Marshall's Mill

{{Short description|Flax spinning mill in Holbeck, West Yorkshire, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}} {{Use British English|date=January 2018}} {{Infobox mill building | name = Marshall's Mill | location = Holbeck, Leeds<br />Mill B, 1794<br />Mill C, 1815–16<br />Mill D, 1826–27<br />Mill E, 1829–31 | image = marshalls-mill-small.jpg | caption = | management = | building_type = | architectural_style = | structural_system = | cost = | employees = | textile_type = Flax | start_date = 1791–92 | completion_date = | decommissioned_date = after 1886  | height = | other_dimensions = | floor_count = 6 | floor_area = | floor_height = | floor_usage = | floor_construction =  | main_contractor = Marshall and Sons | architect = | architecture_firm = | structural_engineer = | other_designers = | awards = | ren_architect = | ren_firm = | ren_oth_designers = | ren_qty_surveyor = | ren_awards =  | engine_date = | engine_decommissioned = | engine_maker = Boulton & Watt | engine_type = | engine_valve = | engine_throw = | engine_rpm = | engine_kWatt = | engine_hp = | engine_fly_diameter = | transmission_type = | no_of_ropes = | boilers = | boiler_temperature = | psi =  | wheels = | diameter_of_water_wheel = | width_of_wheel = | wheel_rpm =  | equipment_maker = | date_of_equipping = | no_of_looms = | cotton_count = | scutchers = | carding_engines = | doublers = | kiers = | other_equipment = | mule_frames = | ring_frames =  | references = | embedded = {{Infobox designation list | embed = yes | designation1 = Grade II* | designation1_offname = MARSHALL MILLS | designation1_date = 9 March 1987 | designation1_number = {{National Heritage List for England|num=1375160|short=yes}} | designation2 = Grade II* | designation2_offname = FORMER FLAX WAREHOUSE TO MARSHALL MILLS | designation2_date = 9 March 1987 | designation2_number = {{National Heritage List for England|num=1375161|short=yes}} | designation3 = Grade II | designation3_offname = BOUNDARY WALL OF MARSHALL MILLS WITH WORKSHOP AND RAILINGS. | designation3_date = 11 September 1996 | designation3_number = {{National Heritage List for England|num=1256331|short=yes}} }} }} '''Marshall's Mill''' is a former flax spinning mill on Marshall Street in Holbeck, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.

Marshall's Mill was part of a complex begun in 1791–92 by English industrial pioneer John Marshall. It was originally a four-storey mill, drawing water from the nearby Hol Beck. A Boulton & Watt steam engine was installed to assist water power. Rapid expansion followed with the addition of Mill 'B' (1794) adjacent to a warehouse built to service the original mill (all now demolished.)<ref>{{cite book|last=Giles & Goodall|title=Yorkshire Textile Mills 1770–1930|date=1992|publisher=HMSO|isbn=0113000383}}</ref>

It was to eventually supplant Yorkshire's previous cottage industry of hand driven spindles.

As the business continued to expand further mills, warehouses, engine houses, and reservoirs were added on the south side of Hol Beck. The six storey Mill 'C' was added in 1815–16, Mill 'D' followed in 1826–27, and Mill 'E' (which is aligned to the roadside and joined Mill 'C' to Mill 'D') in 1829–31.<ref>{{cite book|last=Giles & Goodall|title=Yorkshire Textile Mills 1770–1930|date=1992|publisher=HMSO}}</ref>

Temple Mill, in the form of an Egyptian Temple, was built between 1838 and 1841.<ref>{{cite book|last=Giles & Goodall|title=Yorkshire Textile Mills 1770–1930|date=1992|publisher=HMSO}}</ref> Later, the complex employed over 2,000 factory workers. When it was completed it was considered to be one of the largest factories in the world, with 7,000 steam-powered spindles. The addition of the Temple Mill completed development of mills by Marshall & Sons on this site. All of the mill buildings added from 1815 still exist.

In the early years, child labour was employed. In 1832 Marshall's political opponents alleged that: <blockquote> 'In Mr Marshall's mill, a boy of 9 years of age was stripped to the skin, bound to an iron pillar, and mercilessly beaten with straps, until he fainted.'<ref name=beaten>Thompson, EP: "The Making of the English Working Class", page 906. Penguin, 1991.</ref> </blockquote>

But other reports<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120806080424/http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/TEXmarshall.htm Spartacus Educational: Biography of John Marshall]}}</ref> claim that Marshall treated his workers better than most factory owners: overseers were forbidden to use corporal punishment to control the workers, and Marshall installed fans and attempted to regulate the temperature of the mill. In 1844, Marshall and a neighbouring engineering firm, Taylor, Wordsworth and Co broke new ground by organising an away weekend in Liverpool for their workers, a novelty which caused even the editor of the normally liberal ''Leeds Mercury''<ref>''Leeds Mercury'', 31 August 1844</ref> some concern: <blockquote> 'Entirely approving of excursions for the working class, and with the kindest feelings towards the workmen of Messrs Marshall and Messrs Taylor and Wordsworth, we would express our earnest hope that the Sunday spent in Liverpool may not in any respect be spent in a manner unbecoming the day ... There are many excellent men among the above bodies of workmen, and great responsibility will rest upon them for the issue of this new and somewhat doubtful experiment, of a large body of people being away from home on the Sabbath, and on two whole nights.' </blockquote>

Marshall & Sons ceased production in 1886. The site was taken over by other textile producers.

Marshall's Mill is now a grade II* listed building.<ref>{{NHLE |num=1375160 |desc=Marshall Mills |grade=II*|accessdate=20 April 2023}}</ref>

The site was comprehensively redeveloped in the late 1990s. It is now used as office space for several companies. There are plans to further redevelop the site as part of Holbeck Urban Village.

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category|Marshall's Mill, Leeds}} *{{NHLE |num=1375161 |desc=Former flax warehouse to Marshall Mills |grade =II*}}

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Category:Textile mills in West Yorkshire Category:Linen industry Category:Former textile mills in the United Kingdom Category:Grade II* listed buildings in West Yorkshire Category:Grade II* listed industrial buildings Category:Listed buildings in Leeds