During the American Civil War, the disruption in cotton supply had a significant impact on towns and villages in Lancashire, including Bacup. It is estimated that out of the 6,000 workers in Bacup, half were left unemployed while the other half had reduced working hours, often working only 2-3 days a week. The shortage of cotton from the United States had a profound effect on the textile industry in Lancashire, leading to widespread unemployment and economic hardship in the region.
In response to the situation, the Bacup Relief Fund was established to provide assistance to those in need. The fund was financed by donations from local businesses and individuals, as well as contributions from the government. The general committee, consisting of prominent members of the town’s community, was responsible for overseeing the distribution of relief to the most affected families.
At a meeting held on the 2nd of December 1862, the committee discussed the amount of relief that should be given to each individual or family. After much deliberation, it was decided that a single person would receive 3 shillings per week, while a family of two would receive 5 shillings and 6 pence. A family of three would be given 7 shillings and 9 pence, and a family of four would receive 10 shillings. Additionally, for every additional person in a family, an extra 2 shillings would be paid. A deduction of 6 pence was made for each child under the age of 12.
The relief was given as one-third in money and the remaining two-thirds in kind. Participation in sewing classes established by local churches ensured guaranteed relief for individuals. Additionally, payment monitors of these sewing classes were rewarded with an extra 6 shillings for their services.
Relief was distributed from six different locations by six superintendents as follows: Mr Redman and Mr Haworth at the counting-house at Forest Mill every Wednesday from 1 pm, Mr Greaves and Mr Crossley at the counting-house at Brickfield from 10 am till 12 pm, and by Mr Aitken from his office at Waterside from 10 am till 12 pm on Wednesdays. The relief provided included coal and tickets that could be used by the residents of the Bacup district at local shops. The first entry in the relief book was that of Mr John Collinson, a 27-year-old married brush-maker from Back King Street.
Practically every family needed help from the parish coffers as well as the individual church funds just to survive.
Relief funds were provided not only from larger towns within the region but also from places as far away as Australia.
James Maden Holt J.P., of Stubbylee, sought to assist by providing local men with work on a road construction project over the moor located behind Height Barn farm, Lee Quarries, and Brandwood Moor. This road came to be known as “The Cotton Famine Road.” Holt had envisioned draining the land and establishing farmsteads on it, but the presence of four to seven-foot-deep peaty soil presented a major obstacle to the project. Ultimately, the scheme had to be abandoned due to this challenging terrain.