The Slater Family: A Legacy Woven Through Time

In the heart of Blackburn, Lancashire, the Slater family carved out a life defined by resilience, hard work, and an unbreakable bond. Their story spans decades, intertwining with the region’s historic textile industry and the challenges of an evolving world.

Mary Rothwell Slater (1836–1903): A Life of Determination
Born in the bustling town of Blackburn in circa 1836, Mary Rothwell was baptized on September 3, 1836. Like many women of her time, she dedicated her life to weaving—a craft that sustained her from her early years into late adulthood. She worked as a cotton weaver through multiple decades, adjusting to the demands of industry while raising her family.

Mary married George Slater on December 19, 1854, marking the beginning of a partnership that would shape their family’s trajectory. They resided in various homes across Blackburn, moving between Turner Lane, Barnes Street, and Alker Street, each location serving as a backdrop to their growing household.

Later in life, Mary found herself in the Blackburn Union Workhouse, a solemn reality for many elderly individuals during that era. She passed away on November 29, 1903, from senile decay, and was laid to rest in Blackburn Cemetery on December 5, 1903.

George Slater (Born circa 1834): The Weaver’s Journey
George Slater, whose birth records vary between 1832 and 1837, was a lifelong weaver and laborer. His journey reflects the shifting economic landscape of 19th-century Blackburn. Like Mary, he contributed to the cotton industry, working as a weaver in 1854 and continuing this trade for decades.

His family life revolved around Mary and their four children—William Henry, Alma, Margaret Alice, and Rothwell Slater—each of whom carried forward the family’s legacy in their own ways.

The Slater Children: A Generation of Tradesmen and Women
The children of George and Mary Slater grew up surrounded by the sights and sounds of Blackburn’s industrial landscape. They each contributed to the weaving industry at some point in their lives:

• William Henry Slater (Born circa 1856) – From a young age, he worked as a scholar before transitioning into cotton weaving like his parents.
• Alma Slater (Born circa 1858) – Followed in his father’s footsteps, working as a cotton weaver in Blackburn.
• Margaret Alice Slater (Born circa 1859) – A weaver from her youth, she later married John Riches in Feathergate Congregational Church in 1879.
• Rothwell Slater (Born circa 1863) – Like his siblings, Rothwell took up cotton weaving, marking the family’s enduring connection to the textile industry.

A Story of Perseverance
The Slater family’s tale is one of steadfast perseverance, navigating the challenges of industrial Lancashire while ensuring their trade sustained future generations. From the looms of Blackburn’s bustling mills to the hardships of the Union Workhouse, their experiences reflect the larger narrative of working-class life in 19th-century England.

Their legacy—woven into the very fabric of Blackburn’s history—remains a testament to the resilience and strength of families who shaped the world one thread at a time.