Maudsley's Early Years in England: An Artist in the Textile Mills Sutcliffe Maudsley was born in the heart of England’s thriving textile district. He descended from generations of weavers, cutters, and printers. Maudsley began work in the mills at around six years of age, undoubtedly as a child laborer who helped supplement the family income. As a young boy, he demonstrated some talent in drawing and was "bound out" to learn art. He later became a skilled calico pattern maker and designer in the textile mills. In addition, by the time he emigrated to Nauvoo, he must have also learned the basic elements of profile portrait drawing. <br><br><br>“He worked in a factory from six years of age to the time he left England.” <br>Elizabeth Culverwell Ellgen, granddaughter <br>