In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Ashton Brothers’ cotton mills in Hyde, Cheshire, were significant employers in the region. A substantial portion of their workforce consisted of children. These young labourers endured challenging conditions, with their daily routines characterised by long hours, minimal wages, and exposure to hazardous environments.
Living Conditions
Many child workers lived in modest housing that was provided by the mill owners. The Ashton Brothers constructed approximately 300 houses arranged in long streets, the rent for these properties was three shillings per week. These dwellings typically featured a sitting room, kitchen, a backyard, with two or three bedrooms upstairs. The company supplied water and handled necessary repairs. In addition, there was a large schoolhouse that also served as a chapel, indicating some provision for education and religious activities.
Typical Workday
Children as young as seven were employed in the mills, and would often work up to 14 hours a day. Their tasks included cleaning under machinery, mending broken threads, and other duties requiring small stature and nimble fingers. The mills were hot, humid, dusty, and extremely noisy, with little ventilation. This environment led to health issues such as eye infections, respiratory problems, and stomach complaints. The fast-moving machinery posed significant risks, resulting in numerous accidents, injuries, and even fatalities among child workers.
Wages
In the 1850s, the average wage for adult workers was about 15 shillings (75p) per week. Children would earn significantly less, often receiving just five shillings (25p) per week or sometimes less. This disparity highlights the economic exploitation inherent in child labour during this period.
Health and Safety
The lack of safety measures in the mills meant that children were particularly vulnerable to accidents. They were expected to crawl under unguarded moving machinery and clean away cotton fluff or mend broken threads, this would lead to injuries, limb loss, and fatalities. Inhaling cotton fibres caused bronchial illnesses, further exacerbating the harshness of their working conditions.
Conclusion
The child workers at the Ashton Brothers’ cotton mills in Hyde faced gruelling daily routines marked by long hours, low pay, and dangerous working environments. Their experiences reflect the broader challenges of child labour during the Industrial Revolution in England, underscoring the need for the labour reforms that eventually emerged to protect vulnerable populations in an industrial setting.
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Resources:
Please click on the link below for a PDF (produced by Tameside Council) about children living and working in Victorian Britain.
Living in the past Victorian Children at Work
Rachel Bakewell 