Cotton Mill at Borrowash

[dabs0]

There was a cotton mill at Borrowash, John Swindell Esq was the principle owner and the mill was under the name of Messrs John Towle and Co.

Does anyone know where I can find some more information?

Thanks

Debbie

[LizzieW]

I lived in Borrowash between 1968 and 1971 and don't recall any building that might have been a cotton mill, however, in Spondon just a couple of miles or so nearer to Derby there was a British Celanese factory (part of Courtaulds at the time) which might have been built on the site of an old cotton mill.

However, I've just found the following which doesn't answer your question but is quite interesting.  It seems there was first a corn mill, then a cotton mill and it is now a hydro power unit.

http://www.british-hydro.co.uk/infopage.asp?infoid=394

There were certainly old cotton mills further down the River Derwent on the North side of Derby.  You could always write to:

Derbyshire Record Office
County Hall
Matlock
Derbyshire
DE4 3AG

Lizzie

[dabs0]

Thank you Lizzie, at least now I know where the site is, where once stood the mill.

Most of my husbands ancestors worked in the mill and I have a few problems coming to terms with the fact that his ggg grandfather was an overseer there . Bearing in mind how harsh they could be, they were issued with whips, and also the fact that he was a family man.

I wonder was he as harsh in the home as he may have been in the mill?

Debbie

[spendlove]

Hi Debbie,
A google search for John Towle & Co, produced:-

Whites Directory 1857
BORROWASH, a large well built village on the Derby and Nottingham road, 4 miles E. from Derby, 1 mile S. from Ockbrook. Principal owner John E. Swindell, Esq., with some smaller owners, of whom the Earl of Harrington is one, and owns the cotton mills, in the occupation of Messrs. John Towle & Co., at which 250 persons are employed, it occupies the site of a corn mill which formerly belonged to Dale Abbey.

There are also results via A2A, which may be of interest.

In defense of Cotton Spinners/Manufacturers not all mill owners were cruel and
not all provided their overseers with whips.  The Strutts in Belper did not allow corporal
punishment they used a system of fines for any misbehavior.
Spendlove

[g eli]

I grew up in Borrowash in the 40's and 50's. I remember the cotton mill which could be seen from the road from borrowash to elvaston.You crossed over the railway bridge and it was ther on theright hand side just before the river derwent there was some sort of flume went under it

[aliwood]

Hi we have just moved to  Borrowash and have just bought a little book today called ' Walking round Borrowash' which mentions the cotton mill on the Derwent many times - also the Towles and the Swindells. It is wriiten by Marion Johnson 199 Victoria Ave Borrowash Derby DE72 3HG. I think there are probably other books written by her about the local history too. I can get you a copy and send it to you if you let me have your address.
Hope this helps, Alison

[dabs0]

Thanks for this, will PM you!

[aliwood]

No worries, will post it today.
Hope it helps, Alison

[Goss]

as you passed over what we called the humpback bridge which crossed the canal and railway, there were small cottages on the right hand side. turning right there was a large barn like building to the north side of the track.
if one continued slightly to the south on another track, the drive way to the large house and out buildings. this residence was occupied by Sr Robertson King and fam for many years.
this probably was the site of the mill.