Fielden Brothers, Cotton Manufacturers of Todmorden, Records (FLD, FPL)
1626 - 1990
"The Curse of the Factory System"
Book recording relief given to those suffering from smallpox
Brought up as a Quaker, Fielden had been taught at an early age to be concerned about the welfare of the people the Company employed.
When the wages of factory workers began to fall in the 1820s, he advocated the introduction of a minimum wage. He believed workers on a decent wage would be good for the British economy as it would increase spending on manufactured goods. He also believed that low wages and long hours had a disastrous effect on the health of the workers.
As an employer Fielden practised what he preached. He paid good wages to his reliable and loyal workers and cared for those affected by disease (as in the smallpox epidemic of 1874) or those hurt in his mills.
When the wages of factory workers began to fall in the 1820s, he advocated the introduction of a minimum wage. He believed workers on a decent wage would be good for the British economy as it would increase spending on manufactured goods. He also believed that low wages and long hours had a disastrous effect on the health of the workers.
As an employer Fielden practised what he preached. He paid good wages to his reliable and loyal workers and cared for those affected by disease (as in the smallpox epidemic of 1874) or those hurt in his mills.
And that's not all...
Doctors bill for an accident in the factory
The records of the Fielden Brothers, comprising some 275 boxes, were deposited in 1981. The business was one of the largest textile businesses in the country and accumulated more capital in business than any other cotton firm in Britain before the cotton shortage caused by the American Civil War.
The records include Company minutes 1889-1967, production records 1822-1970, and workforce records 1842-1986 (including accident books and details of doctors’ bills paid). In 1822 Fielden was a founding member of the Todmorden Unitarian Society, a religious group active in the social reform movement.
The collection also includes minutes, tenders and bills relating to the building of the present Grade 1 Listed Unitarian Church, built in 1865-1869, financed in their father's memory by his three sons.
Apart from being Todmorden's largest employers, the family also contributed to the town's development in many ways, perhaps primarily in their financing of the magnificent Todmorden Town Hall, opened in 1875 at a cost to the Fieldens of £54,000.
Take your time looking through the records on our online catalogue.
The records include Company minutes 1889-1967, production records 1822-1970, and workforce records 1842-1986 (including accident books and details of doctors’ bills paid). In 1822 Fielden was a founding member of the Todmorden Unitarian Society, a religious group active in the social reform movement.
The collection also includes minutes, tenders and bills relating to the building of the present Grade 1 Listed Unitarian Church, built in 1865-1869, financed in their father's memory by his three sons.
Apart from being Todmorden's largest employers, the family also contributed to the town's development in many ways, perhaps primarily in their financing of the magnificent Todmorden Town Hall, opened in 1875 at a cost to the Fieldens of £54,000.
Take your time looking through the records on our online catalogue.
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