George IV Bridge – celebrating 50 years

The Fenwick Weavers' book: acquired in 1968

The 'book of records' of the Fenwick Weavers is one of the oldest Scottish labour history items in the National Library of Scotland.

Covering the period 1761-1873, it contains an unbroken run of minutes, some financial records, lists of members (1800-1872) and a record of their deaths (1763-1863).

With the records book we received the original deed establishing the 'Society of Weavers in Finnick', dated 14 March 1761. Increasing mechanisation in the 19th century caused the decline in the trade of handloom weaving, and this Aryshire society was dissolved in 1873.

Our activities in collecting Scottish labour history material have been helped since 1963 by the work of the Scottish Labour History Society. The Fenwick Weavers' book was presented to the Library in 1968 by Andrew Faulds MP.


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