NEEDLE MANUFACTURERS

IN

BRADFORD

BRADFORD  

by James Pigot  (1818)

Bradford is an ancient and considerable manufacturing town in the West Riding of Yorkshire, situated between Leeds and Halifax; ten miles from the former, eight from the latter, and 196 N. W. from London. The Church is of a Gothic structure, and remarkable for the fine tone of its bells. A new Church (called Christ Church) has lately been erected. The prosperous state of the clothing trade, and the augmentation of its manufactures since the general application of machinery, have conspired to increase, considerably, the buildings and population of this part of the country. The population, according to the last census, is 8.528. Though worsted stuffs are the staple trade of the place, yet broad and narrow cloths, wool-cards, combs, &c. are also made here. The Piece-Hall is a convenient and commodious public building, where tradesmen attend for the purpose of exhibiting and selling manufactured goods. In the vicinity of the town are several spacious iron-foundries, which are advantageously supplied with coal and iron-ore on the spot. A very extensive still-house has been established for the distillation of aquafortis and spirits of vitriol. By a branch which joins the Leeds and Liverpool canal, the manufactures of the place are cheaply conveyed to the great marts of commerce; and other merchandise and materials brought back in return. It has a weekly market on Thursday and two principal fairs—one June 28, 29, 30, the other Dec. 20, 21, 22.