It is a common perception that before the mechanization of the textile manufacture, spinning was an occupation for women and children and weaving was undertaken essentially by men. This view is surprising given that over 90 years ago Ivy Pinchbeck recognized many women and children also wove a variety of yarns. This study of the cotton manufacture utilizes contemporary accounts and new adult male weaving data to concur with Pinchbeck. As many as one-half of cotton hand weavers c.1800, were women and children.