Year of Edward VII 1902

Alderman Sugden Sutcliffe, Glenroyd House, senior partner in S. & J.W. Sutcliffe, manufacturers of single and double warp wigans, twills, domestics, sheetings, and coloured goods at Sandholme and Anchor Sheds.

Kelly 1908

S. & J.W. Sutcliffe, Sandholme Mills, cotton manufacturers.

John Sutcliffe, Sandholme, millwrights