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Samuel, aged 8 years, was adopted by his maternal uncle, Robert Hyde and, upon completing his education, entered the Hyde Brothers Manchester based textile merchant-manufacturing business in 1778, travelling Continental Europe gathering orders. He returned to Manchester in 1780 as a junior partner, and became a full partner in 1782. Shortly after, Robert Hyde died leaving him a bequest of £10,000, followed by his other uncle, Nathaniel, retiring through ill health. At the age of 24 years, Samuel thus became the head of a firm valued at £26,000, fully aware of the potential offered by the textile industry. He established Quarry Bank Mill in 1784, partly to ensure a constant supply of yarn for his loomshop in Eyam, Derbyshire and rapidly acquired a substantial fortune which he re-invested in the industry, purchased landed estates as an insurance against business losses, and built a family home at next door to the Mill. Raised as a Presbyterian, he married Hannah Lightbody in 1789 and was tolerant of her Unitarian faith. Residing in King Street, Manchester, they were members of the Cross Street Unitarian Chapel congregation and socialised with the leading commercial families in the city. Their 13 children were raised as Unitarians, with 4 of the surviving sons entering the family business upon completing their education, each taking responsibility for managing one of the mills. Of the children, however, only Robert Hyde and John were competent in business. Robert Hyde was the first son to enter the business in 1817, aged 22 years, working alongside his father at Quarry Bank. He became increasingly frustrated with his father's unimaginative approach in the late 1820's, and was responsible for introducing weaving at the Mill from 1838, 4 years after Samuel's death. He, too, became the figurehead of the firm, having to deal with family disputes as well as the difficulties encountered within the industry. Like Samuel, he built a family home in Styal. However, he found time to indulge in several other interests, standing as one of the first MP's for Manchester from 1839 - 41. He had a particular interest in horticulture, importing many non-indigenous plants for his gardens at Norcliffe Hall, and having two species of rhododendron named after him. He also had a keen interest in experimental farming, publishing three papers on the subject. His son, Edward Hyde, never came to terms with the family business, preferring to live the life of a country gentleman and using the business to subsidise his extravagant lifestyle despite the difficult economic climate. (source: Adam Daber) View the The Greg family collection to find out more > |
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