Eccles Shorrock facts for kids
Eccles Shorrock (born Eccles Shorrock Ashton) (1827–1889) was an important businessman from Lancashire, England. He worked in the cotton industry. He is famous for building the India Mill and its tall chimney in Darwen, Lancashire. This chimney is still a well-known landmark today.
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Eccles Shorrock's Early Life
Eccles Shorrock was born in 1827 in Clitheroe, Lancashire. His birth name was Eccles Shorrock Ashton. He was named after his uncle, Eccles Shorrock, who owned a mill in Darwen. When Eccles was eleven, his uncle held a huge party. It was to celebrate Queen Victoria's Coronation. About 1,400 workers and tenants enjoyed roast beef, plum pudding, and ale. The party lasted all day and was full of joy.
Sadly, Eccles's mother passed away when he was young. His uncle, Eccles Shorrock, adopted him and his brother Ralph. Their uncle made sure they had a good education. They went to Hoole's Academy in Blackburn. Later, they studied at University College, London.
Starting His Business Life
In 1851, Eccles Shorrock married Sarah Dimmock. Two years later, his uncle passed away. Eccles inherited his uncle's estate and mills. He was only 26 years old. He moved into his uncle's home, Low Hill House, in Darwen. This house was originally built for Samuel Crompton, a famous inventor.
Eccles took over mills like Darwen Mill and New Mill. He quickly made his brother Ralph and half-brother William partners. Within a year, he expanded the business. It now included papermaking, a coal-pit, and a sawmill. He even built another mill called Hope Mill for his cousin.
Eccles also became very active in his town. He was elected to the Local Board of Health. In 1855, he became a Justice of the Peace in Darwen. By 1858, he was the Chairman of the Darwen Health Board. He also helped with education in Darwen. He was Chairman of the Mechanic's Institute many times.
In 1859, work began on the new India Mill. It took many years to build. The mill was finally ready for production in 1871.
Challenges in the 1860s
The 1860s were tough for Eccles Shorrock and his company. The American Civil War started. This war greatly affected the cotton industry. Most cotton came from the Southern United States. During the war, cotton production dropped a lot. This was because the South focused on making military supplies. Trade was also difficult.
This led to a "Cotton Famine" in England. There was not enough American cotton. Indian cotton was available but was lower quality. It was also much more expensive because of shipping costs. Luckily, Eccles Shorrock had bought a lot of American cotton before the war. This meant he did not have to pay the super high prices. His company was able to keep going. Many other cotton mills struggled or even closed.
Eccles Shorrock's uncle had opened the William Street School. It helped people who lost their jobs in the cotton industry. They could learn new skills there. In 1862, the number of people needing help grew from 600 to 3000. Eccles Shorrock started the Darwen Relief Fund. He personally gave a lot of money to help those in need.
In 1862, Eccles Shorrock and the Darwen Relief Fund gave out 2000 Christmas dinner tickets. The local Lord of the Manor, William Duckworth, also donated money for another 2000 tickets.
Despite these hard times, Eccles Shorrock and the India Mill Company did well. In the mid-1860s, the new India Mill was finished. Its unique chimney looked like a church tower. The India Mill building and its chimney became a symbol of success for Darwen. It was the town's most impressive building.
The chimney's building had a brave moment. In 1864, a man named Briggs Knowles climbed the tall chimney. He did this to fix a tangled rope. He climbed without safety gear, using only his skill. He succeeded, and Shorrock gave him 20 shillings.
By 1867, Darwen was doing very well. Unemployment had greatly improved. The Shorrock family's mills had 32 cotton weaving works. They employed about 7000 people. They produced over 28.5 million pounds of cloth each year.
The India Mill building was used for many celebrations. In 1868, Eccles Shorrock hosted a huge Art Treasures Exhibit there. People from all over England came to see it. Shorrock hoped the money raised would help build a new school.
After the 1860s
Eccles Shorrock had great success in the 1860s, even with all the challenges. By 1871, the India Mill was fully equipped and producing cotton. A record from 1871 showed that Eccles Shorrock employed 1,505 people at the India Mill Company. This included men, women, and children.
In 1874, sales were increasing. Eccles Shorrock started a new company called "India Mills (Darwen) Cotton Spinning Company." That same year, he became chairman of the "North East Liberal Association." This made him interested in politics. He met important people in the Liberal Party, like Lord Cavendish.
The India Mills Cotton Spinning Company did well until 1877. That year, an economic slowdown hit England. This time, Eccles Shorrock's company faced big financial problems. The slowdown was caused by several things. A war in Europe made the economy unstable. There were also disagreements about taxes in England. High import taxes on English goods in France also hurt businesses.
By July 1877, Eccles Shorrock's company was struggling. The local newspaper, "Darwen News," wrote about the company's difficulties. They hoped the company would recover. They said the company and its people had "high character and honourable conduct."
By 1878, the situation got worse. Many workers were laid off. Wages were cut by 10%. Workers protested, and some protests became violent. Eccles Shorrock was very upset by this. He felt responsible for his company's problems. His health also started to decline. His doctor advised him to leave town for a short time. But his absence did not stop the unrest. Protests continued in cotton areas across England until 1880.
Family Difficulties
Around 1880, there were problems between Eccles Shorrock and his brothers, Ralph and William. The "Darwen News" reported on their disagreements. Ralph and William wanted to sell the company's assets to pay debts. But Eccles Shorrock strongly disagreed. They even went to court in London.
Eccles Shorrock did not follow the court's orders. He returned to Lancashire. In September 1880, the "Darwen News" reported that Eccles Shorrock had ordered the mill to stop working. He also stopped all payments to workers and accounts. He told the bank not to accept his brothers' signatures. These actions caused serious problems for the family.
Ralph Shorrock stated in a document that he no longer wanted to work with Eccles. William Ashton also stated that the New Mill and Darwen Mill had stopped production.
Eccles Shorrock left Darwen quickly one Saturday morning in September 1880. He wanted to avoid his workers and the press. The "Darwen News" reported that he was taken to the station in a way that avoided attention. He was sent to Holloway Prison for four months. He was released early, but only if he stayed away from Darwen for a while.
After this, Eccles Shorrock never regained his business success or local respect. His money and health continued to decline. He even wrote a pamphlet about his time in prison.
In 1887, his mental health worsened. He was admitted to an asylum in Edinburgh.
Death and Legacy
Eccles Shorrock passed away in the Edinburgh Asylum on September 28, 1889. His body was brought back to Darwen. He was buried in his family's plot at Darwen Cemetery. Some of his children also faced similar health challenges.
Eccles Shorrock's legacy is still important today. He played a huge role in England's cotton industry. He also helped Darwen grow and develop. The India Mill building is perhaps his biggest legacy. It still stands today with its tall chimney. It reminds everyone of Darwen's rich industrial past and success. Today, the India Mill building is privately owned. It rents out space to local businesses.
