Quarry Bank Document Bank Produced by the Formal Learning department at Quarry Bank. For use within schools and across the curriculum Archive documents with transcripts relating to different aspects of Quarry Bank Mill
1. Mill Memoranda: 1784 Lease of the mill and land to Samuel Greg from Lord Stamford.
1. Mill Memoranda: 1784 Lease of the mill Mill Memoranda The Mill Memoranda is a complied dairy of events that happened at Quarry bank between 1784 and 1925. The hand written book comes in two volumes, the first created by R. H Greg and the second by mill manager John Hewitt. Transcript: 1784. The first lease from Lord Stamford appears to have borne the date from 1784 and is made to Samuel Greg and John Massey Esquires, The latter to be the practical partner and to work the mill. Massey died same year and S. Greg paid his executors 1055 for money he had personally expanded and to get clear of all claims arising out of the partnership and lease. S. Greg had then to learn his business in all its branches, He found the machinery of bad quality and most of it had to be renewed but seems to have been put into action about 1785. This was just after the termination of Arkwright's Patent.
2. 1803. Oak Farm and Estate Mill Memoranda Transcript: As the Oak Farm and Estate has been always to some extent connected and identified with the mill it will be proper to mention a few particulars concerning it. This Farm was brought by Samuel Greg about 1803, a freehold in the middle of Lord Stamford's Estate. The reversion cost it seems 2100, probably the lives were purchased about same time. It consists of about 60 Statue Acres, and is cut through the middle by Lord S s leasehold farm of Toad Lane.
3. Notice of workers laid of in 1931
3. Notice of workers laid of in 1931 Through out the mill history there has been many turning points. This letter shows a difficult time where it became not economical viable to run the mill so employees had to be sadly let go. Transcript: Notice Owing to the difficulty of obtaining professional orders to run all the looms it has been become regrettably necessary to cut down the work of looms to those sufficient to weave only (10 x 11) and other that can be obtained at a fair price. It is regretted therefore that it is necessary to dispense with the preserve of all but a few workers. The legal seven days notice is hereby Weavers will finish as their weft are woven out, unless engaged Winders on the 8th July. Mr Henshall, Manager 1/07/31
4. 1929 Wage book
4. 1929 Wage book 1929 Wage book: The page shown is just for the workers in weaving rooms two and three. Just in these two rooms there are 32 workers. Over the next pages for the same dates workers at the mill amount to approximately 80. The pages are spilt by job role, such as weavers, odd hands, and beaming rooms. As the years progress the number of workers declines due to competition from the Asian rising textile industry, due to Britain not updating the textile machinery from the 19th century. The workers are listed in one long list rather than being spilt according to job role. The wage book finishes in 1959 with the closer of the mill. The wage books where kept throughout the mills life time. Here every employee had a number, their work was recorded to determine their pay.
5. 1941 Wage book
5. 1941 Wage book Wage book This pages shows the 1941 during World War 2. Here instead of the worker being listed into sections due to job type, the workers are listed in one long list. At this point there are only 17 workers. Many workers were laid off due to it being inefficient to run the weaving sheds at full capacity. During the war years the Greg's fought for many of their workers not to be conscripted in to the armed services. Saying they were completing essential skilled job roles.
6. 1951 Wage book
6. 1951 Wage book Wage Book Here in the 1951 wage book, the workers are reduced further to 12 workers. This continued to be due to the rising and cheap Asian textile industry, as well as the lack of reliable buyers for Quarry Banks cotton textiles.
7. 1959 Wage book
7. 1959 Wage book Wage Book In 1959 there where only 3 workers in the mill. Due to increased competition from abroad as well as the Greg family members having increased interests in other enterprises instead of the mill. It became not viable to run the mill, thus in 1959 Quarry Bank shut down its textiles production.
8. Letter referring to the Building of the suspension Bridge
8. Letter referencing the building of the Suspension Bridge Over the years during the 19th century and early 20th century, the Greg s spent time developing the surrounding landscape and gardens of Quarry Bank. This letters written in 1840 shows one of the Robert Phillip Greg asking sister Caroline Greg about how the building of a small suspension bridge is going. The quote below is situated on the last line of the bottom of the first page and carries on to the start of the next page. In the rest of the letter Robert Philips Greg talking about what books he is going to read as well as telling his sister about a dream where refused to marry a lady. Transcript How is the suspension bridge on, has Mamma gone over it yet or Mrs Radcliffe?
9. A letter from John Colston to a Greg Son
9. A letter from John Colston to a Greg Son John Colston was the Unitarian Minister and close friends of the Greg s. As the Greg s were also Unitarians they built Norcliffe Chapel in Styal village. Here Colston was the Minister. Colston took interest in the Greg family children, he often wrote to them asking about their schooling. An example of this is shown here in this letter. Where john writes to Robert Phillip Greg in 1840. Transcript: My Dear Robin, t afforded me much pleasure, under my care of friends, to know that you and Edward are happy at school and I sincerely hope you will entertain. Indeed I am sure you will if you thrive, as I believe you do, to do your duty as a pupil to Mr Mallatow and as a companion to your school fellows. Always strictly attend to the rules of the school and never be unkind to your companions. If they should not be kind to your friends and you. The following pages read wine and I take if four times a day for my cough, hope it will do my good. We are going to have an exhibition with the mechanics institute at Stockport, and your papa has been kind enough to lend one or two of his things for exhibition, His armour, swords, dagger and lions head among some of the things. As long they are taken good care of.
10. Employing a Gardner
10. Employing a Gardner The Greg s employed a series of gardeners to look after the estate and private garden at Quarry Bank. This letter refers to the employing of Mr Watts in 1937, to maintain the gardens and hedges as well as use the garage for storage. Transcript: Dear Mr Watts, Mr. Greg has asked me to pass to you the enclosed draft agreement for your personal and comments. He thinks that clause relating to the maintenance of the gardens and hedges and the use of the garage should be added. Also a plan of the holding which could be prepared here. Yours respectfully
11. Reda Television company
11. Reda Television company After the mill reduced production due to overseas competition in the 1950 s, the Greg's rented out parts of the mill to different companies for income. One of the companies was Reda TV company, which was housed in what was the apprentice house. This letter refers to building work and alterations at the apprentice house by Reda. Here the mill is trying to save money and lower costs of alterations. Transcript: Apprentice house Reda, I discussed the matter further with Mr Henshall on Tuesday, and I understand that Reda consider that the works can be carried can be carried out for a considerably less sum than has so far been mentioned; In the circumstances, I wonder whether you would be good enough to have an extra copy of the specification plan made, I will ask Reda if they would like to obtain an additional tender from their own builder; the work would of course have to be carried out to your satisfaction, but if the tender they obtain is substantially less than the others it will prove a saving to all concerned.
12. Quarry Bank House gate
12. Quarry Bank House gate 1860 The Greg s constantly built and developed the site Quarry Bank, including the building of Quarry Bank House as a family residence for the Greg s. The house even had a later wing added on with more bedrooms and servants quarters. The Greg s also added a gate to the entrance of Quarry Bank House and Gardens which can still be seen today. This document from the archive shows a blue print for the gate 1860 design. Note the specifications the Greg s have made for the height of the gate to allow for carriages and houseback. Transcript: Bottom of lamp to road should not be lower than 10 feet Gate post 18 inch squared by 4.7 high for one and of 4.3 for the other Width between centre of posts11.8 feet
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