Embedded Files
Who lived in a house like this?
The Spen Valley has (or had) some mighty fine properties throughout history. Many were owned by the "big names" who were key members of the local community. From various records, such as census returns, electoral registers and newspaper reports, we can track down who once lived there.
The link to "Rambles (Liversedge area)" is a series of newspaper articles from the 1870s in which the author describes numerous properties, some quite detailed, around the Liversedge district.
This page is still in progress and more properties will be added in due course...
Cleckheaton area
Liversedge area
The below properties will also be featured on their own pages in due course:
Gladstone House, Cleckheaton - Located in large grounds between the top of Peaseland Road and Prospect Mills. At the top of the land was "Wappy nicket" a well-known local footpath. The house was originally called "The Tofts" and was home of the Williamsons, a well-known Cleckheaton family. It had been originally built by Joseph Brook, a local stone mason. In the 1871 census we see an elderly Thomas Williamson, residing here. He was an oil merchant residing with his grown up children. In 1881 we see his son Sidney Herbert Williamson now residing here, his father having died in 1875. Sidney was married to Lucy Ann Anderton, grand daughter to George Anderton of Victoria Mills. From 1891 to his death in 1914 the house was lived in by Jonas Haley and family. Jonas was the son of Samuel, founder of the firm Samuel Haley & Sons, cardmakers, of Pyenot Hall Works. In later life the house became known as the Prospect Hotel and The Whitcliffe. It was demolished in 2018.
Heaton House, Cleckheaton - Located between Hill Street and Peaseland Road just below Burnup Grove (which is likely to be named after one of the past occupants). The premises cannot be identified in the 1841 census but both William Holdsworth and Thomas Burnup (later identified occupants) were residing in the same area . In 1851 the resident was Mary Holdsworth, the widow of William Holdsworth, who had died the previous year. In 1861 the residents are now Thomas Burnup and his wife Ann, who was the sister of the above Mary Holdsworth. Thomas was originally from Huddersfield and was well-known locally being in the banking trade. Thomas and Ann resided here until their respective deaths in 1886 for Ann and 1888 for Thomas, both in their mid 80s. They are both buried at Whitechapel with some of Ann's family. In 1901 one part of the premises is lived in by Arthur W. Blackburn and family and the other part by Reuben Castle, a well-known architect. In 1922 Charles Roberts Bentley leaves a Will which gives his address as this location. Charles had married Margaret Ann Sugden, daughter of William Sugden, the well-known local shirt manufacturer. In December 1927 there is a death notice for James Haley, leather merchant, of Heaton House. James Haley's widow, Edith, remained at the address until her death in 1953. Following Edith's death, the Heaton House estate went up for sale and is described as having two houses with a total of 18 rooms on two floors and easily adaptable into flats, nursing home, private school and boarding house or similar institution. It contains 8737 square yards.
Low House, Cleckheaton - Located on Westgate between Peaseland Road and Hill Street and for many years was the home of local doctors. In 1861, Dr. Joseph Blacker Bennett was residing at this house. In 1871 he is residing at Westgate but the house is not named, so presumably at this location. In 1881, Dr. Edward James Wallace was residing here. He was born in Italy to Scottish parents, his father being Chief Engineer to the King of Naples. In 1891 Dr. John Alexander Sutherland, another Scot, is resident at 74 Westgate, which is believed to be this location. In 1901 the same doctor is shown at Low House and remains here until his death in 1926, aged 69. In 1940 an advert appears in the papers asking for staff at Low House. At this time a Dr. Mitchell is now resident.
The Royds, Rawfolds then Cleckheaton - Now located next to the M62 on Whitechapel Road and has been the home of many well-known local families. It originally started it's life in the grounds of Royds Park at Rawfolds, but was moved brick by brick when the new railway line threatened it's demolition. In 1873 the Rawfolds Dyeworks, part of the Bradford Dyeing Company, was offered for sale. It included a mansion called The Royds, which had a plantation, pleasure grounds and about 8 acres of land. The resident here in 1881 is Samuel Drake Roberts, a retired worsted manufacturer, whose parents once resided at Crow Trees, Gomersal. In 1891, whilst still located at Rawfolds, the occupant was Joseph Briggs, a dyer, and family. Joseph was married to Martha Ellen, the daughter of Samuel Law of the firm Samuel Law & Sons of Moorland Mills, Cleckheaton. In 1897 tenders were invited for the pulling down and re-erecting of The Royds. In 1911 the occupant of The Royds was John Tetlow and family. John was one of the founders of Critchley, Sharp & Tetlow at Prospect Mills, Cleckheaton. John was probably the resident here in 1901, although the premises are not named. In 1922 the occupant was Robert Hirst and his family. He was the son of Charles Hirst of the firm Charles Hirst & Sons of Exchange Mills, Moorend and had moved here from his previous residence at Fieldhead.The house remained within the Hirst family until the mid 1940s.
The Royds at Rawfolds
Wilton House, Cleckheaton - Located in Westgate near to the bottom of Hightown Road and believed to be originally called Brook House. Evidence also points to it once being called Upper House and was the home of James Anderton. The premises are not named in the 1851 census, it is just listed as Upper Lane, but other evidence states James Anderton's son Arthur was born at Upper House in 1848. In 1861 James Anderton and family are resident at Upper House. In 1871 the premises is called "Mill Mansion" and is occupied by Arthur Anderton and his sisters (both his parents having died). The premises are not named in 1881 but in 1891 William Blackburn is resident here. William owned spinning businesses located at the nearby Brook Mills & Clarence Mills. The premises are not named in the 1901 census. In 1902 the house is advertised for let or sale. It is described as having an entrance hall, billiard room, 3 reception rooms, 5 bedrooms and 7 other rooms as well as conservatories and stabling etc. The 1911 census shows that John Wesley Hillard (founder of the Lion Stores) was now resident here. In 1925 the house and grounds were purchased for over £7000 for the development of public services. Cleckheaton Fire Station was built in the grounds. In 1934, voter's lists show Richard Kimberley residing at Wilton House. Other records state he was the Fire Brigade Superintendent.
The naming of houses became quite fashionable at one time and many "ordinary" houses took on names. Some of these names often had some bearing as to the current occupier, others aren't quite so obvious. As these are discovered, details will appear below with the house name and associated address along with where the info came from in brackets.
Brook House, Cleckheaton. See Wilton House above
Cavendish House, 134 South Parade, Cleckheaton (1911 census)
Fair View House, Cleckheaton. See Turnsteads above
Holmelea, Cleckheaton. Junction of Scott Lane and Bradford Road. Previously known as Upper House and has been a dentists for many years. John Richard Robinson, a building contractor resided here in 1911.
Hope House/Cottage, 133 Westgate, Cleckheaton. Home of William Isherwood, joiner & member of the Cleckheaton Local Board. Later occupant: Fred Parker (1930s)
North Lea, 305 Bradford Road, Cleckheaton (Probate)
Spark House, Westgate, Cleckheaton (junction of Roberts Street?). Home of Alfred Shaw Roberts member of the Cleckheaton Local Board and of Samuel Roberts & Sons, cardmakers.
The Tofts, Cleckheaton. See Gladstone House above
Upper House, Cleckheaton. See Wilton House above.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse