Moving On

George Robinson and sons developed a complex of cotton spinning factories in the Leen Valley, north of Nottingham, in the late eighteenth century. For fifty years, after 1778, the firm produced cotton yarn. Many of the workers originated elsewhere, and when the business collapsed, in 1828, they dispersed. Previous research examining the Robinson enterprise has focussed on describing the infrastructure and company history. In this study, some personnel associated with the mills have been identified, charting their employment and migration. In the absence of records of the mill-company, this research chronicles the life events of named individuals, cross-referencing parish records with other contemporary documents. Many of the workers employed by the Robinsons were children and young people, some brought from workhouses. The study closely examines workhouse records, revealing new insights into the processes and context of apprenticeship. The observations and conclusions are illustrated by reference to case studies

Closing (real estate) · George (robot) · Workforce · Historical and Cultural Archaeology Studies · Historical Economic and Social Studies · Scottish History and National Identity