Editing Halstead (section)

==Mills==
Townsford Mill spans the river at the bottom of the town houses. In 1818, [[Samuel Courtauld (industrialist)|Samuel Courtauld]] built two mills, Townsford at Halstead and another at [[Bocking, Essex|Bocking]]. At the end of 1824, Halstead Mill was sold to Stephen Beuzeville. In 1825, Samuel installed a [[steam engine]] at Bocking Mill. An agreement dated 19 January 1825 was drawn up between Beuzeville and Samuel Courtauld and partners for the conversion of Halstead Mill for silk throwing. 

Beuzeville was to provide the expertise, capital and silk; Courtauld was to erect the [[power loom]]s and operate the mill in return for a share in the profits; Beuzeville was to take delivery of the yarn and manufacture the [[Crêpe (textile)|crêpe]], on which he was a technical expert with 20 years' experience. The mill appears to have been in operation by the summer of 1825, with Joseph Ash as manager.

The introduction of new technology was important, but the mills remained heavily dependent on labour, much of which was provided by Belgian refugees emigrating to avoid religious persecution.. The looms required supervision by an army of young female workers. Even in 1838, more than 92 per cent of the workforce was female.

In 1827 Stephen Beuzeville was declared [[bankrupt]]; a formal deed of sale dated 11 April 1828 was created between the commissioners in bankruptcy and Samuel Courtauld, whereby Halstead Mill (subject to charges of £300) was sold to Courtaulds for a cash payment of £1,500. Stephen and his father joined Courtaulds as employees.<ref>Unlocking Essex [http://unlockingessex.essexcc.gov.uk/uep/custom_pages/monument_detail.asp?content_page_id=89&monument_id=30030&content_parents=48 Retrieved 3 November 2017.]</ref>

On the death of [[Queen Victoria]] in 1901, much of the black crepe for [[Death and state funeral of Queen Victoria|her funeral]] cortege was made at Townsford Mill by Samuel Courtauld's company. 

Parts of the original Courtauld factory are listed buildings and survived the wholesale demolition of the silk factory in the early 1980s. Principal amongst these is Factory Terrace - Victorian townhouses built for Courtauld's managers which are Grade II* listed.