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Having been brought up in the Audley district of Blackburn, the name of Eli Heyworth was well known to me, particularly in respect of the mills which were just round the corner from our house on Pringle Street. I grew up in the shadow of the great Destructor Chimney on Bennington Street, just by the junction with Pringle Street. I remember well the cobbled, gas lit streets of little terraced houses with their back yards and the enormous walls of the mills where people went in their hundreds each morning and night. The great door of Audley Hall mill became "goal" for our street football when the mill was not being used. In those days I had very little idea about the significance of the man, Eli Heyworth, apart from his mill providing our football and cricket pitches.
It was much later in life that I began to take an interest in the lives of working people in that area through the late 1800s and through the 1900s.
Eli Heyworth was born in Chorley on the 16th August 1839 [i], the seventh of nine children born to James Heyworth, a Chorley cotton manufacturer, and his wife, Ann Blackwell. He was educated at Chorley Grammar School and began his career at Cross Hill Print Works [ii]. He married Mercia Hoyle, the daughter of James Hoyle, at St. Paul’s Church in Huddersfield on 5th. September 1861 [vi]. Eli came to Blackburn where he purchased the Audley Hall Mill in 1871 and later erected another large mill, bounded on three sides by Pringle Street, Dickens Street and Chester Street. The two mills had a capacity of 2,200 looms.
© Brian Houghton
Audley Hall Mill
By that time, he had taken up residence at 109, Preston Road [iii] and was living with his wife, Mercia, and children Jessie, Albert, Mercia (later to become Dame Mercia Thom) and Maud. Sarah Hoyle, Mercia’s mother also lived with the family. As well as the two mills in Blackburn, Eli also had cotton mills in Chorley and Manchester. He was one of the founders of the Technical School and took a practical interest in the work of its pupils [ii]. We do not know where Eli was in 1881 but his wife, Mercia, and the children, were living on the Promenade, Southport [iv]. By 1891, Mercia and the children are recorded on the Census as living at Springfield, Preston New Road, Blackburn although the young Lawrence was at boarding school in Southport; there is still no sign of Eli [v]. He was, however, still very active in Blackburn as he entered the Town Council in 1874 and was nominated for the office of Mayor in 1898, serving in that office from 1898 to 1899. [ii]
Eli’s wife, Mercia, died on 28th April 1896. She was buried in the Churchyard of St. Leonard’s, Balderstone aged 57 years [vii].
On 1st June 1899 he married again, this time to Elizabeth Dugdale at the Church of St. Mary in the village of Mellor [vii]. Elizabeth was the daughter of John Dugdale, an Iron Founder from Blackburn. It would have been during this period that the family moved to “Whinfield”, off Preston New Road, Blackburn as the whole family were at that address on the night of the 1901 census [viii].
Eli died on 21st January 1904 at his home, “Whinfield” after a short illness. He was buried with his first wife, Mercia, in the Churchyard of St. Leonard’s, Balderstone aged 64 years.
Eli’s second wife, Elizabeth died on 15th May 1922 and is buried in the same grave [i].
Also buried in that same grave is Lawrence, second son of Eli and Mercia Heyworth, who died 20th January 1950.
© Brian
Houghton
Eli Heyworth's Grave
Although he was not born in Blackburn, Eli Heyworth became one of the stalwarts of the town. He showed a great interest in the education of the young at the Technical College. He took an interest in the welfare of the area and the people who lived and worked in the Audley part of the town by persuading the Water Authority to give up the land occupied by the (now) Queen’s Park to the Town Council to be developed as a leisure area for the working classes. He was a Nonconformist and donated a gift of £1,000 towards the new stained glass window in Audley Range Congregational Church. He spent time and effort in his duties of a JP, Town Councillor and Mayor.
In death he left a very detailed will which included (amongst the family legacies) one week's wage to every one of his employees.
(My Note:- The 1888 Blackburn Telephone Directory shows “Eli Heyworth – Springfield – Tel: Blackburn 105) Perhaps he lived at Springfield but was simply out of the Country on Census night?
THE GREAT WAR
After the death of Eli, the mills in Blackburn were run by his sons, Lawrence, Albert and Harold. It was ten years after Eli’s death that the Great War started and thousands of young men volunteered to join the army to fight for their Country. This meant that the workforce of industries, including the cotton industry, was greatly reduced for a number of years. A memorial book of the men of Eli Heyworth & Sons published after the war tells us that 165 men from that Company went off to war, of whom 24 did not return.
After the death of Eli, the mills in Blackburn were run by his sons, Lawrence, Albert and Harold. It was ten years after Eli’s death that the Great War started and thousands of young men volunteered to join the army to fight for their Country. This meant that the workforce of industries, including the cotton industry, was greatly reduced for a number of years. A memorial book of the men of Eli Heyworth & Sons published after the war tells us that 165 men from that Company went off to war, of whom 24 did not return.
© Brian Houghton
The details of those who died are attached and the names of each soldier are also included on the Blackburn Roll of Honour.
After the war the Company continued to trade although it never recovered to the levels prior to the war. Overseas customers of textile products had been lost and trade was difficult. It was in 1932 that Eli Heyworth and Sons Limited went into voluntary liquidation. The London Gazette of 4th. November 1932 carried the following article:-
ELI HEYWORTH & SONS Limited.
(In Voluntary Liquidation.)
The Companies Act, 1929.
NOTICE is hereby given that at an Extra- ordinary General Meeting of the Members
of the above named Company, duly convened, and held at the registered office, Audley Hall Mill, Blackburn, on Monday, the 31st day of October, 1932, the following Extraordinary Resolution was duty passed: —
(a) " That the Company cannot, by reason of its liabilities, continue its business, and that it is advisable to wind up the same, and accordingly the Company be wound up voluntarily, and
(b) " That Mr. Edward Rudd, of Central Buildings, Richmond Terrace^ Blackburn, Chartered
Accountant, be and he is hereby appointed the Liquidator for the purposes of such winding-up."
At a Meeting of the creditors of the above named Company, duly convened, and held pursuant to section 238 of the Companies Act, 1929, on Tuesday, the 1st day of November, 1932, the appointment of the above named Edward Rudd as Liquidator was confirmed.—Dated this 2nd day of November, 1932.
(297) L. HEYWORTH, Director. [ix]
Sources:-
[i] Gravestone Inscription
[ii] George C. Miller.
[iii] 1871 Census
[iv] 1881 Census
[v] 1891 census
[vi] Marriage Certificate
[vii] Parish Register
[viii] 1901 Census
[ix] London Gazette 4th. November 1932
Eli Heyworth's marriage certificate to Mercia Hoyle
Eli Heyworth's marriage certificate to Elizabeth Dugdale
Eli Heyworth's Employees who made the Supreme Sacrifice during the Great War.
Private Peter ABBOTT
G/21985 2nd. Btn. Royal Sussex Regiment (also 27347 Northumberland Fusiliers)
Died 9th. April 1918 - Buried in Cambrin Military Cemetery
Peter was killed when his battalion were stood to in battle positions on the Noyelles-Grenay Line. The enemy opened up with an intense bombardment. The war diary for that date states “Casualties were chiefly from gas shell, the enemy employing mustard, and both blue and yellow cross shells.” Casualties were two officers and 12 “other ranks”, of which Peter would have been one.
Peter was the son of James and Margaret Ann Abbott. He was born in Blackburn in 1890. In 1911, Peter was living with his widowed mother at 12, Curzon Street, Blackburn and was working as Mule Spinner at the Audley Hall mill of Eli Heyworth. His name is remembered on the memorial at St. Philip’s Church, Blackburn.
Sergeant William ASPINALL
47806 13th. Btn. Royal Iniskilling Fusiliers.
Died 27th. August 1918 – Buried in Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension, Bailleul.
France, Casualties of WW1 1914 – 1922.
William was the son of William H. & Jane Aspinall of 10, Shadsworth Road, Blackburn, Lancs. Husband of Mary Alice Clough (formerly Aspinall) of 16, Blakey Street, Blackburn, Lancs.
William was born in Preston in 1879 and by 1911, he was living with his wife, Mary Alice, at 68, Walter Street, Blackburn. He was working as a Postman at that time. When he enlisted in Blackburn, he was working at the Audley Hall Mill of Eli Heyworth.
Private James BOLTON
14001 8th Btn. King’s Own Scottish Borderers.
James Bolton was killed in action on the first day of the battle of Loos. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.
Died 25th September 1915.
James had married Mina Mackereth in 1913 in Blackburn.
James was living at 60, Lancaster Street, Blackburn and was an employee of Messrs. Eli Heyworth & Sons.
Private William Lawrence BROWN
352746 - 1ST/5th Btn. Manchester Regiment.
Died 2nd. September 1918 - Buried at Manchester Cemetery, Riencourt-Les-Bapaume.
William was killed in action as his unit attacked the German positions at Villers au Flos. He would have been counted amongst the 23 “other ranks” listed as killed in that action.
William was born in Blackburn in 1897. In 1911, was living with his parents, William & Dorothy at 77, Dickens Street, Blackburn He was working as a Cotton Weaver at Eli Heyworth’s Chester Street Mill when he joined the army in September, 1916. He was wounded in October, 1917 and returned to France in February the following year. He was a regular attender of Oxford Street Methodist Church.
Private Mark CARTER
2914 - 1st/4th Btn. East Lancashire Regiment.
Mark was presumed killed after an action against the Turks on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 12th/13th August 1915. He is listed amongst almost 100 soldiers of the East Lancashire Regiment killed in that action and listed in the Battalion War Diaries. He has no known grave. His name is commemorated on the Helles Memorial and at Audley Range Congregational Church. He was reported as “missing” in the Audley Range Church newsletter of that date, being a regular member of the Church. Mark was employed at Eli Heyworth’s Audley Hall Mill.
In 1911, Mark lived with his mother, May & step father, Eli at 131, Walter Street, Blackburn.
Private John COCKER
242623 - 1st/5th Btn. King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
John died of wounds 29th May 1917 at the Auxiliary Hospital, Liverpool. He was buried in Blackburn Cemetery CE M 6727
John was born in Chorley in 1878. By 1911 he was living with his wife, Margaret Alice, and his children at 9, Salisbury Street, Blackburn. He was working as a Cotton Weaver at Eli Heyworth’s Audley Hall Mills. He left his wife and four daughters.
Corporal John Arthur CRONSHAW
25892 - 2nd Btn Border Regiment.
John died of wounds at a clearing station in Italy on 3rd. November 1918 Buried at Giavera British Cemetery Arcade, Italy. (Plot 5, Row A, Grave 5)John was born in Blackburn in 1893. In 1911, he was living with his parents, Nelson & Mary Ellen Cronshaw, at 97, London Road, Blackburn and was working as a Reacher at Eli Heyworth’s Audley Hall Mill. In 1916 he married Maggie Mayman at St. Stephen’s Church, Blackburn. Administration of his estate was proved on 13th January 1919 to Maggie Cronshaw, his widow.
Private William DISLEY
242786 - 9TH. Btn. East Lancashire Regiment
William joined the Army in March 1916 and first saw service in Egypt and later in France where he contracted Trench Fever. On recovery, he was transferred to Salonika.
William died of wounds on 5th. April 1918. He was buried at Karasuoli Military Cemetery. (Grave Ref: A98).
William was born in 1886, a son of James & Mary Disley. By 1911 he lived at 122, Queen’s Park Road with his parents, his sister Ellen, his brother Arthur and his nephew, Herbert. He was a Cotton Weaver at the mill of Eli Heyworth & Sons Ltd. He was a member of the choir at Blackburn Weslyan Mission where his name is on the Roll of Honour.
Private James DUCKWORTH
2054 - 1ST/4TH Btn East Lancashire Regiment.
James was killed in action in Gallipoli on 13th. August 1915 He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial and at Christ Church, Blackburn.
James was born in Blackburn in 1882, the son of James & Mary Duckworth. By 1901 he was living with his widowed mother at 22, Lucknow Street, Blackburn and was working as a railway porter. By 1911 he was living at 27, Maudsley Street, Blackburn with his wife and young son, William. James was an old territorial and was one of the first to enlist when war broke out. James was a labourer at the Audley Hall Mill of Eli Heyworth & Sons Ltd.
Private James GROGAN
37039 (also served as 6381) 8TH. Btn East Lancashire Regiment.
Died 25th. April 1917 Commemorated on the Arras Memorial (Bay 6) and on the Roll of Honour at St. Peter’s Church, Blackburn.James was born in Blackburn in 1882, the eldest child of William and Mary Ellen Grogan. In 1911, he was living with his parents, at 8, John Bright Street, Blackburn and was working as a Cotton Spinner. Later in that year, James married Mary Haworth in Blackburn. When he enlisted in 1916, he was living with his wife and two daughters, Winifred & Monica at 37, Walter Street, Blackburn. He was drafted to France in January 1917. Prior to enlisting he was employed in the weft dept. at the Audley Hall Mill of Eli Heyworth & Sons Ltd. As a boy he was connected with St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church and later with St. Joseph’s Church where his name is on the Roll of Honour.
Private Absalom HAWORTH
G/2260 7th Btn. Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
Died 2nd July 1916 Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial (Pier & Face 11C) and at Blackburn Cathedral & Christ Church, Blackburn.
Absalom was born in Blackburn in 1891 and by 1911 was living at 93, Rockcliffe Street with his parents William Henry & Jannet, his twin brother, John and his sister Margaret. He was a Cotton Weaver by trade working at the Audley Hall mill of Eli Heyworth.
Absalom enlisted in 1914 but it was not until 1916 that his unit became part of the Battle of Albert, the First Battle of the Somme. It was on the 2nd July that he was killed in a major assault South of Thiepval. He has no known grave but is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.
Private Jesse HULL
13639 7TH Btn. King’s Shropshire Light Infantry
Died 25th July 1916 Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial (Pier & Face 12A & 12D)
Jesse was born in Blackburn in 1884. By 1911 Jesse was living with his parents, James & Sarah Ann, and five other siblings at 35, Baines Street. Jesse was working as a Cotton Weaver at Eli Heyworth’s Audley Hall Mill and had a strong association with St. Matthew’s Church. On enlisting in 1914, he gave his parent’s address as 157, Bolton Road, Blackburn.
In 1916, his unit were involved in a number of actions at Delville Wood, Longueval and Pozieres where he was killed. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
Private John Joseph LEONARD
201838 1st/4th Btn East Lancashire Regiment
Died 5th May 1917 Buried at Ste. Emilie Valley Cemetery, Villers Faucon (IV. C. 19)
John was the son of Mrs. Sarah Ann Leonard of 186, Audley Range, Blackburn. In 1911 John (wrongly listed as Joseph in the 1911 census) was working as a cotton weaver.
Sergeant Francis Joseph SCHOLLICK
5964 1ST Btn King’s Royal Rifle Corps.
Died 30th October 1914 Commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial(Panels 51 – 53) and at St. Alban’s Church, Blackburn.
Francis was born in Blackburn in 1886. He was a son of Henry and Maria Schollick of 11, Lower Audley Street, Blackburn. He married Annie Riley in Blackburn in 1912. In 1911 he was living with his widowed father at 4, Fielden Terrace, Cherry Tree and was working in the winding room at Eli Heyworth’s cotton mill. His effects went to his widow, Annie.
Private Thomas SINGLETON
Died 20th October 1916 Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial (Panels 1A & 8A) and at Oxford Street Methodist Church, Blackburn.
Thomas was born in Blackburn in 1894. In 1911 he was living with his mother, Eliza, and three siblings, Edward, Minnie & Emily at 58 Walter Street, Blackburn. He was working as a Cotton Weaver at Eli Heyworth’s Audley Hall Mill. His unit was involved in the battle of Albert and then at the battle of Transloy Ridges. It was here that he was killed by a shell during an attempt to repair telephone wires under fire. Prior to enlisting he was a prominent member of the YMCA and a regular worshiper at Oxford Street Primitive Methodist Church.
Lance Corporal Harry WALTON
16885 8TH Btn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry
Died 18th September 1918 Buried at Karasouli Military Cemetery (F 1240)Commemorated on the Memorial at St. Matthew’s Church, Blackburn.
Harry (baptised “Henry”) was born on 10th November 1891 and baptised at St. Matthew’s Church on 21st February 1891. He was the son of William & Alice Walton of Scotland Road, Blackburn. By 1911, he was living with his parents at 130, Lambeth Street, Blackburn. Prior to enlisting in 1914, Henry was working as a Reacher in the Audley Hall Mill of Eli Heyworth. He had been in Salonica for more than three years. His Officer said “I feel his loss particularly myself, as he had been in my Company for one and a half years. I have always known him to be the perfect soldier.
Private Robert WOOD
50685 17th Btn. The King’s (Liverpool Regiment).
Died 29th April 1918 Buried at Voormezeele Enclosure No. 3 (XIV.F. 25)
He is commemorated on the memorial at St. Matthew’s Church, Blackburn
Robert was born on 13th May 1898 and baptised at St. Matthew’s Church, Blackburn on 12th June 1898. His parents were Edward & Maria Wood of 54, Dewhurst Street. By 1911 the family had moved to number 40 Dewhurst Street and Robert was at school and Part Time in Eli Heyworth’s Audley Hall Mill. The soldier’s effects were sent to his mother, Maria.
With grateful thanks to Brian Houghton who researched the article and provided the images and photographs, October 2015.
Select the following link in order to read further information regarding Eli Heyworth