JAMES NUTTER BIOGRAPHY

[Stanley]

JAMES NUTTER BIOGRAPHY

HOWGILL MILL. RIMINGTON
The mill was established by Thomas Hague Westerman and Samuel Westerman in 1790. By 1795 the partnership was dissolved and Westerman insured the mill for: Mill £200, Mill work £100, Machinery £200, Stock £300, Store and wash house £100. In 1803 more than 20 people were employed. In 1822 Westerman was still running the mill, which was used for cotton spinning until at least 1835.
In James Nutter’s obituary in the Craven Herald of Feb 20 1914 it was reported that James was born in Howgill Nr Rimington (1845) and at age eight (1853) was put to work in a local ‘Shoddy Mill’. Howgill was the only mill and so was almost certainly the mill James first worked at.
[1934 J Nutter takes over Bancroft from Nutter Bros when they move to Grove Shed, Earby.]
In 1891 Herbert Nutter is at Stopes House aged 6 years. On 06/07/1907 he was one of the founding directors of James Nutter and Sons. In 1914 he is living at Letcliffe. In 1929 he is living at Homelands on Manchester Road, the bungalow which he built.

Directors of James Nutter Limited on incorporation in 1907. [Capital of £15,000 divided up into £10 shares] James Nutter, Heather View. James Edmund Nutter, Rook Street. Ephraim Nutter, Glen View. Thomas Nutter, Cobden Street. Wilfred Ewart Nutter, Heather View. Herbert Nutter, Heather View. All had one share each. Company re-registered under the Companies Act of 1948 on 6th Sept 1948, Wilfred Nutter as chairman. At a meeting of the board of James Nutter and Sons at 30 Canal Street, Manchester on 25th of March 1949 directors present were Wifred Nutter, chairman, J S Taylor, P Bocock, H Mottershead, Mr Welch. Resolved that a dividend of 100% be paid on the shares of the company.
As a boy. James was reared in Rimington and first worked in the local water powered shoddy mill. 1861 census, James Nutter is living at home with the family at Townhead Barnoldswick, his father is an agricultural labourer. He is 16 and working in a local mill. His first entrepreneurial move was selling bibles with Thomas Slater Edmondson. Billy Brooks said that James Edmondson did the same thing. James Nutter started manufacturing in Coates Mill with 56 looms but then went as partner with Slater Edmondson in Clough Mill and the partnership moved to Long Ing in 1888 but then broke up in 1890, Slater Edmondson staying at Long Ing with 400 looms but James moving to Calf Hall. He was there with 400 looms until in 1905 he moved into Bankfield Shed with 900 looms as first tenant with Bradley Brothers in the 1800 loom shed. In 1934 Nutter Brothers took the J Nutter Looms out of Bankfield and moved them down to Grove Shed at Earby which they had purchased, J Nutters took over Bancroft with Nutter Bros looms in it.
In the 1881 census he is still living at Townhead but in 1891 has moved to Stopes House. Also at Stopes House is Ephraim, 9. Eliza Jane 23. Herbert 6. James Edmund 21. Mary Jane, his wife [Nee Chadwick, Edenfield] 45. Rupert aged 5. Thomas 17. Wilfred Ewart, 8. BUDC papers give James's address as Heather View in April 1903. On 6/07/1907-James Nutter was one of the founding directors of James Nutter and Sons.
James Nutter built the bungalows on Manchester Road, Homelands and the adjoining one. He built two houses at the end Letcliffe Lane and Grimestopes down Gisburn Road. He built houses for all his sons except Ephraim who lived at Glen View. Stephen Pickles told me that James had an illegitimate daughter and described the Nutters as ‘Chicago Gangsters’.
In the CH obituary of March 1914 James is said to have gone to Edenfield to work for Porrit and Austin to learn the trade of wool spinning. This is where he met Mary Jane Chadwick.
William Atkinson in Old Barlick says that in 1864 Edward [Ned] Slater lost an arm in an accident at Wellhouse Mill and started selling Blackie’s Bibles to make a living. Edward died in 1885 aged 45 years and other young men followed his example.
JAMES NUTTER 1811 1861 census. Noted as living at Townhead. The family came to Barnoldswick between 1854 and 1858. James, head, 50.Wife Jane, born Gisburn,46. John 19. Mary Ann. 18. James, 16. Elizabeth Jane, 13, PLW. Isabella 10. ? 8. Levi, 5. Miriam, 3. Ephraim, 6 months. Last three children born Barnoldswick, all the others in Rimington. John, Mary Ann and James all working in cotton mill. 1871 census notes James and Jane living at Philip Street. Occupation given as labourer. Children at home are John, 29. Mary Ann. 27, Elizabeth, 23. Aaron. 18. Levi, 15. Miriam, 13 and Thomas, 3. 1881 census notes James, 70 and Jane 66 living at Chapel Street. 1887 Barrett notes a James Nutter at 7 Chapel Street.
James owned Letcliffe Farm at one time. Probably when he built the bungalows.
Eliza Jane, Daughter of James Nutter. Married John Slater. Was known as 'Aunty Liza' and christened the Bancroft engine, Barnoldswick on Saturday 13 March 1920 See Craven Herald report dated 19/03/1920. She was standing in for James Nutter's widow, Mary Jane who was ill at the time, 1891 census. John Slater noted as living on Manchester Road aged 27 with Elizabeth Slater, 22 years. Started his career as a clothlooker at James Nutter and Sons at Bankfield Shed Barnoldswick. His family owned Clough Mill.
NUTTER. JIM, 79/AO/3. Page 29. Jack Platt says that in the 1940s Nutters had two wagons, a flat driven by Bill Wilson and a smaller one that could be used as a flat or a tipper. This was driven by Abe Ware. Jack thought they might have been Albions. He remembered Jim Nutter driving their last wagon, an Albion Claymore. Says Jim was regarded as a bit of a laugh by, Wild’s drivers because he very seldom loaded more than two high with weft boxes while Wild's were four high. Jack said Jim was alright at his own speed but really he wasn't fit to be on the road.
NUTTER. ROBERT. GROVE SHED CH. 24/05/1935. Reverting to the Grove Shed, after the removal of one firm to Spring Mill. Messrs. Clegg and Parkinson went to Nelson. Another new firm was founded by Mr. Robert Nutter which took over all the loom space in the Grove Shed. With him were associated his brothers in-law. Messrs. Bracewell Hartley and William Hartley but in 1908 they went to Brook Shed and took space for 408 looms. Mr. Bracewell Hartley married the eldest daughter of Mr. Gill, and took up residence at "The Grove. " Mr. Nutter also included in the business his son Eli, and his son-in-law Mr. Fred Shuttleworth, and Mr. Harold G. Wilkinson. Mr. Eli Nutter entered into partnership with another brother-in-law Mr. James Turner. and they had 260 looms at the Albion Shed and 280 at Sough Bridge Mill. This firm was later absorbed in R, Nutter and Co.
NUTTER. BROS-BANCROFT WATER 1917.
CHSMB. 9/05/1917. A letter from Hartley and Pilgrim and a report-by Charles J Lomax on the water rights of Clough Mill and Butts Mill dated 14/03/1917 was read and it was resolved that in view of the erection by Messrs Nutter of a new shed on the stream above Ouzledale Dam that the company join messrs Slater in the erection of a Lea Recorder by paying half share of the cost, not exceeding £25 providing no further costs are incurred and that the company has the right to see the recorder.

CHSCM , 3/03/1915. Resolved that Messrs Nutters who propose to erect a shed at Gillians be informed of the CHSC position re. the water rights. 21/07/1915. A letter was read from Messrs Hartley and Pilgrim re Messrs Nutter's intention to build a new shed at Gillians and to erect a reservoir over the stream supplying Butts Mill in which they stated that Messrs J Slater had instructed them to watch their interests and take such steps as may be necessary for their protection. They enquired if the CHSC would instruct them to act along with J Slater and Sons to protect the interests of the company. , Resolved that they be instructed to act for the company. [Concrete evidence that butts, as owners of Ouzledale Mill had an interest in the water rights on Gillians Beck as well as Calf Hall Beck]
EPHRAIM NUTTER
1881 census is at Townhead aged 9, In 1891 is at Stopes House. On 6/07/1907. Ephraim Nutter was one of the founding directors of James Nutter and Sons Ltd. Lived at Glen View. 1912 Manchester Royal Exchange directory notes Ephraim Nutter and son of Glen View, Barnoldswick as cloth agents. Principals Ephraim and Ewart Nutter. In 1902 Ephraim is noted as living at 21 Clough Terrace. Later at Glen View and in 1914 at Wellfield.