7- The Robinson and Schofield Hat Factory

Household Seven was the first that I researched and Samuel Robinson, the head of the household, fast became a favourite of mine. Along with Samuel lived his wife Sarah, daughter Julia, son-in-law James Schofield and their daughter Minnie.

​Their house was at the end of Robinson's Row, a row of terraces built by Samuel for his workers, some of whom were his family members. The factory was just behind and later became the site of the Spring Water Dye Works, which was demolished in the 1980s to make way for new housing on Hill Rise. Some of the Robinson's Row terraces still stand today opposite Foundling Terrace.

Samuel was born into a hatting family that originated in Denton. He was related to James Robinson who began the much better known James Robinson and Sons hat manufacturing business, which was situated approximately where Aldi now sits. Matthew Robinson also began a hat business - his sad story will be told here too. Samuel bought the premises of the old dye works in the 1850s when Romiley's population was still very low. He invested in new technologies and grew the business until he was employing almost 200 people, including around 70 children.

All of the Robinsons were known for being friendly and informal with their employees. Samuel was incredibly generous to his staff, often throwing parties, taking them for meals at nearby pubs and even taking them on day trips to the seaside or Derbyshire. All food, drink and travel would be provided by the company.

Whilst Samuel was spreading cheer, he and his family experienced great sadness. Their first child, Elijah, died in infancy. Samuel's father William died by suicide. Then their surviving son Peter and his first born child, both passed away.

With only a daughter remaining, Samuel partnered Julia's husband James Schofield to create Robinson and Schofield. Unfortunately they didn't get to work together for very long as the global recession affected their business and in 1877 Samuel was made bankrupt. James and his father John Schofield, another business owner on the street, took over the business for a few years but ultimately it failed.

Sarah Robinson had passed away by then and Samuel had married Eliza Stafford (his niece by marriage) and moved in with her and her mother in Bredbury until his death. James and Julia eventually moved to Warwickshire where James found work as the manager of another felt hat works. Minnie went on to marry the managing director of the hat factory Wootton's and had six children but she died in 1919 before having a chance to see them grow to adulthood.

You can find out more about the Robinson family in the book "Residents of Romiley Road" which will be coming soon.