The weavers

In 1836 more half of the working population of leers worked in the textile sector. The main activity was the "weaving".

The census of June 30th, 1836 counted 543 weavers out of 1156 Leersois, which worked at that time. We thus notice all the importance of this activity.

Composition of the population of the Weavers

In 1836, 543 weavers were listed : 353 men and 190 women. In more than one home out of two, 259 homes out of the 458 that Leers at that time counted, there was at least one weaver. Whole families (parents and children, even grandparents) followed this occupation.

We found weavers in every district of Leers. However, the most numerous were situated in Papinerie (44 homes for 117 persons) and in the Nouveau jeu (44 homes also but concerning 92 souls).

Their workplace

In this time there was no weaving (of factory) on Leers.

People worked at home, in them "ouvroirs domestiques".

There was a small garden on the front. A common well served all the row.

The house by itself was made up of a room. At side the part was known as "ouvroir" where the otil was installed.

All the household took care of the otil, it was its job.

The organization of their activity

The weaver goes with its booklet of work in a manufacturer to Roubaix, also called "Maître".

Using a wheelbarrow or from a cart (on the roads of the time...) it will take delivery of a chain or a "anseroeul", i.e. the cylinder of the weaving loom on which are gone up, by the manufacturer, wire of chain, a value of 2 rolls of material to be manufactured.

At the same time one gives to him weft threads for the value of the 1st part.

The "Maître" gives him one "passavent", document announcing the total weight of the matter to be worked.

The weaver as for him, gives its booklet to the "Maître". Let us recall, that at the time, few people could read and write.

After having fixed the price of work, the manufacturing lead time, our weaver was turned over from there at his place.