Two mills on this site.
The history of Dearden Clough Mill is covered comprehensively in John Simpson’s Book.
[John Simpson – A History of Edenfield and District –Reference copy available at Ramsbottom Library].
1767 Dearden Clough Higher Mill built Goldthorpe page 72]
1792 Dearden Clough Lower Mill built [Goldthorpe page 72]
Dearden Clough Lower Mill – originally a water-powered woollen mill, later a cotton mill operated by Thomas Entwistle. [Goldthorpe page 72]
Advertisement in Manchester Mercury 25th March 1777.
To be sold to the best bidder:
At the house of ...Rostherne, being the sign of the Pack Horse in Edenfield, in the Parish of Bury, and the County of Lancaster, on Wednesday the 9th day of April 1777, between the hours of ten and twelve in the forenoon, subject to such conditions as will then be produced.
ALL that MILL, called Duerden mill, with the mill house, 13 seams of tenters, extensive warehousing, and other building Convenience thereto adjoining; and all the Dams, Lodges of Water and Sluices thereunto belonging, in the present Possession of William Wallwork as Tenant thereof.
All those two messuages or Dwelling-Houses (one of which is built of brick and slate) with Barn, Stable, and other Out-housing; and also all those seven acres of Lan to the same belonging (upon which the said Mill and before mentioned Conveniences are situated) and called Greave’s tenement, lying in Edenfield aforesaid, now or late in the Occupation of Edmund Whitaker, as Tenant thereof.
The above Mill and its Conveniences, are held by Lease under Mr Thomas Booth, of Edenfield aforesaid, for the Term of 21 years certain, 9 of which and upwards, are yet unexpired.
The two Messuages and seven acres of land, with their respective Appurtenances, are held by Lease under the same Mr Booth, for the Term of 20 years certain, nine of which are unexpired on the 20th inst.
The original mill at Dearden Clough, which became known as ‘the higher mill’ was built about 1767 by Thomas Booth. It was originally a water-powered woollen mill and later a cotton mill. It was five storeys high and included a perching mill or ‘gigg’ plus nine seams of tenters. It was known as BOOTH’S FULLING MILL. Thomas Booth and his partner’s, Benjamnin Greaves and Joseph Mather didn’t operate there for very long. [Simpson page 54]
1774 William Wallwork took over the mill. [Simpson page 55]
1784 John & Lawrence Hoyle worked the mill for about 30 years. In 1792 a new lease was granted to John Hoyle, ( who took his son, John into the business) as Lawrence had died. By this time a second fulling mill had been added together with a stove house/dry house. This second mill was known as Dearden Clough Lower Mill [ibid]
DEARDEN CLOUGH HIGHER MILL – the original mill on this site built about 1767.
1812 New tenants – Lawrence Duckworth (fulling miller) John Wallwork (had another fulling mill in Ramsbottom – probably Kibboth Crew – Kath) and Thomas Elton (butcher) took over the mill on a 17 year lease which covered both mills. They sub-let firstly the Lower Mill and later the higher mill. Until this time both mills had been run by the same person but by 1828 the mills had different tenants. [Simpson page 55]
1829 James Stott and Thomas Smith took over the original mill (Higher Mill) – they used it for carding and began power loom weaving – by 1836 it had 55 looms. They moved out in 1836 and it was empty for a short time. [ibid]
1837 Joseph & James Porritt started their woollen manufacturing career at Dearden Clough Mill in 1837. They leased DC Mill for 14 years from 1837 and Samuel Porritt was taken into partnership in 1838 [Goldthorpe page 13] They operated at Springwood Mill and Dearden Clough for a time. They installed new fulling stocks at the mill in order to be able to finish their own pieces.
1841 Joseph & James Porritt, woollen manufacturer of Edenfield are listed at Dearden Clough. [Pigot & Slater] They are still there in 1850[Heap] but by this time, they are also operating at Springwood Mill in Ramsbottom
1850 Joseph & James Porritt – woollen manufacturers and manufacturers of linen and cotton cloth for machinery – Dearden Clough Mill and White Horse, Hanging Ditch, Manchester on Tuesdays. [Heap]
It was then changed to cotton manufacturing by John & William Cronkshaw but they became bankrupt in 1858.
After this, D.C. Higher Mill was divided into two – part rented to James Emmett and part to Eastwood, Clegg & Co., cotton spinners and manufacturers.
1861 Clegg Eastwood & Co, cotton spinners and manufacturers at Dearden Clough, Edenfield and also James Emmett, cotton manufacturer at Dearden Clough, Edenfield [Drake].
1865 James Emmett moved to Bridge Mill and Eastwood, Clegg & Co., took over his part.
A Mr Bealey was also owner of Dearden Clough Mill before George Clegg [RHS magazine No:4 Winter/Spring 1992 page 11]
1871 Clegg & Brierley, cotton spinners and manufacturers are listed at Dearden Clough Higher Mill, Edenfield in 1871 [Worrall]
1871 Fire gutted the mill but it was re-built by 1972 – 3 storeys high. [Simpson page 56]
1873 George Clegg took sole control of the business. [Simpson page 57]
1888 George Clegg, cotton spinner & manufacturer (also cotton waste) is listed at Dearden Clough Mill Edenfield.[Slater]
I assume from this that George Clegg operated at Dearden Clough Higher Mill either with his partners in 1861 and 1871 and him solely in 1888.
1908 George Clegg is still there in 1908 as he is listed in the trade section of the 1908 map at Dearden Clough, Edenfield.
1930s George Clegg is, actually, still there in the 1930s as the company of Messrs G. Clegg Ltd of Dearden Clough are mentioned on page 10 of the Official Guide to Ramsbottom c1935 under the section referring to Edenfield.
Hume Elliot makes reference to ....’Dearden Clough under Mr George Clegg’ [Elliot page 152] and also ....’the former factory was nearly wrecked by the memorable Cowpe Flood’ [Elliot page 148]
1990 George Clegg Ltd was linked to Dearden Clough Mill until demolition in 1990 – which revealed the hollow remains of the swimming pool across the stream and steep waterfall [RHS magazine No:4 Winter/Spring 1992 page 11] Site of mill is now housing. [Goldthorpe page 72]
DEARDEN CLOUGH LOWER MILL
1816 Edward Sagar became a tenant of D. C. Lower Mill. [Simpson page 58]
Edward Sagar, together with his father, also had a business at Chatterton – they used Dearden Clough for carding and slubbing. [ibid]
1824 – Edmund Sagar – Dearden Clough, Tottington Higher End – woollen manufacturer. [Baines]
1828 Edmund Sagar Haslingden, flannel manufacturer, Dearden Clough
1829 Sagar’s lease not renewed. Mill taken over by Thomas Entwistle and his brothers who converted it to cotton manufacturing business (D.C.Lower Mill.) [Simpson page 59]
1833 Dearden Clough Mill is mentioned in the 1833 Irwell Reservoir Scheme as a cotton mill occupied by Mr Thomas Entwistle – Dearden Clough Lower Cotton Mill – Mr Thomas Entwistle, Falls 16 feet, 1 Water Wheel 3 feet wide and 16 feet diameter, thinks the intended Reservoir will be of little benefit to him, the water being held up by the mill above. Although two mills are marked on the accompanying map, only the Lower Mill is mentioned in the narrative.
Entwistles operated at D.C. Lower Mill until 1880s when it was occupied by a succession of small hard waste spinners.
In 1888 and 1908 there was a Richard Taylor, Heald & Reed makers listed at Dearden Clough Works [1888 Slater & 1908 Map] I think, perhaps, he operated at what was the Lower Mill. He died in 1898 but the company traded until its closure in 1960s.