Appendix 1 - Keighley Textile Engineers

Summary

Working before 1815

John Brigg

Cut brass for a roving frame when Robert Heaton was building Ponden Mill, 1791–92. Brigg was then contracted for 12 months by Heaton's son as engineer at Royd House Mill, Oxenhope. Hattersley noted ‘John Brig clockmaker Keighley’. Nothing found after 1794; no known connection to textile manufacturers of that name.

WYAS Bradford, DB2/6/3, pp. 107, 123, 127; 32D83/5/1; Aspin, Water-Spinners, 108–9.

Lodge Calvert (1776–1859)

Trained as a joiner, probably arrived in Keighley from upper Wharfedale in the late 1790s. Bought Hattersley spindles, axles, plates, shafts, etc., from 1799, but Calvert was soon primarily a textile manufacturer. Partner of Thomas Smith (q.v.), 1801–04, converted Ing Row corn-mill for worsted- and cotton-spinning. Reportedly started in worsteds in 1801 with a hand-powered throstle built from Hattersley parts; bought a second machine from William Smith in 1805. Calvert used Hattersley components until c. 1808, then switched to mule spinning. Cotton-spinning enriched Calvert, who claimed to be worth £4,000 in 1818. He gave up cotton c. 1814, joining Samuel Blakey Clapham as worsted manufacturers at Aireworth mill. After 30 years, retired to Bradford. Remained close to Richard Hattersley and was an executor of his will.

WYAS Bradford, 32D83/5/1–2; Hodgson, Textile Manufacture, 19–21, 245–6; Ingle, Yorkshire Cotton, 165–6; Baumber, Revival to Regency, 52–3, 57–8; Keighley St Andrew registers and monumental inscriptions; Leeds St Peter registers; Borthwick, Kettlewell bishops’ transcripts, bap. 6 Oct. 1776; J. M. Potter, Kettlewell St Mary index to parish registers, c. 1698–1760, by Wharfedale F.H.S., bap. 1731; London Gazette, 20385, Sept. 1844, 3237.

William Carr (c. 1750–1834)

Born into a Catholic family in Scorton, north Lancashire (returning there after retirement c. 1820) Carr was apprenticed as a whitesmith. His sons Edward, John and Thomas trained as whitesmiths and machine-makers. Edward, who married Susannah Pearson, daughter of Adam (q.v.), carried on Carr's Low Street business, making throstles. His own sons continued in Keighley on a small scale as smiths and iron-moulders. John Carr made and repaired flyers and guides, and was a noted gunsmith.