Yes! As i said before, i think that the workers conditions are at a VERY high standard for a Mill. As in other Mill's around the country, they are treated very badly. The standard of care I give my workers is also very high as the Apprentices i have at the house have ; their own doctor, beds, food everyday and clean clothes. I admit, the amount of money I payed the workers was quite low, and could have been higher, but what I gave them in return would probably have made the difference. However, I think that the working hours would have been quite hard to manage. Also the amount of work I expected the workers to do was a bit high...
Were there any outbreaks of disease in your factory?
Well, some children fell ill in my factory, complaining of chest or head pains - nothing that a bit of blood letting from the Doctor couldn't sort out! Some children had bloody noses and started developing 'nervous fever' had red spots on their chest area. Very soon after, they died*. The cotton dust was everywhere - even in the water supplies - however I do not think this would affect the children in anyway! A little cotton never hurt anyone! Some children developed Small Pox, however we tried to save as many as we could...
* The symptoms the children showed would show they had Typhoid.
What inspired you to be a Mill owner?
Well, I would not really say I was inspired. My Uncles could not look after the Cotton Enterprise they owned, and with the business opportunities being opened up by the Industrial Revolution I invested in the Mill in the little town of Styal. However I thought about how the Mill would make my life better and help lots of peoples lives be better. I would open up the opportunities for local people to have well payed local jobs!
Why did you employ children?
I employed children because they were small enough to get into the machines safely... well nearly always safely. Sometimes, they would flinch and get hurt. They also worked for no pay, just food, clothes and work. Children were also able to work under threat as they could not have fought back against punishment. However, no physical harm was caused to them. Family's also needed as little mouths to feed as well, so I was doing them a favour by feeding their children.
