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Turkey Mill Goose Eye. (Paper mill)
Established in 1797, originally water powered cotton mill. In 1822 John Town took over the Turkey Mill. paper production ceased in 1932 and the mill became used for worsted manufacture. It is believed that John Town gave it the name Turkey Mill, after the paper mill in Maidstone, Kent. John Town built the mill for his two sons John & Joseph, along with John Smith who had trained in paper making near Edinburgh. They went into business under the name of Smith & Town, these were the days when paper was made by hand.
1826 On Saturday morning, two boys, chimney-sweepers, were engaged, to sweep the flues, in the Turkey Paper Mill, near Keighley. One of the boys, named Henry Johnson, proceeded to clear them of their contents, but after staying a considerable time longer than was necessary, and, after being repeatedly called, the other boy went in search of him, but had not proceeded far before he was obliged to retire with nearly the loss of his life.
After being three hours in the flue, the unfortunate boy was extricated a corpse, from suffocation. The little sufferer was fourteen years of age. He retold a few days before his death, most affecting narrative of his adventures; he said his father was a stone mason, in comfortable circumstance's, but apprenticed him to a chimney sweeper a few years ago. His master disposed of him to Peter Hall, of Keighley, who, he said, used him most inhumanely, often beating him, and allowing him nothing but the soot bags to lie upon
1831 we found a newspaper entry dissolving the partnership of J. Smith and Co paper manufacture of Turkey Mill.
1833 One of the paper manufacturers at Turkey Mill, a little intoxicated, having passed Lund's Mill walking on the wrong side of the beck, slipped and fell. His body was found the next morning.
1837 the whole mill was destroyed by fire, but was immediately rebuilt and the process of producing paper by hand continued until 1848 when a paper making machine was installed.
1866 Joseph Town & Sons, Turkey Mill, Keighley, Yorkshire—Fine Writing Papers. 1868 Joseph Town & Sons employing 105 people they were still there in 1898.
1883 A female rag sorter was admitted to the workhouse suffering from Small Pox, it is assumed she contracted the disease from the rags.
1910 Messrs Portals Ltd bought a new paper making machine, the old one was transferred to another mill
When the mill closed in 1932 it was run by Messrs Portals Ltd, of Laverstoke, in Hampshire, employing 100 workers, producing paper for Indian rupees and Australian banknotes, we know they were at the mill in 1925. After it was used for storing sugar and wool.
We have found an entry in a 1950 directory which gives S Walker Wool Merchant of Turkey Mill.
From an item in the Keighley News July 1932 "For a century the work people have passed through the gates of the paper mill to the chimes from a moss tinged belfry which gives a cloistral touch to the scene.
1951 machinery and equipment offered for sale.
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