Category Archives: Ossett & Horbury

THE RECOLLECTIONS OF HALVOR TASKER: Ossett 1940 Air-Raid

The following is a vivid and detailed account of personal experiences during a wartime air raid on Ossett, supported by historical newspaper clippings and photographs from Ossett Through The Ages (OTTA).

During the wartime air raid on Ossett in September 1940, the town experienced a bombardment of high explosive and incendiary bombs. Miraculously, there were no casualties despite extensive damage to properties and infrastructure. The attack led to incredible displays of calmness and fortitude among the residents. The defence services responded effectively, and the town rose resilient in the face of adversity.

WAR TIME RECOLLECTIONS

When war broke out in the summer of 1939 I had just celebrated my sixth birthday. I remember clearly several local war events. The one event I remember most graphically was the evening of September 16th 1940, which was Ossett’s only Air-raid.

It was said at the time that it may have been the result of a stray German bomber escaping from a raid on a nearby city. There was the noise of a second plane some minutes later which neighbours claimed to be a Spitfire fighter plane. But before the Spitfire passed over, our only downstairs room and the single upstairs bedroom were bomb-blasted.

Earlier that evening the downstairs room-cum-kitchen had been tranquil. We had placed the black, homemade shutter squares over the windows as darkness fell. My father sat reading. My mother giving me a good soaping as I sat on the draining board, with my feet in the sink. The solid stone wall in front of me saved me from the high explosive blast that was to come. A piercing scream overhead, prompting my father to shout “it’s a bomb” led my mother to run to the wireless (radio) to switch it off! My father dived under the long pine table under the window.

The explosion created utter darkness and the spots of dirt I felt on my nude body were later revealed to be soot spewed out from the old iron fireplace and giving a light coating over all the room. When later cleaning up by candle light, we found, under the pine table, a piece of metal of half inch thick, the size of a mans hand. It was too hot to pick up.

When dawn broke we looked out from our glassless window and saw the devastation.

Forty yards away there was a long gap where the over-grown hawthorn hedge had been. The farmers large hen huts were missing and from the further side of the hedge there was a scattering of feathers and poultry parts. Further away, our neighbours workshop showed signs of the devastation. Just beyond this the two long rows of houses in Hope Street had lost all their windows, upstairs and downstairs, some with curtains waving on the outside. It was the same for houses at a greater distance and some in Manor Road.

From the Ossett Observer September 1940. “I received this model spitfire (on my lapel) at the site of the 10th high explosive bomb dropped on Ossett on 16th September, 1940. I gave a donation to go into Mr. Brear’s garden, which was “L” shaped and wrapped round the front of our garden. We lived next door and were nearest to the blast. I gave a donation to receive the Dinky model Spitfire, as many people did, as they observed the crator.”

The line of ten high explosive bombs that landed in Ossett landed between the houses. Additionally, approximately twenty incendiary bombs drifted into Gawthorpe and Flushdyke yet no one was killed and there was very little report of injury. Local people said it was a miracle. I think it was in thankfulness for this that our neighbour opened his damaged garden in aid of the war effort. At his gate a gift was given (I think it was for “Wings for Victory”) and in return a tiny painted metal spitfire was received. I went to visit the crater and received this replica. I still have a 1940’s photograph with the Spitfire pinned to my lapel.

The bombing on Ossett was not enough to keep us away from school. We were quickly back to Southdale School, where I learnt that two classmates were out, and near where a bomb dropped. All the class and I think all the school that morning had experiences to talk about but the most spectactular was Gerald Stephenson’s story; he was blasted into a dustbin, with few ill effects.

To expand on the Gerald Stephenson story, the second boy was Trevor Senior, my uncle. He was blown over the wall at Queens Terrace (also known as Monkey Terrace). This photo is of no.2 Queens Terrace with Trevor Senior stood by the re-built wall. He is alive and well, living in Birmingham.

Simon Fenech Ossett Through The Ages 2017

My wife’s great grandad began the plumbing business of J A Fawcett (Joseph Arthur Fawcett). His workshop was next to the railway bridge at the top end of the Green. His son, Henry Rowland Fawcett, made a large dolls house for my wife Olive which was “split in two” (her words) with the blast. It was in the nearby house where the Fawcett’s lived. Their telephone number was Ossett 20. Mr Horsnell’s was Ossett 21. May I finally add that Mr Fawcett did major work when the underground toilets were constructed in the Town Hall square. These were demolished after the war but a wall tile was recovered with the name J A Fawcett glazed on it.

I have been told that high explosive bomb no. four hit Dr Stoker’s hen hut. Whilst other old houses at the entrance to Manor Lane have, since the war, been demolished, the house written about here remains. (2005).

Photo donated to OTTA by Dr.Stoker.

In our small yard at the house (mentioned above) we erected our own Anderson (I think they named it?) shelter. One of my war-time experiences was to watch the Home Guard Unit practising manoeuvers in the Manor Road Recreation Ground. They would sometimes crawl over the ground. I remember a compassionate, loud speaking officer instructing an older member of the Home Guard who found it difficult to manoeuver in this way.

Ossett Home Guard c1943 in front of the Community Centre. Joe Dearnley with moustache back row, far right. Some names written in the folder with the photo: It says “Sgt Mordue”, “Cussins”, “Colman”, “Harrop”. but unfortunately the words are not tied to a particular person in the image.Photo & information supplied by Martin Dearnley

The streets, of necessity, were dimly lit. I would go to the Palladium cinema, in the centre of Ossett to see the big film and the war reports. Afterwards I would call in at the “Cabin” or the “Nip in” fish/chip shops.

***Created for OTTA by Julian Gallagher, this blended image shows where The Palladium once fit into Ossett’s town centre. The Town Hall is on the left.***

At Southdale School I had a friend named Michael who was an evacuee from the South Coast. One day he told me that he and his family lived in the smallest home in Greatfield Road. It was the two storey annex of a large house which was divided up. Not long ago Michael returned to see the house.

The sirens sounded occasionally. There were the “buzzers” of the woollen mill and pits. Following 1941 we had an official leather bag into which we put my baby sister for protection. Then we pumped in air. The bag was used on one occasion only.

Early in the war it was decided by the Authorities that children should attend a school very near their home. Then there was the possibility of returning home when the air-raid siren sounded. I then attended Southdale School which was almost a mile distance. I was, therefore, directed to attend a new war time school which was set up in the now demolished Trinity Methodist Church on South Parade. We were given a test to see how long it took to run from Trinity to our homes. Then the times were given to the teachers. My good friend Ken who was one year older and lived in Hope Street, took a longer time for the run. If I remember correctly, because of the times, I had to attend Trinity School and Ken was excused. The Trinity School experiment lasted only a short time, there were difficulties for teachers and scholars. Soon, I returned to Southdale and Ken returned to Spa Street School. There were occasional air-raids on both nearby Wakefield and Dewsbury, and each town had its bomb victims.

I experienced the beginning and the ending of the 1939-45 war in my Ossett situation. The war began for me, not via a wireless broadcast, but when a large aircraft flew very low on the western side of Ossett. I saw the ‘plane flamed within the posts of our high gate in Manor Lane. It was an unusual sight and indicated that war had begun. I received the news that the war had ended as I walked along Prospect Road in Ossett, with a large basket of bread I had just collected at Oliver Myers’ bakery. I was an errand boy. The mill buzzers began to wail. A passer-by agreed that this must be the end of the war.

King George VI sent A4 size (approx) cardboard sheets to all schoolchildren thanking them for their war effort. Somewhere among my souvenirs I still have the sheet.

Near the end of the war, one of the new pilotless bomber planes was heard by Ossett folk to cut its engines. It glided onto Grange Moor.

I have in my possession five visual aids:-

The King George VI card
The 1940’s photo with replica spitfire
The replica spitfire
Map of Ossett – September 1940 – bomb placing
Map of local gardens – Manor Road

One evening our family made our way up a dark drive to a large red-bricked house in Broadowler, Ossett. It was the home of Mr and Mrs Lee. The house still exists today (2005) but has a pinafore of council houses before it, where the dark drive once existed. Mr Lee was an invalid; there was one son Colin and he had six or seven grown sisters. We were going to a party where Mrs Lee directed the games and provided the late dinner. To my childhood surprise there were a goodly number of Ossett based soldiers present. We were entertaining the troops! (To digress, at a large mill half way along Wesley Street, which the Army had commandeered, young men from as far away as Scotland were “kitted out” and received their uniforms).

One game I remember at this very enjoyable party was called “Sunrise”. A large sheet was held vertically by two people in the middle of the room. A person with a lit candle crouched behind the sheet and moved the candle from one lower corner of the sheet diagonally across to the far top corner. The contestants, mainly soldiers, came one by one from another room and were told to closely watch the sunrise. Having arrived at the top of the sheet a water soaked cloth was promptly pushed into their face. I think I can say everyone really enjoyed the party.

Maybe several young men came to Ossett to receive their soldiers kit who were later to become “well known”. One was Godfrey Evans, even then a first class cricketer for Kent, and later for England (v Australia 1948 etc). He went down to the Ossett Cricket Club and was promptly put into the second team. The story, I think, must have some element of truth in it. It would be difficult, in those days, to assess the many strangers at the Cricket Club. We are told he was put into the first team later. Ernest Steel of Derbyshire C.C.C. became a good servant of Ossett C.C. in post war years following his war time service in Ossett.

***[In 1938 The Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA) was formed to provide entertainment to the British Armed Forces.Terry-Thomas signed up in 1939 and was posted to France. In March 1942 he received an official looking envelope containing ‘a cunningly worded invitation to join the Army’. He accepted the call-up, ‘with dignity, if not enthusiasm’, and joined the Signals Corps in Ossett. He said that “it would have seemed rather rude and ungrateful to refuse”. About twenty four hours after his arrival at the barracks, he was asked by a sergeant for his service number. “Mayfair 0736” was his reply. “You ain’t Terry-Thomas any more,” bellowed the sergeant. “You are now just a ******* number!” Terry-Thomas replied, “Yes mate, Number One!”. Within two weeks of his arrival in Ossett he had hired the Town Hall and staged a concert. Despite his bad start at the training depot, Terry-Thomas was actually a good recruit and contemporaries said he sounded more like an officer than the real ones. After basic training he was promoted to the rank of corporal and he applied for a commission but was turned down due to a problem with his hearing. Instead he was offered a place in one of the newly formed services sponsored touring revues – Stars In Battledress. Terry-Thomas continued to appear in cabaret and variety shows while in the army. He finished the war as a sergeant and was finally demobbed on April 1 1946. Oh, I say!]***

The only restaurant in town in those days was “Griffin and Sayers” at the entrance to Kingsway. We would queue at the nearby Co-op shops for our rations, bread, meat etc and go to Bainbridges small shop on the corner of Kingsway for our ration of sweets.

I remember my father telling me that Lord Haw-Haw used to broadcast from Germany to British people, and said that German aircraft were going to bomb Ossett as they knew it was a garrison town and that they knew that aircraft parts were made in the town. My dad also told me about an incendiary bomb that fell in Trinity churchyard. He said Bill Smith who lived three houses down from him in Springstone Avenue, jumped over the church wall and tried to smother it with his overcoat but it didn`t work, so ran back home and got a spade. When I was 12 year old I was riding a bike around old crownland pit spoil heap at the top of Crownlands lane. I climbed over an old stone wall into a small field that was next to Kingsway and found a metal object about 15inch long in the field. I took it to Allan Spurr who lived just down the lane, and he told me it looked like a small shell or bomb, so I got on my bike and took it down to the police station, went in and knocked on the sliding window. The window opened I put it on the counter and said: “I’ve found a bomb.” The bobby said “what makes you think its a bomb?”, so I said Allan Spurr told me it was, and he took 3 steps back, then got a bucket of sand and put the bomb in. I had to show them where I found it. Three weeks later I got a receipt from the army bomb disposal team saying that it was an incendiary bomb, probably German WW2 and they had dealt with it.

Stuart Ibbotson 2017

NAZI RAVAGES IN NORTH EAST TOWN MARVELLOUS ESCAPES FROM DAMAGE AND INJURY

THE OBSERVER SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 21 1940

What is officially described as a north eastern town received its first baptism from the air on Monday evening in the shape of a veritable downpour of incendiary and high explosive bombs, all within a comparatively limited area. The momentary effect was almost stupefying, but alarm immediately gave way to an amazing display of calmness and fortitude, not a single instance of panic being reported from any part of the borough.

The attack was heralded by a long piercing wail, followed by a terrific explosion. Our representative was at that moment attending a meeting of the local authority at the Town Hall, which was immediately suspended unceremoniously, members and officials hurrying into the market square, into which the patrons of the local cinema were rushing en route to shelter and their homes. In the meantime several other explosions were heard and the fleeing pedestrians took advantage of the underground school shelters en route, which proved a welcome and timely refuge. The fact that the town contains about a score of uncompleted shelters, all roofless, and waiting for months for the necessary material to finish the work, was a matter for severe criticism and one which the local authority should take up without further delay. Those available were taxed to the utmost, and it was fortunate the school shelters had been allotted to the public use.

ONE ‘ PLANE OR TWO? There seems to be a difference of opinion as to whether one or two enemy planes delivered the attack. It is believed by those in the best position to judge that only one was operating and that it’s course was practically from due west to due east, ejecting 20 to 30 incendiary bombs from the side, which were carried by a strong breeze about a mile to the east and fell almost in a direct line from a colliery in the northern part of the borough to the boundary of a neighbouring city. The high explosives, which apparently fell almost vertically, were ten in number, all of about two cwt. calibre, and these were also in an almost direct line, for a distance of about half to three quarters of a mile as the crow flies.

The first high explosive dropped in a garden against the cricket ground, the second on a lawn in a nearby terrace, the third on the exterior premises of a well known plumber, the fourth across the road in the grounds of a local doctor, against his private underground shelter, the fifth and sixth in a field over the brow about 200 yards away, the seventh in an adjacent allotment, the eighth about 300 yards farther on at the entrance to a nursery, the ninth 200 yards lower down by the pavement side against a mill entrance, and the tenth and last about 300 yards farther still in the garden of a house abutting a main road running to an old time spa. It was reported to the authorities that another, apparently unexploded, had buried itself in the back garden of a bungalow situate in a well known drive, but expert examination the following morning proved that the fears were unfounded, and that the soil disturbance was purely superficial and due to some other cause.

NO DIRECT HITS The amazing thing about the high explosive bombs is that, although they all fell in close proximity to residences, some in fairly thickly populated localities, there was not a single direct hit. Another fortunate circumstance was that the much abused heavy, sticky clay with which the line of attack abounds, absorbed the shells, retaining nearly the whole of the jagged and murderous looking fragments, and releasing little more than the blast, which was responsible for practically the whole of the damaged windows and outbuildings. The astounding manner in which the craters are dotted in open spaces between the various houses, and that not a single person was injured, points to an escape which can only be described as providential and for which the inhabitants generally have a great deal to be devoutly thankful.

A few details of the effects of the individual bombshell be of interest. To return to No.1 bomb – that which fell at the bottom of a builder’s garden near the cricket ground – part of a brick wall and wooden fence were broken and several shrubs and plants were uprooted. A few feet from the craters, part of the framework of a rose pergola was torn away, but the flower beds adjoining were only slightly affected.

HURLED IN DUST-BIN No.2 fell in the terrace a short distance from the first, less than a yard from the front door, causing a large crater and breaking down part of a brick wall. Not a single window was damaged, but the cellar walls were slightly bulged and plaster knocked off from the ceiling. The occupants, Mr and Mrs Stephenson and their family, were evacuated until the house could be inspected and rendered safe for habitation. Two eight year old boys, Trevor Senior and Gerald Stephenson, were playing in the garden at the time, and the blast from the bomb hurled Gerald head first into an open dustbin, while his companion was thrown over the wall and partly buried by the debris. Both escaped with bruises and slight shock.The third hit a warehouse in the occupation of Mr Fawcett, plumber, almost completely wrecking it. It was an old stone building, formerly used as stables. The bomb just missed Mr Fawcett’s house, which is close by. The damage to the stock, which consisted of earthenware, lead pipes, cast iron spouting, families, hot water pipes and fittings, plate glass, three bicycles, paint, plaster and tools, is estimated at £130. On the other side of the road, but about 100 yards lower down, is the doctor’s garden in which the fourth was dumped. A big disturbance of the soil is to be seen, but apart from a cracked window or two there is little damage.

GARDEN AND WINDOWS DAMAGED Proceeding up the slope from the garden brings us across a small field to the land purchased by the corporation for a central school. Here, against the council school garden and just inside a hedge, was found a small hole caused by bomb No.5. The expert of the Royal Engineers who located it on Tuesday morning soon ascertained, by the use of a spade, that the heavy bed of plastic clay beneath contained large chunks of shell, very little of the metal having escaped from the earth. On the other side of the hedge, and just across a cul de sac lane are four large residences. The first and second, occupied respectively by Mr Nettleton and Mr Cockburn, felt the full effects of the blast, but, although the structures remained almost unimpaired except for shrapnel and gravel marks, windows were blown clean out along both fronts, and shelter was obtained elsewhere. Windows in the homes of Mrs Senior and Mr Smith were also cracked. To the right of the line from the doctor’s to this point, and about 150 yards away, was a large crater in the middle of the same ploughed field, denoting the resting place of bomb No.6, and a little distance away and over the wall in the allotment alongside station road was the seventh. The upheaval was exceptional and the unfortunate tenant has to deplore the loss of a goodly portion of his produce. Close by runs a length row of house, but curiously enough, while only two windows in this row were broken, many of the front windows of the same street on the other side were smashed. The near side row of houses had afforded them no protection, the blast apparently taking a switch back route over the near houses and down into the street on the other side. Coming from the allotments into the station road and moving southwards, one noticed an occasional cracked window, but the presence of large quantities of soot in the interiors was indicative of considerable vibratory effects. Quite a short distance down the road is a turn to the left into what is known as a square and on the right hand side just inside the entrance gate to a nursery are to be seen the ravages of the eighth visitant, which vented its spleen on the clay bed beneath, and a few shrubs and trees alongside.

A NARROW ESCAPE On the opposite side of the narrow road is a continuous row of houses, yet not a pane of glass is displaced or damaged. The tenants had a remarkable escape and can attribute their immunity from harm to the adhesive nature of the earth. About 200 yards round the corner and alongside the left hand side causeway near a mill entrance is the ninth cavity. A preliminary examination after dark led to the belief that the bomb had not exploded and safety first methods were at once adopted. Houses on the other side of the road, but 30 or 40 yards away, and a number adjoining in a small side street, had windows blown in, and those in close proximity to the danger were evacuated for the night. Exactly across the road from the crater is a wall with a belt of trees enclosing the grounds and residence of Miss Scott. All the windows were smashed, coping stones on the wall were hurled onto the lawn, branches of trees were broken off, telephone wires were brought down and shrapnel marks pitted the stone work. Miss Scott and her household staff were housed by friends. Near to the scene lie a few humble cottages, the windows of which were cut out cleanly as if removed by a diamond. These tenants were also removed. Behind them and up to the station road are to be seen a few houses with damaged windows, a similar result being noticeable in the civilian casualty station close to. Only one patient had been treated at the station – for shock – and in view of the suspicion with regard to the bomb the staff afterwards repaired to the town hall, where temporary arrangements for treatment, if necessary, were made. The following morning it was proved conclusively that bomb No.9 had exploded.

FOWLS KILLED Most damage was caused by the tenth and last high explosive bomb, which fell in the garden of Mr Brear, about 150 yards below No.9. It penetrated six inches of concrete and a similar thickness of solid stone, causing a large crater to be formed and shrapnel and fragments to be hurled for a considerable distance. Practically every window in two neighbouring streets, consisting of 30 houses, were shattered, and the house on the main road on either side of Mr Brear’s, and two shops, were similarly affected. Two brick built poultry house owned by Mr Brear, which had only been up for a fortnight, were completely wrecked and eight or nine fowls killed. A hole had been made in in the corrugated iron roof of a garage and workshop, and also in the side of a caravan inside the building. The house and cottage adjoining, occupied by Mr and Mrs Tasked, had all their windows broken. Mr and Mrs Brear were out at the time of the explosion, but their three children were in the house, yet escaped injury, although some damage was done to carpets and furniture. The children immediately went down into the cellar. In the garden fruit trees were prematurely pruned and a greenhose badly damaged. The following morning most of the residents in the vicinity were engaged in nailing up pieces of oilcloth and sacking, and making amateur shutters to cover their gaping windows. Despite the inconvenience caused, particularly in the game which raged throughout the day, they took the damage philosophically, and even made jokes about it. Mr Brear’s children showed their enterprise by inviting the general public to see the damage, the fee being a subscription to the Spitfire fund. Two collecting boxes had been filled at the end of the first day.The same bomb also caused serious damage to poultry huts in a field adjoining Mr Brear’s house, owned by Mr J Crossland, and killed many of his fowls. Five huts, including one fairly new, measuring 30 feet by 12 feet and costing £40, were almost completely wrecked and a large number of the 100 or so fowls they contained were killed or missing, their disembowelled bodies having been flung all over the field. Mr Crossland estimates the damage at £60 at least. Within a small radius of this crater, over 200 windows were broken. Fireplaces were choked up with soot, and one tenant had the door lock displaced and the spectacles blown from her face.

MOTHER’S PRESENCE OF MIND Among the many incidents recorded is the outstanding example of coolness and presence of mind in the station road, near the entrance to the allotments. A woman was seen pushing a perambulator, containing her baby, along the footpath, and immediately the aerial screech was heard, she placed the child on the pavement against the wall side, covered it with a pillow, and lay down next to it. When the danger had passed, she calmly replaced the child in the pram and continued her journey as if nothing had happened. This is the spirit which was very general in the town that evening, particularly after a short reflection, and indicates the grim determination of this section of the Empire, in common with others, to present a stiff upper lip to the intimidatory attempts of the Nazi regime.

As we stated, the evacuated tenants near bomb No.9 were housed with friends, as also were several people in the neighbourhood of bombs 1,2 and 3, concerning one of which there was some uncertainty. Seventy nine other persons were removed to chapel premises in a locality known as The Common, and which had been earmarked by the authorities for such purposes. Here they were housed for the night, and were regaled with hot drinks and food until noon the following day, when the expert proclaimed their district to be safe, and they all returned to their homes.

LINE OF INCENDIARIES As previously stated, the incendiary bombs – the exact number is unknown, probably between 20 and 30 – fell in a parallel line to the high explosive bomb route, a mile away on the north side. Marvellous to relate, these also failed to secure a direct hit (with one exception, in which case the roof of a house tenants by an ex attendance officer received a glancing blow), though some of them dropped perilously near important buildings and houses. The prompt and effective manner in which they were dealt with by wardens and others was a revelation, and within a very short time all danger was removed. A vicar, who had charge of a warden’s post, took out a party which dealt with no fewer than five, one which fell a few yards from the cast end of the parish church, a second in the vicarage field, a third near an old destructor works, a fourth in a recreation ground, and a fifth on a space between the houses of an adjacent street. One which flopped in a main road in the North Ward was kicked into the roadside ditch by a cool headed bus inspector who was standing by. Near the same main road, half a mile lower down, is a working men’s club, in which the committee were holding their weekly meeting. A brilliant light suddenly illuminated the football ground at the rear, and the committee at once rushed to the spot, ascertaining the cause, and by the use of sods which had been removed for relaying purposes, quickly extinguished it. Some boys pluckily dealt in a similar way with incendiaries which fell in a field near a railway bridge, and there are other instances of effective action by wardens and civilians along the line of attack.

THE DEFENCE SERVICES The whole of the defence services of the town responded splendidly – wardens, first aid workers, decontamination and rescue squads, AFS, special constables(who were on duty the greater part of the night guarding essential spots, as well as the following day), motor drivers, messengers, the whole of the personnel in fact – a tribute to the growing efficiency of the workers and their zeal and readiness for action in the hour of trial.To the regular police also, and their ubiquitous inspector, who were indefatigable in their efforts to safeguard the inhabitants generally, the public thanks are due. Since the event, hundreds of people from neighbouring districts have visited the town and made an inspection of the craters and damage.Dr John Stoker, son of Dr Stephen Brandon Stoker whose GP Practice was at Sowood House has very kindly provided the attached photographs of some of the bomb damage. The bomb just missed Sowood House where the Stoker family lived. Dr John simply states that “We were asleep in bed in the cellar and didn’t know anything about it until morning!”

The Ossett Observer of September 2nd 1939

The following cellars in the town centre will be public shelters for the accommodation of those persons caught in the streets by an air raid:

***1939. Air raid shelters being dug behind the Town Hall.***

The public library
The Liberal Club
Ossett Industrial Co-Operative Society (drapery department)
Ossett Industrial Co-Operative Society (furnishing department)
The Horse & Jockey Hotel
The Royal Hotel
The Carpenters Arms
The Cock & Bottle
The Trades & Labour Club
The George Hotel
The Great Northern Hotel
Ossett Insustrial Co-Operative Society (Streetside)
The Old Flying Horse Hotel
The Red Lion Hotel
The Commercial Inn

Ossett Observer November 25 1939. Certain basements in the town were strengthened to serve as public shelters. This was the cellar of Ossett Liberal Club, specially fitted with seats and toilets, stated to be capable of accomodating at least 70 people. With S F Armitage (my dad).

Jennifer Bragg

The first warning of an impending air raid will be an intermittent blast sounded on the sirens in the town, which will no longer be used for industrial purposes. If gas is used, special warning will be given by the Air Raid Wardens and Special Constables by the sounding of hand rattles. When the gas has cleared hand bells will be sounded. When the raiders have passed a continuous blast will be sounded on the sirens. When the sirens are sounded all persons within 5 – 10 minutes of their homes are recommended to go there.

FATHER’S LOST WW2 MEDALS REUNITED WITH DAUGHTER

Ossett Through The Ages (OTTA) does it again!

Our local online community has worked together to reunite a daughter in Manchester with her father’s WWII service medals.

The medals were discovered by Irene Jones at an antiques fair in Lechlade, a town at the southern edge of the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire. That’s more than 160 miles away from Ossett!

Irene was determined to try to track down information about the recipient of the medals, which were still in their original box that bore the address: ‘Mr. S. Chappell, Broadley Villas, Belgrave Street, Ossett‘.

An internet search by Irene quickly highlighted our Facebook group: Ossett Through The Ages (OTTA). Irene posted photos of the medals and asked for help in finding more information about this Ossett connected man.

Our group members started the hunt for Mr. Chappell and, in less than an hour, one of them had found him! Paul Laycock told us that the recipient was Sidney Chappell, who had enlisted in the RAF sometime between September 1939 and February 1940. He carried out his training at Padgate. To find this information, Paul used the service number found on the dog tags.

Another member used the group to alert Dave Chappell to the post on OTTA and it turned out that Sidney Chappell was his grandad! (Dave was the stepson of Christopher Chappell).

Tony Sargeant, who has been a member of OTTA since I created the group in 2015, grew up at 10 Belgrave Street and he remembered Christopher and Judith. He then brought the information and the medals to the attention of Roger Hepworth, after recalling that the Hepworths had a connection to the Chappell family.

***Mary Chappell and Mabel Beaumont***
***(Janet Marshall’s godmother and mother)***

“Mary Chappell, married to Sidney Chappell of 2 Belgrave Street’ was my godmother. They had two children Christopher and Judith.”
Janet Marshall

Roger Hepworth, another long time member and contributor to OTTA, said: “I grew up, until the age of 10, at 2 Broadley Villas, Belgrave Street (as it was then known). Next door at No1 lived the Chappell family. Sidney and Mary (nee Oldroyd) were the parents of Christopher and Judith. Sidney used his motorbike to travel to work at the Coal Board offices at Old Roundwood Colliery. Christopher passed away some years ago, but I am still in touch with Judith, who now lives away from Ossett.”

***Belgrave Street 1963***
***Photo ©️ Roger Hepworth***

***Belgrave Street 1958***
***Photo ©️ Roger Hepworth***

On Saturday 12 August Jude Ledger joined Ossett Through The Ages (OTTA) having been contacted by her old friend and neighbour, Roger Hepworth. Jude informed us that, before her marriage, she was Judith Chappell and the medals belonged to her father!

This is what Jude had to say: “I am fascinated to see so many memories the group has about my family and I would love to hear from you all. I think I am the only person left in the family, although I believe that there are Oldroyd cousins out there somewhere. I do have lots of tales to tell about Dad if anyone is interested.”

Of course we were interested! Jude filled us in on a few details about her dad.

“I wanted to thank you all for the contributions you made about my father’s Medals. It may take some time [to tell us about Sidney Chappell] so fill a glass and raise it with me to all who served in WWII.“

“Dad was born in 1912 in Horbury, where he grew up as an only child. Leaving school, he went to work as a clerk at Crigglestone Colliery where his whole working life was spent – coming back from the war and into the NCB days.“

His parents were Frank, a railway wagon painter and letterer, and Alice (nee Giggle). In the 1939 England & Wales Register their address was 9 Manor Road, Horbury. At this time, 25 year old Sidney was working as a colliery wages clerk and colliery ARP and air raid warden.
Helen Bickerdike

***Sidney and Mary outside the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel,***
***Wesley Street, Ossett***
***Photo courtesy of their daughter Jude Ledger***

“He met my mother, Mary Oldroyd at Horbury tennis club, and they married at Wesley Street Methodist Chapel on 26th September 1940, with the groom home on special leave. Dad had joined the Royal Air Force reserve (I don’t think he fancied the army and who doesn’t love the thrill of planes?) and so was called up when the war broke out.“

“A week after the wedding, Dad was shipped off to Egypt where he spent most of his war, returning to the UK in 1944. I think he really enjoyed his time during the war, although, of course, he only talked about the good bits. But I do know that at some time he got into Israel – something he would never have been able to do in peacetime.“

“Because of poor eyesight, he was office-bound as a clerk doing general duties, which included arranging transport for returning servicemen and other cargoes. It was while doing this job that he noticed that one of his dispatches was to be L/Bdr Frank Oldroyd. Frank was Mary’s younger brother and had joined the army before the war and had been shipped out to India. Now he was on his way home, and the two met and no doubt downed a few pints before Frank came home.“

“Dad achieved the rank of corporal before being released in 1946. He received the general handout of medals but was also mentioned in dispatches for his service in Egypt.“

***Sidney Chappell***
***Photo supplied by his daughter, Jude*** ***Ledger***

“By the time of his return to live in Ossett in 1946, my mother had bought a house, 6 Horton Street, and was living there with my brother Christopher. (Dad must have got leave at some time after returning in 1944!) I was born in 1947, and in 1952 we moved to Belgrave Street where the family lived until both my parents died – Dad in 1966 and Mum in 1992.“

“I went off to college and into teaching while Christopher remained at home until he married Linda when he was 40 and went to live with her and her son David who, I believe, took the name Chappell from his step-father.“

“And that is that. I now live in Altrincham and as there is no family left I haven’t been to Ossett for many years though my good friend Roger Hepworth keeps me up to date with changes there. Thank you, all of you for your interest and allowing an ex-pat to join your group.“

I would like to thank everyone in this group who has helped, with their comments and investigations, to connect me and Jude Ledger, his daughter. We are now in direct communication and the box will be making its way back to the family where it belongs. It’s been so special to learn more about her father and I’m honoured I can return his belongings to where they belong. I think it’s so lovely how he is being remembered by so many and even those who never met him. Thank you all!
Irene Jones

I truly believe that this could not have happened without Ossett Through The Ages (OTTA). If you’re searching for someone or something related to Ossett, then why not join us and see if we can help. You’ll find us here

Anne-Marie Fawcett August 2023

THE OSSETT & HORBURY SPITFIRE

©️ Anne-Marie Fawcett June 28 2022

*The young pilot is Herbert Gledhill who flew this aircraft above Ossett and Horbury during the fundraiser*.

In 1940 more than 1,400 appeals by Spitfire Fund Committees were set up nationwide by councils, businesses, voluntary organisations and individuals. The townships of Ossett and Horbury combined to raise £5,000 for a Spitfire.

The fund was officially launched on Thursday 29 August 1940 and by the following Saturday morning had reached a total of £1,533. A week after its launch the fund was £1,000 away from the target.¹ To give that a little perspective, £5,000 in 1940 would now be around £270,000.

*A poster on display at Horbury Library in 2017*

At a time of severe austerity when money, food and every other basic need was in short supply, it is incredible to think how the community rallied together to achieve this. An excerpt from the Ossett Observer in 1941 proudly reported: “The response which was both immediate and generous, was covered by every section of the community, from the richest to the poorest.”

By September 28 the total stood at £4,620 but the next day, at an auction of woollen rags at Eastwood & Nephew in Dewsbury, a further £400 (£16k) was raised. The rags were donated by Ossett, Horbury, Dewsbury and Batley rag merchants; WH Kilburn, head of the auction house, put up five mystery parcels which went on to raise a further £55 (£2k+).²

In just four weeks these communities had smashed their target and on June 13 1941 Spitfire P8346 was delivered to RAF Northolt, the home of the Polish 303 Squadron.

Jozef Bondar was born on July 8 1916 in Treze in the pre-war Białystok Province, to the parents of Aleksander and Anna, née Łozowska. He attended four years of elementary school in Trycze, then at the Teachers’ College in Grodno. He spoke fluent French and Russian and he passed his secondary school-leaving examination in 1936.

From September 1, 1936, Jozef served in the Polish Army, initially undergoing a unitary course at the Infantry Cadet School in Różan. In the September campaign, this young pilot made a total of 9 sorties (during 16 hours), fought the enemy 6 times, and his plane was hit 3 times. His commanders assessed him as a very good, brave, willing pilot with a very positive attitude to flying. He was even presented for decoration with the Silver Cross of the Virtuti Militari War Order, but he never received it.

From January 1937 to mid-June 1939, he was a student of the Aviation Cadet School in Dęblin. He finished it in the twelfth promotion, with a 20th position on his yearbook. Trained as a fighter, with seniority on August 1, 1939, he was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant. On June 15, 1939, he was assigned to the 151 Fighter Squadron, as part of the mobilization of the Independent Operational Group “Narew”, flying obsolete PZL P.7 fighters, during the Polish Campaign of 1939. After travelling to France, he was posted to Morocco where he flew non-operational flights.

During the invasion of Germany, Polish pilots were among the many who were forced to flee their homeland. They came to fight for freedom and their country, they came to fight Germans. Men of the Polish Air Force, who had escaped first to France and then to Britain, to fly alongside the Royal Air Force just as Fighter Command faced its greatest challenge the Battle of Britain.

Many of the Polish airmen joined existing RAF squadrons. The Polish also formed their own squadrons, but only four became operational during the Battle of Britain: Nos. 300 and 301, were bomber squadrons, with another two, Nos. 302 and 303, being fighter squadrons. Flying Hawker Hurricanes, both 302 and 303 squadrons were active by the middle of August 1940, just when they were most needed, at the height of the Battle of Britain, with Fighter Command stretched to its limit.

The Polish squadrons, battle-hardened from their encounters with the Luftwaffe during the invasion of Poland and Battle of France, soon made their mark. In particular, 303 Squadron became the highest-scoring unit of Fighter Command.

In total, 145 Polish pilots, the largest non-British contingent in Fighter Command at the time, fought in the Battle of Britain. While Winston Churchill praised the contribution of the Few, the pilots of many nationalities who had defended Britain, Air Chief Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding was more specific: “Had it not been for the magnificent material contributed by the Polish squadrons and their unsurpassed gallantry, I hesitate to say that the outcome of the Battle would have been the same”.³

Jozef eventually made his way to England to join the Allies in the fight against the Nazis and in June 1941 he was posted to Polish 303 Squadron, the squadron which was named after the Polish hero General Tadeusz Kościuszko.

On July 26 1941 a ghetto was created in Jozef’s hometown of Białystok. The town was initially captured by the German army on September 15 1939 but was handed over to the Soviet Union a week later. It became a prison for about 60,000 Jews from the city and nearby towns. The Germans seized Białystok again on June 27 1941 and burned down the Jewish district, together with the Great Synagogue, with almost 2,000 people locked inside.⁴

The following day Pilot Officer Jozef Bondar was shot down by Unteroffizer Emil Babenz 1/JG26 at Aubers, nine miles west of Lille, northern France. He was flying the Ossett and Horbury Spitfire.

Jozef bailed out but didn’t survive and is buried at Aubers Ridge British Cemetery, northern France. He is remembered on many memorials, including one that was unveiled at the crash site on June 28 2003 – 62 years after his death.

This memorial plaque was unveiled on June 28 2003. Photos: Michel Coste.

The people of Ossett and Horbury were never formally told that the Spitfire they raised £5,000 to build only lasted nine days before crashing and burning. Did they ever know of Jozef’s death? There was no memorial for Jozef Bondar in either township.

Former and current members of Ossett Civic Society

In July 2021 a small group of us saw a privately funded memorial plaque for Jozef Bondar installed in Ossett Market Place, close by to our War Memorial where so many from Ossett are remembered. We thought it a fitting place to remember this man who is connected to our town.

Anne-Marie Fawcett ©️ June 28 2022

Ossett Observer 1941
Bradford Observer September 1940
Polish Airforce
The Polish Few
Laguna’s Spitfire Legacy

Zbigniew Klatkiewicz, a former resident of Ossett, also came from Poland to fight with the Allies. You’ll find his story here: Mr Klat

THE MOTHER OF THE SPITFIRE

Lady Fanny Lucy Houston DBE was known as ‘the mother of the spitfire’ and saved the Spitfire from becoming obsolete.¹ Unfortunately, Lady Lucy never saw the Spitfire come to fruition, as she died on December 29, 1936.

*A portrait of Lady Lucy Houston held at the National Portrait Gallery*

Dame Lucy Houston was born in 1858 and grew up on the fringe of Victorian England; her father was a maker of boxes. Lucy always maintained that she began her career at age 11 as an actress and ballet dancer; others thought not. By age 16, she was in Paris, being tutored by Madame de Polès , a hostess skilled in the art of money—investing, divesting, and acquiring. Back in London in 1883, Houston dabbled withthe women’s suffrage movement.²

Lucy was a chorus girl known as ‘Poppy‘ when she attracted the attention of a man named Frederick ‘Freddy’ Gretton. Gretton’s father was the resident partner of Bass, Ratcliff and Gretton, making Freddy extremely wealthy. Lucy and Freddy never married, but they were together for ten years. Freddy Gretton died in 1882 at age 42, but before his death, he bequeathed her £6,000 a year for life – an enormous sum of money at the time.

Although Lucy was now financially set for life, she married the wealthy Theodore Frances Brinckman, the eldest son of Sir Theodore Brinckman, a baronet, in 1883. However, the marriage wasn’t meant to last, and the couple divorced in 1895. Lucy was remarried to George Frederick William Byron, 9th Baron Byron of Rochdale in 1901, but she really only got social status and nothing else from her second husband as he was already bankrupt.³

The majority of her wealth was bequeathed to her following the death of her third husband, Sir Robert Houston, who died and left her £5.5 million in his will. It was with this money that she supported the RAF.

Lady Lucy donated the money in 1931 in order to keep research going into the Spitfire’s predecessor – the Supermarine S6, a single-engined racing seaplane – when Labour Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald’s government pulled funding for the project during the Great Depression in 1931. Her intervention led to the creation of the iconic aircraft, which played the critical role in defeating the German Airforce at the Battle of Britain in October 1940 and prevented Britain from being invaded for long enough to ensure the Allied forces eventually won the war against the Nazis.⁴

War History Online
Encyclopedia.com
War History Online
Lady Lucy Houston DBE: Aviation Champion and Mother of the Spitfire. Author Miles Macnair.

HEALEY LANE TO DENTON LANE 1790 – 1910

Deeds are often very difficult to interpret and it is always wise to check the material wherever possible. I have included references for that purpose. Unless stated otherwise all the references are for the West Yorkshire Archive Service. I am extremely grateful for the help that I have received from the staff in order to produce this work. I am tempted to call it the ‘South Ossett Jigsaw’ as there are many missing pieces!

Abbreviations: a – Acre; r – Rood; p – perch; Outbldgs – Outbuildings; Appts; – Appurtenances.

I quote the late Kenneth Bartlett, local historian of Horbury who put the following at the beginning of his work and told me many times personally – “I am not a ‘computer person“……. well I am not a ‘storyteller person’. I collect facts and figures, produce maps and leave the researcher to write his/her own story.
Joan P Smith 2017

INTRODUCTION

My original intention was to research the history of Storrs Hill house as I believed that it was built by a direct ancestor of my children, Graham, Carolyn and Alyson Carter. I remember seeing a lovely old grandfather clock in the home of Doris Carter, their grandmother, after her mother Julia (née Lister) died. This clock was very unusual as, instead of numerals on the dial, it had the letters ‘GEORGE LISTER’. She was storing it for her nephew George Lister Shires. This led me to think that George Lister must have been very prosperous. On George Lister’s gravestone it states ‘GEORGE LISTER OF STORRS HILL HOUSE’ so when I came across an old photo of Storrs Hill House on Storrs Hill Road, Ossett, I thought it was the one that he built! Hence, the decision to research its history.

Descendants of George LISTER born1798, died 1866 and his wife Martha (née OLDROYD) (They had a very large family – the following are the descendants that I am connected to):

Fred LISTER, (his youngest son)

Julia LISTER married William SHIRES

Doris SHIRES married John CARTER

Harold CARTER married Joan Patricia WORTH

Children :- Graham, Carolyn and Alyson CARTER

My research soon spread firstly to the whole of Storrs Hill Road, then across to Healey Lane and eventually back across to the boundary with Horbury at Denton Lane! However, very soon after I began my research I discovered that the Storrs Hill House shown in the photo was not built until circa 1860!

STORRS HILL HOUSE, BUILT BY DAVID ELLIS

George Lister acquired Upper Long Close (Plot 33 on 1843 Tithe Award). He was described as a ‘Fulling Miller’ at Horbury Bridge. He later built properties on this land, one of which he lived in and I assume he named ‘Storrs Hill House’. This plot of land is almost in Horbury Bridge. The houses must have been demolished some time after Martha Lister died in 1881.

HEALEY LANE TO DENTON LANE (Sowood Bend) 1790 – 1910

In order to show the researcher the site of the various plots mentioned I have created my own map for the area concerned, named Medieval Map and 1843 Tithe Maps for Ossett.

1843 Healey to Denton Lane Plot names & sizes

For your ease of reference, I have annotated this map from the 1843 TITHE AWARDS

SOUTHWOOD MEDIEVAL MAP JPS

Jonathan OLDFIELD Surgeon & Jane, 1st Pt; Joseph THORNS, Gent the Other Pt, Messuage/Dwellinghouse at Sowood Green & several closes of arable meadow in Ossett formerly occupied with the mess/dwell by Mr Joseph INGHAM & his undertenants but late by Mr Robert FLIGG, undertenant;. Laith Croft, Middle Croft & Low Croft & Wheatroyd; the Wheatroyd Pighill & 3 Waterside Closes. Also several pieces of ground in Healey, Healey Gate Shutt sold to Robert FLIGG (Ref: 1792 DK 87 122)

Timothy FOZARD WILL – Thomas FOZARD – devisee. 19th May Plots – Square Close or Square Brearey – 2a 1r. Also land at Healey – Plots 38 & 41? (Ref: 1795 DQ 97 95)

Thomas FOZARD – John BEATSON Square Close and 2 closes of land Upper Brearey and Far Brearey 8a 3r (Ref: 1795 DQ 97 96)

LAND CHANGES 1790 – 1795

John BEATSON & Thomas FOZARD (oldest son of Timothy), John MARSHALL Trustee & Nancy FOZARD widow 1st Pt. . John WILSON & David SCHOLEFIELD. The Other Pt. Plot- Far Brier Ing , 3a (Ref: 1798 DZ 307 409)

John WILSON to David SCHOLEFIELD (Same as Ref: 1798 DZ 307 409) ( Ref: 1798 DZ 308 410)

Thomas FOZARD, clothier, heir at law of Timothy FOZARD, who died intestate & John MARSHALL of Penistone, trustee 1st Pt. Joseph WILSON of Ossett clothier the Other Pt. And Release of 5 Pts between Thomas FOZARD, John MARSHALL 1st Pt, John BEATSON? 2nd Pt, Anthony GLOVER 3rd Pt, Joseph WILSON 4th Pt & John WILSON 5th Pt. Piece of land called Brearey Ing, late in tenure of Thomas FOZARD but now Joseph WILSON. 4a. (Ref: 1798 DZ 349 465)

1801

John SMYTH – in his Will bequeathed his land on Ossett Common End (now known as Horbury Rd.,) to his son John SMITH (sic) (Ref:1801 EK 216 292

1804

Joseph THORNES 1st Part Benjamin HALLAS the younger, William HALLAS & John PHILLIPS the Other Pt. 3 closes – Waterside Closes 6a. Late in the occupation of Joseph THORNES (Ref: 1804 EQ 295 334)

Rev. John SANDERSON of Darfield, Solicitor, Executor of the Last Will & Testament of John SANDERSON, late of Darfield dec’d 1st Pt and David WILBY the other Part. Common side Close 3a. (Ref: 1804 ER 436 601)

LAND CHANGES 1795 – 1804

1805

John CROWDER of Brotherton 1st Pt John GREENWOOD, Surgeon and Apothecary the Other Pt. Of & concerning those 2 closes, parcels of land in Ossett called the Over Master Closes 4a 2r 9p late occupied by John ILLINGWORTH, the younger but now in the possession of the said John Greenwood together with all rights etc. (Ref: 1805 ET 479 601).

John CROWDER to David WILBY – Lane Close 6a 1r 20p, in occupation of Joseph FOZZARD. (Ref: 1805 EU 96 123)

David WILBY & Ann his wife 1st Pt. John PULLEIN of Upton the Other Pt. Lane Close 6a 1r 20p and all that close named Commonside Close now in occupation of Joseph FOZARD (Ref 1805 EU 104 134)

1807

William Jones KENDALL of Wakefield, David DEWS of Ossett clothier & George SMITH of Dewbury clothier(assignees of the estate of John WILSON of Ossett clothier) and the said John WILSON 1st Pt & John GREENWOOD of Ossett, Surgeon the Other Pt & Release of 4 pts between John SCHOLEFIELD of Horbury Gent 1st Pt William Jones KENDALL, David DEWS & George SMITH etc. the 2nd Pt & John WILSON 3rd Pt and John GREENWOOD the 4th Pt. Of & concerning that close, piece of land on Ossett Common called the Far Briar Ing 3a or thereabouts formerly the estate of Timothy FOZARD dec’d. then Thomas FOZZARD and late in the tenure of John WILSON but now John WHITAKER and his assigns. Together with all rights etc… (Ref: 1807 EZ 654 974)

LAND CHANGES 1805 – 1810

SOUTH OSSETT

Inclosure Award 1807- 1813

The work was not completed until 1813 because of the death of the original Commissioner. There isn’t a complete Inclosure map of Ossett, only various parts which I have merged together and many small images of ‘ancient enclosures’ like the ones shown here.

Top of Healey Lane, showing Ossett Green Road (now South Street)

Healey to Denton Lane 1813 for publication

HEALEY LANE TO DENTON LANE

BOTTOM OF HEALEY LANE

SUMMARIES OF DEEDS

I have included samples of some of the Deeds (shown above the translation) to illustrate the difficulties of transcribing and interpreting!

1811

John NETTLETON of Storrs Hill, Ossett 1st Pt & John GREENWOOD of Ravens Lodge, Dewsbury, Surgeon the Other Pt… Of & concerning all & so much as is freehold & held by Deed or Charter & in all those 2 closes of arable land situated in Ossett formerly known as the Upperfield but now divided in two & called Storrs Hill Closes containing 5a or thereabouts, now in the occupation of John NETTLETON or his assigns (Ref: 1811 FO 404 517 10th April). NB The Nettletons and Illingworths were connected to the Marsdens.

The Rev’d. Jonothan ALDERSON; DUKE OF LEEDS and others to John GREENWOOD – Land on Southwood Green measuring 1r 3p; Bounded by Horbury Bridge Rd; Abraham SAXTON; John GREENWOOD & Duke of LEEDS (occupied by David PICKARD, now John WILSON) (Ref: 1811 FP 14 13)

The Rev’d. Jonothan ALDERSON; DUKE OF LEEDS. And others to John WARD Land measuring 15p. Bounded by Horbury Bridge Rd & other properties of DUKE OF LEEDS & allotment of Thomas SMITH’S devisees (now occupied by Thomas ELLIS) (Ref: 1811 FP 2 2)

The Rev’d. Jonothan ALDERSON; DUKE OF LEEDS and others to David ELLIS. Cottage,workshop etc. on Ossett Green/Southwood Green. Measuring 33p. Bounded by Horbury Bridge Rd; The road leading to Healey; and allotment of David DEWS. (Ref: 1812 FR 349 363)

NB. Southwood Green or Sowood Green are shown in different places on 2 maps – at the top of Healey Rd. and the top of Storrs Hill Rd., (see Medieval Map displayed earlier)

1813

Robert RAMSDEN of Carlton in Notts. Esq. 1st Pt & John CROWDER of Brotherton the other Pt. – Near Laith Close (or Croft) 2a 1r 11p; Far Laith Close (Croft) 3a 12p; QuarryClose 6a 3r 3p; West Cinder Hill ? 4a 1r 3p East Cinder Hill? 5a 3r 3p; Low Rough Close 3a 25p; Near Rough Close 3a 25p; Low Great Close 4a 21p; Upper Great Close 5a 2r 18p; Lower Broom Close 4a 5p; Near Upper Broom Close 3a 1r; 28p; now in the occupation of …..TOTAL 64a 3r 29p (Ref: 1813 FU 315 328)

1814

John PULLEIN of Wkfd Gent, Devisee of Thomas FOZARD 1st Pt Benj BAINES, James BRIGGS, Robert SAXTON, Robert Fligg, John, David & Samuel ELLIS, James ARCHER,Thomas HARRAP, Benjamin FARRAR, Samuel SCOTT, Joshua ELLIS, Abraham ARCHER, David BRIGGS, David ILLINGWORTH, The Other Pt. Release in 17 Pts – same names plus Randolph PHILLIPS Close called Brier Ing 3a (Ref 1814 GA 458 564)

1815

John GREENWOOD, Surgeon 1st Pt. John NETTLETON of Storrs Hill, Farmer the Other Pt. 2 closes formerly 1 close named Upperfield but now divided and called Storrs Hill Close 5a now in the occupation of John NETTLETON, his assigns together with all rights etc. (Ref: 1815 GH 317 359)

LAND CHANGES 1812 – 1817

1818

Jane CONINGTON relict of James CONINGTON & John LOFT & Mary his wife 1st Pt. John ELLIS of Ossett, clothier the Other Pt. 2 equal & undivided moieties of Messuage & Shop on Sowood Green, late in the occupation of Joshua ELLIS & Benjamin ILLINGWORTH. Of & concerning etc. Plot of land ‘Low Lee Croft’ 2 acres and 27 perches (Very difficult to read). (Ref: 1818 GT 415 410)

1819

James Dodgson CHARLESWORTH Gent, Thomas BAYLDON, Gent and John DENTON, Clothier – Assignees of the Estate of Francis MARSDEN. Commission of Bankruptcy. Francis MARSDEN 1st Pt, Joshua ILLINGWORTH, farmer the Other Pt and Release of four Pts (ALL RE. KIRKGATE IN WAKEFIELD). AND ALSO all so much as is freehold and held by Deed of those 4 messuages/dwellings, outbldgs & appts belonging, situate at Storrs Hill, Ossett, formerly in the several occupation of Francis MARSDEN, clothier, Isaac BARKER, Martha MARSDEN & Joseph LEE, their respective assignees, also land known as Cow Pasture and Rose? Inclosure. Cow Pasture close containing 4a formerly in occupation of Francis MARSDEN, but now or late of Joseph BATTY, William MARSDEN, Joseph BARKER, John SYKES and Joseph ILLINGWORTH (Ref: 1819 HB 347 404)

1822

James ARCHER of Ossett 1st Pt – Benjamin HALLAS, William HALLAS, & many names the 2nd Pt and Randolph PHILLIPS the Other Pt. 3 Waterside Closes 6a Lately in possession of B & W HALLAS but now all those names. Together with Mill House, Bldgs etc. Also land called ‘Brear Ing? 3a (Ref: 1822 HE 387 429)

Robert FLIGGS – Benj. BAINES – Part of Waterside Closes (Ref: 1822 HO 200 200)

Francis BRIGGS- Gent 1st Pt, Elizabeth HARROP, wife of John 2nd Pt and George HARROP, Cloth Manufacturer 3rd Pt. (SAME AS 1819 & 1877 DEEDS) (All those 2 closes of land arable meadow or pasture (formerly one close) situate near to & adjoining on Storrs Hill Sth Ossett, known as Storrs Hill Close, formerly occupied by Joseph ILLINGWORTH the elder, dec’d, then Wm ILLINGWORTH, dec’d, lately John ILLINGWORTH dec’d but now John HARROP and all that dwelling house, ‘shopping,’ stable or cowhouse & other bldgs erected & built on the 2 closes of land. Together with rights etc.) ( Ref:1822 HP 54 56) Plots 62 & 63 in 1843

SCHOLEFIELD – Elizabeth NETTLETON , widow – Will of John NETTLETON ( 1822 KF 595 558)

1823

Jane CONINGTON late of Kirkby now Horncastle widow, relict of James CONINGTON (& others as in previous deed) 1st Pt William DAWSON late of Lofthouse, parish of Rothwell now Outwood, yeoman 2nd Pt. William WELLFIT of Manby? In Lincoln Esq the 3rd Pt, Joseph PRIESTLEY of Wkfd Gent 4th Pt and Joshua DIXON of Leeds, Gent 5th Pt. Of & Concerning messuage/dwellinghouse/tenement with yard, stable outbldgs etc & all that cottage adjoining containing 37ps and also that close called Near Laith Croft 5a 3r 13p & Far Laith Croft 4a 1r 20p, also allotment adjoining 17p and also other allotment 2a 22p all which said premises are situated in Ossett abutting lands of John CROWDER S & W Horbury Bridge Rd. E by several tenures of Titus FOZZARD and Benjamin FOZZARD, their assigns & all that close called Upper White Close, otherwise Storrs Hill 5a 1r 8p and also close of arable land called Lower White Close otherwise Storrs Hill 4a 32p which said 2 closes lying together in Horbury abutting Horbury Bridge Road W & N and lands of Robert WALSHAW ( Ref:1823 HX 304 297)

Thomas WHITE of Wkfd. Wine Merchant & William WHITE of Wkf.d the Other Pt. 2 closes of land, arable, pasture, in Ossett – Low Master Close 5a 16p; Middle Master Close 3a 2r 34p, lately of Isaac WALTON. E by ?? W by Wm MILLS & John BOWER and S by River CALDER (Ref: 1825 IC 430 408)

1825

William MILLS to John BOWER, – ???? Surviving devisee of John CROWDER of Brotherton 1st Pt & David CHARLESWORTH of Horbury Bridge, Innkeeper the Other Pt. 3 closes of land in Ossett known as East ???? Hill (heretofore the ?????flatt Alias Sanderhill???? –( very difficult to read) heretofore Bridge Flatt alias Bridge Close 24a 20p occupied by David CHARLESWORTH, John ILLINGWORTH & Charles LEDGARTH?? – also mentions Quarry Close & Upper Broom Close ( Ref:1825 IE 682 638)

Lease- William MILLS and John BOWER (surviving devisees of John CROWDER) 1st Pt. William Walter WHITE of Wakefield, Wine Merchant the Other Pt. Release – William MILLS and John BOWER 1st Pt; John CROWDER, Rev. John Holdsworth MALLORY, John PERFECT & Thomas CROWDER the 2nd Pt. Thomas WHITE of Wakefield 3rd Pt and the said William Walter WHITE 4th Pt. Of & Concerning 2 closes of land, arable, pasture, in Ossett – Low Master Close 5a 16p; Middle Master Close 3a 2r 34p, lately of Isaac WALTON. E by ?? W by Wm MILLS & John BOWER and S by River CALDER Ref: 1825 IE 692 650)

1827

Joshua THORNS the younger, Maltster 1st Pt & Christopher? BECKETT, James BROWN, John MARSHALL & John GOTT the Other Pt. & Release between Joshua THORNS 1st Pt and John Francis CARR. & Robert CARR 2nd Pt. Christopher BECKETT, John BECKETT & John GOTT 3rd Pt and Jonathan WILDE ? 3 closes Laith Croft; Middle Croft & Low Croft ? together 9a 2r formerly estate of Wm BINGLEY, and afterwards Robert FLIGG and were part………..of Robert FLIGG or his trustees by Joseph THORNS the father of Joshua & devised to him by his father’s Will. Concerning land on Sowood Green, 1p – bounded E by Churchwardens & Overseers of the Poor, W by Ancient Premises of Joshua THORNS. N by Healey House Rd., S by Joshua THORNS 1r 10p E by Horbury Bridge Rd.W by Ossett Green Rd N by allotments awarded to David DEWS and DUKE of LEEDS & S by Joshua THORNS other allotments on Sowood Green 33p. E by Ossett Green Rd W by Ancient Premises N by Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor S by James CONNINGTON, John LOFT and Elizabeth CODD (Ref: 1827 IZ 680 650) Plot 103 ETC?

Joseph PRIESTLEY Gent 1st Pt; Joshua DIXON of Leeds, Gent 2nd Pt William DAWSON 3rd Pt. Rev Thomas WESTMORLAND Vicar of Sandal Magna 4th Pt. Benjamin DIXON of Wkfd Gent 5th Pt. Of & Concerning All that Messuage/tenement, barn stables etc and adjoining cottage by admeasurement 37p & also the close called Near Laith Croft. 5a 3r 13p & also Far Laith Croft 4a 1r 2p & allotment 2a 22p all situated in Ossett abutting on lands of John CROWDER S & W and the Horbury Bridge Rd E & late in the tenure of Titus & Benjamin FOZZARD but now Benjamin OAKES & John WILSON. And also the Upper White Close or Storrs Hill containing 5a 1r 8p & also Lower White close or Storrs Hill containing 4a 32p lying together in Horbury (the last two closes) abutting Horbury Bridge Rd. W & N; & Robert WALSHAW S; & late in the tenure of John & William ILLINGWORTH but now John BAINES (Ref: 1827 IX 213 207)

LAND CHANGES 1818 – 1827

1828

Joseph NETTLETON of Ossett, Butcher; Joseph BROOK of Ossett Clothier; John GREENWOOD Dewsbury, Surgeon & Robert NETTLETON of Batley, clothier 1st Pt. Harry Lees EDWARDS of Halifax Esq., the Other Pt. Release between Joseph NETTLETON, Joseph BROOK & John GREENWOOD 1st Pt Robert NETTLETON 2nd Pt Elizabeth NETTLETON, widow 3rd Pt, William BARKER, Sowthowram 4th Pt & Harry Lees EDWARDS 5th Pt. Of & concerning Little Common Close adjoining Great Common Close, containing 2a 30p (Ref: 1828 KG 56 60)

David CHARLESWORTH and Thomas & Joseph HEBBELTHWAITE of Netherton Hall 1st Pt. Geo TOMLINSON of Wakefield yeoman and Robert ARTHINGTON of Hunslet, Brewer the Other Pt. Of & concerning – East Cinder Hill, Low Rough, Near Rough, Lower Broom, Upper Broom closes and the north part of the Bridge Close. 24 a 20p. (Re Deed dated 21st June 1825 between Wm MILLS & John BOWER 1st Pt & David CHARLESWORTH 2nd Pt, Benjamin LOCKWOOD 3rd Pt & John CROWDER & OTHERS 4th Pt (SEE 1836 MN 29 23) (Ref:1828 KI 71 63) is this a mortgage?

1829

John KEMP of Sandal Magna & George ROBERTS of Wakefield devisees of Joshua ILLINGWORTH late of Sandal Magna deceased 1st Pt. Benjamin OAKES of Ossett the Other PT. Cow Pasture, 4a and also ?? 1r 20p, awarded to Francis MARSDEN By Commissioners of Inclosure Act. E by ancient land late of Francis MARSDEN. W by John GREENWOOD N by Horbury Bridge Rd & S by another allotment of Francis MARSDEN. And also Storrs Hill land 3r 6p E by ancient enclosure belonging to Francis MARSDEN W by John GREENWOOD N by another allotment of Francis MARSDEN & S by Joseph ILLINGWORTH which was purchased by the said Francis MARSDEN including all cottages, buildings etc. (Ref: 1829 KI 477 364)

1830

Benjamin BAINES – WILL All rights & interests in New Dyehouse at Healey. All the remainder of his Real Estate & of & concerning all his Land & Tenements vested in him or mortgaged In the presence of Thomas? Of Ossett, Gent., John DENTON, Thos. WILBY & hereby required to be registered by Samuel BAINES of Wilsden, Dissenting Minister, as Guardian of Thomas BAINES one of the Devisees named. (Ref: 1830 KT 547 513 5^th February)

Lease between Joseph NETTLETON, Joseph BROOKE, John GREENWOOD & Francis NETTLETON, Innkeeper, 1st Pt. Henry Lees EDWARDS, of Halifax the other Pt. Release being – same 4 names as before- 2nd Pt and Elizabeth NETTLETON, widow 3rd Pt; William BARBER, Southowram 4th Pt; Henry Lees EDWARDS 5th Pt. Great Common & Little Common now in the occupation of William ILLINGWORTH size 2a 1r 23p (see 1828) (Ref: 1830 KW 144 151)

1831

Lease between Edward HINCLIFFE of Cooper Bridge, York, Coal Merchant 1st Part and David GIGGAL the other Part, and Release between Edward HINCHLIFFE 1st Part and David GIGGAL 2nd Part and William RHODES of Horbury 3rd Part. Of and concerning all such part or parts…….close, piece, parcel of land situate at Ossett aforesaid being formerly part of the waste ground called Ossett Common and awarded by the Inclosure Act to Benjamin BAINES containing by admeasurement 1a 3r & 16p and in the tenure or occupation of the said Edward HINCHLIFFE, his assigns & undertenants (Ref: 1831 LA 304 266)

1832

William DAWSON, late of Outwood but now Stanley, Gent 1st Pt Sam’l ELLIS of Ossett clothier the Other Part & the Release between William DAWSON 1st Pt Reverend Thomas WESTMORELAND clerk 2nd Pt Benjamin OAKES of Ossett clothier 3rd Pt & Sam’l ELLIS 4th Pt, Joshua ELLIS 5th Pt Benj DIXON of Wakefield Gent 6th Pt. Of & Concerning all that messuage, dwellinghouse, yard, stables outbldgs etc. with cottage thereto adjoining. Also all that Close of Land called Near Laith Croft 6a 8p occupied by Benjamin OAKES. Also all that tenement, dwellinghouse with barn, outbldgs belonging. Also all that Close of Land called Far Laith Croft 4a 3r 31p now in the tenure of John WILSON Also all those cottages adjoining in the occupation of William LITTLEWOOD & Thomas DAWSON? Now or late of Titus FOZZARD & Benj FOZZARD, Near Laith Croft 5a 3r & Far Laith Croft 4a 1r 20p. Now or late of John CROWDER S & W and the Horbury Bridge Rd, N & E Also cottage adjoining close called the Near Laith Close 37p and close containing 5a 3r 13p Also close called Far Laith Croft 4a 1r 20p; allotment nearby containing 17p & other allotment containing 2r 22p (Ref: 1832 LI 156 154)

1833

John GREENWOOD, Ossett Surgeon 1st Pt. Thomas HEPWORTH Maltster 2nd Pt, Thomas HEPWORTH as Executor ???? 3rd Pt George GREENWOOD Surgeon and Sarah his wife (daughter of Thomas BARKER, dec’d. 4th Pt. John DIBB Pontefract, Linen Draper, Samuel HURST of Pontefract, Maltster and John TRUEMAN of same place, Banker, Trustees named in Last will & testament of Thos. BARKER dec’d 5th Pt & Roger HURST (trustee of the residue of the estate etc. (can’t read the 6th Pt) Of & Concerning all that land/meadow etc. Near Breary or Brier Ing 3a 3r 38p bounded by Wheat Royd N; Far Breary or Brier Ing S; and by Healey Lane W, late in the occupation of John GREENWOOD but now Mrs Hannah PARKER, which same close is also described in same Indenture of Release as the Brier Ing and as containing 4a. Also all that close of land called the Near Master Close cont 1a 2r 38p late in occupation of John GREENWOOD but now William ELLIS. Also all that close adjoining called the Far Master Close 3a 1r 20p bounded by the Far Brier Ing W; Pale Close NE, property of Mr CROWTHER E; property in occupation of Abraham ARCHER S also described in Indenture of Lease & Release; 9p. Also all that close called the New Close 2a 2r in the occupation of Thos DEWS but now Robt CLAY? Bounded by Dimple Wells etc. Also other land not in same area.(Ref: 1833 LK 610 558)

Isaac? LODGE late of Ossett, now Wortley cotton manufacturer 1st Pt William BATT Of Manchester, Hannah his wife 2nd Pt. David GIGGAL of Giggal Hill, Yeoman 3rd Pt & Joseph ILLINGWORTH Butcher 4th Pt. Of & concerning such pt or pts as if of freehold & held by Deed all that close of land situate at Storge Hill (sic) called Common Side Close or Storrs Hill Close 3a 2r formerly in tenure of John RAYNER but now David GIGGAL his assigns etc. (Ref: 1833 LN 505 486)

BECKETT – RHODES, Benjamin DIXON, Josh THORNS, Maltster etc. Several closes Laith, Middle, Low – and Wheat Royd 9a 2r Plots 104 & 46 or just 45 & 46? (Ref: 1833 LQ 426 437)

1834

Mary ILLINGWORTH, widow, Joshua DEWS of Ossett, Mason & Elizabeth his wife & Thomas SHAW Snr Wakefield, Ironmonger 1st Pt.Joseph BRIGGS the Other Pt. Release between Mary ILLINGWORTH, widow, Joshua DEWS of Ossett, Mason & Elizabeth 1st Pt, Thomas SHAW Snr 2nd Pt and Joseph BRIGGS 3rd Pt. Of & concerning Cottage/Dwelling with garden and allotment adjoining situate on Ossett Common containing 1r 2ps bounded by Horbury Bridge Rd and by allotment of John WILBY and also allotment at Ossett Common End 1a 36ps & described in Ossett Inclosure Award as – E by Horbury Bridge Rd & Duke of Leeds & the said John WILBY. S by David GIGGALL & which said cottages are in occupation of Joseph CLEGG & Geo PICKARD etc… (Ref: 1834 LS 337 358)

John AKED of Thornhill, Gent 1st Pt. Mary BENTLEY of Legrams, Bradford widow, 2nd Pt. & Joseph THORNES of Ossett, Gent 3rd Pt. Messuage/Dwelling, Maltkiln Engine, House, Steam Engine etc at Sowood Green, also several closes The Laith Croft, Middle Croft, Low Croft & Wheat Royd. The 3 first mentioned now forming 1 close containing 9a 2r. heretofore the estate of William BINGLEY, then Robert FLIGG. Also allotments in Ossett and also at Sowood Green 1p E by Encroachment belonging to Overseers of the Poor, W by ancient premises belonging to Joshua THORNES, N by Healey Lane Road & S by allotment awarded to Joshua THORNES. Also other allotments on Sowood Green consisting 1r 10p. E by Horbury Bridge Rd., W by Ossett Green Rd., N by allotment awarded to David DEWS & Duke of Leeds & S by allotment awarded to Joseph THORNES. Also other allotments on Sowood Green (including an encroachment containing 33p. E by Ossett Green Rd., W by ancient premises now or late of Joshua THORNES, N by encroachment of Overseers of the Poor & S by allotment. awarded to James CONINGTON, John LOFT and Eliz. CODD. Also other allotment at Ossett Common End 1r 12p E by Horbury Bridle Road, W by allotment awarded to James BRIGGS N by award of David GIGALL & S by award to Joshua THORNES THE ELDER!!! and in all that close of land/meadow called the Ox Close, formerly stated to contain 4a but since found to contain 5a 1r 10p and which last mentioned close was the estate of Robert FLIGG & purchased of him or his Trustees by Joseph THORNES, the father of Joshua and all that other close called Oldroyd Hill 3a 3r 3p (now 4a 10p) late of the estate of Samuel Bennett SMITH ( Ref: 1834 SF 712 785)

LAND CHANGES 1828 – 1834

1835

Joseph TOMLINSON 1st Pt Nathan MITCHELL of Ossett Common the Other Pt. 2 cottages, dwellings etc. belonging, adjoining Ossett Lights and sometime in tenure of Thomas CLEGG & Wm BUTTERFIELD & later converted into 3 cotttages occupied by Joseph TOMLINSON, Joseph SMITH and Benjamin BATTYE & also all that land called the Low (or Near) Croft ?containing 1 acre and ? perches & now in the occupation of Nathan MITCHELL (near plot 104) (Ref: 1835 MA 66 45)

1836

Jonathan GIGGAL of Giggal Hill clothier & Mary his wife 1st Pt George BRIGGS clothier of Ossett 2nd Pt & James BRIGGS 3rd Pt. Of & Concerning all that allotment of land on Ossett Common 3r 27p bounded E by Horbury Bridge Rd. W by allotment awarded to James? BRIGGS N by allotment awarded to John FARRER? S by allotment late of Geo. PICKARD? but now George BRIGGS etc. (Ref: 1836 ME 701 676 )

Joseph BRIGGS to William ???? 2a 20p named ‘One Acre’??? illegible ( Ref: 1836 MF 131 136 ) Is this on Ossett Common End ???

Wm MILLS & John BOWER, devisees of John CROWDER 1st Pt and Thos. WHITE the Other Pt. Release between Wm MILLS & John BOWER 1st Pt, Edwd HINCHCLIFFE,Gent 2nd Pt., Thomas WHITE 3rd Pt & John Sanderson ARCHER, Gent 4th Pt. Of & concerning Veins & Seams of Coal lying under the several closes of arable & pasture, named Low Master Close 5a 16p and Middle Master Close 3a 2r 34p, lately in the tenure and now lately David CHARLESWORTH, his assigns etc. (see 1824 IC 430 408) (Ref: 1836 MG 208 183)

John SCHOLEFIELD 1st Pt Francis NETTLETON of Wkfd Innkeeper 2nd Pt John NETTLETON of Storrs Hill Gent. 3rd Pt. Re decease of Elizabeth NETTLETON ? & also all messuages/cottages bldgs closes of land etc. situate at Storrs Hill which the said Elizabeth NETTLETON now enjoys for the term of her natural life?? the same 6th Pt which Francis NETTLETON is entitled to at the……I.can’t understand all this? (Ref: 1836 MG 232 207)

Memorial of an Indenture of Lease and Release bearing dates 3rd and 4th of August 1836 between William MILLS of York and John BOWER of Southall in the said County, Gent, Surviving trustees of the last Will & Testament of John CROWDER the Elder late of Brotherton in the said County, Esq., deceased, of the 1st Part and Benjamin MARSDEN of Storge (sic) Hill in Ossett in the said County, Skinner of the Other Part and the Release made BETWEEN the said William MILLS and John BOWER of the 1st Part, the said John BOWER of the 2nd Part the said Benjamin MARSDEN of the 3rd Part and John MARSDEN of Ossett aforesaid Clothier of the 4th Part. All and Concerning all that close, piece or parcel of land situate, lying and being at Storge Hill in the township of Ossett aforesaid called the Low Great Close, being formerly part of a close of land formerly called ‘Speight’ Close otherwise Storrs Hill Close but afterwards called Great Close and now divided into 2 closes called the Upper Great Close & Low Great Close, containing by admeasurement 4 acres and 21 perches, more or less, formerly in the occupation of Richard HOPWOOD subsequently Messrs John and William ILLINGWORTH, late of Joseph ILLINGWORTH and now of the said Benjamin MARSDEN and also a right of way or roadway ? the width of fifteen feet lately formed over and upon the northwest side of the said Close also the Upper Great Close being the remainder of the said Close called Great Close with full and free liberty to the said Benjamin MARSDEN, his heirs & assigns, servants appointees with carts and carriages, horses, asses, labourers etc., to pass & repass etc. (usual stuff afterwards about coal & other rights) (Ref: 1836 MK 415 418) 62 & 67 ??

William MILLS of York Esq John BOWER Of Southall.? York, Gent 1st Pt between John BOWER 1st Pt Benj. OAKES 2nd Pt and Samuel ELLIS of Ossett Manufacturer, trustee named by or on behalf of Benjamin OAKES of the 3td Pt. Of & Concerning; All that Allotment……..containing 3a 1r 20p known as Storrs Hill Allotment now in the tenure or occupation of Benj. OAKES & which said hereditaments & premises described as LOT 15? – E by Horbury Bridge Rd W & N by John CROWDER the elder, late of Brotherton, dec’d & S by Joseph TOLSON. (re Commissioners of Inclosure Act 1807 – 13) And also all that singular one moiety or equal half part into 2 equal parts?? (Ref: 1836 ML 497 469) IS THIS A MORTGAGE??

1838

David CHARLESWORTH to Manchester & Leeds Railway. Land in Ossett required for railway. Done by Deed Poll 1a 1r 15ps (Ref: 1838 MW 585 538)

1839

William MILLS and John BOWER Trustees of John CROWDER 1st Pt and John GAWTHORPE Cloth Miller of Horbury Bridge the Other Pt. 2 Closes formerly 1 close called the Lower Ing but now divided into 2 closes called Lower Brier Ing 1a 3r 26p and Upper Brier Ing 2a 1r 2p now in the occupation of Thomas MOSS (Ref: 1839 ND 685 651)

William MILLS and John BOWER 1st Pt and David CHARLESWORTH. the Other Pt North bank of the River Calder – now divided into 2 pts 4a 1r 14p, formerly Richard HOPWOOD later John THOMAS, but now John MOSS- The Great Peacock Close 5a; Lower Long Close 3a 3r 19p, The Gt Rough Close 6a 3r 3p and the West…. hill 4a 1r 3p late in the occupation of Michael PARKER, since of Widow Parker & now recently erected & converted from 5 cottages with stables & outbuildings & also all that close of land adjoining called the Cow Pasture 4a and also land at Storrs Hill including the encroachment 1r 20p awarded by Commissioners of Inclosure Award to Francis MARSDEN E by Francis MARSDEN W by John GREENWOOD N by Horbury Bridge Rd., S by Francis Marsden And also other allotment on Storrs Hill cont. 3r 6p awarded to Francis MARSDEN described as bounded by Francis MARSDEN W by John GREENWOOD N by Francis MARSDEN, S by Joseph ILLINGWORTH, purchased by Francis MARSDEN of the Commissioners which 5 cotts/bldgs/closes etc., mentioned in the description formerly occupied by Joseph ILLINGWORTH, Isaac BARKER, Francis MARSDEN, Sam’l AUDSLEY, Wm. MARSDEN & Joseph BATTYE – now occupied by Nancy OAKES, the elder; Messrs OAKES & David WILBY ( Ref: 1839 NE 201 185)

WESTMORELAND TO ELLIS Thomas WESTMORLAND clerk, Vicar of Sandal Magna 1st Pt. Samuel ELLIS of Ossett, clothier the Other Pt. Messuage/ tenement/ dwellinghouse with yard, shops**, barn, stable etc. Theretofore belonging with cottage thereto adjoining. Also all that close of land called (including buildings) Near Laith Croft. 6a 8ps. late in the tenure of Benjamin OAKES and now Samuel ELLIS. Also all that other messuage/ dwelling etc. belonging. And also that close of land called Far Laith Croft to the said messuage/ dwelling etc belonging containing 4a 3r 31p late in the occupation of John WILSON. Also cottages/ tenements adjoining late tenure of William LITTLEWOOD & Thomas NEWSOME all before described now or late of John CROWDER. S & W and the Horbury Bridge Rd. N & E all messuage adjoining etc. 37p and all that close called the Near Laith Close 4a 3r 13p and close called Far Laith Close 4a 1r 20p. Also allotment adjoining containing 17p and other allotment 2r 25p (Ref: 1839 NE 48 46) MORTGAGE ???? (** These are not shops as we know them, probably weaving shops etc.)

John BOWER, trustee of John CROWDER dec’d 1st Pt. George GREENWOOD the other Pt. Release between John BOWER 1st & 2nd Pt; George GREENWOOD 3rd Pt & Thomas GREENWOOD of Dewsbury 4th Pt. Of & concerning ‘Wheat Royd’ 4a 3r 20p, formerly occupied by Joseph THORNES IN 1??8 THEN Isaac & Abraham WARD W by Healey Lane E by George GREENWOOD (Ref: 1839 NH 507 447) (VERY DIFFICULT TO READ!)

Mark CLEGG of Ossett, clothier & Jemima his wife 1st Pt. Joshua ELLIS of Ossett clothier the other Pt . Close of land at Storge hill called Common side close, or Horse Close 3a 2r. Formerly occupied by John RAYNER, afterwards David GIGGALL & now the Devisees of the Will of Mark CLEGG (Ref: 1839 NI 398 455)

1840

Lease between John BOWER, Gent (surviving trustee of John CROWDER the elder, dec’d of the 1st Pt. Release between John BOWER the 2nd Pt & Geo PICKARD of Ossett 3rd Pt & George PRESTON of Horbury 4th Pt All that.???.. called the Over or Upper Master Closes (now divided into parts) containing 4a 2r 2p now in the occupation of George WARD. Together with all rights etc to and from South Corner of Lower Pale Close. (Ref: 1840 NM 512 543) (PLOT 36 )

John BOWER 1st Pt John BRIGGS the Other Pt. Release to George BRIGGS 1r – north end of inclosure adjoining SOWOOD HOUSE (Is this Sowood Farm?)1a 3p awarded to John CROWDER (Ref: 1840 NQ 147 124)

John BOWER Trustee of Will of John CROWDER dec’d. 1st Pt George GREENWOOD the Other Pt. 2 dwellings on Sowood Green, 30p. Also land containing. 1r 10p. E by Ossett Green Rd.,W by land before described, N by allotment of Duke of Leeds S by Joseph INGHAM & Elizth his wife, (awarded by Inclosure Act). Also the Croft, containing 1a 8p. Also Lower Pale Close 4a formerly in the occupation. of John Wm ILLINGWORTH ( Ref: 1840 NQ 148 126)

John BOWER Trustee of Will of John CROWDER dec’d 1st & 2nd Pt George GREENWOOD & Sarah 3rd Pt & John DIBB & Sam’l HURST 4th Pt ‘Broomcroft’ 6a 3r 14p also Upper Pale Close 7a 2r 7p in occupation of John & Wm ILLINGWORTH in 1805 but now Abraham WARD (Ref: 1841 NT 629 493)

1841

Benj. MARSDEN of Storge Hill, skinner, 1st Pt Thomas Mitchell CHARLESWORTH of Horbury Solicitor 2nd Pt David CHARLESWORTH of Horbury Bridge, Farmer & Cloth Miller 3rd Pt. Of & concerning that close of land at Storge hill in Ossett & Horbury, Low Great Common Close formerly part of a close called Speight Close or Storrs Hill Close and now divided into 2 called Upper Great Close and Low Great Close 4a 21p in the occupation of Richard HOPWOOD, subsequently Messrs, John & William ILLINGWORTH, afterwards Joseph T?? late of the said Benj MARSDEN & now T. M. CHARLESWORTH. Also right of way etc. width of 15 feet lately formed upon the NW side of the said close (Upper Low Gt Close) (Ref:1841 OD 413 325)

Benjamin MARSDEN Junr (Born 1800) died in 1844 aged 43. (Jane his wife died prior to him on 5^th April 1840) leaving a daughter Sarah Ann MARSDEN (born 1833) For more information about the MARSDEN families please see my “Clarendon Villas” project on my website (horburyandossettfamilyhistory.net)

LAND CHANGES 1835 – 1842

HEALEY TO DENTON LANE 1843 TITHE MAP WITH OWNERS NAMES – JPS

1844

Mark CLEGG of Ossett, clothier & Jemima his wife 1st Pt. Joshua ELLIS of Ossett clothier 2nd Pt. Joshua ILLINGWORTH of Ossett, Butcher & Robert ILLINGWORTH clothier 3rd Pt & George PICKARD of Ossett Woolllen Manufacturer & Shopkeeper 4th Pt & George PRESTON of Horbury, shopkeeper 5th Pt. All that close of land at Storge Hill – Commonside Close or Horse Close 3a 2r formerly in the possession of John RAYNER, his assigns then David GIGALL & now or lately Mark CLEGG. (Ref: 1844 OX 128 143)

John SCHOLEFIELD of Horbury 1st Pt Robert NETTLETON of Batley 2nd Pt Joseph THORNES 3rd Pt. Messuage/Dwelling and half an acre of land at Sowood Green occupied by Joshua DEWS. Also 3 cottages in front lately occupied by John Whitaker, Grace Lodge & Rachael Giggal. Also 2 Blacksmiths Shops (Ref:1844 OY 477 458)

1845

Richard TOLSON of Bradford, Gent, Edwin GREENWOOD of Keighley & Sophia Ann BUTTERFIELD of Southport, widow 1st Pt. Joseph THORNES 2nd Pt & John AKED of Bradford & Nathan BENTLEY of Horton, Worsted Manufacturer 3rd Pt, Messuage/dwelling with maltkiln at Sowwood Green and several closes- Laith Croft, Middle Croft & Low Croft (should these be LEE, not LAITH?) & Wheatroyd 9a 2r. Also other allotment 1r 10p E by Horbury Bridge Rd. W by Ossett Green Rd & N by allotments of David DEWS. Also Allotment 1p E by Church Wardens W by Ancient Premises of Josh THORNES N by Healey Rd S by Josh THORNES. Also other allotment 1r 10p E by Horb Bridge Rd., W by Ossett Green Rd N by allotments of David DEWS & Duke of Leeds & S by .??. awarded to ..??….THORNES. Also other allotments including 33p E by Ossett Green Rd W by ancient premises of Josh THORNES N by Churchwardens & S by James CONINGTON John LOFT and Eliz. CODD. Also other allot. 1r 12p E by Horb Bridge Rd W by James BRIGGS N by allot of David GIGGAL & S by Josh THORNES the elder. Also in Ossett The Upper Ox Close 4a (but since found to be 5a 1r 10p) Also Oldroyd Hill 3a 3r 33p (but now 4a 10? p) (Ref: 1845 OZ 432 434)

Thomas CROWTHER of Liverpool. Merchant, Trustees of ….John CROWTHER Gent late of Brotherton deceased 1st Pt. John GAWTHORPE of Horbury Bridge, Cloth Miller 2nd Pt. Mary BAYLDON of Horbury spinster 3rd Pt. Land in Ossett now divided into 2 parts called ‘ Upper Cherry Tree Close’ (Plot 35 in 1843) containing 4a 2r 9p. the former estate of John CROWTHER and now in the occupation of Martha FARRER. (1843 plots 34 & 35 owned by William Mosley PERFECT (Ref: 1845 PE 429 438)

1845

Lease & Release – Thomas CROWTHER of Liverpool. Merchant, Trustees of ….John CROWTHER Gent late of Brotherton deceased – Last Will & Testament of John CROWTHER 1st Pt George LISTER of Horbury Bridge Miller 2nd Pt & John BAYLDON Gent the 3rd Part. All that close piece/parcel of land situate in Ossett called ‘The Upper Long Close’ containing 4a 29p now in the occupation of Widow FARRER together with appts, subject to a foot, horse & carriage road 15ft wide now enjoyed for all purposes over & along the S end & part of the W side of the said close saving & excepting mines etc. (Ref: 1845 PE 429 439)

BOWER Exors to CROWDER & others (made 10th April Reg. 5th May); Benj. HEMSWORTH, of Monk Fryston Hall & Elizabeth his wife (formerly Elizabeth BOWER spinster) John HEAP of Scarborough, Gent. Edward Lake HEAP of Huddersfield Gent & John Crowder PERFECT of Settle Esq. – the Executors of John BOWER late of Smeathalls, Co of York Gent. dec’d the last surviving trustee of John CROWDER, then late of Brotherton dec’d (known as John CROWDER the Testator) 1st Pt – Benjamin HEMSWORTH & Elizabeth (the only child & heiress at law of John BOWER 2nd Pt. Eliza Frances CROWDER of Cheltenham, spinster, Rev John Hutton CROWDER of Edinburgh, clerk, Edward Forster CROWDER Lieut. In Her Majesty’s 6th Reg. of Foot, stationed in Dublin, William Goodwin CROWDER of Cheltenham, Gent, Anne Julia CROWDER same place, spinster & Thomas Mosley CROWDER the six only children of John CROWDER, then late of Cheltenham, a Colonel in the Army, dec’d, one of the children of the said John CROWDER The Testator and thereafter referred to as John CROWDER the son – of the 3rd Pt Thomas CROWDER of Liverpool, Merchant, another child of John CROWDER the Testator the 4th Part Julia MALLORY of Wilton House, Chester, widow (formerly Julia CROWDER spinster another of the children of John CROWDER Testator 5th Pt The said John Crowder PERFECT, William Mosley PERFECT of Pontefract, Gent, William BROUGHTON of Cheltenham Captain in the Royal Navy and Eliza his wife (formerly Eliza PERFECT spinster, Charles PERFECT of Tickhill Co of York, Surgeon, Frank PERFECT of Leeds, Merchant, Catherine PERFECT of Settle, Spinster, Henry Goodwin PERFECT, of Bradford, Merchant, Frances Lucy PERFECT, Lucy Julia PERFECT and Emma PERFECT all of Settle, spinsters, (All children of John PERFECT, late of Pontefract, Banker, dec’d and Elizabeth his wife, also dec’d (formerly Elizabeth CROWTHER spinster & another of the children of John CROWDER the Testator) 6th Pt. The said Thomas CROWDER, Wm Mosley PERFECT & Charles PERFECT 7th Pt OF & CONCERNING Messuage/Dwellinghouse, formerly 2 dwellings, barns, stables etc., several parcels of land: The Allotment 1a 3p; The Lane 1r 19p; The Little Croft 1r 18p; The Great Croft 1a 1r 27p; The Near Park 3a 3r 10p; The Far Park 3a 1r; The Warren Close 8a 2r 2p; The Lane End Close 6a 2r 6p – All situate in Ossett, formerly occupied by John and William ILLINGWORTH but then Sam’l WARD. ALSO in Ossett Upper Cherry Tree Close – divided into 2 closes containing together 4a 2r 9p in the occupation of Martha FARRER. Quarry Close 6a 3r 38p occupied by Sam’l WARD; Near Laith Croft & Far Laith Croft together 5a 1r 23p occupied by Edward HANSON; Upper Long Great Close 5a 2r 18p occupied by Benj OAKES. (Ref: 1845 PF 190 186)

1846

Thomas CROWDER, Wm Mosley PERFECT and Charles PERFECT 1st Pt; David ELLIS 2nd Pt; Samuel OAKES Manuf. Chemist 3rd Pt & Joseph ELLIS Chemist 4th Pt. All that land called the 5 Warren Closes formerly part of Warren Close now divided into 3 – Near, Mid & Far Warren Close 3a Bounded by the Mid Warren Close sold to Samuel ELLIS on the N; by property of Mr OAKES on the S; a public highway from Ossett to Horbury Bridge on the E and by the Lane End Close, sold to Geo. PICKARD on the W, formerly in the occupation of John & Wm ILLINGWORTH, then Samuel WARD, then John HILL and now Samuel OAKES (Ref:1846 PL 655 658)

Thomas CROWDER, Wm Mosley PERFECT and Charles PERFECT 1st Pt David ELLIS 2nd Pt. Samuel ELLIS Cloth Manuf. 3rd Pt. All the south end or remainder of the large Barn Fold adjoining Little Barn, Mistal, Stable etc 3r 3p divided from the north end of the remainder of the large Barn fold yd & from messuage/dwellings, croft & other premises from Lot 1 at auction of estates of late John CROWDER the Testator. All those 3 closes called by several names – Near Warren Close being formerly part of Warren Close & now in 3 closes Near, Middle & Far Warren Closes containing 2a 2r 2p and The LANE 1r 19p all which south end of the large Barn Close situated in Ossett formerly in the occupation of John & Michael ILLINGWORTH, then Samuel WARD and now David ELLIS. together with all rights etc. (Ref: 1846 PL 656 659)

Thomas CROWDER, Wm Mosley PERFECT and Charles PERFECT 1st Pt; David ELLIS 2nd Pt. Samuel ELLIS Cloth Manuf. 3rd Pt. And David ELLIS 4th Pt. All that Close called Middle Warren Close. N by Warren Close S by Far Warren Close E by public highway from Ossett to Horbury Bridge and W by Lane End Close. (Ref: 1846 PL 657 660)

Thomas CROWDER, Wm Mosley PERFECT and Charles PERFECT 1st Pt George PRESTON Shopkeeper of Horbury 2nd Pt & Ann PRESTON Spinster 3rd Pt. Quarry Close 6a 3r 38p (subject to occupation road 15′ wide over the south side).(Ref:1846 PL 658 661)Thos CROWDER; Wm. Mosley PERFECT; & Charles PERFECT 1st Pt. Geo PICKARD Grocer, 2nd Pt Geo PRESTON of Hbry 3rd pt. All that close of land in Ossett called the Lane End Close 6a 2r 6p (Ref: 1846 PM 558 597)

Thomas CROWDER; Wm. PERFECT; & Charles PERFECT 1st Pt. Benj TERRY, Gent of Bolton Cottage, Calverley. The Other Pt. Close of land – Lower Pale Close 3a 1r 30p and also those 2 closes Near Laithe Croft 2a 1r 11p & Far Laithe Croft 3a 12p occupied by Edward HANSON (Ref: 1846 PR 391 410)

William OAKES of Flanshaw, Yarn Manufacturer 1st Pt Nancy OAKES the elder of Storrs Hill, widow 2nd Pt. The said William OAKES, Sam’l OAKES of Ossett Manufacturer,, thereafter described as the younger, Henry OAKES and Philip OAKES both of Flanshaw, Yarn Manufacturers , Hannah OAKES, Nancy OAKES the younger and Eliza OAKES all of Storrs Hill, spinsters 3rd Pt and Samuel OAKES of Huddersfield Grocer thereafter described as the Elder 4th Pt. Of & concerning all that freehold allotment etc with barn, stable foldstead etc recently erected upon part of the allotment by Benjamin OAKES situate at Storrs Hill containing by admeasurement with the said farm premises 3a 1r 29ps known as Storrs Hill Allotment, late in the tenure of Benj OAKES dec’d but now Hannah OAKES bounded E by Horbury Bridge Rd W & N by ancient Inclosure formerly of John CROWDER dec’d & S by allotment awarded to Joseph TOLSON on Ossett Incl Act. And all & singular one undivided moiety or equal half part the whole into 2 equal parts to be divided ……….. and in all that messuage/dwelling with 2 cottages etc. recently erected & converted from 5 cottages with stables & outbldgs. And also all that close of land adjoining called the COW PASTURE 4a and also allotment of land at Storrs Hill including the incroachment 1r 20p awarded by Commissioners of Inclosure Act to Francis MARSDEN E by Francis MARSDEN W by John GREENWOOD N by Horb Bridge Rd S by Francis MARSDEN W by Joseph GREENWOOD N by Francis MARSDEN S by Joseph ILLINGWORTH purchased by Francis MARSDEN of the Commissioners which 5 cottages bldgs, closes etc mentioned in the description formerly occupied by Joseph ILLINGWORTH, Isaac BARKER, Francis MARSDEN, Saml AUDSLEY, Wm MARSDEN & Joseph BATTYE – now occupied by Nancy OAKES the elder, Messrs OAKES & David WILBY (Ref: 1846 PR 397 379)

1847

Thomas CROWDER; Wm. PERFECT; & Charles PERFECT 1st Pt. Benj. TERRY the other Pt. Of & concerning Upper Low Great Close 5a 2r 18p late in the occupation of Benj. OAKES. (Ref: 1847 PX 203 195)

1848

LISTER to SCHOLEFIELD Mortgage. George LISTER of Horbury Bridge, cloth miller 1st Pt & John SCHOLEFIELD Gent the other Pt. 4a 20p- late in the occupation of Widow FARRAR but now George LISTER. All that close piece/parcel of land situate in Ossett called The Upper Long Close Together with dwellings, outbuildings etc erected or being erected (Ref: 1848 PX 628 626)

1849

George LISTER (now residing near Horbury Bridge), township of Ossett Cloth Miller 1st Pt John SCHOLEFIELD of Horbury Gent the other Pt. All that close piece/parcel of land situate in Ossett called ‘The Upper Long Close’ all that messuage & dwellings erected and all alterations and improvements thereon. Tog with appts etc. (Ref:1849 QG 542 588) (Don’t understand these two deeds!)

Richard HIRD? Of Huddersfield Gent 1st Pt Ann PRESTON spinster of Wakefield 2nd Pt & Geo. PRESTON Farmer & Geo. PICKARD 3rd Pt. All that close of land called Quarry Close in Ossett 6a 3r 38p formerly in occupation of Wm. ILLINGWORTH, then Samuel WARD, late of John HILL & now …….CROWTHER subject to Occupation Rd., 15′ wide over the South side or end to be forever repaired etc., by Geo PRESTON & Geo PICKARD. their assigns etc. Other rights mentioned – lanes near Warren Close (David ELLIS) Lane End Close (belonging to Geo PICKARD) (Ref: 1849 QK 188 210)

LAND CHANGES 1844 – 1850

1850

WILL OF JOHN MARSDEN. Of Storrs Hill, Ossett, skinner. 30th day of January 1850. (Died 11^th December 1849). Joseph Marsden of Storrs Hill Ossett, Fellmonger, the brother of the Testator John Marsden was sworn in as Executor. “I devise all real estates vested in me as mortgage or trustee with my Brother Joseph Marsden and my sister Hannah Marsden upon such trusts and subject to such equities as shall at my decease be subsisting, concerning, the same respectively. I give and devise the Dwellinghouse, Parlour, Shop and Croft of land situate on Giggle Hill in Ossett aforesaid now or late in the several occupations of myself, my brother Joseph Marsden and Philip Briggs with rights members and appurtenances unto my sister Hannah Marsden for and during the term of her natural life and upon her decease I give and devise the same Dwellinghouse, Parlour Shop & Croft of land unto my niece Sarah Ann Marsden, her heirs and assigns for ever. I give and devise my two fifths shares in Breary Mapplewell Close in Ossett aforesaid unto my sister Hannah Marsden for and during the term of her natural life and after her decease I give and devise the same 2/5ths shares in Breary Mapplewell Close unto my nephews John Marsden Laycock and Alfred Laycock. To hold to them their heirs and assigns for ever as Tenants in Common and not as Joint Tenants. I give and bequeath unto my niece Sarah Ann Laycock the legacy of £50 to be paid to her when she attains the age of 22 yrs by my Executor and Executrix hereinafter named. I give devise & bequeath all the residue and remainder of my real and personal estate not hereinbefore disposed of (but subject to the payment of my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses and the expenses of proving and registering this my Will), unto my said Brother Joseph Marsden, his heirs executors administrators and assigns. I appoint my said Brother Joseph Marsden and my sister Hannah Marsden Executor and Executrix of this my Will and I hereby revoke all former and other Wills by me heretofore made.

Witnessed & signed 12th December 1848

Sworn Under £200

Prerogative 5th March 1850

1852

John NETTLETON of Wkfd, Gent 1st Pt Benjamin TERRY of Bradford, Gent 2nd Pt; John BAYLDON of Horbury Gent, John HAGUE of Dewsbury Esq; Edward MEYNELL Esq., Robert SCOTT of Wkfd Esq., Devisees & Executors of John SCHOLEFIELD of Horbury deceased 3rd Pt. 1/6th part or share etc. in the messuage/dwelling house situate at Storrs Hill called SOWOOD HOUSE,(Sowood Farm??) formerly in the occupation of John NETTLETON deceased then Rev. ? BAYLDON & now Benjamin MARSDEN together with Barn, yard stable etc., & also all those 7 cottages at Storrs Hill & near to the said messuage in the several occupation of William BATLEY, Thomas PYRAH, George WOOD, Thomas HUNTINGTON, James JACKSON, Wm. BROADHEAD & Charles ALLEN. and other closes in Ossett known as CALF CROFT; THE ING; THE 2 OX CLOSES and the MAPPLEWELL otherwise LIGHTS & allotments adjoining 25a in the occupation of Charles H MITCHELL (Ref: 1852 RN 213 228)

1853

WILL of David ELLIS dated 19th Dec 1850. Dwelling in Ossett, where he dwelt, with workshops adjoining. Also Square Close or Square Brearey Ing in Healey Lane Side PROBATE to David ELLIS one of the Devisees (Ref: 1853 RB 719 1123)

Scholefield to Mitchell. Exors of Thomas HAIGH of Horbury Bridge. Thomas Mitchell 2nd Pt? 2 messuages/dwellings with shop & appts, formerly estate of David PICKARD the elder deceased NO DETAILS (Ref: 1853 RT 711 822)

1854

John PULLEIN of Wkfd Gent, Devisee of Thomas FOZARD, Benj BAINES & many others. Close called Brier Ing 3a (Ref: 1854 GA 458 564)

John AKED of Thornhill, Gent 1st Pt. Mary BENTLEY of Legrams, Bradford widow, 2nd Pt. & Joseph THORNES of Ossett, Gent 3rd Pt. Mess/Dwelling, Maltkiln Engine, House, Steam Engine etc at Sowood Green, also several closes The Laith Croft, Middle Croft, Low Croft & Wheat Royd. The 3 first mentioned now forming 1 close cont. 9a 2r. heretofore the estate of William BINGLEY, then Robert FLIGG. Also allotments in Ossett and also at Sowood Green 1p E by Incroachment belonging to Overseers of the Poor, W by ancient premises belonging to Josh. THORNES, N by Healey Lane Road & S by allotment awarded to Josh. THORNES. Also other allotments on Sowood Green consisting 1r 10p. E by Horbury Bridge Rd., W by Ossett Green Rd., N by allotment awarded to David DEWS & Duke of LEEDS & S by allotment awarded to Joseph THORNES. Also other allotments on Sowood Green (including an encroachment containing 33p. E by Ossett Green Rd., W by ancient premises now or late of Josh. THORNES, N by encroachment of Overseers of the Poor & S by allotment. awarded to James CONINGTON, John LOFT and Eliz. CODD. Also other allotment at Ossett Common End 1r 12p E by Horbury Bridle Road,*** W by allotment awarded to James BRIGGS N by award of David GIGALL & S by award to Joshua THORNES THE ELDER!!! and in all that close of land/meadow called the Ox Close, formerly stated to contain 4a but since found to contain 5a 1r 10p and which last mentioned close was the estate of Robert FLIGG & purchased of him or his Trustees by Joseph THORNES, the father of Joshua and all that other close called Oldroyd Hill 3a 3r 3p (now 4a 10p) late of the estate of Samuel Bennett SMITH (Ref: 1854 SF 712 785)

(Horbury Bridle Road is now Horbury Road)

1857

Will of Charles PERFECT (made 1842) of Bawtry, Apothecary. Probate granted to Richard CHAMBERS one of the Devisees. All his lands etc. (Ref: 1857 QB 722 1107)

Probate: Last Will & Testament of John Crowder PERFECT (dated 1st Aug 1838) formerly of Pontefract but now Settle. Probate granted to Elizabeth PERFECT, widow, the surviving devisee under the said Will (Ref: 1857 TB 255 442)

1858

LISTER & Mortgagees to HIRST, John BAYLDON Gent 1st Pt. John PICKERSGILL Tavistock Sq., Middx Merchant, Frederick Robert JONES of Birk House Almondbury Land Agent & Richard BATTYE of Brazenose College, University of Oxford, Esq. 2nd Pt. George LISTER of Ossett 3rd Pt and Roger HIRST of Horbury Yeoman 4th Pt. All that close piece/parcel of land situate in Ossett called ‘The Upper Long Close’ 4a 29p, formerly in the possession of Widow FARRER now George LISTER or his tenants ALSO all those several messuages & dwellings with outbuildings erected by the said GEORGE LISTER on the said close of land or some part of thereof and now in the respective occupation of the said George LISTER and of William DEWS & Abraham HELLEWELL . Tog with appts etc. (Ref: 1858 UI 183 215)

LAND CHANGES 1850 – 1858

1859

Joseph ELLIS of Ossett, Chemist & Druggist of the 1st Pt and John, Philip and Eli ELLIS, all of Ossett Cloth Manufacturers the Other Pt. All that one undivided 4th pt that Joseph ELLIS should be entitled to: Of and Concerning Firstly, all those 2 closes called Near Laith Croft and Far Laith Croft containing together (including the site of the mill, warehouse, cottages etc 10a 3r 39p. Bounded NE by Ossett Green Rd., SE by Storrs Hill, SW by land purchased by Joseph, John, Philip & Eli ELLIS of the Trustees of John CROWDER Esq and Secondly hereinafter described and NW by other land formerly of John CROWDER (and all that messuage/dwelling situate on the said close called the Near Laith Croft and lately in the occupation of Mary ELLIS dec’d. And also all warehouses, weaving shops, burling places, stables, cottages etc. now in the occupation of Joseph, John, Philip and Eli ELLIS. And also 2 cottages at the NE corner of the said close called Far Laith Croft and now or late in the occupation of Titus SMITH and William LITTLEWOOD. And also all that Mill, Manufacturing, Engine House, Boiler, Dyehouse, Reservoir etc. used for cloth manufacturing by Joseph, John Philip and Eli ELLIS and now in their occupation and all buildings erected and conveyed to Samuel ELLIS dec’d the father of the said parties (see 23rd June 1832 LI 156 154). Secondly land known as Near Laith Croft 2a 22r 10p and also messuage/dwelling on SW side of Near Laith Croft, now in the occupation of Joseph ELLIS and barn also in occupation of Joseph, John, Philip & Eli ELLIS and also cottages adjacent, said messuage now or late in occupation of John BEAUMONT and also land situated on NW side of the last described land known as The Near Park or Middle Park 3a 3r 10p and also the other close on NW side called Far Park 3a 1r which last described 3 closes are bounded NE by hereditaments first described, E by Storrs Hill, S & SW by hereditaments now or late of David ELLIS and NW by land formerly of John CROWDER and also 5 plots of land described in a certain sale of the estate of Joseph THORNES – Lots 10,11,12,13 & 14 situate on Ossett Common called Giggal Hill (see Indenture dated 23/2/1854 between Joseph THORNES 1st Pt and Joseph, John, Philip & Eli ELLIS the other PT) (Ref: 1859 UO 566 647)

Wm. HOLT, Gent 1st Pt. Richard CHARLESWORTH, Farmer the Other Pt. Several closes in Ossett – Little Peacock Close 3a 2r 30p; Great Peacock Close 5a 1r 3p; also West Cinder Hill 6a 3r 39p, East Cinder Hill 8a 19p and Bridge Close 10a 5p; all in possession of Richard CHARLESWORTH. Also equal half part share in Close of land at Horbury Bridge “Bottom of the Storrs Hill lane Close or ‘Jonas’? close containing 1a 3r. 5 dwellings in occupation of David CHARLEWORTH, Thomas BARSTOW, Samuel LEDGARD, Richard PICKARD, Joseph BROOKE & George ADAMSON but now or lately Richard CHARLESWORTH ( Ref: 1859 UP 283 318)

John GAWTHORPE of Healey, Innkeeper 1st Pt. Wm GAWTHORPE of Horbury Bridge, Cloth Miller & Ann CLAFTON of Healey, widow the Other PT. Two closes (formerly one close called the Lower Ing now divided into 2 closes and called several names) containing Lower Brier Ing 1a 3r 26p & Upper Brier Ing 2a 1r 2p. In the occupation of Thomas MOSS. And also that messuage used as an Inn called The Millers Arms with barn, stables etc. adjoining. formerly erected by John GAWTHORPE on one of the closes some time ago in his own occupation but now his son John GAWTHORPE the younger. And also all those 12 cottages, Millwright shop & other bldgs also erected by John GAWTHORPE on one of the closes & now in several occupations of John GAWTHORPE & other tenants. And also all that other close, now divided into 2 pts Upper Cherry Tree Close 4a 2r 9p. Together with all appts etc. (Ref: 1859 UQ 127 147) (See 1862 WP 569 626 and 1862 WU 652 684)

1861

Samuel OAKES of Huddersfield, Grocer 1st Pt William OAKES of Flanshaw, Yarn Manufacturer. Henry OAKES of Flanshaw, Gent, Nancy ELLIS (formerly OAKES) 2nd Pt and Eli ELLIS 3rd Pt. All that land with barns, stable etc, recently erected by Benjamin OAKES at Storrs Hill 3a 1r 29p called Storrs Hill Allotment, formerly in the tenancy of Benjamin OAKES Dec’d, then Hannah OAKES but now Eli ELLIS. Bounded E by Horbury Bridge Rd., W & N by Ancient Enclosures, formerly of John CROWDER dec’d., S by Joseph TOLSON (awarded to John Crowder on 1813 Incl Award) and all messuages/dwellings, 2 cottages, warehouses at Storrs hill (partly newly erected & partly from the 5 cottages already erected and all that land called the COW PASTURE 4a and also land at Storrs Hill 1a 20p (awarded to Francis MARSDEN in 1813) E by Ancient Enclosures late of Francis MARSDEN, W by John GREENWOOD (1813) N by Horbury Bridge Rd., and S by Francis MARSDEN and all that land at Storrs Hill 3r 6p (awarded to Francis MARSDEN) (Ref: 1861 WK 339 392)

1862

John, Philip & Eli ELLIS 1st Pt John HARGRAVE, of Burley 2nd Pt and Steven WHITHAM 3rd Pt. 2 closes – Nr Laith Croft and Far Laith Croft including Mill Warehouse, messuage etc 10a 3r & 39p. NE by Ossett Green Rd. SE by Storrs Hill? SW by land of the said J, P & E ELLIS- (Ref: 1862 WO 518 553) (LOTS MORE – I THINK ITS THE SAME AS 1866 ELLIS)

John WRIGHT Gent 1st Pt John GAWTHORPE of Ossett late an Innkeeper but now a Cloth Miller 2nd Pt and William SENIOR of Wakefield, Gent 3rd Pt. Two closes (formerly one close called the Lower Ing now divided into 2 closes and called several names) containing Lower Brier Ing 1a 3r 26p & Upper Brier Ing 2a 1r 2p. And also that messuage used as an Inn called The Miller Arms with barn, stables etc. adjoining. formerly erected by John GAWTHORPE on one of the closes some time ago in his own occupation but now his son John GAWTHORPE the younger. And also all those 12 cottages, Millwright shop & other bldgs also erected by John GAWTHORPE on one of the closes & now in several occupations of John GAWTHORPE & other tenants. And also all that other close, now divided into 2 pts Upper Cherry Tree Close 4a 2r 9p. Together with all appts etc. (Ref: 1862 WP 569 626)

John GAWTHORPE of Healey Cloth Miller 1st Pt William STEWART of Wakefield, Solicitor the Other Pt. Two closes (formerly one close called the Lower Ing now divided into 2 closes and called several names) containing Lower Brier Ing 1a 3r 26p & Upper Brier Ing 2a 2r 2p. formerly in occupation of Thomas MOSS then John GAWTHORPE but now John GAWTHORPE the younger. And also that messuage used as an Inn called The Miller Arms with barn, stables etc. adjoining. formerly erected by John GAWTHORPE on one of the closes some time ago in his own occupation but now his son John GAWTHORPE the younger. And also all those 12 cottages, Millwright shop & other bldgs also erected by John GAWTHORPE on one of the closes & now in several occupations of John GAWTHORPE & other tenants. And also all that other close, now divided into 2 pts Upper Cherry Tree Close 4a 2r 9p. formerly the estate of John CROWTHER dec’d, afterwards in occupation of Martha FARRER & lately John GAWTHORPE but now John GAWTHORPE the younger. Together with all appts etc. (Ref: 1862 WU 652 684) See 1862 WP 569 626 and 1859 UQ 127 147

LAND CHANGES 1859 – 1862

1863

Wm OAKES, & Joseph ELLIS 1st Pt. Thomas Edwin OAKES 2nd Pt , Ann OAKES the 3rd Pt and Eli ELLIS the 4th Pt. Far Warren Close (pt of Warren Close) 3a bounded by Samuel ELLIS, Mid Warren Close N, by …………..S by Public Highway from Ossett to Horbury Bridge, E and by the Lane End Close (sold to Geo. PICKARD) W (formerly in the occupation of John & William ILLINGWORTH then Samuel WARD, then John HILL, late of Samuel OAKES and now Eli ELLIS. And all that messuage, coachhouse, outbuildings etc. built on part of the close now in the occupation of Eli ELLIS, which was conveyed to Samuel OAKES deceased by Indenture (9th Oct 1856 between Thos CROWDER, Wm Mosley PERFECT and Charles PERFECT 1st Pt, David ELLIS 2nd Pt, Samuel OAKES 3rd Pt and Joseph ELLIS 4th Pt (Ref: 1863 XN 324 360)

John ILLINGWORTH of Storrs Hill 1st Pt & Francis BRIGGS Rag & Mungo Merchant the Other Pt. 2 closes of land (formerly in one) near & adjoining Storrs Hill & called Storrs Hill Close, formerly occupied by Joseph ILLINGWORTH the Elder, dec’d but now Joseph ILLINGWORTH with Dwellinghouse, stables, cowhouse etc. also occupied by Joseph ILLINGWORTH (Ref: 1863 XU 61 145)

1865

John ELLIS & Eli ELLIS

WR BANKING

Firstly Middle Warren Close (including buildings!)(now in 2 closes) 2a 3r 4ps Warren Close some time ago divided into 3 – Near, Middle & Far) North by David ELLIS; partly by William ELLIS (the remaining portion of Mid Warren Close) & partly by late Philip ELLIS. E by road from Ossett to Horbury Bridge and partly by said remaining portion of Middle Warren Close W & South by said Eli ELIS; W by Messrs PICKARD (formerly occupied by Simon SCHOLEFIED but now by the said John & Eli ELLIS. And also all that messuage or dwelling house with the ‘shopping?? And other outbldgs erected on part of the said close formerly in the occupation of Mrs ROLLINSON and Messrs NETTLETON

Secondly all that messuage or tenement near to the wharf of the Calder& Hebble Navigation at Horbury Bridge with the yard, stable & gardens adjoining formerly in the tenures of John HIRST and William HIRST (See Deed 1851) Proprietors of Calder & Hebble Navigation 1st pt & Joseph GAWTHORPE

Thirdly plot of land 3a 1r 32p (Ref: 1865 YL 752 813)

1866

Nathaniel GIGGAL, widower, Weaver 1st Pt; Henry SANDERSON Painter & Decorator the Other part. Plot of land at Ossett (formerly waste ground called Ossett Common End & awarded to David BAINES (by Comm. of Inclosure Award). E by Horbury Bridge Rd. W by Property of Reps. of late Geo. PICKARD, N by other property part of said allotment belonging to Nathaniel GIGGAL and S by the other part of said allotment sold by Nathaniel GIGGAL to William ALLAT & containing on the East end 15 yds W end 19 yds 6 inches, N 40 yds 15 inches & S 28 yds 6 inches and containing on the whole 500 sq yds (Ref: 1866 ZA 713 826)

Nathaniel GIGGAL, widower, Weaver 1st Pt; Edmund WILBY weaver (married since 1834) the other Pt. Plot of land 430 sq yds. set out from part of a close of land awarded to Benjamin BAINES who subsequently conveyed the same close to Edward HINCHLIFFE,who then conveyed it to David GIGGAL who devised the same to Nathaniel GIGGAL, Bounded E by and has a frontage of 10 yds to a public road leading from Horbury. W by a close of land belonging to David PICKARD. S by land recently sold by Nathaniel GIGGAL to Henry SANDERSON & N by other piece of land lately sold to Messrs Benjamin & Henry GIGGAL by Nathaniel GIGGAL (Ref: 1866 ZG 457 509)

Stephen WHITHAM of Harrogate 1st Pt and Joseph, Philip and Eli ELLIS of Ossett the other Pt. Plot sized 3a 2r 2&1third p; NW by Storrs hill Rd., ? by Ossett Green S and E by other hereditaments belonging to J.P & E ELLIS. Secondly Plot 7a 27 & 2/3 ps. NW by Storrs hill Rd., W & SW partly by John BRIGGS Devisees and partly by hereditaments of J. P & E ELLIS. AND ALL THAT MANSION HOUSE now in the course of erection and 2 other messuages with land and buildings etc. (Ref: 1866 ZH 94 108) (PARK HOUSE PLOT 48 ???)

DEED 1866 ( Ref ZH 95 109)

John ELLIS, Philip ELLIS, Eli ELLIS of Ossett, Cloth Manufacturers the 1st Pt, John and Eli ELLIS 2nd Pt, Philip ELLIS 3rd Pt and Edmund TEALE of Ossett, Bookkeeper 4th Pt. Of & concerning Plots of land, ‘Mansion house’**, (Is this the house named ‘Sowood House’ marked on the old map, also known as the ‘Manor House’?? ) dwelling House, hereditaments etc comprising the 1st of 2 schedules. Firstly plot of land at Ossett 3a 2r 2and 1 third p. Bounded NW by Storrs Hill Rd W by Ossett Green S & E by other hereditaments of J, P & E ELLIS. Secondly that other plot of land cont. 3a 1r 21 and 1 third p. Bounded NW by Storrs hill Rd W & S ????? partly by hereditaments belonging to John BRIGGS devisees & partly by other hereditaments belonging to J, P & E ELLIS on the SE by land & hereditaments described in the 2nd schedule & NE by land & hereditaments described in 2nd schedule and also that messuage/dwellinghouse with outbuildings upon the lastly described plot & now in the occupation of George HARRISON and John BEAUMONT all delineated on Plan (NO PLAN). Second Schedule plot of land cont 3a 1r 32p NW partly by hereditaments secondly described in First Schedule & partly by plot described on SW by other hereditaments to J, P & E ELLIS, SE side thereof by public footway and NE by land & hereditaments recently purchased by Philip ELLIS and also that MANSION HOUSE & outbuildings now in the course of erection (( “PARK HOUSE” ?)) on the said plot. Secondly, all that other plot of land in Ossett cont. 1r 14 and 1third p NW by Storrs hill Rd SW by land & hereditaments secondly described in the first schedule on the SE by part of land & hereditaments lastly thereon before described & NE partly by land & property of David ELLIS & partly by land & hereditaments recently purchased by Philip ELLIS (Ref: 1866 ZH 95 109)

Park House became Ossett Grammar School in September 1907

1866

David ELLIS of Ossett, Gent the 1st Pt, Philip ELLIS of Ossett, Cloth Manufacturer the Other Pt, Near Warren Close bounded SW by another plot of land lately purchased by Philip ELLIS of David ELLIS which also formed part of Near Warren Close. E by the remaining part belonging to David ELLIS and/ or to be separated by a fence belonging to Philip ELLIS on the N by property of Messrs ELLIS Bros. and S by Middle Warren Close conveyed to David ELLIS which included that portion of the said Road 15ft wide on the northern side thereof containing 1a 1r & 3ps Together with appts. re Indenture 9th Oct 1846 between Thomas CROWDER of Liverpool, Merchant; William Mosley PERFECT late of Pontefract but then of Lancaster Gent and Charles PERFECT of Tickhill, Surgeon? 1st Pt David ELLIS 2nd Pt and Samuel ELLIS of Ossett Cloth Manufacturer 3rd Pt (Ref 1866 ZK 538 592)

LAND CHANGES 1863 – 1866

1871

Charles DIXON of Morley, Manufacturer & Ann his wife 1st Pt; Eli ELLIS of Ossett Manufacturer the Other Pt. Of & concerning all that close, piece, parcel of land called the Far Warren Close (formerly part of Warren Close now divided into 3 – Near, Middle and Far Warren Close, containing 3a bounded by Middle Warren Close (sold to Samuel ELLIS) north by property belonging to ………..(blank) South by the Public Highway from Ossett to Horbury Bridge, East by Lane End Close (sold to George PICKARD) which said close/land was formerly in the occupation of John & Wm ILLINGWORTH, afterwards Sam’l WARD, then John HILL, late of the said Sam’l OAKES and now of the said Eli ELLIS. And all that messuage/dwellinghouse, coachhouse, outbldgs etc. ERECTED on part of the said close now in the occupation of Eli ELLIS and all other hereditaments described in an indenture dated 12th June 1863 between Eli ELLIS 1st Pt and Ann DIXON (then OAKES) spinster the Other Pt. etc……..15th June (Ref: 1871 658 405 485)

1875

Memorial of a Will, George BRIGGS late of Ossett Manufacture dated 15th Nov 1869. All his third part or share in the Storrs Hill Mill, Mill yard, Stables and Warehouse etc. Also, dwellinghouse, kitchen with vacant ground in front at South Ossett occupied by his son David BRIGGS. Also third share in Public House, Beerhouse and 12 cottages, weaving shop etc. Will required by Emma RHODES (Nee BRIGGS) one of the Devisees. Will witnessed 8/3/1875 (Ref: 1875 733 231 239)

1876

Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England 1st Pt James Henry McCHEARE of Leeds Cleric in Holy Orders 2nd Pt & Joshua ELLIS, Cloth Manufacturer 3rd Pt. Land in Ossett containing 1a 7ps now in the occupation of Benjamin WILSON (No Description) AND same date & details 1st & 2nd Pt George HARROP 3rd Pt. 2a 2r 13p occupied by Messrs Jessop RUDDLESDEN (Ref: 1876 751 468 530 & 531)

1877

John HARROP of Sth Ossett & Elizabeth his wife 1st Pt. Francis BRIGGS of Ossett, Gent the Other Pt. All those 2 closes of land arable meadow or pasture (formerly one close) situate near to & adjoining on Storrs Hill Sth Ossett, known as Storrs Hill Close, formerly occupied by Joseph ILLINGWORTH the elder, dec’d, then Wm ILLINGWORTH, dec’d, lately John ILLINGWORTH dec’d but now John HARROP and all that dwelling house, ‘shopping’ stable or cowhouse & other buildings erected & built on the 2 closes of land. Together with rights etc. (Ref: 1877 793 330 380) (Harrop’s wife was Elizabeth Illingworth)

1878

WILL of Philip ELLIS late of Park House, Ossett , Woollen cloth Merchant and Manufacturer dated 26th August 1874. All messuages, dwellings, mills etc. – probate to Eli ELLIS one of the Devisees named in the Will. (Ref: 1878 807 274 326)

1879

Memorial of Indenture dated 14/12/1878 Between Thomas SENIOR? Solicitor 1st Pt, Jane GAWTHORPE of Healey, widow, Edmund BRIGGS cloth manufacturer & Joseph THORPE of Horbury Bridge, millwright 2nd Pt. Squire GAWTHORPE of Healey, Cloth Fuller 3rd Pt, Sarah GAWTHORPE, widow 4th Pt & the Local Board for the Dist. of Ossett cum Gawthorpe; hereafter called the “Local Board” 5th Pt. Piece of land at Healey 1a 3r. N by land of Ossett & Horbury Gas Co., S by Chas. WHEATLEY E by Trustees of Geo. GREENWOOD W by other land of the trustees of John GAWTHORPE the elder. The said piece is part of 2 closes formerly 1 close called Lower Ing, then divided into 2, called by several names & containing the Lower Brier Ing 1a 3r 26p and the Upper Brier Ing 2a 1r 2p formerly in the occupation of Thos. MOSS but which is now 1 close in the occupation of the Local Board (Ref: 1879 827 66 68)

LAND CHANGES 1867 – 1880

1881

Francis BRIGGS- Gent 1st Pt, Elizabeth HARROP, wife of John 2nd Pt and George HARROP, Cloth Manufacturer 3rd Pt. 2 Closes of land formerly 1 close near to & adjoining Storrs Hill in Sth Ossett & known as Storrs Hill Close in occupation of Joseph ILLINGWORTH the elder, then Wm ILLINGWORTH, then John ILLINGWORTH but now John HARROP & also that dwelling, shop, stables etc erected on the 2 closes (Ref: 1881 857 448 486) see 1877 793 330 380

Thos SENIOR of Bradford Solicitor 1st Pt, Jane GAWTHORPE widow, Joseph THORPE of Horbury Bridge, Millwright & Edward BRIGGS, cloth manufacturer 2nd Pt, Squire GAWTHORPE of Healey 3rd Pt. & John KING, of Horbury Bridge, Oil Distiller 4th Pt – Lands at Healey AND secondly all that close of land called Upper Cherry Tree Close formerly containing 4a 2r 9p of John CROWDER dec’d. (Ref: 1881 868 101 130)

(Incidentally I was born on King Street, Horbury Bridge in 1936. My father worked in the Office of the Oil Distillery, (owned by John Reid & Sons at that time))

Memorial to be registered of the last Will and testament of GEORGE LISTER late of Storrs Hill in Ossett Cloth Miller bearing date 1862 . Of & concerning all his (testator) real estate but as to Estates vested in him upon trust or by way of mortgage subject to the Equities affecting the same respectively. Which said Will by the said Testator was witnessed by George Moses Berry, Mary Sutton wife of Robert Sutton of Storrs Hill etc. and said will is required by FRED LISTER of Ossett the surviving trustee of MARTHA LISTER the Devisee named in the WILL to be registered……. signed 15th Aug 1881 by Fred Lister (Ref: 1881 868 59 68)

Memorial to be registered of the Probate of the last Will and testament of MARTHA LISTER late of Storrs Hill in Ossett, Widow, bearing date 19th Aug 1867. . Of & concerning all her (testator) real estate whatsoever. Probate granted to FRED LISTER one of the Devisees. (Ref: 1881 868 59 69)

LISTER TO SUTTON. David ROBERTS of Horbury, William BROOKE of Spring End 1st Pt. Fred LISTER of Ossett 2nd Pt and Robert SUTTON of Storrs Hill, Ossett 3rd Pt. The Upper Long Close (now in 2 closes) 4a & 29ps formerly in the occupation of Widow FARRER and afterwards by George LISTER, deceased but now Fred LISTER (including 4 dwellings, outbldgs etc erected by George LISTER now in the occupation of Robert SUTTON, Martha Ann DEWS, William ASQUITH, George William DEWS and Joshua GODLY (Ref:1881 868 61 71)

Thomas SENIOR of Bradford Solicitor 1st Pt, Jane GAWTHORPE widow, Joseph THORPE of Horbury Bridge, Millwright & Edward BRIGGS, cloth manufacturer 2nd Pt, Squire GAWTHORPE of Healey 3rd Pt. & John KING, of Horbury Bridge, Oil Distiller 4th Pt – Lands at Healey AND secondly all that close of land called Upper Cherry Tree Close formerly containing 4a 2r 9p of John CROWDER dec’d (Ref: 1881 868 101 130)

1883

Benjamin BUTTERWORTH of Holmfirth, Gent, Chas. Wm Frederick TAYLOR of Almondbury & Wm Henry STEWART of Wakefield 1st Pt. George HARROP of Horbury Manufacturer 2nd Pt. Plot of land 5a 16p formerly 2 closes called the Laith or Lee Croft, Middle Croft & Low Croft & Wheat Royd, formerly in the occupation of Joseph THORNES, then Joshua HARROP & Geo HARROP but now George HARROP, near Healey Lane N by Healey lane, S & W by property of the Reps. of Geo GREENWOOD. E by property of Geo. RADLEY and the said George HARROP formerly described as – “Firstly that plot of land containing 1a being the Sth West end of the close formerly in 3 closes called Laith, Middle & Low Croft but then Laith or Lee Crofts” and also plot of land containing 1a 1r 35p adjoining to part of the last described being the N.E part of Wheat Royd all adjoining Healey Lane, now or late occupied by Joseph THORNES & bounded by Healey Lane by property secondly described of Geo GREENWOOD & J ELLIS, Secondly all those 2 plots of land being the remainder of Wheat Royd 2a 2r 26p (Ref: 1883 890 641 765)

John HARROP of Ossett, Geo. RICHARDSON, Bank Manager & Abraham POLLARD manuf. 1st Pt, Geo RADLEY Manuf. 2nd Pt & Eli TOWNEND 3rd Pt. 5030 sq yds S by other Pt of the said close N by Healey Lane. E by other property of Geo. RADLEY & W by Geo. HARROP, in occupation of Eli TOWNEND (Ref: 1883 897 146 208)

George HARROP to Eli TOWNEND, Rag & Mungo Merchant Of & concerning Plot/piece of land containing 10,796 sq yds approx. N by Healey Lane S by land contracted to J W SMITH (see below) E by land late of George RADLEY but recently sold to Eli TOWNEND. W by Trustees of George GREENWOOD dec’d. Secondly all those plots being the remaining part of Wheat Royd 2a 2r 26ps Upper & Low Lee Crofts (Ref: 1883 897 148 209)

George HARROP of Horbury , Manufacturer 1st Pt and John William SMITH of Ossett Rag & Mungo Merchant, the Other Pt. Of & concerning all that plot, piece of land at Ossett containing 21,938 sq yds more or less. Bounded N by other property lately sold to Eli TOWNEND, S by Trustees of the late George GREENWOOD E by George RADLEY. Recently sold by him to John William SMITH and W by other property of the Trustees of George GREENWOOD (dec’d) all of which are part of the piece of land containing 1a being the SW end of a close of land formerly in 3 closes called Laith Croft, Middle Croft and Low Croft, but then the Laith Croft otherwise Lee Croft. And also that other plot containing 1a 1r 33ps adjoining to the last plot being the NE part of a close of land called the Wheat Royd. All which are adjoining upon Healey Lane lately in the occupation of Joseph THORNES and Bounded by Healey Lane, George GREENWOOD, George RADLEY & John ELLIS Secondly 2 plots being the remaining part of Wheat Royd 2a 2r 26p adjoining Healey Lane & late in the occupation of Joseph THORNES, Bounded by Healey Lane, George GREENWOOD and the said plot of land lately described. All of which previously described cont. 5a 16p and all that other plot 1a 1r 12ps part of plot called the Low Lea Croft (connected to the other plots) – All on Indenture dated 8th Nov 1867 between Geo RADLEY & George HARROP (1883 897 149 210 12th July – 1796 sq yds sold to Eli TOWNEND) (Ref: 1883 897 148/50 209/211)

DEED Connected to above plots George HARROP TO George RADLEY (Ref: 1883 899 213 271)

Benjamin WATSON, Wakefield, Wholesale Grocer & John Thos HALL, Bank Accountant 1st Pt. Kirk Thomas METCALF & William SISSONS & Edward OLIVER, all of Leeds Common BREWERS & WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS at Leeds, known as: KIRK, MATTHEWS & Co. 2nd Pt & Richard GODLEY, of Malkroyd Lane in Dewsbury, Contractor 3rd Pt. and Robert RUSH of Norristhorpe, near Heckmondwike, Publican & George RUSH of Vulcan Rd., Dewsbury, Grocer 4th Pt. Allotment of land at Ossett Common measuring 10p Bounded N by Highway from Ossett to Horbury W by land awarded to Duke of Leeds (Inclosure Act) W by Horbury Bridge Rd.,& S by John WILBY,( carrier ). Also 5 dwellings erected on said land & hereditaments occupied by William GODLEY (Ref: 1883 905 162 223) (Junction Inn, formerly “The Quiet Woman”)

1884

Memorial of Will (dated 28/7/1871) of John ILLINGWORTH of Sth Ossett. All his Real Estate. Probate to Elizabeth HARROP, Devisee (Ref: 1884 906 530 699)

Elizabeth HARROP wife of John HARROP, clothier of Sth Ossett 1st Pt, the said John HARROP 2nd Pt & George HARROP of Horbury, Manufacturer. 3rd Pt. 2 closes of land, formerly 1 close lying near land adjoining Storrs Hill – The Storrs Hill Close, formerly in occupation of Joseph ILLINGWORTH the elder, then Wm ILLINGWORTH, then John but now John HARROP and dwelling, shop, stable etc. erected on the 2 closes (Ref: 1884 906 531 700)

1885

Eli ELLIS Grantor – mentions Far Warren Close – 3a – also Charles DIXON and Ann 1st Pt and Eli ELLIS the other (Ref: 1885 1 704 393)

James William CLOSE of Leeds, accountant, Trustee of the Estate of Edmund BRIGGS, South Ossett, Manufacturer & Bankrupt 1st Pt. Oliver BRIGGS, Edmund ELLIS & Henry Castile SCOTT, cloth manufacturers the Other Pt. All that 1/14th part of J.W, CLOSE as Trustee & all that piece of land 2r 20p ((part of a close of land at Ossett Common end containing 1a 36p, formerly the estate of Joseph BRIGGS dec’d. North by Horbury Bridge Road (formerly Horbury Bridle Lane, now Horbury Rd.,), South by land formerly of George BRIGGS but now Oliver BRIGGS. West by land of the representatives of James BRIGGS but now by property of representatives of George BRIGGS, John BRIGGS & Joseph BRIGGS & East by residue of said close, formerly of Joseph BRIGGS but now Frank BRIGGS. Also scribbling Mill etc…. (Ref: 1885 10 816 434)

BRIGGS Family – re Bull Close/Croft on Ossett Common End. (Ref: 1885 10 816 433 & 4

Storrs Hill Allotment 3a 1r 29p; Cow Pasture 4a;& Far Warren Close (Ref:1885 20 24 13)

Mentions Middle Warren Close 2a 3r 4p……..Thirdly 3a 2r 2 and a third p; 1 plot 3a 1r 21p ………and a dwelling house with outbuildings and a plot of land 3a 1r 35p with the MANSION HOUSE!!!! (Ref: 1885 20 25 26)

1886

John ELLIS and Eli ELLIS 1st Pt W R Union Banking the Other Pt. Firstly all that close/piece/parcel of land (now in 2 closes) situate & being the greater part of Middle Warren Close which formed part of Warren Close (including buildings) 2a 3r 4p. Thirdly Far Warren Close (Ref: 1886 5 469 256)

Eli ELLIS 1st Pt W R Union Bank the Other Pt Storrs Hill Allotment 3a 1r 29 p Cow Pasture. Thirdly Far Warren Close (Ref:1886 5 474 257)

Mark BRIGGS Gent 1st Pt; William BRIGGS 2nd Part; Oliver BRIGGS, Edmund ELLIS & Henry Castile SCOTT, cloth manufacturers 3rd Pt. 2 undivided 1/6th parts/shares & all other parts, interests etc. of Mark BRIGGS & William BRIGGS in all that piece of land (part of Bull Close) on Ossett Common End containing (including so much of an intended New Street 10 yds wide) – re. Indenture 13th Jan 1873 between Philip CRAWSHAW 1st Pt & Edmund BRIGGS, Mark BRIGGS & William BRIGGS, Oliver BRIGGS, Edmund ELLIS & Henry Castile SCOTT the other Pt. 3273 sq yds. NE by property of Philip CRAWSHAW sold to Thomas HARROP, NW partly by Oliver BRIGGS & partly by ……………. SW by Messrs BRIGGS & George DYSON & SE ……………centre of intended New Street. (Ref: 1887 8 502 272)

John HARROP , George RICHARDSON, (retired Bank Manager( and Abram POLLARD Manufacturer 1st Pt. George RADLEY, Gent the Other Pt. Buildings & Land at Sowood Green and also 3 closes called Laithe Croft, Middle Croft & Low Croft now called Laithe Croft (Ref: 1887 12 602 316)

1888

John KING to OSSETT GAS Co., land and cottages on Healey Lane. N by Healey Low Mill & other land of the Gas Co. On or towards property of the Local Board, S by Charles WHEATLEY & W by other cottages of John KING & retained by him. 9 cottages,& outbuildings. Area of 9874 sq yds (see information about Lower Ing (Ref: 1881 866 101 130) (Ref: 1888 26 597 290) Very Long Deed!!

1889

Eli TOWNEND Deeds of all properties deposited with Wakefield and Barnsley Union Bank (Ref: 1889 33 537 287)

Memorial of Will of David ELLIS Gent; who Died 16th May 1889 at his dwelling house, Storrs Hill House, …………….., gardens outbldgs etc. 13 cottages nearby. Also 2 Burling Houses at Storrs Hill and also residue & remainder of his Real Estate & Personal Estate (Ref: 1889 37 22 140)

Edmund ELLIS Manufacturer 1st Pt, Arthur & David ELLIS the Other Pt. Undivided third part & all other parts of Edmund ELLIS. Firstly plot containing. 2r 20p part of a close called Ossett Common End containing 1a 36p, formerly estate of Joseph BRIGGS Dec’d Bounded N by road from Ossett to Horbury Bridle Rd. S by land formerly of Geo. BRIGGS but now Oliver BRIGGS. W by land formerly of Representatives of James BRIGGS but now to Reps of George BRIGGS, John BRIGGS and Joseph BRIGGS E by residue of said close formerly belonging to Joseph BRIGGS but now Frank BRIGGS. and all those Scribbling Mills erected with Weaving Mill, Steam Engine etc. Secondly plot of land (Bull Close) on Ossett Common End including 10 yds for New Street (13/1/1873) between Philip CRAWSHAW 1st Pt Edmund BRIGGS, Mark BRIGGS, Wm BRIGGS, Oliver BRIGGS, Emma ELLIS & H. Castile SCOTT 2nd Pt 3273 sq yds. SEE 1885 10 816 433/4 (Ref:1889 38 481 258)

Henry RADLEY of Ossett, Rag & Mungo Merchant; Samuel BENNET of Horbury, Dyer; Geo Edward BRIGGS Dyer 1st Pt. John Wm SMITH of Ossett Rag & Mungo Merchant 2nd Pt and Eli TOWNEND of Ossett Rag & Mungo Merchant 3rd Pt. All those 10 plots at Sowood Green (Healey Lane) measuring 7955 sq yds in total. E by other property of Henry RADLEY, Samuel BENNET & Geo Edward BRIGGS; W by property formerly of H RADLEY and conveyed by him to J W SMITH & Eli TOWNEND (in 2 Indentures 12th July 1883) Towards the North by Healey Lane, S by Trustees of Geo GREAVES Dec’d described on Indenture coloured green (Ref: 1890 1 235 116)

John Wm SMITH 1st Pt Eli TOWNEND the Other . Land at Sowood Green measuring 2036 sq yds.(Ref: 1890 1 235 117)

LAND CHANGES 1881 – 1890

SEPARATE MAP FOR THE TOP OF HEALEY ROAD

SEPARATE MAP FOR STORRS HILL CORNER TO SOWOOD BEND

1891

Henry RADLEY of Ossett, Rag Merchant, Samuel BENNETT of Horbury, Dyer, Geo. Edward BRIGGS, Dyer 1st Pt. Frederick AUDSLEY, Rag Merchant the Other Pt. 12 cottages in Ossett in occupation of John CONYERS, Arthur SMITH, William PARKINSON, Joseph AUDSLEY, Alfred SPENCER, Judith ILLINGWORTH, Geo Edward BRIGGS, William SMITH, Geo PHILLIPS, Sam’l Newton CRAVEN, Arthur BOOCOCK & Joshua CONYERS together with stables, outbuildings etc. containing 5172 ? sq yds Bounded N by Healey Rd., S by property sold by Henry RADLEY, Sam’l BENNETT & Geo Edwd BRIGGS to Mrs Sarah MYERS; E partly by the said property of Sarah MYERS and part by ‘Glebe’ properties and W by Henry RADLEY, Sam’l BENNETT & Geo Edward BRIGGS. The estate late of George RADLEY (Ref:1891 4 232 111)

Fredk AUDSLEY of Ossett Rag Merchant 1st Pt John CROWTHER Rag Merchant the Other Pt. 12 cottages now or late in occupation of John Conyers, Arthur Smith, Wm Parkinson, Joe Audsley, Alfred Spencer, Judith Illingworth. Geo. Edw Briggs, Wm Smith, Geo Phillips, Saml Newton, Arthur Boocock &Joshua Conyers. Warehouse, stables Carriage House etc., 2172 sq yds. N by Healey Lane, S by Henry RADLEY, Saml BENNETT & Geo, Ed BRIGGS to Mrs Sarah MYERS. E by part by the said property, by certain Glebe properties. W by land of Henry RADLEY, Saml BENNEII & Geo Ed. BRIGGS, set out from part of land belonging to the late Geo RADLEY, recently of Highfield House (Healey!) Gent, dec’d (Ref: 1891 6 777 412)

Eli TOWNEND 1st Pt. Wkfd & Barnsley Union Bank 2nd Pt OSSETT GAS Co. 3rd Pt. All that land called Brier Ing or Brear Ing. Estimated at 3a but now by recent admeasurement 5a 3r. N or NW by Healey Lane S or SE by property of John KING, E or NE by Ossett Gas Co. W or SW by Road leading to Healey Low Mill (Ref: 1891 25 901 494)

Eli TOWNEND 1st Pt. Wkfd & Barnsley Union Bank 2nd Pt Lancs & Yorks Railway 3rd Pt. 2 pieces of land situate on either side of the main Railway Co. at Healey in Ossett. One on the North side containing 3a 32 and a half perches and the other 24 and three quarters perches. (Ref: 1891 27 219 111)

George Edward BRIGGS, of Ossett, Co of York, Rag Merchant 1st Part; Alfred Radley BRIGGS, of Horbury, Chemist & Druggist; Alice MEGSON (formerly BRIGGS) wife of Frank Fearnside MEGSON, of Headlands in Ossett, Commercial Traveller the 2nd Pt. Francis BRIGGS, Newfield House Ossett, Gent 3rd Pt. William BRIGGS, of South Place, Ossett Gent. 4th Pt; Henry WHITEHEAD of the Weavers Inn, Horbury Rd. Ossett, Licensed Victualler 5th Pt. John HARDMAN of Bradford Beerseller, 6th Pt. John GORDON of Bradford, Brewer 7th Pt and WALLER & Son Ltd of Trafalgar Brewery Bradford (the said Purchaser) 8th Pt. Of & concerning all that plot/piece of land at Storrs Hill containing 408 ?? sq yds approx. Bounded N by Storrs Hill Rd.,S & W by other properties of the 1st 2nd 3rd & 4th pts & E by property of the Rev’d Father HARTELL, formerly part of an allotment containing 1a 5ps awarded to James BRIGGS, dec’d. AND also all that Public House called the WEAVERS INN, standing on some part thereof and now or late in the occupation of the BRUNSWICK BREWERY Co Ltd. Together with all rights etc.. (Ref: 1892 22 186 91)

Sample so that you can see how difficult the deeds are to decipher sometimes!!

1893

John Wm GREENWOOD of Scarborough, Gent and Robert ALFORD, East Twickenham, Coach Builder ( The Vendors). MAYOR & ALDERMEN etc. of Ossett ‘The CORPORATION’ , The Other Part. Land at Storrs Hill 2a 1r 10p. E by land awarded to Francis MARSDEN & Joseph ILLINGWORTH, W by land awarded to CHURCHWARDENS of OSSETT, N by Horbury Bridge Rd., & S by the Township of HORBURY (Ref; 1893 20 192 94)

Geo M SAUNDERS, Beckett NICHOLSON 1st Pt, Richard BECKETT and Ann D BECKETT 2nd Pt, Ann D BECKETT 3rd Pt and Eli TOWNEND 4th Pt Land between the Railway and the Calder 2790 sq yds. (Ref: 1893 32 408 185)

Geo M SAUNDERS, Beckett NICHOLSON 1st Pt, Richard BECKETT and Ann D BECKETT 2nd Pt, Ann D BECKETT 3rd Pt and Eli TOWNEND 4th Pt and the MAYOR & BURGEES ? of OSSETT known as ‘The CORPORATION’. Land between the Railway and the Calder 2790 sq yds ( Ref: 1893 34 440 213)

George Edward BRIGGS, of Ossett, Co of York, Rag Merchant 1st Part; Alfred Radley BRIGGS, of Horbury, Chemist & Druggist; Alice MEGSON (formerly BRIGGS) wife of Frank Fearnside MEGSON, of Headlands in Ossett, Comm. Traveller the 2nd Pt. Oliver BRIGGS of Ossett, Woollen Manufacturer 3rd Pt. All that undivided 3rd Pt or share or other the part share & interest of them the said G E Briggs; A R Briggs; & A Megson or of the said G E BRIGGS as heir of his father Geo BRIGGS dec’d. All that piece of land 4583 sq yds???. Bounded N by Storrs Hill Rd E partly by properties of Messrs Geo BRIGGS & Sons & W partly by property now or late of Rev. Father HARTILL & part by property of Messrs WALLER & son which forms part of an allotment 1a 5ps awarded to James BRIGGS Dec’d. & also 12 cottages, weaving shop etc. (Ref: 1893 41 351 179)

1894

BANKRUPTCY of Eli ELLIS trading as ELLIS BROS. – very long list of creditors (Ref: 1894 1 902 446)

WR UNION BANKING CO 1st Pt. William WILCOCK the Other PT – Cow Pasture 4a………………..also 1r 20p awarded to Francis MARSDEN (Ref: 1894 7 564 291)

Crosier HOPKINSON, Old Corn Exchange 1st Pt, Eli ELLIS of Victoria Mills 2nd Pt, WR UNION BANKING CO 3rd Pt. Mid Warren Close (in 3 closes 2a 3r 4p and lots more lands) (Ref:1894 8 974 497)

Geo. William BENNETT of Horbury Dyer and Martha Jane BENNETT Spinster 1st Pt. Geo. William BENNETT of Horbury Dyer and Martha Jane BENNETT and Lilly BENNETT spinster & Sarah Elizabeth BENNETT spinster 2nd Pt. Fredk AUDSLEY of Healey Lane, Ossett, Rag Merchant 3rd Pt. All that Plot of land containing 8077 sq yds. Bounded N by Healey Lane S by representatives of the late George GREENWOOD dec’d E part by property lately scheduled & conveyed to Henry RADLEY, the said Samuel BENNETT and Geo. Edward BRIGGS and the said Fredk AUDSLEY & partly by certain other property also recently sold & conveyed by them to Sarah MYERS. W by land conveyed by Henry RADLEY, Sam’l BENNETT & Geo Edward BRIGGS to J W SMITH (Ref: 1894 12 493 247)

WR Union Banking Co. 1st Pt., Arthur ELLIS and David ELLIS both of Storrs Hill, Cloth Manufacturers of the other Pt. part of a close called Warren Close 1A 37ps. Dwelling house, coach house etc. formerly in the occupation of Eli ELLIS but now or late of Claude GREENWOOD which said land etc constituted LOT 3 at the auction sale held on 2nd Nov.1893. Secondly all the Croft or parcel of land situated on the south side of the hereditament 2r 29p Lot 4. Thirdly all that close of pasture land on Storrs Hill adjoining, known as Storrs Hill Close 4a 1r Lot 5. (Ref: 1894 20 894 436)

1894 20 894 436 Storrrs Hill House plan .png

STORRS HILL HOUSE BUILT ON LOT 3

(demolished post 1951)

Frederick AUDSLEY of Ossett Rag Merchant 1st Pt., Marie STANSFIELD, widow the Other Pt, Same stuff as previous Deed but 496 sq yds. Bounded N & S by property of Frederick AUDSLEY, E by Sarah MYERS and W by intended New Rd, George Street. Formerly part of a plot containing 8077 sq yds Bounded N by Healey Lane, S by Trustees of the late George GREENWOOD, E partly by property sold by Henry RADLEY, Samuel BENNETT & Geo Edward BRIGGS to Fredk AUDSLEY & part by Sarah MYERS and W by other property recently sold to John Wm SMITH (Ref: 1894 36 121 62)

LAND CHANGES 1891- 1894

STORRS HILL FEVER HOSPITAL

2) Hosp Committee 3rd May 1893 pg 2 .jpg

MAP OF FEVER HOSPITAL

Joseph SUTCLIFFE of Moss Side, Manchester, Gent 1st Pt Joseph SUTCLIFFE and Henry Daniel SUTCLIFFE, Solicitor, Manchester 2nd Pt Mayor & Aldermen of Borough of Ossett acting as the Urban Authority( hereinafter The Corporation) the 3rd Pt. All that plot of land, part of a garden & private Rd., and the cottage adjoining occupied by Joshua DEWS.situated at South Street Bounded N by the said private Rd., S by property of Geo. GREENWOOD’s Trustees E by South Street & W by other property of Joseph SUTCLIFFE & H D SUTCLIFFE containing 215 sq yds (see PLAN) (Ref 1895 12 719 373)

Sarah MYERS widow of South St 1st Pt. Mayor & Burgees of Ossett (The CORPORATION) the Other Pt. Plot ot land in South Street, N by Property of Vicar & Churchwardens of Sth Ossett Church; S by property of the late Benjamin SISWICK W by South Street and E by other property of Sarah MYERS. Containing 409 sq yds more or less. (Ref: 1895 13 336 175 )

John Wm GREENWOOD of Summersfield Villa, Scarborough, Gent & Robert ALFORD of Willoughby House, East Altrincham, Middx 1st Pt. Mayor, Aldermen etc. of Ossett (The Corp) the Other Pt. All that plot, strip of land situate on South Street 272 sq yds. (SEE PLAN) (Ref: 1895 13 585 308)

Frederick AUDSLEY of Healey lane 1st Pt. Joseph BROOK of Dewsbury Rd., Ossett, Joiner & Cabinet maker, but now Insurance Agent the other Pt. Plot of land staked out having frontage to a New Street called GEORGE STREET 12 yds wide off Healey Lane containing (including George Street) 964 sq yds. Auction of estates of Geo. RADLEY dec’d Bounded N by other property of Fredk AUDSLEY E by the eastern moiety of George Street S by property of trustees of George GREENWOOD Esq W by property of John William SMITH (Ref: 1895 24 731 381)

Frederick AUDSLEY of Healey Lane 1st Pt Jervis Nettleton BROOK of Ossett ,Joiner & Cabinet Maker the Other Pt. Parcel of land staked out having frontage to a new street called GEORGE STREET 12 yds wide off Healey lane (including George Street) 860 sq yds. Auction of the estates of George RADLEY dec’d Bounded N by other properties Fredk AUDSLEY E by Reps. of Walter MYERS dec’d., S by property of trustees of George GREENWOOD Esq. W by George Street (Ref: 1895 24 734 382)

Frederick AUDSLEY of Ossett Rag Merchant 1st Pt Fredk BROOK of the Green, Butcher the Other Pt. All that piece of land 504 sq yds Bounded N or NW by Healey Lane W or SW by property of J W SMITH & then or late Wm Henry RHODES & E or NE by centre of an intended road 12 yds wide, named George Street. S or SE by property of Fredk AUDSLEY. which formed part of a larger plot containing 8077 sq yds. N by Healey Lane S by representatives of George GREENWOOD dec’d E partly by property sold by Henry RADLEY, Saml BENNETT & part by other property recently sold by them to Mrs Sarah MYERS W by land lately conveyed by Henry RADLEY, Samuel BENNETT and Geo Edward BRIGGS to John William SMITH (Ref: 1895 25 742 367)

Frederick Audsley of Healey Lane, Rag Merchant, 1st Pt. Joshua ELLIS wool manufacturer The Other Pt. Plot of land staked out with a frontage to a new street called George Street 12 yds wide off Healey Lane. 878 sq yds. S by Emma ELLIS W by J W SMITH & N by Alfred ELLIS (Ref: 1896 8 350 168)

Frederick Audsley of Healey Lane, Rag Merchant, 1st Pt.. Emma ELLIS spinster The Other Pt. S by Joseph BROOK N by Joshua ELLIS (from Frederick Audsley) W by John Wm SMITH & E by George Street 878 sq yds (Ref: 1896 8 350 169)

Frederick Audsley of Healey Lane, Rag Merchant, 1st Pt..Sophia ELLIS spinster The Other Pt 933 sq yds. S by Mark STEPHENSON, (from Fredk AUDSLEY) N by Maria STANSFIELD E by Sarah MYERS and W by George Street (Ref: 1896 8 352 170)

Frederick AUDSLEY of Healey Lane, Rag Merchant, 1st Pt and Alfred ELLIS of Healey Lane, Wool Manufacturer. The Other Pt. All that plot of land staked out situate and having a frontage to a certain new street called George Street 12 yds wide, off Healey lane containing 878 sq yds S by Joshua ELLIS purchased from the said Fred. AUDSLEY, W by Thomas WHITWORTH & Andrew ILLINGWORTH N by Fred BROOK & E by the said George Street (Ref: 1896 8 857 411)

Martha PARKIN, wife of William PARKIN Rag Merchant 1st Pt, Fredk AUDSLEY 2nd Pt William BROOKE of Horbury County Railway Office 3rd Pt. 12 cottages with warehouse, stables, outbuildings etc. containing 2172 sq yds. N by Healey Lane S by property of Sarah MYERS E partly by Sarah MYERS & part by Glebe properties W by formerly land of Henry RADLEY & others but now Joseph BROOK & others. Auction of Real Estate of the late George RADLEY dec’d 24/7/1890 (see 1896 8 851 407) (Ref: 1896 37 701 338)

WKFD & BARNSLEY UNION BANK 1st Pt John Wm SMITH of Ossett Rag Merchant 2nd Pt Alfred ELLIS 3rd Pt. Plot of land cont. 788 sq yds at Sowood Green (Healey Lane) Bounded E or NE by Trustees of the late Geo. RADLEY but now Fredk. AUDSLEY. S or SE by trustees of Geo, GREENWOOD dec’d. N or NE by Wm HINCHLIFFE. W or SW by centre of New street (George St.?) 12 yds wide (Ref: 1896 47 166 86)

John WILCOCK of Newton, Nr Wakefield, Market Gardener; George Hebden WILCOCK of Park farm Nr Wakefield and David STEPHENSON, of Stanley, overseer 1st Pt. Eli WILBY of South St., Ossett Rag Merchant 2nd Pt. Mayor etc. Urban Sanitary Authority of Dist “The Corporation”. All that land with blacksmiths shop & other buildings 168 sq yds (Ref: 1897 4 636 304)

OSSETT CORPORATION 1st Pt. John CONYERS Blacksmith the Other Pt. Plot of land abutting on South Street, Healey Rd., 172 sq yds (Ref: 1897 17 662 334)

Frederick Robt HIRD of Wimbledon 1st Pt Wm GRUNDEN, of Horbury 2nd Pt Godfrey ILLINGWORTH of Healey, Farmer 3rd Pt. Quarry Close 6a 3r 38p formerly occupied by Wm ILLINGWORTH then Sam’l WARD, late of John HILL, then ……CROWTHER and now R. MARSHALL, including Occupation Rd over the south side. (Ref: 1897 29 797 391)

Geo MITCHELL of Horbury, Gent 1st Pt. Robert STUBBS of Ossett Joiner & Builder the Other Pt. Plots of land at Storrs Hill containing (including land for new street 12yds wide) (To be SOWOOD AVENUE) 1a. Bounded N by Reps of late Wm ALLOTT NE by Horbury Rd, S by Mrs BATTYE & W by other pt of the close belonging to the said Geo. MITCHELL, firstly described on Indenture dated 17/7/1894 between Robt Garside EMSLEY and Charles Letch MASON 1st Pt and Geo MITCHELL the other pt (Ref: 1897 41 586 293)

1898

Eli TOWNEND 1st Pt George TOWNEND & George SMITH 2nd Pt & Eli TOWNEND LTD. 3rd Pt. 3 Waterside Closes, formerly estimated at 6a but now by reason of a sale of a portion to the Manchester & Leeds Railway, is estimated at 5a 1r. And also the Dyeing house, Blacksmiths shop, cottages, steam engines etc. known as the Healey Low Mill. (Lots of stuff and a plan of the Mill) (Ref: 1898 13 774 368)

John Henry GIGGAL, Manufacturer; Edward CLAY 1st Pt. The said Edward CLAY 2nd Pt. The said John Henry GIGGAL 3rd Pt, Francis GIGGAL, Extractor 4th Pt, Herbert GIGGAL Extractor 5th Pt, GIGGAL & CLAY Ltd, Healey New Mills 6th Pt (Ref: 1898 43 476 223)

1899

Benjamin KEMP of Horbury 1st Pt David CHARLESWORTH of Horbury Bridge 2nd Pt Godfrey ILLINGWORTH of Healey 3rd Pt. Several closes called The Low Cherry Tree Close 3a 3r 13p, The Low Long Close 3a 3r 39p and others….Broom Close, Upper & Lower 5a 26p sit. On western side of Lancs & York Railway. Also land on the N side of L & Y Rlwy “Near Broom Close” 2a 3r 12p formerly occupied by John MARTIN, then Benj. MARSDEN & then David CHARLESWORTH The Elder dec’d (Ref: 1899 31 177 68)

1900

Julia BRIGGS of Newfield house Ossett Spinster, Agnes BRIGGS wife of Fredk Wm. BRIGGS of Birstal and James Edward BRIGGS of Newfield House 1st Pt. Fredk William BRIGGS the Other Pt. All that undivided share of the first 3 names mentioned as Trustees & Executors of Francis BRIGGS dec’d. Land at Storrs Hill 4583 sq yds. N by Storrs Hill Rd., E partly by Messsrs Geo BRIGGS & Sons & part by property of Oliver BRIGGS. S by other property of Geo BRIGGS & Sons. W partly by property now or late belonging to Rev’d Father HARTELL & part by moiety of Messrs WALLER & Son Ltd. which land forms part of an allotment on Storrs Hill containing 1a 5p awarded to James BRIGGS Dec’d. Also 12 cottages or dwellings, weaving shops etc., now standing with appts. etc..(Ref 1900 1 95 49)

Eli TOWNEND Ltd. The Vendor 1st Pt. Eli TOWNEND, George & Harvey TOWNEND, wool extractors; George SMITH 2nd Part. FITTON & Sons at Pildacre, GIGGAL & CLAY, HEALEY NEW MILLS, George HIRST of Geo HIRST & Son of Birstall, Shoddy & Mungo Manufacturers, Arthur JESSOP of JESSOP Bros. of Ossett Spa, Shoddy & Mungo; George Wm. ROPER, Herbert Hird ROPER & John Gregson ROPER of J. G. ROPER, Low Field Mills 3rd Pt and The EXTRACT WOOL & MERINO CO registered at Market Place, Dewsbury “THE EXTRACT CO” The 4th Pt.. ALL those 3 enclosures called 3 Waterside Closes, formerly 6 acres but by reason of portions being sold to Manchester & Lancs Railway and Lancs. & Yorks Railway Co’s are now 5 acres more or less; And also Blacksmith’s shop, cottages and other buildings & machinery etc. All known as “The Healey Low Mill” now or late in the occupation of the Vendor. Secondly, plot of land 279 sq yds E by Ossett Corporation, W by premises firstly hereinafter described, N by Lancs & Yorks Railway and S by River Calder. with rights etc. Thirdly All Warehouses, offices, stables etc. at Healey Rd. on agreement dated 3/1/1898 between Eli TOWNEND 1st Pt & Geo TOWNEND & Geo SMITH the Other Pt. (Ref: 1900 45 607 264)

William BROOKE, of Horbury, Bookkeeper 1st Pt. GIGGAL & CLAY Ltd, HEALEY NEW MILLS “The Vendors” 2nd pt John Henry GIGGAL and Francis GIGGAL Wool Extractors 3rd Pt. EXTRACT WOOL & MERINO Co. Ltd. Dewsbury the 4th Pt. All lands, buildings and machinery etc. (Ref: 1900 45 611 266)

John Wm SMITH 1st Pt Eli TOWNEND, Mungo Manufacturer. The Other Pt SAME DETAILS AS PREVIOUS DEED (Ref: 1901 3 460 220) Mortgage?

Venerable Edward BARBER, Archdeacon, Walter de Hoghton Lee BIRCH; Walton le dale 1st Pt, the said Edwd BARBER 2nd Pt. Edith BARBER of Isle of Whyte, widow & Sam’l Horace CANDLER of London, Solicitor 3rd Pt; the said Edw’d BARBER and Louis Henry SYMONDS of Handfort, Chester Esq. 4th Pt. (all these 4pts called the Vendors) and Walter ROBERTSHAW of Sth Ossett, Butcher 5th Pt. All those 2 closes, formerly known as Upperfields & after divided and called Gt Common Close & Little Common Close and the Cross Lands but now divided into 2 closes known as Storrs Hill Closes Bounded N by centre of intended street 10 yds wide E by land belonging to George MITCHELL S by Wm WlICOCK & W by highway from Ossett to Horbury which closes formerly in occupation of Eli ELLIS but now Walter ROBERTSHAW except a small portion in extreme SW corner now occupied by William WILCOCK & containing 18,892 sq yds more or less. Tog. with rights etc. ( Ref: 1901 40 1064 486)

Walter ROBERTSHAW 1st Pt. John HARROP Green House, Manufacturer (the mortgagee) Same as previous deed. (Ref: 1901 40 1066 487)

Memorial of the Will of Joseph NETTLETON of Park St. Ossett deceased 27/6/1901 (Ref: 1901 47 276 137)

1902

Wkfd & Barnsley Bank 1st Pt; John KING of Horbury, Gent 2nd Pt; Godfrey ILLINGWORTH of Healey, Fellmonger 3rd Pt. All that piece/parcel of land situate in Ossett called Upper Cherry Tree Close 4a 2r 9p one time of John CROWDER dec’d formerly occupied by Jane GAWTHORPE , now found to contain 4a 2r 1p (Ref 1902 23 487 218)

George ELLIS, Rochdale 1st Pt; Ruth ELLIS, wife of Edwin ELLIS 2nd Pt; Eleanor STEELE 3rd Pt; Joshua Hirst WHEATLEY, Joseph WHEATLEY, Rev. STEELE & John SHEPLEY, Staincliffe 4th Pt. Close of land cont. 1a 7p lately occupied by Benj WILSON.??Ref: 1902 25 551 268) NO PLAN

Joshua Hirst WHEATLEY, Joseph WHEATLEY, Rev. STEELE & John SHEPLEY,STANCLIFFE 1^st Pt and Eleanor STEELE the Other Pt .All the Real Estate of Charles WHEATLEY (Ref: 1902 43 842 385).

1903

Annie MARSDEN wife of John Thomas MARSDEN 1st Pt. Arthur HUTCHINSON of Horbury, Contractor and George HUTCHINSON of Ossett, Contractor the Other Pt, Land at Ossett Common End containing (including the Rd 10 yds wide forming the E part of a moiety 673 sq yds). N by Rd from Ossett to Horbury. S by south end of intended Rd. W by Mary & Elizabeth BOOCOCK. E by Messrs. BRIGGS Bros. (re: Deed dated 1898 between Sarah HARROP widow, J T MARSDEN and Geo. HARROP (Ref: 1903 4 271 121)

Edmund HOLT Solicitor 1st Pt. John HUTCHINSON of Horbury, Contractor and George HUTCHINSON of Ossett the other Pt. Concerning part of Bull Close (including half of a street 10 yds wide) 406 sq yds. E by Horbury Bridle Rd., N & NW by centre of said street. W & SW by other part of Bull Close & S & SE by copyhold plot to be surrendered. (Re:- Indenture 12th October 1860 between Philip CRAWSHAW 1st Pt & Mary and Elizabeth BOOCOCK the other Pt. And all 2 Dwellinghouses with Shop & other buildings formerly in the occupation of Mary OLDROYD and her tenant but now Richard MARSHALL as a dwelling and shop. (Ref: 1903 4 286 128

Very long Deed. I think it is regarding entailment of the lands of Charles WHEATLEY – Eleanor STEELE ( Ref: 1903 12 312 152)

John HUTCHINSON of Horbury, Contractor and George HUTCHINSON of Ossett 1st Pt. Joseph SMITH of Dearden St., Ossett, Retired Innkeeper the Other Pt. (All details as Deed 1903 4 286 128 (Ref: 1903 17 185 87)

Arthur MITCHELL of Emley Farm; Benjamin MARSDEN & John Thomas MARSDEN, Ossett Mungo Manufacturers the 1st Pt. Sarah Jane MITCHELL – wife of Arthur MITCHELL the Other Pt. Close of land at Storrs hill (part of the Commonside Close or Horse Close 3a 2r. N by Joseph BROOK partly by Messrs HEAPS & WILBY, partly by Wkfd & Barnsley Union Bank & partly by property of the representatives of the late William ALLOTT; East by other property of the said large plot sold by George MITCHELL to Robert STUBBS; South partly by Mrs BATTYE & part by property of the late Geo MITCHELL & West by close of land secondly hereinafter described & now occupied by MARSDEN BROS. And of & Secondly close of land adjoining to the west 3a 2r 16p N by partly Messrs George BRIGGS & Sons, partly by reps of Messrs Edmund and Mark BRIGGS & part by Joseph BROOK on the east by the close thereafter described on the Sth partly by Geo MITCHELL & part by Wm WILCOCK & West by trustees of the late H J BARBER & part by ST IGNATIOUS SCHOOL & CHAPEL grounds & now also in the occupation of Messrs MARSDEN Bros, which contains 6a 14p Lot 6 at the sale of the estate of late Geo MITCHELL 13/6/1902 ( Ref: 1903 28 461 202)

Godfrey ILLINGWORTH of Healey, Fellmonger 1st Pt. LANCS & Yks RAILWAY Co. The Other Pt (supplemental to conveyance 9/2/1902?) Narrow strip of land 121 and a half sq yds. (Ref: 1903 30 857 398)

John Wm GREENWOOD of Scarboro’ 1st Pt; Alice Jane GREENWOOD spinster 2nd Pt; Robert ALFORD, of East Twickenham and Georgiana his wife 3rd Pt , the said John Wm GREENWOOD and Robert ALFORD 4th Pt; Eleanor STEELE, wife of Adam Rivers STEELE of Liddington Hall, Kettering Esq 5th Pt; Joshua HIRST WHEATLEY of Berkwell Hall nr Coventry Joshua WHEATLEY of Hopton, Mirfield; Rev John Thornton STEELE late of Alverstoke House but now Saffron Walden, Cleric; John Shepherd STANCLIFFE, of Over Hall ? Mirfield, maltster 6th Pt. Firstly all that land, formerly Near Brier Ing or Brearey Ing but now part of a close containing 6a 2r 1p called Brier Ing, occupied by Joseph MITCHELL. N by Healey rd., formerly Healey Lane. S by the remaining portion of the said close of land, hereinafter thirdly described E by the centre of an occupation lane coextensive with & W by a private road the property of Ossett Corporation. Secondly, all that close of land formerly 2 closes known as the Near & Far Master Closes, including an occupation lane 5a 2p in the occupation of Bennett BROOK and N by plot of land hereinafter thirdly described; S & W by property of Eleanor STEELE & E by centre of occupation lane all mentioned on 7th June 1833. Thirdly all that plot of land called Far Brier Ing (Ref: 1903 48 45 22) Plots 36, 37, 40, 41& 42

Samuel WILSON, Worsted Manufacturer and Sarah HARROP of Holmfield Ossett widow 1st Pt. Joseph BROOK late of George Street, but now Manor Rd., Ossett Joiner 2nd Pt George SPENCER of George St., Mill Overlooker 3rd Pt. Land in Ossettt with frontage to George Street 12 yds wide off Healey Lane to be left open and unbuilt up. Total 964 sq yds N by Fredk AUDSLEY E by the east moiety of George St. by trustees of the late Geo. GREENWOOD & W. by John Wm SMITH. shown on plan of 19th July 1895 Indenture (Ref: 1903 51 111 55)

LAND CHANGES 1895 – 1903

MATERIAL CONNECTED TO THE FUTURE OF THE OLD GRAMMAR SCHOOL

(originally situated adjacent to where the present Town Hall is).

Obtained from West Yorks Archive Service at the

West Yorks History Centre, in Wakefield

To date I have been unable to find any Deed or Document showing proof of transfer of ownership of Park House to Ossett Corporation!!

CORRESPONDENCE 1901 ONWARDS

(some of these documents are incomplete and in poor condition)

NB. Mr Frankland was also Headmaster of the School. He features elsewhere on this website.

OGS transfer letter cont.. 2018-01-16 11.46.20.jpg

1905

Letter to Mr M Frankland (Headmaster of School)

Replies from Mr Frankland who lived in a house connected to the Old Grammar School

Ref: for above Documents WMT/OS/3/9/70- (BOX)

1904

John HARROP of Ossett Manufacturer 1st Pt Walter ROBERTSHAW, Butcher 2nd Pt William WILCOCK of Ossett, Rag & Mungo Manufacturer 3rd Pt. All that plot of land in Ossett forming a portion of the close known as Storrs Hill Close bounded E by a boundary wall (not included in the conveyance) separating the said plot of land from the remaining portion of Storrs Hill Close. S by other property of William WILCOCK and W by Storrs Hill Rd., and terminating in a point on the north which said plot of land contains 536 sq yds in the occupation of William WILCOCK. Together with all rights etc. (Ref: 1904 10 1082 485)

WKFD & BARNSLEY BANK LTD. 1st Pt; MAYOR & ALDERMEN etc. of Ossett (The CORPORATION) the Other Pt. All that land at Healey. 876 sq yds N by other property of the Bank. W by River Calder S & SW by FAWCETT & FIRTH LTD. SE by private Rd leading to Calder Vale Mills & E by road leading to Healey Old Mills now in the occupation of J W SMITH (Ref: 1904 30 40 20)

George LUCAS of Horbury Rd., Ossett Spinner 1st Pt and Harry Flockton DRIVER of Hall Cliffe Farm, Horbury, Farmer the Other Pt. Cottage on Horbury Rd., with outbuildings and garden & use of Well, lately occupied by Emma DRIVER (Ref: 1904 40 950 417)

FAWCETT & FIRTH Ltd (The Company) Ossett the 1st Part, MAYOR & ALDERMEN etc. of Ossett (The CORPORATION) the Other Part. Land at Healey 215 sq yds Bounded S by other property of the Company W by the River Calder and on all sides by property recently purchased by THE CORPORATION from WKFD & BARNSLEY BANK LTD . secondly all that triangulat plot at Healey containing 79 sq yds (Ref:1904 43 655 27)

Lionel R. J. Scholefield BATTYE, Capt in 13th Hussars 1st Pt THE WAKEFIELD & DIST LIGHT RAILWAY CO, the Other Pt; Close of land 2350 sq yds known as The Croft. £293. 15s. N by the late Andrew PICKARD Execs. W by George MITCHELL SE by Sowood LANE & running to a point on NW now in the occupation of Fred BROOK. (Ref: 1904 47 486 224)

1905

Catherine ILLINGWORTH wife of Albert ILLINGWORTH of Ossett Spa, Fell Monger; Elizabeth PICKERSGILL wife of Hewitt PICKERSGILL of Morley, Rag Grinder; Arthur WILBY of Howden Clough, Birstall, Dyer & Annie Jane WILBY of Ossett Spa, Spinster (The Vendors) 1st Pt. Annie Jane WILBY and Eliza PICKERSGILL 2nd Pt; Francis WILBY, Horbury Rd., Wool sorter 3rd Pt & Francis WILBY ‘The Purchaser’ 4th Pt. Cottage on Horbury Rd.occupied formerly by Septimus WILLIAMSON but now Frederick WILBY and also little shop situated behind the dwelling which was formerly the residence of Nathaniel GIGGAL dec’d & in his occupancy but now unoccupied. (Ref: 1905 17 440 199)

Francis WILBY the 1st Pt, Arthur WILBY and Nathan Hewit PICKERSGILL The Other Pt. Same details as 1905 17 440 199 (Ref: 1905 36 983 421)

1906

Sarah MYERS 1st Pt – Charles Robt GIGGAL – regarding South Street; Working Men’s Club; 5142 sq yds & dwelling called Highfield House (Healey) (Ref: 1906 42 924 379)

1907

Wkfd & Barnsley Union Bank Ltd. Re Liquidation,, Walter Herbert WRIGHT Wakefield, Bank Manager, Herbert Johnston ROPER, Assistant Manager, Liquidation of said Bank 1st Pt; Thomas NEALE of Back Hatfield St., Wakefield, County Court Bailiff the Other Pt Plot of land containing1270 sq yds and also 8 dwellings with outbuildings etc., (Deed difiicult to read…) (SEE PLAN) (Ref: 1907 24 733 290)

Eli TOWNEND (mortgagee) 1st Pt. J W SMITH, Mungo Manufacturor, Vendor 2nd Pt; Joseph BROOK of Manor Rd., Joiner & Builder (purchaser) 3rd Pt. BROOM CROFT 6a 3r 4p ( Ref: 1907 31 24 9)

Eli WILBY – INTESTATE – lawful widow Mary Ann WILBY, eldest son George Harry WILBY re: half an acre of land at South Street (formerly Sowood Green) with messuage, shop & barn, formerly occupied by Joshua DEWS also 3 cottages with land in front formerly occupied by John WHITAKER, Grace LODGE & Richard GIGGAL then Joseph JENKINSON, John WHITAKER and ….? NORTH and also 2 blacksmiths shops with plots of land in front, formerly in the possession of Ann JENKINSON (Ref: 1907 40 419 171)

1908

Ann DIXON of Gildersome, widow & John Edward DIXON, Manufacturer of Headingley, the Mortgagors 1st Pt and The YORKS PENNY BANK the Other Pt.. many closes of land – Near Laith Croft and Far Laith Croft; Far Park, Near Park,etc, including Mills, warehouses, messuages & buildings etc. land & hereditaments purchased by John, Philip & Eli ELLIS bought of the Trustees of John CROWDER. VERY LONG DEED WITH MANY PAGES. (Ref: 1908 19 728 303)

Legal Document by John Willie MITCHELL re. Joseph MITCHELL, deceased, intestate, who died 7/51905. Re. Plot of land at Healey, with 4 stone cottages, conveyed to Joseph MITCHELL 5/6/1902 (Ref: 1902 23 447 198) (Bank 1st Pt and John King 2nd pt ) (Ref: 1908 25 740 323)

1909

Henry Daniell SUTCLIFF, Manchester to Joshua Fox TAYLOR of Laurel Bank, Ossett. House on South St., in occupation of Emma POOLE & ?????? PARKER. N by private road. S by property of Fred SMITH. E by South street & W by Arthur CRAVEN with land forming to the side of messuage and gardens. (Ref: 1909 6 1225 498)

Sidney Rayner DAY, East Keswick, Architect & Mary Elizabeth DAY of Skipton Spinster 1st Pt. Edmund Henry HOLT of Horbury, Solicitor 2nd Pt John Charlesworth DAY, Harehills, Chartered Secretary 3rd Pt & Godfrey ILLINGWORTH of Ossett, Fellmonger 4th Pt. All that close of land at Storrs Hill “The Low Great Close” formerly part of ‘Speight Close’ or Storrs Hill Close but afterwards ” Great Close’ & then divided into Upper Low Close and The Low Great Close containing 4a 21p formerly Eli ELLIS but now of Thomas POSLIFFE & also a right of way or road over & along the way or road of 15ft over & upon NW side of the said Close of Upper Low Great Close being the remainder of Great Close with all rights etc. (Ref:1909 13 1176 496)

Julia LONGBOTTOM (wife of Arthur) formerly BRIGGS; Agnes BRIGGS (wife of Frederick William) & James Edward BRIGGS 1st Pt and Arthur ELLIS, David ELLIS & Samuel Castile SCOTT of the Other Pt. Re. Will of Francis BRIGGS made in 1889, (he died 29th August 1899) property devised to him by his father Joseph BRIGGS deceased, was firstly devised to his wife Sarah BRIGGS who died 30th July 1909 and after her death the messuage, dwellinghouse called Newfield House, on Horbury Rd.,in which she still resided, Stable, Coachhouse, Garden croft and 2 storied Rag Warehouse facing Storrs Hill Rd., adjoining were sold on 29th Sept. last to the forementioned. £650. (Ref: 1909 40 463 177)

Walter BRIGGS of Sydney, Australia (at present residing in Yorks) 1st PT. Arthur ELLIS and David ELLIS the Other part. This refers to a House on Horbury Rd., (Newfield?) and Storrs Hill Mill (Ref: 1909 46 593 251)

Walter BRIGGS of Sydney, Australia (at present residing in Yorks) 1st PT. Arthur ELLIS , David ELLIS and Henry Castile SCOTT, Ossett Manufacturers the Other Pt. Re. Land awarded to David GIGGAL by Inclosure Award. 3r 27p at Storrs Hill Rd.,NW partly by garden and land of Walter BRIGGS & part by Storrs Hill Mill. NE partly by said dwelling house, garden and land, part by Horbury Rd., (formerly Bridle Rd,) and part by property of Mrs Jane ELLIS & others SE partly by property belonging to the said Arthur ELLIS, David ELLIS, H.C. SCOTT & Walter BRIGGS and SW by land of Walter BRIGGS and Frederick William BRIGGS. Also warehouse & stables on said land, now in the occupation of Messrs Geo. BRIGGS & Sons,,, together with rights of carriage etc.in front of property of Mrs Jane ELLIS..See PLAN (Ref: 1909: 46 597 252)

1910

Tom MOSS of Wycliffe St, Ossett, Grocers Manufacturer and John Henry EDGAR of Rycroft St., Cloth Salesman (present Churchwardens of Parish Church Ossett) “The Vendors” 1st Pt and John CONYERS Blacksmith “the Purchaser” the Other Pt (£50) All that plot of land abutting or near to South Street and Healey Rd., 300 sq yds. Bounded N by the purchaser and S by Fredk AUDSLEY, on the E by South Ossett Working Men’s Club and W by Healey Rd., and the old building now standing thereon.

SEE DRAWING (Ref: 1910 14 639 253)

LAND CHANGES 1905 – 1910

TOP OF HEALEY ROAD

1910 VALUATION ACT

The 1910 Valuation Award for the whole of Ossett and accompanying Maps with the Owners names on are available to view on the Land Awards page of this website.