[mobertol]

The industrial history of Clayton-le-Moors is well described by Rothwell and includes the following summary of the textile industry:

As in the neighbouring towns of Accrington, Church, Rishton and Great Harwood, cotton manufacture was the pre-eminent industrial trade of Clayton-le-Moors, providing employment for a large percentage of the township’s population. The primary site was Oakenshaw Calico Printworks, initially commenced by Peel, Yates & Company, but later associated with Richard Fort and Brothers. This company, through one of its partners, John Mercer, made a significant contribution to the nineteenth century textile industry and bequeathed to the trade the important process of mercerisation.

Canal Mill, Enfield, an impressive spinning and weaving factory built in 1835, was a worthy event in the introduction of the cotton industry to Clayton-le-Moors, but the real growth of the town came between 1851 and 1865 when Joseph Barnes actively encouraged the foundation of mills and factories on the Oakenshaw estate.
(Rothwell, Michael, 1979, Industrial Heritage – A Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of Clayton-le-Moors: Hyndburn Local History Society, Printed by Caxton Printing, Accrington)

The canal and Enfield Wharf were extremely important to the development of Clayton. Transport at the time of the Industrial revolution into and out of booming Accrington was mostly dependent on Church Wharf and Enfield Wharf. I don't know if you've looked into this aspect for your project but with the story of the boatman it could be an interesting sideline.