William Calvert and Sons, Flats Mills, Walton-le-Dale
South Ribble was a significant location in the early development of the factory-based cotton industry in Lancashire. Bannister Hall and Mosney Works, were two of the earliest calico-printing works in the county. They were both established on the River Darwen in Walton-le-Dale during the last part of the eighteenth century. Before its collapse, in 1788, the Mosney Company was one of the most important businesses in the country. The River Darwen was also a focus for some of the earliest water-powered spinning mills in Lancashire.
Following a general trend across Lancashire in the wake of the successful introduction of the power loom, several integrated cotton-spinning and weaving mills were established in the townships of South Ribble during the middle decades of the nineteenth century. The former Flats Mill at Walton-le-Dale was
probably an early example, seeming to have been established in the 1820s by William Calvert. It expanded progressively to become the largest cotton mill in the district by the middle of the century.
It is unclear precisely when the mill was built, although William Calvert is listed in a trade directory for 1825 as a ‘cotton manufacturer’.
Other references show that William Calvert was a prominent and respected figure in Walton le Dale the years that followed. A charity established by Mary Valentine, references him as a trustee and executor of her will.
Mary Valentine’s Charity. — Mary Valentine, by Will dated Dec. 14th, 1840, gave to her brother, John Valentine of Cuerdale, yeoman. Rev. Robert Hornby, of Walton-in-le-Dale, clerk, William Calvert of Walton-in-le-Dale, cotton spinner, and Peter Haydock, of Preston, gentleman, trustees and executors of her Will, the sum of £1000, the interest whereof to be first disposed of for the benefit of certain cousins of testator, and after the decease of the last survivor of them, then “upon trust to call in the said £1000, and apply the sum and interest in manner following : — As to £500, part thereof, to the Governors of the Bounty of Queen Anne, to be applied for and towards the augmentation of the maintenance of the resident minister officiating at the Church in Samlesbury,” &c.; and as to a further sum of £250, directs trustees to pay the interest thereof ‘ ‘ unto the Minister for the time being of Samlesbury Church aforesaid, to be by him applied for the support of the Sunday School at Samlesbury, connected with the Established Church ;” and as to the residue of the said £1000, in trust to pay the interest thereof “unto the Minister of Samlesbury Church aforesaid, and the Churchwardens for the time being, to be by them applied for the benefit of such of the poor aged persons (not receiving parochial relief) resident in Samlesbury aforesaid, as are most needy and deserving, at or about Christmas.” Miss Mary Valentine died Feb. 25th, 1842, and her Will was proved Aug. 22nd, 1842. In accordance with a decretal order dated Jan. 31st, 1862, her bequest of £1000 was paid into the Bank of England on June 30th, 1862, and was invested in 3% Bank Annuities. The dividends thereupon are distributed in charity and to the support of Samlesbury Sunday School by the Vicar and wardens.
From ‘A History of Blackburn, Town and Parish’, by William Alexander Abram in 1877.
Most of the mill was of wooden-beam construction, but the ground-floor ceiling was of the fireproof type, leading Dickinson (1981, 5) to suggest that it may have been the first example of a mill in Preston to incorporate fireproof-construction techniques. It seems that the mill was equipped with hand-powered machinery, as the first engine, a single-cylinder beam engine, was not installed until 1838 (Dickinson 2002, 128). The Census Returns for 1841 list William Calvert as a ‘master cotton spinner’, as gives his residential address as Walton House, which lay next to Flats Mill.
FEVER WALTON-LE-DALE.
The following is an extract from The British Medical Journal, published in 1868. The last major Cholera outbreak in England had been two years earlier in 1866, so perhaps this investigation was just a precaution. There is no explanation of what the ‘fever’ is.
THE Privy Council are now inquiring into an outbreak of fever at Walton-le-Dale, near Preston. It appears that a great many hands employed at the mills of Messrs. Calvert and Sons have been ill of fever of a more or less severe nature; and this fact having been represented to the Privy Council, Dr. Conway Evans was instructed by the medical officer of that Department to go to Walton-le-Dale and make an inspection of the place. Dr. Evans accordingly arrived in Preston on Tuesday evening, and he commenced a minute examination of parts of the locality, at the filthy condition of which he is reported to have expressed his surprise. On the following day he inspected Messrs. Calvert’s mill, and took samples of water therefrom and from wells in the town, for the purpose of having them analysed.
From: ‘Fever At Walton-Le-Dale’
Source: The British Medical Journal, Vol. 1, No. 391 (Jun. 27, 1868), p. 635
Published by: BMJ (British Medical Journal)
Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/25214683
Near the foot of Church Brow stands the Working Men’s Institute. Erected in 1881, at a cost of about £1,400; Mr. Richard Calvert J.P., of Messrs. William Calvert and Sons, Cotton Manufacturers, was the benefactor. Extension to the building were made in 1908. The library, consisting of over 1,000 volumes was also a gift of Mr. Calvert some ten years after the building’s erection.
From ‘A History of the Village’ by Frank Coupe, published in 1954 by Guardian Press.
It is interesting to note that later advertisements in the press and trade directories say that the company was established in 1838. It is possible that this is when the company first traded as William Calvert and Sons. It is fairly clear that William Calvert was known as a cotton Spinner in Walton le Dale by 1840 (the aforementioned charity reference), but perhaps the 1820s references are less solid.
Who’s Who in Business – 1914
CALVERT (WILLIAM) & SONS, Ltd., Cotton Spinners and Manufacturers, Flats Mills, Walton-le-Dale, Preston, Lancashire. Hours of Business: Usual. Established in 1838 by William Calvert. Incorporated as a Limited Company in 1901. Directors: William Parker, J.P. (Chairman and Managing Director), Frank Calvert, J.P. (Managing Director, jointly with Chairman), Herbert Calvert, Harold Parker. Premises: Very extensive, contain 150,000 Spindles and 3200 Looms. Staff: 2500. Branches: India Mill and Aqueduct ‘Mill, Preston and 23, New Cannon Street, Manchester. Specialities: India and China Shirtings and Shootings, Home Goods. Telephones: No. 235 Preston; No. 877 City, Manchester.
After the Mill
Almost all the residential property on Victoria Road dates from early nineteenth century, except the terraced houses on the south side from Ribble Bridge to Flatts Mill. The mill was formerly owned and built by William Calvert and Sons, Cotton Manufacturers. Improvements and extensions have taken place since its erection. The premises are now occupied by several firms in different classes of business.
From ‘A History of the Village’ by Frank Coupe, published in 1954 by Guardian Press.