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THE MILFORD AND GILLIS FACTORIES.

ILFORD, on the river Callan, is distant from Armagh two miles. The inhabitants, with few exceptions, work in the weaving factory of Messrs. Robert M 'Crum & Co. Mr. William M 'Crum, some years deceased, built a mill here in 1808, and it is claimed to have been the first in Ulster used for spinning flax by the dry process. All the machinery for it was brought from Leeds. In 1850 Mr. Robert G. M 'Crum, J.P., changed the spinning mill into a factory for the weaving of damasks. At present there are 270 looms in full operation, driven by a 200 horse-power steam engine, and a turbine of 120 horse. About 450 people are constantly employed. Diapers and towellings are also woven at Milford, and yarn bleaching is done for the use of the concern only. Since 1850 Mr. Robert G. M 'Crum has made substantial structural additions to the factory, and has almost entirely built the village, of which it may be truly said, that it is a model of cleanliness and good order, the humblest dwelling bearing evidence internally and externally of a beneficent proprietary control. Mr. McCrum 's handsome private residence, Milford House, stands in a richly-planted and highly ornamented park at the verge of the village, and commands a beautiful view of the surrounding country.
The Gillis factory adjoins the Railway Station at Armagh. It contains 220 power looms, and gives employment to over 250 people. The manufactures are linens, towellings and damasks, and the buildings are of brick, stone and slate. The Gillis factory was built by the late Mr. John Gass about the year 1863, and was purchased by Messrs. Robert M 'Crum & Co. in 1872.
The premises consist of nine acres. A steam engine, 120 horse, provides the motive power. The warehouse for Milford and Gillis is at 5 Linen Hall Street, Belfast, where the business is conducted under the style of M 'Crum, Watson and Mercer Mr. Robert G. M 'Crum and Mr. Wesley Watson. Mr. Mercer has been dead for some time.