in Beswick, Manchester
Bancks's 1831 map shows Chappell's Cotton Mills about ¼ east of Holt Town Mills. The buildings are adjacent to the Ashton Canal, the canal being enlarged at two adjacent places, evidently to provide a reservoir for the mill, and there was also a leat heading off south west for a short distance to supply a vitriol works. An unusual feature is the presence of two dozen terraced cottages, arranged in an L-shape, one leg of the L being shown attached to the wall of the largest mill building. See reference to 'factory colony' in the context of Holt Town Mills.
1832 'CHOLERA TREATMENT. Messrs. R. Chappell and Brother, of Beswick Mill, near Manchester, have issued a notice in which they state that from forty to fifty cases, up to Saturday last, of disordered bowels and cholera, have been effectually cured in persons employed by them and in their neighbourhood, by simply taking from half a pint to one pint of water, as hot as it can be drunk, on the first painful effects being felt in the chest or bowels; and that in no one instance has the remedy failed.'[1]
1840 Reference to the mill being stopped by a Chartist mob of two hundred people who confronted Joseph Holmes, the mill's engineer and told him to stop the engine.[2]
1841 Partnership dissolved between George Royle Chappell and Thomas Royle Chappell, of Manchester and Beswick, Lancashire, fustian manufacturers.[3]
1856 'Fire near Manchester.— At an early hour of Sunday morning an old cotton-mill, situated at Beswick, near Manchester, was discovered to be on fire, the flames being first seen in one of the spinning-rooms on the third floor. The fire brigades from Manchester and Salford were sent to the spot, and saved two of the three steam-engines, a reeling-room, a weaving-shed, containing 400 looms, and the warehouse ; but the greater part of the mill had been nearly destroyed before they arrived. The mill belongs to Mr. George Royle Chappell, and was in the occupation of Messrs. John and Joseph Plant, It was built 40 years ago, and, the floors being well saturated with oil, the fire spread with much rapidity. The damage is estimated at about £10,000, which is covered by insurances in the West of England, Guardian, and Manchester offices. The origin of the fire is not known. Some workmen had been repairing one of the engines till a late hour on Saturday night, and they say all was right when they left.'[4]
1860 Sale Notice
The mill was offered for sale, together with Chappell's house and land and property in Ancoats, Hulme, Chorlton-upon-Medlock, Red Bank, and Salford, 'by order of the trustees under the will of the late George Royle Chappell, Esq., at the Clarence Hotel, Spring Gardens, Manchester, on Tuesday, the 17th day of July. 1860'. Relevant extracts:-
'All that FREEHOLD PLOT LAND, situate Nelsons-treet. Chorlton-upon-Medlock. containing 3690 2-9ths square yards or thereabouts, and also the excellent Dwelling house, called Nelson House, occupied until very recently by the late G. R. Chappell. Esq., but now unoccupied, with the vinery, pine pits, and conservatories and garden thereto belonging.
'Lot 12. All that FREEHOLD PLOT of LAND, situate in Beswick, adjoining the Ashton Canal, containing 6,036 square yards, or thereabouts ; and also all that Factory and Two Weaving Sheds erected on part thereof, formerly occupied by the late G. R. Chappell, Esq., and lately by Messrs. John and Joseph Plant, but now untenanted, together with the three steam engines, boilers, pipes, mill gearing, and millwright work, and all and every the fixtures of whatever description the said factory and weaving sheds, or upon any part of the said plot of land; and also all those 27 Cottages erected on other part of the same plot The mill and sheds are unoccupied, but they and the cottages. which have always been let together, are, at low estimate, worth at least £700 year. When the mill sheds were occupied, the cottages, which are three stories high, for many years produced an annual rental of £240, thus reducing the rental of the manufacturing portion of this lot to £460 per annum. The greater portion of the mill has been rebuilt during the last four years, and the whole presents opportunity for a manufacturing investment seldom to be met with. The above plot and will be sold subject to the payment of original chief or ground rent of £37 14s. and to the observance and performance of the releasees, covenants, conditions, and agreements contained in the Indenture, reserving the said rent. A portion of the purchase-money of most of the above lota may remain mortgage. The amount will be stated at the time of aale. Further particulars ....' [5]
The 1891/1893 O.S. Map shows the mill as Reservoir Mill. Additional buildings have been constructed, but about 10 of the cottage buildings are still shown.