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A Family History

Arthur and Phyllis Taylor, Belgrave Chapel July 6^th 1916

The Taylors

On my father's side my grandparents were Arthur Taylor and Phyllis Grime.  I remember both of these grandparents quite well, but most especially my grandmother Phyllis, who died on 29th September 1982, in hospital at Wallingford Oxfordshire.  By coincidence this was her late husband's birthday.  She had become sadly old and unaware of her surroundings.

As children we visited the family home in Bebington on the Wirral fairly regularly. This was a large semi-detached house overlooking a roundabout, and because of its position, it had a larger than average garden. There was a wash house attached to the back of the building and this contained an old hand mangle that my grandmother used to wring her washing and occasionally, by accident, her fingers!. The garden was also home to an ancient pear tree, which on one occasion sported an old hammock. I remember the hammock because it had a hole, through which, as a result of my small size and much to grandpa's amusement, I kept falling. Grandpa's car was housed in a garage to one side of the garden. It was an Austin A40. I can remember the smell of the leather seats, the column gear shift and the lever above the horn to operate the indicator arms that popped out of the metal struts separating the front and rear doors.

For a time we took holidays in Cornwall and I can remember grandpa Taylor being with us on one of these holidays. People were more modest in those days and to change into beach clothes my grandpa used a large towelling tent, with an elastic neckband, to cover himself while shedding his street clothes in favour of swimming trunks. We still have a photograph of him performing this manoeuvre on the beach at Trevone near Padstow.

Arthur Taylor was born in Salford on 29^th September in 1892, the son of George Taylor and Hannah Shorrock. He was the second of two sons, his older brother was Albert (1890-1970).

Arthur Taylor 1892-1960

Arthur started work at the age of thirteen as an office boy in the Belgrave Mills of C.& J.G. Potter in Darwen. Six years later, after studying by correspondence course, he took a high place in the national open competitive examination for commission as an Officer of H.M. Customs & Excise. This was a senior Civil Service department and the job provided seven weeks annual paid holiday - at a time when most people were lucky to get one week unpaid leave.

When war came in 1914 Arthur's occupation was reserved and it was not until 1917, less than a year after his marriage to Phyllis that he joined the Army. He served as a private soldier in the Royal Garrison Artillery.

After the First World War Arthur and Phyllis moved back to 28 Knocklaid Road, Tuebrook, in Liverpool where they had gone after their marriage. My uncle Murray was born there in 1917 and later, in 1923, my father Ronald. Soon after the birth of my father the family moved to Wallasey on the other side of the River Mersey and lived there until 1926 when Arthur was appointed Excise Officer for their hometown of Darwen. During the next five years the family lived at 17 Sunnyhurst Lane and it was here that Arthur acquired his first motorcar - a maroon open touring, 7 h.p. Jowett - in which, after a five-minute lesson, he courageously drove the whole family to Cornwall on holiday. (There is a surviving example of this model of car at the Beaulieu museum.)

        Arthur Taylor at his desk in Customs & Excise

Albert (left), Arthur's elder brother, had been crippled by Poliomyelitis as a child and because of this he was also ineligible for service in 1914-18. He worked for a number of years as a solicitors clerk at the Darwen firm of Hindle, Son & Cooper, before joining the London Office of Harrison & Crossfield where he rose to the position of Chief Accountant. Known to me as Great Uncle Bert he was born in Salford on Nov 22nd 1890. He married Nellie Ainsworth in early 1918. His job gave him the opportunity to travel to Japan, and China. He was something of a collector and returned with some very nice souvenirs including a kimono for my Grandmother Phyllis. He is also rumoured to have bribed a train guard to let him visit the Great Wall. At the time, China was effectively closed to foreigners and he may well have been the only westerner to see the Great Wall for many years to follow, in any case his disability would have made this a trying journey, there were no cable cars up to the Wall in those days - just flights and flights of steps. Perhaps he was carried in a sedan or in a rickshaw. He also told of a visit to a restaurant, where, after some great difficulty with communication he managed to order a boiled egg. It seems that the cook wasn't familiar with the process and Uncle Bert was left to eat a very runny boiled egg with the aid of chop sticks.

I remember visiting him at his house in Beresford Road, Cheam after Aunt Nellie had died. He sat me on his knee and demonstrated the use of a Japanese gong. His disability required him to wear specially made shoes built up to equalise the length of his legs, and he suffered a great deal of pain for all of his life. He had a workshop in which he would fashion pads of various shapes to try an alleviate the pain of his shoes. He became a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries and a Freeman of the City of London.

He was blunt to say the least. During a visit to the Savoy Hotel in London he asked for a pint of bitter, the waiter explained that only half pints were served. Uncle Bert replied, "I am a guest here and if I want a pint then your bloody job is to get me one." It seems that a pint was duly obtained from a pub across the road.

Back to Grandpa Taylor, in 1931 the house in Darwen was sold for £500 and 81 Kings Road, Bebington, Wirral became the family home for the remainder of Arthur's life while he completed his working period as a Customs Officer at Liverpool docks.

Grandpa Arthur Taylor died of heart failure on 25th September 1960 aged 67, four days before his birthday; in the presence of his wife and youngest son..

 George Taylor 1861-1935
Arthur's father George Taylor was the eldest son of William Taylor. George was born on the 30th April 1861 in Extreme St, Over Darwen. He ended his career running a tobacconist shop in Bridge Street, Darwen During his life he was involved in the paper trade in Salford and before this in Darwen. My father remembers he was Night Manager at Darwen Paper Mill. George had a moustache from which, he would suck the remnants of his beer having consumed one of many daily draughts. It was from the shop in Bridge Street that Hannah, George's wife, sold Sarsaparilla, a home brewed herbal drink that looks like mild beer.

When George and Hannah retired, they sold the sweet shop and moved to 25 Higher South Street. At the end of the back yard adjacent to the back-door, set in a 6 or 7 ft high stone wall, was the "privy". This was a water-closet, of the "long drop" type connecting directly to the sewer. Built between the privy and the rear of the four roomed terrace cottage was a workshop in which George spent quite a lot of time. My father remembers him as a widely read man, with an interest in astronomy, and his handwriting was good copper-plate style. By contrast his wife Hannah, despite coming from a good family was taught to write by her son Arthur.

George died of stomach cancer on the 15th July 1935. The photograph shown is the only picture of him in existence. His Obituary was published in the Darwen News on Saturday July 20th.

Death of Mr George Taylor

The death occurred on Tuesday evening of Mr George Taylor, of 25 Higher South Street, at the age of 74 years.

For something like twenty years deceased gentleman was in business in Bridge Street as a tobacconist and confectioner, and for a long time before that he was a manager at Darwen Paper Mill.

A well known character in the town he was the son of the late Mr William Taylor, of Park Road, who at one time was manager at Turton Moor Pipe Works, and a director of the Darwen Paper Mill, the Co-operative Society and other commercial undertakings in the district.

The funeral took place at Darwen Cemetery on Thursday.

He is buried alone in Darwen Cemetery grave number F 1164. The grant for this grave was purchased in 1921 for £2-13s and is still amongst the family papers.

The shop in Bridge Street in 1995

In 1901 George and Hannah were living in Epworth Street in Darwen.  The census shows him aged 39, Hannah aged 38, Albert and Arthur aged 10 and 8 respectively.  George's occupation is listed as Foreman Paper Worker. 

William Taylor 1837-1916

George's Father William Taylor was an entrepreneur. Though sadly, he was not wholly successful. He is reported to have said to my grandfather Arthur Taylor...

"I've nowt to leave thee, but ah'll gi thee some advice - doand thee dabble i'coil."

He had, during his long life, been a Colliery Manager, he was also instrumental in the establishment of the Darwen Co-operative movement and through this, the paper trade. He held several directorships including Darwen Paper Mill, Spring Vale Mill, and the Albert Company. William married Alice Mayoh on 20th October 1860 at the Congregational Chapel Over Darwen. His occupation was recorded as that of Clerk at a Coal Pit. Alice must have been three months pregnant at the time.

My grandmother Phyllis Grime related that when she visited Alice with her then boyfriend Arthur (Alice's grandson), they would peep through the window and see the old lady, blind by now, in her rocking chair by the fire. She would be smoking a short clay pipe, but, by the time they had knocked and entered, there was no sign of the pipe.

William died aged 80 at 51 Park Road Darwen on 29th November 1916 from pneumonia and exhaustion, leaving £693-3s-6d gross to his wife Alice. Alice died some two weeks later without having proved the will. It fell to George and his brother John Thomas to execute both wills in February 1917.

Their grave is in the non-conformist section "A" of Darwen Cemetery and bears the following inscription.

"William Taylor who died November 29th 1916 aged 80 years. After labour rest.
Also of Alice relict of the above who died December 8th 1916 aged 76 years.
He openeth the eyes of the blind.

Also of John Thomas their son aged 2 years.
Also Benjamin their son aged 6 months.
Also Clara Taylor grandchild of the above who died March 18th 1888 aged 3 years."

The obituaries for William and Alice are reproduced below.

Darwen News, Saturday, December 2, 1916
Death of Mr. William Taylor

   A VETERAN TOWNSMAN

We regret to announce the death of Mr. William Taylor, which occurred at his residence in Park Road, on Wednesday morning, at the ripe old age of 80 years. A fortnight ago deceased gentleman had a mishap when alighting from a tramcar, and it is thought that the shock he then received coupled with his years, has brought about his death.

Mr. Taylor had probably a wider knowledge of Darwen, and had more extended associations with its public business concerns than any other townsman. Born at Sough in 1837, he was the eldest son of Ellis Taylor, colliery manager. At the age of eight years he went to Belgrave Day School, then taught by Mr. Robert White. Three years later (About 1849) he commenced work at Duckshaw Colliery, which was a drift under the moors. His father at that time was manager for Hilton's, who worked a drift in the centre of the Moors, and he also bored pits for the Hiltons' on Cranberry Moss, sank the Holmes Pit, near to Spring Vale Brewery, another for James Pickup at Sough, and one for William Pickup, of Marsh House.

After that he became colliery manager for Messrs. Place, of Hoddlesden, and then went to Heyfold as manager for Mr. Eli Walsh, where he sank two pits. With his father associated with colliery undertakings for the long period of forty years it was only natural that deceased gentleman should turn his attention in the same direction, and as a young man he was the book-keeper at Mr. Walsh's Heyfold Collieries, where 1,000 tons of coal were raised each week, for about twelve years.

During the whole of this period Mr. Taylor conducted the commercial side of the undertaking, whilst his father was the manager of the colliery (1856-1868 - His father died in 1868). Here the commencement of the Co-operative movement in Darwen calls for reference. About the year 1859, Dr. John Watts, of Manchester, delivered an address in the Market-street Liberal Club, on "The evils of strikes, and how to cure them." Dr. Watts argued that the only cure was co-operation, and deceased gentleman decided that if ever the movement extended to Darwen he would join it. It did so, and Mr. Taylor became one of the early members of the present Industrial Society, and later was elected a member of the committee, for which they received four shillings each per quarter, involving service on three nights each week.

It was in the year 1868 that Mr. Taylor severed his association with the Heyfold Colliery to become first librarian, treasurer, and hall-keeper to the Co-operative Society. This position, however, he only held four years, when he was succeeded by the late Mr. John Adcroft.

The colliery had strong claims to Mr. Taylor's energy, and leaving the Co-operative Society, he went to Whitebirk to sink pits for the Darwen Mining Company, and whilst at first it was thought that the venture would be a failure, it turned out more successful than most people anticipated.

From Whitebirk Mr. Taylor returned to Darwen, and was appointed manager of the Taylor's Green Colliery, now worked by Mr. Thomas Knowles, only to return a short time later, the Darwen Mining Company having in the meantime been taken over by the Industrial Co-operative Society, who had a large mortgage on the undertaking.

Seven years later, when the Society had been recouped of its mortgage and more besides, Mr. Taylor became manager at the Hoddlesden collieries of Messrs. Place's, and he was next holding a similar position at the Turton Moor Fire Clay Works, which closed his active associations with colliery undertakings. Coal, however, did not absorb his whole attention.

He was connected with the Albert and Cotton Hall mills as a promoter, and also with the No. 1 Spinning Company; of the Albert Company he was a director at the time of his death.

THE DARWEN PAPER MILL

Probably Mr. Taylor will be best remembered by the prominent part he took in the formation of the Darwen Paper Mill Company, and by his active associations with it to the time of his death, for he remained a director to the end.

How the Company came to be started is best recorded in Mr. Taylor's own words, he told a representative of the "Darwen News" in the course of an interview some few years ago. "I remember", observed Mr. Taylor at that time, "one Saturday night, early in November, 1870, I was chatting with Joseph Kay and Thomas Shorrock, who were quite as earnest workers in the co-operative movement then as I was, and we were comparing the progress of co-operation in Darwen and Oldham, when at last they all agreed to go to Oldham the following morning and see for themselves what was being done there by working men for their own elevation in the social scale.

We arrived at Oldham and enquired for Mr. Marcroft, the apostle of co-operation and joint stock enterprise. Mr. Marcroft received us kindly, and after we had explained our errand he took us through the Sun Mill and several other works as well, and after showing us all that he could do, he advised us to commence some sort of manufacturing business that was best understood in our town, and to invest all our spare capital in our own town, as far as practicable. We left Mr. Marcroft and Oldham, fully convinced that Darwen was a long way behind Oldham, but so far as we were concerned, it should not be much longer.

We discussed several projects on our way home, and agreed to call a meeting in the Conversation Room, School-street, on the following night, and ask a few members of the Stores whom we thought would be favourable to the commencement of some sort of manufacturing enterprise to attend. The meeting was held on November 10th, 1870. It was agreed that the best thing to commence with would be a brown paper mill. A small committee was appointed to select a site. That committee consisted of Joseph Kay, Thomas Shorrock, Thomas Eccles, and myself, and the site had been suggested to us by the late Mr. John Isherwood, of Pleasington.

We soon found a site, where the present mill now stands in Lower Darwen. The land belonged to the trustees of the late James Hodgson, and it was said at that time that they would not let any land to a limited company. This did not deter us, however, from taking the land but in order to get it we agreed that the land should be taken in the names of two members. The names selected were Thomas Eccles, formerly joiner and builder, of Hindle-street, and William Taylor, and we at once opened negotiations with the steward of Hodgsons trustees, Mr. John Drysdale, of Deane Church, near Bolton.

The land we wished to take contained just over three acres, and, after several meetings, we agreed to give 1 1/2d. per yard for the lot. In January 1871 we set about getting our company formed and registered, which was done on February 10th, 1871. We had been working up to this time with a committee pro tem, consisting of the following gentlemen; Richard Holgate (chairman), William Taylor, Joseph Kay, James Johnson, Richard Johnson, Robert Ainsworth, Thomas Shorrock, and Thomas Eccles, and I was also appointed first secretary pro tem

This committee only held office from November 10th until December 6th following, when the following were elected; Joseph Kay, John Isherwood, George Brindle, William Taylor, Richard Holgate, John Holden, John Morris, and John Chadwick. Plans were drawn up and the contract let, and, as far as I know, it is the only mill in this district that has been finished for less money than it was let to be built for at the beginning.

We now began to look out for the machinery, and Heyfold Colliery was then just being finished. Mr Brindle and myself were appointed to see Mr. Eli Walsh, as to what terms we could purchase his pumping engine, boilers, etc., and all other loose plant belonging thereto, which had cost Mr. Walsh, to my knowledge, £4,000, and he agreed to sell us all his plant for £700. We afterwards disposed of a lot of surplus plant for £200, thus leaving us to pay for an engine with two large steam boilers (one of them new), and 9,000 feet of good ashler stone, which served us for all the machinery fixed in the mill, £500.

We now began to let contracts for all the machinery required. We found we should be short of capital to pay for the machinery and have sufficient left as working capital. We made strenuous efforts to get our shares taken up, but the general public outside of the co-operative movement took very little notice of us. We then agreed to invite our old mother to come to our aid - we always called the Industrial Co-operative Society our old mother. A deputation consisting of Mr. John Isherwood, Mr. Brindle, and myself, was appointed to wait upon the committee of the Co-operative Society and try to convince them that it would be to their advantage to take up £500 in shares in the Darwen Paper Mill Company, Limited. The committee agreed to take up £500 of shares, and afterwards agreed to lend us on a mortgage security of Lower Darwen Mill £6,000.

We very soon got the mill to work with one machine. The mill went on prosperously for a number of years during which time we put in our second machine, thus doubling our production, and paying year after year 20 per cent. We then made 25 per cent, and paid it.

Well, about this time I went on a visit to Mr. Kay of Eccles, who had then removed from Darwen, and asked his opinion of Spring Vale print works and estate for a white paper mill. Mr. Kay at once said it was a grand site for a white paper mill. I went over the estate, and afterwards met Messrs. C. Airey and James Croft, who were directors. I persuaded them to also go and look over it. They both agreed with me that it was

A CAPITAL SITE

for a paper mill. On the following Tuesday, at the board meeting, I brought the matter forward, and moved that we should try to take the estate and enlarge our share capital to £50,000. Mr. Airey seconded, and I was supported by Mr. Croft. On being put to the vote three voted for it an five against it.

After leaving the boardroom that night Messrs. Airey and Croft asked me what I thought about my defeat, and I replied, 'If you two gentlemen will only go into it with me, we will take that estate ourselves, and then offer it to the company once more; and should they refuse it again, we will form a new company and work it.' They agreed to go in with me in taking this estate, Mr. Airey remarking that he would name the matter to Mr. W. T. Ashton, who, no doubt, would render us some assistance.

The following day he saw Mr. Ashton, and named the matter to him, and asked his opinion as to Spring Vale for a paper mill. The result was that we all agreed to go and see Mr. Hadfield, solicitor, of Manchester, who was then acting for the trustees of Messrs. Hilton, the owners of the estate. Mr. Hadfield was a son of the renowned George Hadfield, at one time M.P. for Sheffield, and was a personal friend of Mr. Ashton's, which, no doubt, was a great point in our favour. Mr. Ashton introduced us as 'three gentlemen from Darwen engaged in the paper trade.'

Mr. Hadfield requested us to submit an offer in writing stating the best terms we were prepared to give for the estate and all there was upon it, there being at that time an old printworks and several reservoirs upon the land. We came home, and subsequently, along with Mr. Ashton, drew up a statement of what we were prepared to give, and when we met the trustees at Mr. Hadfield's office we said we would pay £50 the first year, £100 the second, £150 the third and the fourth, and £250 the fifth year and succeeding years.

Mr. Hadfield at length assented, and said he would convey the land to us in 'fee simple.' The shareholders agreed to these terms, and we obtained our deeds, which were made out to Airey, Croft and myself. We immediately assigned them over to the company without fee or reward, except the extra shares for which we paid like the other shareholders. The company has since added, in order to further their water rights, Croft estate and a small plot of land called Marl Pit Green and in 1893 we purchased the Darwen Paper Mill from the Excrs. of the late Mr. James Dimmock, and have completely overhauled it."

It naturally follows that in politics Mr. Taylor was a staunch Liberal. He was a member of the Bright Reform Club, and worshipped at the Bolton-road Congregational Church. He leaves a widow in a delicate state of health, two daughters and four sons, all of whom are married. The funeral will take place at the Darwen Cemetery on Monday afternoon next.

The mourners were:

Mr & Mrs George Taylor
Mr & Mrs Ellis Taylor
Mr & Mrs Nutter
Mr & Mrs William Taylor
Mr & Mrs Jenkins
Mr & Mrs J.T. Taylor
Mrs Harwood
Mrs Ralph Taylor
Mr & Mrs Alfred Taylor
Mr Abram Mayoh
Mr Albert Taylor
Mr C.J. Beckett
Dr Ballantyne
Mr William Martin
Rev E.G. King
Mr Starbuck (Albert Cotton Spinning Co., Ltd)
Mr Croft (managing director, Darwen Paper Mill Co., Ltd)
Mr J. Howarth (manager Spring Vale Paper Mill)
Mr. D McIver (engineer, Spring Vale Paper Mill)

Wreaths were sent as follows:

"In loving memory of our dear father, from George and Annie"
"In affectionate remembrance of our dear grandpa, from Albert, Arthur, and Phyllis."
"In loving memory of Uncle Will, from J.H. Mitchell"
"With deepest sympathy, from the directors of Spring Vale Paper Mill"
"With fondest love, from Will, Maud and Children"
"With a kind thought, from Mrs Hadfield"
"With deepest sympathy, from the Work-people at Spring Vale Paper Mill"
"To our colleague, from the directors at the Albert Cotton Spinning Company."
"With deepest sympathy, from the officials at the Darwen Paper Mill."
"With deepest sympathy, from James Walsh."
"In loving memory from Polly, Lewis and Children."

Death of Mrs William Taylor

The death occurred on Friday last, at her residence, 61 Park Road, of Mrs Alice Taylor, widow of Mr. William Taylor. A sad circumstance is the fact that only on the previous Monday the remains of Mr Taylor were interred at the local cemetery, he passing away at the age of 79 years, after a most active life, to which full reference has already been made in these columns.

Mrs. Taylor, who was 76 years of age, had been in indifferent health for the last eight or nine years, and for twelve years she had been totally blind.

Being so indisposed, the shock of her husband's death was probably too much for her to bear.

The funeral took place at the Darwen Cemetery yesterday afternoon, the Rev E.G. King officiating.

The mourners were:

Mr & Mrs George Taylor
Mr & Mrs Ellis Taylor
Mr & Mrs William Nutter
Mr & Mrs William Taylor
Mr & Mrs Lewis Jenkins
Mr & Mrs J.T. Taylor
Mr Abram Mayoh
Mrs Harwood
Mrs Ralph Taylor
Rev F.G.King
Mr Arthur Taylor
Dr Ballantyne
Miss Alice Jenkins
Miss Lizzie Taylor
Master Willie Taylor
Master James Taylor

Wreaths were sent by:

Jack and Betty Taylor
George and Annie, and Albert and Arthur
Will, Maud and family
Mr & Mrs William Nutter
Tom and Norman
Mr Starbruck and family
Mrs Hadfield
Mr James Walsh
Lewis, Polly, Alice and Willie

More on Darwen Paper Mill

In 1889 The Historical Publishing company produced a book covering the industries of Lancashire. The book had this to say about The Darwen Paper Mill Company, Limited, Spring Vale Paper Mill, Darwen.:

This company originated under the auspices of the leaders of the co-operative movement in Darwen about eighteen years ago, the site at Lower Darwen (now occupied by the company's brown paper mill) being chosen.

Darwen's Old Paper Mill
A "brown" mill was erected there in 1871, and has proved a distinct success in its working. Encouraged by this signal prosperity of their first venture, the company acquired the Spring Vale site for the erection of a white paper mill in 1873. The work was pushed forward rapidly; the mill was completed in 1874, and very soon three paper-making machines of the best type were in busy operation.

These have since been greatly improved, and all the resources of the mill have been advanced to the highest level of productive efficiency. The works and plant now existant are of the most substantial character and have cost about £90,000. The mill covers a ground area of over 12,000 square yards, and is admirably situated near the head waters of the river Darwen, from which, and from underground sources, a good supply of water is always available.

The Spring Vale Mill produces 120 tons of news printing paper every week. This is sent out in webs or reels as required for the modern printing press, each web containing near four miles of paper. In this way the mill turns out every 24 hours more than two hundred lineal miles of news printing paper The Lower Darwen Mill - the scene of the company's first industrial efforts - is situate about three miles lower down the Darwen than Spring Vale, and produces weekly about eighty tons of brown and grocers wrapping-papers.

The Company employ about 400 hands, and, enjoying an eminent reputation for the sound quality of their manufactures, they control a very large, widespread, and reliable trade. For sixteen years the affairs of the concern have been directed solely by the class of men who originated it, free from any outside patronage or aid, and with but one object - the promotion of the company's welfare; and admirably have their managerial exertions succeeded.

The whole of the share capital has long ago been paid back to the shareholders in profits, and the mills are equipped and ready for any competition in the trade they exemplify. For rectitude in their dealings and energy and enterprise in the conduct of their business, the Darwen Paper Mill Company, Limited, are favourably known throughout that branch of industry and commerce in which they are concerned; and the tributes possible to the active ability and honourable efforts of those to whom credit is due for its inception, establishment, and subsequent effectual administration.

In the book Darwen and its People written by J.G. Shaw also published in 1889 I found the following reference to the co-operative movement.

"...the party strife generated by the warmth of the General Election of 1868 led to a division among the members, and a new society was formed.."
"... Recovering from the temporary check caused by this division the Industrial Society continued to prosper until the joint-stock mania of 1873-4, when some heavy investments which the directors had made in one or two joint-stock companies of were lost. Many of its members individually lost money also in joint-stock transactions, and there was a run on the society's capital in addition to a new-born feeling of distrust in co-operative principles."

The grim advice concerning coal mining that William gave to his Grandson Arthur Taylor was probably as a result of his association with the Eccleshill Coal & Coke Company. In 1868 the company, which was formed by William Taylor, colliery manager and J.F. Seddon, managing partner and a mining engineer, along with others, took a lease on the Flash Colliery which was worked until 1873. The colliery included Flash pit, Furnace pit and a brick works.

Around 1870 the Darwen Ironworks was established at Eccleshill and a tramway was built to join the colliery with the blast furnaces. In 1872 the Eccleshill Coal Company was registered as a limited company and, following the closure of the Flash and Furnance pits, began to rework existing pits at Eccleshill and Ellison Fold; among them Harwoods Colliery and possibly Closes Colliery. The company began liquidation in 1877 following problems with flooding in the mineworks.

William's association with mining resulted in a number of appearances in local newspapers. On February 15th, 1876 the Blackburn times published the following piece:

Taylor's Green pit is shown left in front of the Spring Vale Mill.

“On Tuesday morning there was a fatal explosion of gas at Spring Vale Colliery. About 6.15, Anthony Cottom, of 29 Carr Row, Darwen, and Thomas Walsh, both firemen, descended the shaft to see if all was right in the mine. At the shaft bottom, they separated, each taking opposite directions. Cottom had with him a lighted lamp and a candle, but the latter was not lit. Walsh returned up the shaft, but Cottom did not do so, and a search was made for him. The manager (John Jepson) and his brother (Ralph Jepson) took a lighted lamp and, when opening a door about 200 yards up the mine, the stench of gas was so strong that they had to retreat. In a short time they were able to proceed with their search and found Cottom lying on his hack. He was badly burnt all over, his skull was fractured, his arms broken, and he had others injuries.

Yesterday, Mr. Hargreaves, coroner, held an inquest on him at the Bridge Inn, Spring Vale. Betsy Ann Cottom, his widow, said he left home about 3.30 on Tuesday morning and did not return. James Walsh, of Borough Lane, fireman, said that he and Cottom went down the pit about 6.00 on Tuesday morning, each with a lamp to examine the pit. About 10 minutes after their arrival at the bottom, Walsh heard an explosion. There were no men working there at the time, but about 18 men were employed at the works. He told Mr. Dickinson, Inspector of Mines that both lamps were lighted in the cabin, but were not locked. He added that he last saw Cottom at the shaft bottom and 10 minutes afterwards he heard an explosion, the blast from which blew his own lamp out. Walsh then confirmed that he and Cottom had worked at the colliery for about a month and that the manager John Jepson had appointed him (Walsh) as assistant fireman. Jepson had also instructed him how to test for firedamp by having a little light in his lamp and holding it at the top of the mine, but had not told him about having the lamp locked. Cottom's lamp was found near his body and appeared to have been burnt. John Jepson, of 6 Grimshaw Street, Over Darwen, spoke next, confirming that he had been manager of the pit for 6 weeks. He said he had told Cottom and Walsh to be careful, but there had been no explosions at the pit before and the miners worked with naked candles. He could not give a reason for the explosion, unless it was a change in the weather.

Mr. Dickinson suggested that the water could have reached the roof of the tunnel and cut off all ventilation from the pit, as it had been closed from Saturday until Tuesday morning. Jepson agreed that this was possible. He said that when he appointed Cottom and Walsh he did not ask where they got their knowledge of gas from and gave them no instructions other than to be cautious when they were doing their rounds. John Kay, watchman, said he had laid out the body. William Taylor, a director and former manager of the company, said that he had objected to John Jepson being appointed manager, as he did not think his intelligence was sufficient for the job. He was not satisfied with him or with his way of carrying on the works. He (Taylor) thought Cottom and Walsh were incapable of performing the duties imposed upon them as they we both too young and had had no experience of gas before. He thought Jepson also had no experience of gas, but he did not know much about him other than he had worked a little at a colliery as manager. Taylor then said he never knew any gas to accumulate before the last step was cut, and added that the manager was responsible for the system of ventilation, which that pit was by air pipes which were inadequate to work properly.

The Coroner then reminded the jury that the inquest was to find out who was responsible for Cottom's death and added that, if Cottom undertook to the work, he really was responsible, even though he might have been wrongly appointed to the job, as he knew he was incapable of it. They had to find out if anyone was criminally responsible for Cottom's death. As to poor management, and the future management, Mr. Dickinson would see to that. The Coroner thought Cottom was responsible for his own death, but Mr. Dickinson said there was more responsibility than that, as capable men should be appointed. He thought the matter should be further gone into and questioned the director further. The director said there would not have been an explosion, but for the ventilation, which he believed had stopped as there was a great deal of water in the tunnel.  He thought the manager was to blame for Cottom's death through ignorance as he could not write and was not a certified manager. Taylor also thought Jepson was incompetent and had no experience of firedamp. The room was then cleared for the jury who came to a verdict of Accidental Death.

The Coroner told them that they could make a representation to Taylor, as one of the directors, if they thought proper and the jury decided this should be done.  William Taylor was recalled and told that the jury wished him to convey to all the directors that they should be more careful in their appointments. He agreed to this. John Jepson was recalled and told by the Coroner that, in taking the appointment of manager, he was taking a great responsibility. He was the responsible party to appoint everyone connected with the works, and a competent fireman was most essential. If he could not be depended upon there was no safety in the pit.  The jury thought he (Jepson) was scarcely able to discharge the duties he had undertaken.  Now, if he was not, he must think whether it would not be his duty to be relieved from office rather than run the risk of danger.  He had the whole management of the pit and appointed his own firemen, and therefore was responsible, and if anything serious occurred he would be the first person answerable.  The Coroner told him to consider that, and Jepson replied that he felt confident that he was capable of managing the works, having worked a colliery all his life.  However, the foreman of the jury commented, ‘If I was Mr. Jepson, I would give up the situation.’ ”

William moved from Taylor's Green pit to the Whitebirk Colliery and from the Accrington Times, January 17th 1885 we learn some more:

“On Saturday an explosion of firedamp occurred at Whitebirk Colliery, Blackburn, injuring 3 young men. There were between 80 and 90 men in the mine, and it is said that one of them opened his lamp in order to re-light the lamp of a drawer. Immediately an explosion of firedamp occurred. Both men were burnt about the head, and another drawer was knocked down by the force of the explosion, and injured about the head and arms. The manager, Mr. William Taylor, was at the shaft top when he heard the explosion, and he at once went down and directed all his attention to getting the men out. When their safety had been assured, he had the fire extinguished before much damage was done to the mines. The workings, then being filled with chokedamp, were abandoned pending an inspection. Dr Wilson was sent for to attend the injured men, who were then sent to their respective homes. The explosion was a comparatively slight one.”

In what might be seen as a nice twist of fate, given his comments in 1876 about the management at Taylor's Green, the Blackburn Standard of February 14th 1885 tells us that William was fined £5 plus costs for having appointed an incompetent person as fireman at Whitebirk.:

“William Taylor, manager of Whitebirk Colliery, appeared before J. Lewis and W. Astley Esq. at the Borough Police Courts on Thursday to answer a summons charging him with neglecting to appoint an inspector of the coal mine at Whitebirk, on the 10th ult. Mr. Holden, of Bolton, prosecuted, and Mr. Brothers defended.

Mr. Holden said he appeared on behalf of Mr. Dickinson, the Chief Inspector of Mines, and the prosecution was ordered by the Home Office, in consequence of the laxity of the management in Whitebirk Colliery, which belonged to the Over Darwen Industrial Co-operative Society. An accident occurred there on January 10th and two days later, when Mr. Martland, an inspector, visited the pit, he found that a competent person had not been appointed to take the management. It appeared that in early January, the foreman and another of the officials of the pit fell ill. A youth named Smith, who had assisted the regular fireman, was temporarily appointed. Safety lamps were used throughout the mine, and one of the lamp stations was at a point where the drawing road communicated with another road. On the morning of January 10th, when an explosion took place, a man called Howson was entrusted with the keys of the lamps. He travelled from the shaft along the chain road a considerable distance when he lost his light. He called along the chain road for a light and Smith, who could neither, read or write, went along the drawing road and sent Silcock, a collier, to give Howson a light. Unfortunately, there was a considerable amount of gas there at the time and, when the light was given, an explosion occurred. There was no loss of life and the 2 men who were injured were recovering. There was what appeared to be a mismanagement in the pit and, from the report book and statements made at the time of the examination, it was manifest that Mr. Taylor, in the absence of a proper fireman, had not taken proper precautions in appointing a person to replace the sick fireman. It was apparent that the temporary fireman, Smith, had not done his duty in inspecting the whole of the roadways and, in neglecting to do this, it plainly showed he was not a competent person as was required by the Act.

Mr. Martland, Inspector of Mines, said he had visited the mine 2 days after the explosion and made a report of the cause and circumstances attending it. Mr. Brothers admitted the offence, but pleaded extenuating circumstances. He said Smith had worked in the pit over 6 years and had frequently accompanied the fireman on his rounds and the manager had gone down with Smith every morning before the accident. The Bench fined the defendant £5 and costs, and hoped it would be a warning to him and others.”

Presumably he learned from his mistakes as the Blackburn Standard, March 5th 1887 reports:

“William Haworth, assistant fireman, of Hermitage Street, Rishton, was summoned by William Taylor, colliery manager for Darwen Mining Co., at the Borough Police Court yesterday for having, on the 23rd ult. in Whitebirk Colliery, worked with a light other an a locked safety lamp, contrary to the Coal Mines Regulations Act, 1872. At noon on the above date, the defendant unscrewed his lamp in a part of the pit where there is dangerous gas. The consequence was that there was slight explosion, and Haworth’s face was singed. Mr. Radcliffe, defending, said Haworth did not deny the offence, but pleaded that the explosion occurred in a most unlikely place, where the accumulation of gas was not expected, and that he had sustained bodily injury. He asked that the Bench be as lenient as they could. The Bench said it was a very serious case, but only fined the defendant 19s. and costs, seeing that he had been injured.”

William was still at Whitebirk in 1888 when the Blackburn Weekly Express of Saturday, June 30th published an extensive piece describing conditions in the mine.The conditions must have been awful. The article also tells us that William's father Elias had been associated with Whitebirk. William's connections with the Industrial Co-operative movement had come in handy, they had put up £6,000 to keep the business afloat..

“In 1865 the father of the present manager of Whitebirk Colliery conducted boring operations on the Peel estate at Whitebirk, with a view to finding coal or any other mineral, which might exist. Coal was found in apparently large quantities, but at that time nothing more was done towards getting it. In 1870 or 1871 Mr. William Taylor, the present manager, floated a company to work it and 2 shafts were sunk, occupying the men for 18 months working day and night. Since the shafts were completed, the colliery has been in full work and many thousands of tons have been procured from it. The company, called the Darwen Mining Co., did not flourish, however, and they put a mortgage on the colliery of £6,000. In 1883 they went into voluntary liquidation and the Darwen Industrial Co-operative Society Ltd, who had the mortgage, were left with the colliery. They determined to work it, and have done so ever since, becoming the only Co-operative Society in England ever successfully to work a coal mine.

When they took over, the coal under the Peel estate was nearly worked out, and fresh workings have been carried out under land belonging to Lieut-General Fielden, GMG, MP. They work the Lower Mountain Mine and the seam is about 2feet thick, dipping about 3 inches to the yard. The extent of the workings already in existence is about 1,300 yards, and employment is found for 140 men and boys. When our reporter visited the mine this week, Mr. Taylor, the manager, took him through the workings.

All the engines and boilers for hoisting and pump mg are on the pit bank and the 5 engines are variously employed. Two are used for hoisting the cage containing the men and the coal at the upcast shaft, and one for pumping the water out of the lower workings, where it congregates in large quantities, by means of the downcast shaft. Another is kept in reserve and, for the sake of economy in fuel, a small one is used to drive the larger one pumping the water. The large engine pumps about 500 or 600 gallons of water per minute out of the mine, and this is sold to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Company. The cage is in the form of a large box without sides or ends. The bottom of it is wood, and iron bars form supports at each side, while the ends are left open. On the way down, the cage rushes through the air at a terrific rate, then there seems to be a sudden stop and a reversal of the process and the cage seems to start to ascend the pit shaft.

All is in darkness, for the Davy lamps give but little light at first, but at last we found ourselves safely at the shaft bottom, having accomplished 137 yards in 19 seconds. This however is not reckoned to be a very quick rate of progress, as the cage, when it contains coal goes up in 12 or 13 seconds. Nothing could be seen for a few minutes, until the eye got used to the changed conditions, and then a couple of men could be dimly observed engaged in running the trucks of coal into the cage ready to be hoisted to the pit mouth. There is a gradual slope from the workings to the shaft bottom, and the trucks of coal can be brought along a chain road running parallel with the intake airway without any labour or steam whatever. An endless chain runs from the workings to the pit mouth. Each truck is fitted with a fork in which the chain catches and runs the coal truck from one end of the mine to the other.

As the ground dips towards the shaft, the weight of the trucks causes them to work without any additional power being applied. The air supply is very good, being regulated by means of a large open furnace, situated at what is now the hack of the upcast shaft. By increasing or decreasing the fire in the furnace, a stronger or weaker current of air can be procured. The air comes down the mine via the downcast shaft, up which the water is pumped and which is seldom used, and it travels through the workings, finally escaping up the up cast shaft, in which the cage is constantly working and at the bottom of which is the furnace. The miners travel on small flat sledges, travelling along the intake airway, running parallel with the chain road and, in some parts, the waterway. In very few places it is more than 4 feet high and 2 yards wide.

After about 650 yards, there is a rather sudden drop of about 9 feet, caused through a fault in the seam. The miners, however, knew the signs and had blasted the rock to find the seam started again 9 feet below. This fault was discovered about 5 years ago, and 2 years later another fault was found about 250 yards higher up the intake. This fault had, however, taken an upward tendency and the seam was found about 5 feet higher. We followed the intake airway for a very long time, but finally a deviation was made along one of the many passages running out of it. All these borings lead to different parts of the workings and, where they leave the main road, they are fitted with doors and brattice cloths so that too strong a current of air may not get into them at once. After travelling nearly 1,300 yards, a portion of the workings was reached at which was fixed another roller carrying the endless chain, where the men hook on the trucks which are then received by the hooker at the shaft bottom and placed into the cage ready to be hoisted to the mouth of the pit.

These trucks are run directly from the miners by boys who work with little or no clothing on them, and who seem to revel in running about on the rough floor with bare feet. These youngsters, whose ages vary from 12 to 16, are in very few cases Blackburn boys. The people in this district prefer to send their lads to the mill, where they can go a couple of years earlier and where they can earn more money from the start, rather than to the mine. Boys have to be got, however, and most of those working at Whitebirk come from the schools of Liverpool. A Very few of them would leave mining once they got used to the work and the surroundings. After drawing for 3 or 4 years these lads are put on getting coal and a short time after become fully fledged miners.

After watching the drawers, we went along one of the cuttings to where the men were getting the coal. This is done by fully-fledged miners only. They are the men who make the cuttings running off the main road and, to do this, they have to subject themselves to great discomfort. Like the boys they discard any clothing, which would only get in their way, and in a position, which can only described as two double, pursue their arduous and risky duties. Every 6 yards they start a cutting of 4 yards wide and about 2 feet 10 inches high. These cuttings are proceeded with for about 40 yards, then a fresh cutting is made 6 yards higher up the main road.

In making these cuttings, the miners use nothing but the pick and a large sledgehammer. First of all they pick away at the shale, which lies beneath the seam and, when they have removed enough, they bring the sledgehammer and chisel into play to remove the large cobs of coal from the seam. As they proceed along the cutting the miners insert pillars of wood to support the roof. When they have worked to the end of the seam, or to the boundary of their land, they start to work back. This is done by cutting away at the pillars of 6 yards wide, which were left as supports when they first worked along the colliery. The earnings of a collier are only very modest when one considers the amount of work they have to do and the dangers they have to run. A good collier working full time will be able to earn about 30s. per week, but the average is between 20s. and 25s. Their hours are limited to 9 a day, but it is only in very few cases that the men put in the full time. They go down the mine at 6.00 am. and are kept there until noon, when they can leave for the day or continue to work.

Before the passing of the Coal Mines Act last year the miners were paid so much per truck for the coal they got, but under the new Act they get paid by weight. The coal is weighed at the pit-mouth by the banksman and is sorted into classes, by riddling or screening. What coal is left after the first screening is known as best-cottage coal the second screening as second cottage, and the third as slack or nuts for mills and manufacturers. For blacksmiths and forges the coal is specially sorted and consequently dearer. The lamps at Whitebirk are encased Davy 's. With the miners at this pit the Davy Lamp has always been viewed with great favour but the management, anxious to have the best, tried the Morgan and Marsaut safety lamps. The men however did not take kindly to them, and the Davy was put into general use.”

By 1892 William had moved again to manage Joseph Place's pit in Eccleshill, the Darwen News, July 23^rd 1892 gives one further snippet:

“The new pit shaft, sunk by Messrs Joseph Place and Sons at Eccleshill has proved successful, with coal being found on Monday morning.”….

“About 15 months ago the firm leased the coal under the land belonging to the executors of Messrs Hodgson’s trustees, and started to sink a shaft 13 feet in diameter, but they soon met a considerable quantity of water, and pumps were ordered from Messrs Haythorn, Davey of Leeds. Each pump gave a 16-inch lift, allowing the water problem to he overcome. The shaft has been sunk 92 yards and has been bricked round to the bottom, with the exception of about 30 feet, which will he completed in about a month's time. Three shifts of 6 men have worked 24 hours a day to sink the shaft. The coal reached is 19 inches thick and, with 6 inches of cannel is 25 inches all told. Under this, it is hoped to come to 6 feet of fireclay, which is as important to Messrs Place as the coal, as they intend to carry on at their Eccleshill works exactly the same kind of business as is being carried on so successfully at Hoddlesden. When the works are in full swing, there will be employment for at least 200 men. By an Act of Parliament, no pit in which more than 25 men are employed below ground can be worked without 2 shafts, and the second shaft has already been sunk to a depth of 40 yards. As it is unlikely that the water difficulty will impede progress, the shaft will be completed in 3 or 4 months' time. The work has been successfully carried on at the new pit by Mr. W Taylor, the manager, who was formerly the manager at Whitebirk Collieries. The Eccleshill estate will, if the pits are fully employed, last over 30 or 40 years, and the additional leases, which Messrs Place have taken out at their Hoddlesden Coalfield will last for even longer. The Eccleshill Colliery has been provided with a 35-yard iron chimney, standing on massive foundations 5 feet high.

In the Census for 1871 William is shown with his family living at 5 School St.

Of the children other than George we know the following.  Elias was born on 27^th June 1862 at Short Street, Over Darwen.  His mother Alice made her mark when reporting the birth to the Registrar.  In 1901 Elias was living with his wife Eliza at Bent Hall Farm, a son Samuel is at the same address aged 19 and single.  They have a boarder named Henry White aged 25 also single.  Elias and Samuel are both working as Engine Drivers at a coal pit while the lodger is a Fireman at a Sanitary Pipe works.

By 1901 Margaret had married William Nutter (b. c. 1868) and had children Tom (b. c. 1895) and Norman (b. c. 1899) all living at 8 Ivy Terrace.

William (the younger) is shown living in 1901 at 491 Bolton Road with wife Maud aged 26.  William's occupation is Underground Colliery Foreman.  The name Maud ties in with the details from the wreaths sent from "Will, Maud and Children" to the funeral of William senior although at this stage no sign of "the Children".

Mary A. was known to the family as Polly.  She married William Jenkins who was, in 1901, a clerk in a cotton mill.  They had a daughter Alice born about 1899.  From the wreaths at Alice's funeral we can determine that they later had a son called Willie.

The 1901 census shows William's son John Thomas, born in 1875, was living at 51 Park Road with William senior, described as a Colliery Manager and his wife Alice.  John Thomas' occupation is shown as Colliery Under Manager  

William's wife Alice was born on the 21st December 1839 the daughter of Thomas Mayoh (b. c. December 1817) and Tabatha Tong (b. c. December 1817).

The Mayoh family lived for many years at 58 Astley Street, off the Bolton Road close by Bury Fold Lane on the outskirts of Darwen. The Mayoh's and Tong's originated from the Bolton area. Thomas was baptised, son of Richard Mayoh a Farmer, at Turton Walmsley Presbyterian Church on January 1st 1818 and Tabatha was baptised, daughter of John Tong a Crofter, at Bolton St. Peter three days later. They married on 29th December 1837 in the Parish Church at Bolton Le Moors. Thomas was then living in Back Andrews St. G.B. and Tabatha gave her address as Deansgate G.B.

Thomas' father Richard married Ann Mason on the 11th October 1807 at Bolton Le Moors St Peter. In the same church Tabatha's father John Tong married Alice Holt on the 28th January 1811.

Returning to William's ancestors, his father Elias (who seems to have been known as Ellis) was born about 1810. He may have been illegitimate since his marriage certificate to Margaret shows no details of his father's name. However, it is possible that his father was another William Taylor a "Sinker" (of mines). This information comes from a marriage certificate for Elias Taylor, Widower and Mary Sharples, spinster in 1862. Elias is occupied as an Underlooker living at Hey Fold. Thus, after Margaret died in 1861 Elias re-married and had a further child Alfred James, born 31st March 1863 and baptised 26th July. By that time Elias had added Mine Inspector to his occupations. Apart from the references to him contained in William's obituary I have discovered nothing else about his life. He married first in 1839 to Margaret (Peggy) Marsden. Thus William himself was born out of wedlock. I have not found a matching birth entry for either a William Taylor or a William Marsden.

In 1841 Elias and Margaret (both shown as age 25) were living at Hampsons in Over Darwen. Ages in the 1841 census for those over 15 were rounded down to the nearest 5 years, those over 60 were often rounded down to the nearest 10 years. Strangely the census does not show William in the home. Since he would have been about 5 years old it seems unlikely he would be abroad alone. His brother Thomas (age 2) and sister Alice (4 months) are the only children listed.

William's absence may have been a mistake on the part of the enumerator. Or he may have been staying with a relative, though none is evident in the records. William gives his father's name as Elias on his marriage to Alice Mayoh. Furthermore the 1851 Census return shows the following:

Given the presence of Thomas and Alice along with the ages listed for all concerned, there seems little doubt that this is the same family as the one shown at Hampsons in 1841. Twins Lawrence and Ralph were born on 31st of January at 1:20 am and 1:40 am respectively. Lawrence died on April 26th 1851 some twelve weeks after his birth, the cause of death was reported by his father Elias as "Hooping Cough".

By the time of the 1861 Census the family had grown again, adding Jane Ellen and Margaret Ann, and moved at least twice. Jane Ellen was born at Harwoodrough Over Darwen and it was from her birth certificate that I found Margaret's maiden name of Marsden.

The 1861 Census details are transcribed below.

In the intervening years William had married. Margaret, the mother, died later in 1861 on July 25th and the daughter Margaret Ann died age 7 in 1867, the year before Elias' death .

Elias, his wife Margaret, little Peggy Ann and Jane Ellen are buried together in plot in the non-conformists section "A" in Darwen Cemetery. The inscription reads:

"Sacred to the memory of Elias Taylor of Over Darwen who departed this life December 1st, 1868 age 58 years. Also Margaret his wife who departed this life July 25th 1861 aged 48 years. Also Margaret their daughter who departed this life August 28th 1867 aged 7 years. Also Jane Ellen their daughter wife of John Duxbury who died on the 12th February 1877 aged 22 years."

Margaret was buried from number 17 Hey Fold on July 27th 1861, Peggy Ann on August 29th 1867 and Elias four days after his death on the 5th December 1868. Elias had contracted pneumonia. He died six days later.

It seems likely that Margaret Marsden was the daughter of Thomas Marsden, Weaver (born about 1777) and, Alice Entwisle. According to the baptism entries for the Lower Chapel in Over Darwen, Alice had fourteen children. Children prior to Peggy are difficult to identify. There is an entry in the 1841 census that shows a Thomas Marsden:

The mother, Alice, was perhaps dead by this time and after fourteen children it is hardly a surprise. The record of her fecundity is shown below.

The following are candidates for Thomas's parents.

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