Gladstone House, Cleckheaton

Gladstone House, Cleckheaton was 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, large Cleckheaton family, and who were also descended from the well-known Mann family from Spen. Other branches of the Williamson family lived at Marsh House and The Grove at Rawfolds.

According to an article on "Old Cleckheaton" by Henry Harrison, The Tofts had been originally built by Joseph Brook, a local stone mason, although it doesn't specify when. Joseph Brook was also the original builder of the chimney at Marsh Mills that would later collapse. (see The Marsh Mills Chimney Disaster) 

The earliest mention of the house is in the 1871 census. We see an elderly Thomas Williamson, residing here:
2 Apr 1871 - Census entry - Tofts, Cleckheaton
Thomas WILLIAMSON  Head  Wid  71  Oil merchant emp 4  Cleckheaton
Elizabeth Eyre WILLIAMSON  Dau  U  33  Lady
Fanny WILLIAMSON  Dau  U  31  Lady
Frederick WILLIAMSON  Son  U  28  Oil merchant
Sidney Herbert WILLIAMSON  Son  U  27  Oil merchant
Ada WILLIAMSON  Dau  U  24  Lady
Walter WILLIAMSON  Son  U  21  Manufacturer of worsted goods
Thomas WILLIAMSON  Son  U  19  Worsted spinner
Elizabeth BOOTH  Serv  U  19  Cook  Ackworth
Mary BOOTH  Serv  15  Housemaid  Darfield
William FOWLER  GrSon  4  Liversedge

Thomas Williamson died in 1875. The following detailed obituary appeared in the Cleckheaton Guardian:
18 June 1875
It is with feelings of regret that we have to announce the death of one of our oldest and most respected townsmen, Mr Williamson, which took place at his residence, The Tofts, about eleven o'clock yesterday forenoon, in the 76th year of his age.
Some six months ago Mr Williamson was prostrated by a sudden and severe attack of heart disease and although he had recovered so far as to be able to take a little outdoor exercise, yet his family and friends had noticed that week by week he became gradually weaker. On Sunday morning he ventured to attend service at White Chapel, and the following evening he was out for an airing in the phaeton, but on Tuesday he was unfortunately overtaken by another attack of his dangerous disease, which his enfeebled condition could not again withstand, and he gradually sank, until life ebbed out; the spirit taking its flight son tranquilly that the exact moment was not observable.
We need say little at present of Mr Williamson's family, it being one of the oldest and best known in this district. A quarter of a century ago deceased, in partnership with his brother, Mr John Williamson, carried on business in this town as cloth and oil merchants, at the well known and extensive premises now comprising St. John's Place. On Mr John Williamson's retirement from business, some twenty years ago, Mr Thomas continued the oil business only; and subsequently removed to new premises built by him, abutting on the railway station.
Formerly Mr Williamson took an active interest in the public business of the town; and no man's opinion was so much sought by his fellow townsmen in any circumstances requiring friendly counsel, nor was his purse less at their service. Mr Williamson was widely known as a staunch Conservative and a thorough churchman. When Cleckheaton was famed throughout the West Riding as a stronghold of the "yellows," through the prominence of their decorations, their waggons and their music at the nominations, he still stuck to his colour of true blue, although he might have counted his local political partisans on the fingers of one hand. In him the church has a zealous supporter in all respects.
Through his influence and exertions the site of St. John's church was acquired, and the grant for its erection secured, and to the fund which it was necessary to raise to carry out the project he was a large subscriber. In business, he was just and upright, and his sense of humour so high that his word was his bond. The mortal remains of the deceased gentleman will be interred at St. John's church on Tuesday morning next at half past ten.

In 1881 we see his son Sidney Herbert Williamson continuing to reside here. Sidney was married to Lucy Ann, daughter of James Anderton and grand daughter of George Anderton of Victoria Mills fame.
3 Apr 1881 - Census entry - The Tofts, Cleckheaton
Sidney Herbert WILLIAMSON  Head  M  37  Oil merchant  Cleckheaton
Lucy Ann WILLIAMSON  Wife  M  31  Cleckheaton
Isabella WILD  Serv  U  22  Cook domestic  Ironbridge, Shropshire
Adelaide H EVANS  Serv  U  20  Housemaid domestic  Lightmoor?, Shropshire

At some point during the 1880s, Jonas Haley became the occupant and the name of the property becomes Gladstone House. Why the name change? Perhaps William Ewart Gladstone, who held several terms as Prime Minister around this time had some bearing on it?

Jonas Haley was the son of Samuel, founder of the firm Samuel Haley & Sons, cardmakers, of Pyenot Hall Works. He would reside here until his death in 1914.
5 Apr 1891 - Census entry - Gladstone House
Jonas HALEY  Head  M  54  Card maker  Cleckheaton
Susannah HALEY  Wife  M  52  Clifton
Jonas Percy HALEY  Son  U  17  Card maker  Cleckheaton
Florence Gertrude HALEY  Dau  14  Scholar
Lucy Ann BUCKLEY  Dau  Wid  31
Edith BUCKLEY  GrDau  4  Dewsbury
Annie OGDEN  Serv  U  23  Wakefield
Gertrude Kate HAWCROFT  Serv  U  19  Womersley, Yks

5 Apr 1891 - Census entry - Gladstone Cottage
Lewis COLLEN  Head  M  34  Gardener domestic servant  Isleham, Cambs
Sarah Ann COLLEN  Wife  M  35  Dewsbury
Frederick William COLLEN  Son  9  Scholar  Yeadon
Frances Ann COLLEN  Dau  4  Scholar  Menston

20 Oct 1891 - At a meeting of the Cleckheaton Local Board it was announced that Mr Jonas Haley of Gladstone House, had consented to give 300 yards of his land in order to widen Tofts Road.

31 Mar 1901 - Census entry - Gladstone House
Jonas HALEY  Head  M  64  Card clothing maker  Gomersal
Susannah HALEY  Wife  M  62  Clifton
Lucy A BUCKLEY  Dau  Wid  41  Cleckheaton
Jonas P HALEY  Son  U  27  Clerk in CC
Florence G HALEY  Dau  U  24
Edith BUCKLEY  GrDau  14  Dewsbury

31 Mar 1901 - Census entry - Gladstone Lodge
Jno E OLDROYD  Head  M  27  House painter & decorator  East Ardsley
Ann OLDROYD  Wife  M  31  Adwalton
Ivy OLDROYD  Dau  2  East Bierley

2 Apr 1911 - Census entry - Gladstone House (13 rooms)
Jonas HALEY  Head  Wid  74  Card maker (E)  Cleckheaton
Eliza JACKSON  Dau  Wid  48  Cleckheaton
Florence Gertrude HALEY  Dau  U  34  Cleckheaton
Edith BUCKLEY  GrDau  U  24  Dewsbury

2 Apr 1911 - Census entry - Gladstone Lodge
Arthur WHITEHEAD  Head  M  29  Foreman upholsterer wire mattress works  Heckmondwike
Amy WHITEHEAD  Wife  M  28  (8y, 3/2)  Liversedge
Alfred WHITEHEAD  Son  7  School  Heckmondwike
Alice WHITEHEAD  Dau  1  Cleckheaton

National Probate Calender - 1915
Jonas HALEY of Gladstone House, Cleckheaton, Yorkshire died 28 Nov 1914. Probate Wakefield 22 Dec to Jonas Percy Haley, card clothing manufacturer. Effects £4762 3s 9d.

After the death of Jonas Haley, mention of Gladstone House seems to come to an end and only the lodge appears in electoral registers up to 1919.

In later life the house became known as the Prospect Hotel and The Whitcliffe. It was ultimately demolished in 2018.

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