The Weaver Uprising was one of the first collective actions
in England. It came at a time of extreme poverty and economic
depression. The handloom weavers had enjoyed a good living
before the factory system and introduction of the powerloom.
in 1792 a yard of cloth earned a man three shillings. In 1826
the same work brought a mere 3 ˝ p. Meanwhile, the price of
foodstuffs had climbed drastically. In addition came the stock
market crash of 1825. People were starving and something had to
be done.
David Scott.
David Scott.
The Weaver Uprising was one of the first collective actions in
England. It came at a time of extreme poverty and economic
depression. The handloom weavers had enjoyed a good living
before the factory system and introduction of the powerloom.
in 1792 a yard of cloth earned a man three shillings. In 1826
the same work brought a mere 3 ˝ p. Meanwhile, the price of
foodstuffs had climbed drastically. In addition came the stock
market crash of 1825. People were starving and something had to
be done.
Chorley uprising Thu 27 April 1826
from Jim Heyes - History of Chorley.
On Monday April 24th 1826 a crowd of around 1,000 gathered on
Whinney Hill, near Accrington. They split into two groups, one
marching to Sykes Higher Grange Mill, where they smashed 60
looms, the other making for Oswaldtwistle where two mills were
attacked and a total of 154 looms destroyed. On day 2 they
marched on Darwen smashing looms. On day 3 they moved to
Haslingden. On day 3, Wed 26th Apr 1826, the crowd had
swelled to over 3,000 when they arrived at Chatterton Mill by
the River Irwell near Ramsbottom. The local Magistrate read the
Riot Act and the British Soldiers fired on the crowd killing at
least 6 people, even an innocent bystander. The inquest on the
deaths was held in private, probably a cover up.
Water Street Mill 1848.
National Tyre and Autocare showrooms.
On day 4, Thu 27 April 1826 the crowd marched along the edge of
the moors to Chorley and Water Street Mill. This was seven years
after Peterloo and the magistrate who read the Riot Act in
Chorley, was John Silvester, of Chorcliffe House, who had also
read the Riot Act at Peterloo. Manchester. The constables were
unable to prevent the mill being entered but when names of
rioters were taken they gave false names. The end result was
little change for the weavers. The mill-owners did very well as
a result of the riots. Compensation (levied on the rates)
enabled them to re-stock their mills with new machinery, and as
the money came from public funds the weavers continued to
starve. Water Street Mill is clearly shown on the 1848 map
but by 1890 all that is shown on the map is the chimney for the
Phoenix Foundry. Even the adjacent Foundry had gone. The site is
now the National Tyre and Autocare showrooms.
Site of the Water Street Mill today National Tyre and
Autocare showrooms.
God help the poor, who in lone vallies dwell, Or by far
hills, where whin and heather grow! Theirs is a story sad
indeed to tell; Yet little cares the world, nor seeks to know
The toil and want poor weavers undergo. The irksome loom must
have them up at morn; They work till worn-out nature will
have sleep; They taste, but are not fed. Cold snow drifts
deep.