}
The Great Western Cotton factory, Barton Hill
The Great Western Cotton Factory in Barton Hill opened amid much fanfare in 1839. It was the biggest cotton mill outside the Lancashire textile district. Bristol had high hopes at the time of major trade in cotton with America but it never materialised.
The first piece of cotton was presented to the mayor, Mr Haberfield. The ceremony was also reported in the press, claiming proudly that 'it is the first piece of the kind ever made in Bristol by steam loom'.
Over 900 people worked there in 1840, 609 of them described as 'girls', aged 13 or 14. They were earning about 6 shillings for a 6 day week. By 1850 over 1700 were employed.
In 1881, 23 year old Henry Coggins is recorded as an 'overlooker in the cotton factory'. His job was to supervise production, and to ensure no one slacked off, including the many children. He lived at 4 Whiteway Terrace, St George, with his 22 year old wife Mary, and their 8 month old daughter Jemima.
At this time, two of Henry's six sisters, Sarah (3 years younger) and Mary Ann (6 years younger) were also 'cotton factory workers'. Most likely this meant they were involved in the spinning, weaving or bleaching of the cloth. Henry's wife Mary was a cotton weaver.
By 1900 the cotton industry was in decline and the factory closed in 1925, after a short period when artificial silk was woven there. Most of its buildings were demolished in 1968.
The first piece of cotton was presented to the mayor, Mr Haberfield. The ceremony was also reported in the press, claiming proudly that 'it is the first piece of the kind ever made in Bristol by steam loom'.
Over 900 people worked there in 1840, 609 of them described as 'girls', aged 13 or 14. They were earning about 6 shillings for a 6 day week. By 1850 over 1700 were employed.
In 1881, 23 year old Henry Coggins is recorded as an 'overlooker in the cotton factory'. His job was to supervise production, and to ensure no one slacked off, including the many children. He lived at 4 Whiteway Terrace, St George, with his 22 year old wife Mary, and their 8 month old daughter Jemima.
At this time, two of Henry's six sisters, Sarah (3 years younger) and Mary Ann (6 years younger) were also 'cotton factory workers'. Most likely this meant they were involved in the spinning, weaving or bleaching of the cloth. Henry's wife Mary was a cotton weaver.
By 1900 the cotton industry was in decline and the factory closed in 1925, after a short period when artificial silk was woven there. Most of its buildings were demolished in 1968.