The American Civil War caused the cotton famine of 1861-4.

Wholly reliant upon the textile industry, the cotton famine created chronic unemployment in the town.

Wool remained the less profitable fibre until the cotton famine of the 1860.

These parks were constructed as part of a scheme for relieving unemployment caused by the cotton famine in the 1860s.

They had the security of fixed hours, and except in times of hardship such as in the cotton famine regular income.

During the cotton famine of 1862-64 he was the special correspondent of the Daily News.

Pathways were laid out in the plantations to provide work during the 1860s cotton famine.

Under his supervision the firm flourished, and he was able to take full advantage of the trade boom which followed the cotton famine.

Stalybridge mill was built in 1868, during the first joint-stock company boom immediately after the cotton famine had ended.

Up until the cotton famine, and the Education Act of 1870 it would be the only source of education for many children.