Facts and traditions collected for a family record

PARTNERSHIP. 139
" Formed a partnership with Benjamin and William Sandford, who were fustian
warehousemen, and James M'Connel, under the firm of Sandfords, M'Connel, &
Kennedy ; and we immediately commenced business as machine-makers and
mule-spinners — I taking the direction of the machine department. Our first shop
was in Stable Street, or Back Oldham Street ; and our capital was not more than
£600 to £700. Here we made machines for others as well as ourselves, putting
up our own mules in any convenient garrets we could find. After some time we
removed to a building in Canal Street, called Salvin's Factory — from the name of
the owner, who occupied a portion of it himself, letting off the remainder to us.
.... Here we continued to the end of our partnership, which lasted four years,
terminating in 1795. The Sandfords choosing to remain in Salvin's factory,
James M'Connel and myself now removed to a little factory in the same street,
where Mr Fairbairn's machine-shop now stands. Here we continued to make
machines for ourselves and others — the cards being turned by horse or by
hand."
The firm of Sandfords, M'Connel, & Kennedy was prosperous ; for
the account on the other side records that, on the termination of the
partnership, on March 2, 1795, my father's share of the profits was
£816, 6s. (Hd. during the four years, and that he drew out £921, 10s. Oid.
The years 1792 and 1793 were, however, most trying for young
beginners in business, and with difficulty did the new firm keep on its
legs ; and my father at a later period, when in affluent circumstances,
often mentioned how, on one day in that eventful period, he had gone
about from morning till night endeavouring to collect money from those
who owed it to the firm, and that one guinea was the full amount which
he was able to procure. I have no definite knowledge of the description
of yarn which was spun by the firm ; probably, however, No. 70 and
upwards. It would appear, from a memorandum, that my father's half-
brother John was employed by Sandfords, M'Connel, & Kennedy.
In March 1795 the partnership was, as I have said, dissolved, and my
father and Mr Kennedy rented, at £102 per annum, from John Mac-
Michael, the building mentioned by Mr Kennedy, which is described, in a
deed now extant, as being in Derby Street, Ancoats, Manchester, and in