Samuel Greg

What is a cottage industry?

individual industrial action - preceded factories

Robert Hyde

Greg’s uncle - sent to live with him when he was 8

Manufactured and sold textiles

Why did Greg take over the business and how much was it worth?

Robert died and Nathaniel was an alcoholic so retired.

Company was worth £260,000

Why did Greg build a mill in Styal?

to ensure the continuity of quality and supply

Why was Styal advantageous? (industry)

• close to liverpool and manchester

• international port in liverpool

• close to bridgwater canal

• close to river bollin - use of arkwright water frame

Why was Styal advantageous? (quarry)

• nearby quarry

• easily attainable building materials

• land was unfarmable (cheap)

Where did they get their materials from?

• cotton from Borboun West Indies

• used thicker thread from Brazil

  • used slaves on plantations (contrast w/ Wedgwood)

What impact did the French Wars have?

• rapid expansion of spinning business - international market opened up

• demand for yarn increased

• mill owners saw rising profit because of rising wartime prices

How did the profitability of yarn help Greg’s business?

• bulk of operations moved from spinning to trading

  • used this to improve factory and make it competitive without debt

Why was Greg revolutionary?

• willing to use new machines such as the Arkwright waterframe

• promoted improved improved workplaces for his workers

  • educated workers (but only kinda because children had to learn after 12 hour shifts in the factory)

Who was Matthew Fawkner

• employed for building and equipping the mill because Greg had no clue

  • directed the factory for 12 years

Who was Peter Ewart

• partner taken on by Greg

• had an apprenticeship with Boulton and Watt - Greg wanted him on board

Why was the introduction of Crompton’s Spinning mule important?

rising demand for mule-spun yarn because of the wars

How was the mill improved prior to the introduction of the spinning mule?

second waterwheel and tunnel built to take off headwater of river. this added to available horsepower (up to 40hp)

When was the 10hp Boulton and Watt steam engine added?

1810

Who was Hannah Greg?

Greg’s wife - very religious. believed that education was a means of self development an that social change was needed to adress poverty and government corruption

Why was there a labor problem?

people living near the mill were part of “putting out” system & didn’t like the idea of working in a factory in comparison

How did Greg get more workers

took on pauper apprentices from the Wimslow Poorhouse.

• provided food, education and lodgings until they turned 18

What were living conditions for Greg’s apprentices like?

clean, with basic physical needs met. Approx. 60 girls and 30 boys in lodging house

What were living conditions for the rest of the workers like?

Greg converted agricultural buildings and built cottages. The cottages had allotment plot and a privy. Far superior to places offered in Manchester and Birmingham

What were conditions in the mill like?

Dangerous - high humidity, dusty air, covered w/ white fibres, loud noise, finger destroying machines, caused respiratory issues, hearing issues, lifelong injuries

How did the factory system come around?

innovations - Spinning Jenny, Waterwheels, Steam Engines

How did Greg manage to increase productivity?

obtained sufficient capital without putting himself into debt

How did Greg attract workers?

acute need for labour, needed more workers than smaller firms. provided well for workers - housing, education, food.

How was Greg’s mill innovative?

Mixed types of power - water and steam powered engines ran machines.