Robert Sutcliffe was born 1843, according to the 1851 census return he was living with his Grandparents, William and Betty Schofield at Stonepitfield, Roberts to elder brothers, James and William were also living there.
All three lads were working in the local mills at the time the census was taken, 15 year old James was a mill jobber, 11 year old William a mule piecer and 8 year old Robert a short time mule piecer (on account of his age he only did short time).
In July 1857 Robert was working in the woollen mill belonging to Messrs. Schofield (no relation), Robert had hold of a strap that was connected to a driving shaft , another worker was piecing it.
Robert was stood on top of the machinery, the shaft was turning as he was holding the strap, to steady it whilst it was pieced.
The mill management had given instruction that this practice was not to be carried out, it is thought that Robert and others had ignored the instruction and continued with the dangerous practice.
Robert was caught on the driveshaft and was rotated numerous times around the shaft receiving catastrophic injuries to his head and upper body - he died within 25 minutes of the accident happening.
An inquest was held into his death at the Commercial Inn (now the Moonspinners in the village), the verdict returned was one of accidental death.
No comments:
Post a Comment