Irene Preston's Historical Writing
HAZEL GROVE
Hazel Grove started as a collection of hamlets along a moorland road
from Stockport to Buxton on the left and Macclesfield on the right. The
ribbon development of taverns and small dwellings grew into 4 small
manors, Torkington, Bramhall, Norbury and Bosden. As the land was sold
off in later years these manors became absorbed into the Hazel Grove and
Bramhall Urban District Council in 1900. Hazel Grove seems to have
started out as a small village called Hessel Grave, its location is not
known but on the old maps it is near the junction of the cross roads at
the Rising Sun. In 1560 Richard Bullock leased the smithy from John
Torkington. The location of the smithy is believed to have been on a
by-road connecting Bramhall with Lyme and situated in a good position
for business with both Manor Halls. The road is now the A6. The area
became known as Bullock's Smithy from constant reference to it by the
locals and it stood from 1560 to 1819. In 1836 there was a public
meeting of the local inhabitants to decide on a suitable celebration of
the original name of Hazel Grove and they all voted to change the name
of Bullock Smithy, which had been used for 250 years, back to the
original name as it was more appropriate for a rapidly expanding
village.
In 1769 Henry Marsland built a cotton factory with spinning and
hand-loom weaving. He left Bullock Smithy to start a factory in
Stockport. The mill was sold to Thomas Mosley in 1810 and he started a
silk business. He built Bosden Mill in 1836 and it was the largest in
the district known as Wellington and Valley. It was later sold to
Hollins Mill Company as a cotton mill.
Small silk mills were built in Torkington Lane and Commercial Road
during the French War 1793-1815.
700 people were engaged in hand-loom weaving. Many walked to
Macclesfield with their work. They could earn 187/- per week with
several apprentices 7/- to 8/- altogether £2-£3.
Their diet consisted of porridge, lob scone, barm balls, cheese broth,
flour
dip, fried onions, bacon and clear tea.
The cottages were small and some had clay floors with a clock hole to
accommodate the tall grandfather clocks. A table was called ‘A round
billy’ with rush-bottom chairs. Early chairs were called back stools as
only dignities had a chair. Each had a garden to grow their own food and
herbs.
The district had 45 water pumps and 10 wells.