This row of Weavers Cottages built in 1780s by Lawrence Rostron, the landlord of the White Horse Public house later becoming the Horse and Jockey. They were built firstly for woolen handloom weavers and then later for cotton weaving. Although they are not the usual build for handlooms as they didn't have larger windows in the upper floor. Set back from the rest of the houses these were due for demolition and were subsequently renovated and now are desirable residences. Originally they had no toilet facilities and would share with other houses in the neighbourhood.
It seems that so many of the buildings you have shown us have been for workers to live. I do like it because it meant that they had a comfortable place to live even if they didn't have toilets. It also probably meant that they weren't paid very well and may have really felt tied to their jobs and not able to leave.
ReplyDeleteThe problem was that if the houses were owned by the mill owner and the worker lost their job they also lost their living accommodation. It was a catch 22 situation. The mill owners built the workhouses and the homeless would have to apply for a place in the workhouse. If accepted they then went to work for the mill owner, without wages, They were paid a nominal amount maybe a few shillings a week but they got food and a bed. The families were separated, father and older sons and mother and younger children. they were only allowed to get together on Sunday. If they wanted to leave the workhouse they could work for the mill owner, often with reduced wages, to teach them a lesson. Many mill owners issued their own coinage which could only be spent at the mill owners shop and goods had highly inflated prices.
DeleteIf the workers wanted to leave the workhouse without having a job they could, so they had to move in with relatives or sleep in the open or in the farm buildings of a friendly farmer. I had ancestors, in the 19th century, who lived in a hovel, which is a shed for cattle and farm machinery. So life was hard for our ancestors.
so sad; makes me think of the lines of a Leonard Cohen song - The poor stay poor and the rich get rich - Everybody knows, that's how it goes.
Deleteand
Everybody knows the deal is rotten
Old Black Joe's still pickin' cotton
For your ribbons and bows
And everybody knows
:-P
Great leading lines in this, I like that vanishing point to the left.
ReplyDeleteI cant imagine what it must have been like to share a toilet with your neighbors. It would drive me insane!
Lovely shot. Brings back memories. We used to live in a house with no front garden and although we didn't have to share a toilet, it was outside!
ReplyDeleteI think I'll stick to having my own toilet thankyou! Although the sense of community would have been much richer I imagine than what it is today.
ReplyDelete