Hawkshead Mill. Also knows as Starkie’s after its builder, James Starkie, who took out the lease on 29th September 1791 and as Rolfe’s during the tenancy of Benjamin Rolfe. Baines directory of 1825 and Pigot’s of 1824/5 note that Rolfe was in partnership with someone by the name of Bubb.
In the Pigot directory of 1828/9 and Glover’s of 1829 only Rolfe is listed. About that time the tenancy was taken by Benjamin Waterhouse and Holland but by 1831 Waterhouse was sole tenant. Waterhouse is listed in the Pigot directory of 1835. Rolfe, who was also tenant of Shepley Mill (see below) died on the 25th of March, 1830 aged 63. Benjamin Waterhouse also worked other mills.
The mill was burnt down in 1837 but was rebuilt and started again on the 22nd October 1838 by Joseph Berresford and John Holland. Pigot 1842 and Slater 1850 mention Joseph Beresford & Co. of Glossop. After Beresford, Thomas Patterson (or Pattinson) Sykes took the tenancy, as well as the other mills of which he was tenant (see below). He had three sons: John, who died on the 27th April, 1865; and Thomas and Joshua who were the last occupiers. T.P. Sykes died on the 14th January, 1875.
The Post Office directory of 1876 lists Thomas Patterson Sykes (exors. of), cotton spinner & doubler, Hope street and Morris’s directory of 1878 T. P. Sykes and Sons, cotton spinners and doublers at Hope Hill Mills. The entries presumably covered the Thread and Barrack mills as well.
In 1905 Isaac Jackson moved his business to Hawkshead Mill. Further details can be found in the article Isaac Jackson, Hawkshead, a brief history.