Hargreaves, James 001

James Hargreaves, Inventor of the Spinning Jenny.rnAmong the first in the field was James Hargreaves, or Hargrave, as he usually signed himself. Round about the year 1764, he was residing in a small cottage on Stanhill, some two miles to the East of Blackburn. It stood near the side door leading to the grounds of Stanhill House, the home of the Westalls, but on the opposite side of the road.rnHere between 1764 and 1767, he constructed a number of wooden machines actuating sixteen spindles at one and the same time. The idea was never patented and all the machines were disposed of privately among neighbouring manufacturers.rnHe died in 1778, leaving property of an estimated value of £4,000, and thus dispelling yet another legend that he was buried a pauper.rn(For more information on James Hargreaves, visit Blackburn Library, Community History Department)