Samuel Firth was the son of James Firth.
Born in Ovenden.
He was a worsted stuff manufacturer at Ovenden [1834] / a manufacturer employing 100 hands [1851] / a worsted manufacturer and spinner employing 60 men, women & children [1861] / a worsted spinner [1868] / partner in Isaac, John & Samuel Firth.
At the inquest into the explosion of Lilly Lane Mills in 1850, the Jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against Samuel and his engineer, Joseph Hellewell.
At the Spring Assizes in 1851, the Jury returned a verdict of Not Guilty on both defendants, and they were acquitted.
In September 1858, he was charged with employing 3 girls without their names being registered in the mill books – a common practice to enable children to work the same hours as adults. He was fined 40/- plus costs in each case. He was also charged with employing 2 girls without a surgeon's certificate. He was fined £3 pus costs and £2 plus costs. On 20th March 1868, Samuel and his son John, were charged with fraudulently using in their mill 50,000 cubic feet of gas, the property of Halifax Corporation.
At the trial, evidence showed that for 10 or 11 years, 3 meters and 80 lights in the mill and the workshops obtained the supply through a pipe which had been soldered to the gas main many years ago.
The Firths claimed that they had simply carried on using a system which they found in operation when they entered into possession of the mill.
The case against Samuel was withdrawn, but John was ordered to pay the penalty of £5 plus £2 per day since the information was laid, the total penalty being £345.
At the West Riding Sessions on 6th April 1869, John was sentenced to 6 months' imprisonment with hard labour for the offence.
On 27th December 1818, he married (1) Mary Ingham at Halifax Parish Church.
Children:
On 1st July 1834, he married (2) Dorothy Bottomley [1803-1891] at Halifax Parish Church.
Dorothy, of Northowram, was (possibly) the daughter of Mr Bottomley
Children:
They lived at
Living with them [in 1861] were daughter Elizabeth & granddaughter Elizabeth Ann.
Samuel died in Halifax [21st March 1868] (aged 69).
Probate records show that he left effects valued at under £14,000.
His will was proved by Charles Emmet, and John Richardson (bank manager).
In 1881, the widowed Dorothy (annuitant with land, houses &c) and granddaughter Elizabeth Ann were living at 100 Lister Lane, Halifax.
In 1891, the widowed Dorothy [in 1891] was living with her granddaughter Elizabeth Ann & her husband William Edward Taylor.
Dorothy died 27th December 1891 (aged 88).
She was buried at Lister Lane Cemetery [Plot 970] with Dorothy's sister Ann Bottomley [1814-7th April 1897] & William Edward Taylor.
Some members of the family were buried at Providence Congregational Church, Ovenden
This & associated entries use material contributed by Roger Beasley
Page Ref: Y31
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