A timeline for The Mill, Series 2

2 July 2014

1779

Samuel Crompton invents the Spinning Mule.

1784

Samuel Greg opens Quarry Bank Mill in Styal, Cheshire, and the mill begins operating.

1785

The first recorded apprentices arrive at the mill.

1790

Samuel Greg builds an Apprentice House and begins to build housing in Styal village.

1790s

Samuel Greg begins construction of Quarry Bank House, next door to the mill, which becomes the main Greg family residence. He begins converting barns in Styal village into homes for his workers.

1815  

The Corn Laws are introduced by the Importation Act, designed to protect cereal producers in the United Kingdom against competition from less expensive foreign imports. Steep import duties make it too expensive for anyone to import grain from other countries, even in times of famine.

1817  

Robert Hyde Greg joins his father’s business.

1820s  

Oak cottages, a chapel, school and shop are all built in Styal village.

1828  

Freed slave Mary Prince comes to England to relate the horrors of slavery and joins the Anti-Slavery Society.

Hannah Greg dies.

1832  

The Great Reform Act introduces wide-ranging changes to the electoral system.

John Doherty publishes a radical journal entitled The Voice of the People, focussing on the plight of factory and mill workers and calling for reform.

1833  

In April Robert Greg gives evidence to the Royal Commission set up to investigate the employment of children in mills.

In June John Doherty speaks at Wibsey Low Moor to a gathering of 100,000 workers supporting the fight for the Ten Hour Movement.

1833  

The Ten Hour Movement is rejected and children continue to work 12 hour days.

Slavery is abolished throughout the British Empire.

1834  

The Poor Law Amendment Act reduces poor relief, driving many to the workhouse.

Samuel Greg is interviewed by the Factory Commission, regarding the factory’s health regulations.

Samuel Greg dies and Robert Hyde Greg takes over Quarry Bank Mill.

The Tolpuddle Matyrs form a trade union. Six leaders are arrested and sentenced to transportation to Australia. A massive protest sweeps the country. Thousands of people march through London and many more organise petitions and protest meetings to demand their freedom.

1836  

Weaving is introduced to Quarry Bank Mill.

Esther Price and Lucy Garner are punished with solitary confinement for running away from Quarry Bank Mill.

1837  

Queen Victoria ascends to the throne, aged 18.

1838

Launch of the Chartist Movement after a series of enormous meetings in Birmingham, Glasgow and the North of England, leading to a huge meeting on Kersal Moor near Salford on 24 September 1838. There are speakers from all over the country and over 300,000 people present.

1839  

National Convention in London to facilitate the presentation of the People’s Charter to Parliament, signed by 1.3 million working people. The petition is rejected.

1842  

Start of financial depression.

A second Charter is presented to Parliament, containing three million signatures – the petition is rejected.

General Strike (also known as the Plug Plot Riots): working people go on strike in 14 English and 8 Scottish counties, principally in the Midlands, Lancashire, Cheshire and Yorkshire. There are outbreaks of serious violence. Chartist leaders are arrested by government soldiers and hundreds are incarcerated. The strikers are eventually defeated by poverty and left with no choice but to return to work to support their families.

1844  

Friedrich Engels publishes The Condition of the Working Class in England.

1846  

Repeal of the Corn Laws.

1847  

Factory Act: Ten Hour Bill introduced, limiting working hours for women and children.

End of the Apprentice System at Quarry Bank Mill.

1848  

The Chartist Convention organises a mass meeting on Kennington Common. A third Charter is presented to Parliament and rejected, leading to violent uprisings. Leaders are punished with transportation to Australia.

1870  

The Education Act is introduced – a groundbreaking act that imposes state education for all.

1875  

Robert Hyde Greg dies and Quarry Bank Mill is inherited by his son Edward Hyde Greg.

1884  

Introduction of universal male suffrage.

1901  

The Factory Act raises the minimum working age to 12 years.

1918  

Introduction of female suffrage.