The Heaps of Cornholme (Part 2 Heap and Ashworth Cotton Manufacturers)

The Bacup Commercial Company was formed in 1850 and began business as weavers in a weaving shed in Wardle. In 1854 Farholme Mill was built at Stacksteads, Bacup and the business became the New Bacup and Wardle Cotton Spinning and Manufacturing Company. The directors were all local workmen and a contemporary report said the Farholme Mill was the best managed and wealthiest co-operative mill in Rossendale. John Heap was a a director, and James Ashworth, his brother-in-law, was the secretary of the company (See last post).

Soon afterwards John and James appear to have decided to go into business on their own account and built a weaving shed at Caldervale in Cornholme. At first there were three partners in the firm Messrs. Heap, Ashworth and Co., John and James being joined by John Fielding. The firm worked at Caldervale Mill through the depression of the cotton famine.

After 4 or 5 years at Caldervale, Heap & Ashworth built a weaving shed for 400 looms and a carding and spinning mill at Frostholme, near the Waggon & Horses, Redwaterfoot in Cornholme, just across the main road from Caldervale. They had a long run of prosperity. Later extensions included another shed for 300 looms.

John Heap suffered from ill health for a number of years and died in 1863. In his will he asked that his share of the partnership be continued for the benefit of his widow Grace, and appointed his brother-in-law James as one of the executors.

The first few lines of John Heap's will, 1863

The accounts for 1869 are shown below. Profits of £1005 2s for the 2 years 1867 to 1869 might be equivalent to about £100,000 today.

James Ashworth carried on the business. In the 1871 census he is shown as a Cotton Manufacturer  employing 181 hands and in the 1881 census employing 267 men, women and children. Possibly owing to ill-health, he sold the business in 1882.

Sale of Frostholme Mill
Todmorden & District News 25th August 1882

Newspaper image © The British Library Board. All rights reserved. 

With thanks to The British Newspaper Archive (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)

Next post: Photos of Cornholme and the mills