Matthew Fowlds
Matthew Fowlds of Fenwick was the last hand
loom weaver in this area. He left school at
the age of 11 and became a herd boy. Soon after this he was
apprenticed to a weaver, becoming a journeyman in 1826 which
entitled him to full membership of the Weavers' Society
(1761-1873). This society has an important place in Scottish
history. It was the first co-operative movement in the world,
buying tools, equipment and food in bulk in order to provide less
expensive provisions for its members.
Fowlds was an avid reader of classical literature,
intelligent and well informed, with strong convictions and fixed
principles. He was an elder of the Secession Church for over 50
years. In 1846 he married Agnes Craig and they lived, and brought
up their family, in a little cottage (Greystone Knowe). Half of
this was used for living and half for weaving.
One of their sons, George, settled in New Zealand and opened
a small drapers shop. This quickly developed, enabling him to
concentrate on politics. He was on the left wing of the Liberal
Party, presumably having acquired his strong feelings for what he
believed to be right from his father. When speaking at his father's
centenary celebrations, which had around 300 guests, he
commented:
"If there is one thing I prize more
highly than another as a heritage from my father, it is his
fearless advocacy of everything he believed to be right … no
pecuniary disadvantages ever deterred him from saying what he
thought. There is nothing I prize more than a little of that
character and spirit".
The 100th birthday celebrations also included a cablegram of
"heartfelt congratulations and good wishes" from Richard John
Seddon, Prime Minister of New Zealand.