Richard Walker (of Manchester)
1800 Listed as a dealer in malt, hops and porter, and logwood grinder, mill and house, Collyhurst, warehouse, 18 Long Mill-gate[1]
1808 Advertisement mentioning two of Walker's former mills, and other items of interest regarding Manchester's early industrial development (note: spelling anomalies retained, some text highighted):-
'Valuable WATER MILLS, STONE QUARRIES, BUILDINGS and LAND at Collyhurst, within Manchester, in the county of Lancaster. SALE by AUCTION-, By Mr Lever, at the house of Mr James Harrop, the Pack Horse, in Bridge-street, Manchester aforesaid, ….
'Lot lst. The beneficial leasehold interest for the residue of a term of ninety-nine years, of which about forty-two years are now unexpired, of and in all those extensive and valuable MILLS for grinding dyewoods, containing four large water wheels, with a constant and regular supply of water, situate on the river Irk, in Collyhurst, within Manchester aforesaid ; together with the water-course, reservoirs, rasping and chipping mills, three pair of stones for grinding dyewoods, madders, turmeric, &c; large storehouses and yard for the lodgment the different species of woods, and all the fixtures and other machinery, apparatus and conveniences requisite for carrying on the business of a dyewood grinder to a considerable extent, and now in the occupation of the executors the late Richard Walker, deceased.
'And also, all that genteel modern-built and convenient Dwelling-house, contiguous to the said mills, in excellent repair, with the pingot, garden, stables, shippon and barns thereto belonging, now in the occupation of Mrs Walker.
'N. B The above Mills and Premises comprise every convenience and advantage for carrying on the business of a dyewood grinder, are now in work, and may, at a trifling expence, convened to any other purpose where considerable power water is required. The Dwelling house and Out-housing are convenient and spacious, and the Garden neatly laid out, and well stocked with valuable fruit trees , in good bearing.
'Lot 2d. All that valuable Quarry of Free Stone, situate at Collyhurst aforesaid, adjoining the public highway. And also, all that Messuage or Dwelling-house lying near the said Stone Quarry, with the Garden, extensive Stabling, Counting-house, and four Cottages belonging thereto, now in the occupation of the Executors the late Wm. Kennedy, deceased; and others, as tenants thereof.
'And also, all those several Closes, Fields, or Parcels of land, near adjoining the said Quarry, commonly called or known by the several names of the Dell Brow, the Brow, the Forge Brow, the Well Meadow, the Wood Meadow, and Part of the Clough, containing 13 acres, 3 roods, and 14 perches' statute measure, thereabouts.
'N. B. The above Quarry contains an inexhaustible quantity of good Free Stone, is now in full work, and adjoining the populous town of Manchester, where considerable quantities are used. A considerable part of the Land in this lot is desirably situated for building upon, commanding an extensive prospect, and adjoining the public high-road leading from Manchester to Blakeley.
'Lot 3d. All that and those the valuable and extensive Mill and Premises, also used for the purpose of grinding dye-woods, in the Clough, at Collyhurst aforesaid, adjoining the Moss Brook, and called the Clough Mill, containing one pair of stones, two large water wheels, for the purpose of turning the different machinery used for the grinding and rasping of dyewoods; together with the weir large reservoir, and streams of water belonging thereto, and also the fixtures, machinery, the yards for the stowage dyewoods, and all other apparatus and conveniences requisite, and now used for the purpose of carrying on the business of dyewood grinder in an extensive and lucrative manner, and now also in the occupation of the executors of the said Richard Walker, deceased. And also, all that Plot, Piece Parcel of Land or Ground adjoining the said mill and premises, being part of the Clough, containing 5 acres and 19 perches or thereabouts, statute measure. And also, all that other Plot, Piece or Parcel of Land or Ground, being other part of the Clough, and containing 2 acres and 20 perches, or thereabouts, of the like measure, and very advantageously situated for erecting dye works upon.
'N B. The above Mills and Premises have been lately rebuilt, in a strong and substantial manner, are now also in full work, and comprize every possible convenience and advantage for carrying on the business of a dye wood grinder, or any other business requiring substantial premises and power of water. The weir is substantially built with large freestone, and the new turnpike from Manchester to Blakely and Rochdale adjoins the said mill, and premises, and runs through the above two plots of land.
Lot 4th. All those Several Closes, Fields….. N B. This lot is bounded on one side by the public highways, and on other side, by the new turnpike road leading from Manchester to Blakely and Rochdale; is delightfully situated for building upon, it commands many extensive and beautiful prospects.
'Lot 5th. All that Messuage or Dwelling-house, with the gardens, stable, shippon, and barn belonging thereto, situate also at Collyhurst aforesaid, with a cottage near adjoining. And also, the Close, Closure, Plot or Parcel of Land and Pit also belonging thereto, called the Green, ......' {other Lots followed} [2]
Location of Mills
William Green's map of Manchester and Salford (1787 - 1797) shows Clough Mill as a small L-shaped building 200 yards due north of Collyhurst Hall, served by a small dam. 250 yards downstream was the iron forge of James Bateman. After about 250 yards, Moston Brook joined the River Irk. Both the Irk and Moston Brook followed a sinuous course here, producing what was almost a small island. Here was a group of five buildings, one of which overlooked a garden, marked Collyhurst Mills. It is likely that these are the buildings referred to as Lot 1 above. The map shows two quarries on the hill overlooking Bateman's Iron Works, marked 'Stone Delph' and 'New Stone Delph'.
These, and a few other industrial buildings were in an otherwise rural area above the cities of Manchester and Salford. However, the area would soon change beyond all recognition. The changes are discussed further under James Bateman. Bateman's forge would have suffered the inconvenience of having to transport iron by cart or perhaps by packhorse. Richard Walker, too, would be faced with similar difficulties with his supplies of tropical dye wood, which were presumably brought to Manchester or Salford via the Mersey and Irwell Navigation.
Old photographs show that the meeting place of Moston Brook and the River Irk had lost some of its charm [3] [4]