George Wilson and Brierley Post Office.

I'm researching my family tree and have traced an ancestor back to Brierley.  I'm interested in finding out a bit more about Brierley and in particular the places associated with my ancestors.

My great great great grandfather was George Wilson who was the postmaster in Brierley as shown on the 1861 census.  His address was Prospect Cottage - does this still exist?  I believe his mother was called Ann and his daughter Annie Wilson (born around 1847) was my great great grandmother.  The name of his mother is the furthest back I have managed to trace this part of my family tree, I don't know what his fathers name was or what his mother's maiden name was.

I would be interested to hear from anyone that knows any information about George or his family.  Or if anyone has any photographs old or new of Prospect Cottage or the post office.

Hello Laura

My on line booklet ‘Brererley A History of Brierley’ has references to Brierley Post office and George Wilson.

I have had chance to look through my local history archives, and found these details.

William White’s West Riding Trades Directory for 1838 lists a George Wilson as a shoemaker at South Hiendley near Brierley. The Directory for 1852 has James Wilson as a farmer in South Hiendley.

There had been a post office in Brierley since about 1840 when it stood close to the Three Horse Shoes Inn but no one by the name of Wilson on the trades lists.

The 1861 census has George Wilson aged 40 as a Saddler and Post Master at Prospect Cottage with his wife Martha 34 daughters Ann 14 and Emily? 10, and Ann Wilson 83 born in Royston about 4 miles from Brierley, she was the mother of George. George was born in Shafton about a mile from Brierley. He must have lived in Brierley since 1847 or earlier as his children were born here.

The 1881 census has George  Wilson aged 60 born in Felkirk (Shafton) Postmaster & Saddler on Church St. Brierley, with his wife Martha aged 54 born in Felkirk (Brierley).

Later the Post Office was moved to Cross Hills close to the junction with Frickley Bridge Lane. Post Master Miss. Bertha Corbridge. Then by 1938 it had been moved to it present location again close to the Three horse Shoes Inn Post Master Mrs. Margaret Fry.

Prospect Cottage on Church Street Brierley stood close to the east side of Brierley School and a few buildings west of the Farriers Arms Inn on the corner of  Common Road, now a renovated cottage. There is a good chance that it was the long house that later became Fiddling farm house. This was recently demolished to make way for the new Church Gate housing estate.

George Wilson was related to the Cooper and Wilson families that occupied Folly Hall Brierley in the period 1851 to 1891  

Howell Farm House 

Howell House stands in a hollow just east of Howell Lane between Burntwood Hall near Brierley and the village of Clayton. Howell lane is an ancient ridge road that runs on the high land between the river Dearne and Ea Beck valleys. Howell Spring near the house feeds into a stream flowing into the Ea Beck. 

The House was a Grange or out lying farm belonging to Nostell Priory. The Priory was dissolved 20th. November 1540. Howell House went with the rest of the Nostell estate to Dr. Thomas Leigh and soon afterwards to Sir Thomas Gargrave. 

In 1568 Howell House passed to Thomas Normanvile. It was described as ‘A capitol messuage called Holewell or Hovel Hall in the parish of Thurnscoe with a wood of 160 acres’. 

The historian Joseph Hunter writing in 1828/31 describes Howell House as ‘The Grange of Holy Well or Howell with lands in Thurnscoe, Darfield, and Houghton, together with Howell Wood of 160 acres.’

A widowed farmer called Mary Wood lived with her family there from 1834 to 1851. She held  151  acres  and employed two farm workers.

In 1881 the house was occupied by Mary Ann Hirst also a widow aged 46 who was born in      Clayton and farmed 101 acres employing 3 men. Her daughters Louisa Ann aged 11 & Geregiana aged 7 and son George Herbert  aged 5 were born in Upper Midhope Penistone. James Aspinall aged 26 nephew of Mary and born in Brighouse was the Manager of The Farm (Farm Bailiff)

Joseph Bedford 43 born in Thurnscoe and Charles Marshall 20 born in Arksey were farm workers.

The family were still there in 1891, and Kelly’s West Riding Directory for 1893 lists Mrs. Ann Hirst as a farmer at Howell House Thurnscoe. 

An archaeological aerial survey taken in the 1970s found traces of ancient fields just to the north west of Howell House. These could be connected to other ancient fields relating to the Celtic or Iron Age fort just over one mile north at South Kirkby. 

The building has seen may changes it has masonry and internal timbers that may date from time when it was still a Grange of Nostell. The window frames have been changed and a pan tile roof added probably in the last 200 years.

Howell Farm House

Hi  Richard

         My name is Gary Keele, I was born in Brierley (Hillside Cres.) 1969 left in 1994, When I was younger I was told of a possible tunnel from Cordeux corner to Brierley Common. Is the this true? In the wall as you walk up from Hillside to Brierley Club, there is what looks like a filled in tunnel entrance in the high stone wall at the bottom of a front garden is this the tunnel entrance?

Thank you for your email Gary. There  are many tunnel stories relating to older buildings in the area. There existence is difficult to prove true or not. But there are problems with them. They are often described as connecting buildings of different ages, and ventilation in long tunnels is impossible. Coal mines, which are effectively long tunnels, need an elaborate ventilation system to make them viable. Air has to be pumped or pulled through the workings.

The blocked entrance in the old stone wall was the Cobblers Well it was closed for safety about 50 years ago.

Regards

Richard

This was written in answer to an email regarding Percy Townend of Hall Farm Brierley. Percy was Born in Hemsworth in 1890 and moved to Hall Farm Brierley c1927. He retired to live at Hemsworth Grove Farm in 1957. Hall Farm then became the home of the Baxendale family.
James Townend the grandfather of Percy was born in South Hiendley and moved to Hemsworth where he was a Butcher and Market Gardener, his shop was on what is now Market Street.
 

In Kelly’s 1893 West Riding of York Directory
James H. M. Townend & Richard Townend are listed as butchers in Hemsworth. Richard was also assistant registrar to Hemsworth Rural District Council. He had spent some time a teacher in a private school in the village of Smalley Derbyshire.

Hoyland Family in Brierley 

I have been fortunate to see some documents relating to the Hoyland, of Brierley dated 1925 when the family had left the area. This prompted me to publish this short history.

In 1662 John Hoyland paid £5 rent to Brierley manor for Speight farm in the village, in 1701and 1720 a John Hoyland paid quite high rents of £40 to the manor.
Then in his will dated 20th. May 1731 John Hoyland wrote of his own house in which he now lived at Brierley. This had orchards and gardens,  and is the  first  mention of the building  that was to  become known  to us a Brierley  Hall

1806 Militia list has no Hoyland’s eligible for service recorded in Brierley

1841 census has John Hoyland aged 45 of independent means , Mary his wife 45,  and his son John 9  at the mansion later to become known as BrierleyHall. This had been the name of Lindley house up to about 1850.

Robert Holand aged 44 a solicitor, Elizabeth 39 his wife were at  Lindley House Brierley.

They were also in the 1838 Directory and the 1840 tithe survey

1851 Census has John Hoyland Gentleman 57 born in Felkirk parish which includes Brierley, Mary his wife 57 born in Sheffield, John Hoyland 19 born in Felkirk now a student at Oxford at Brierley Hall.

Robert Hoyland 54 attorney & solicitor  born in Felkir k

Elizabeth his wife 49 born in Sheffield, Sarah his daughter 21 born in Felkirk  at Lindley House. 

1860 Rev. John Hoyland of Brierley was inducted as Vicar of Felkirk                   

1861 Census John Hoyland Gentleman 67 born in Felkirk, Mary his wife 69 born in Sheffield, at Brierley Hall

Robert Hoyland 64 attorney & solicitor  born in Brierley widower,

Sarah his daughter 31 born in Brierley now the wife of  Rev. G.P. Cordeux, Mary F E Cordeux daughter 2 born in Cheltenham Gloucestershire  visiting  at Lindley House                    

Rev. John Hoyland Vicar of Felkirk 29 born in Brierley, Mary Ann Hirst 29 born in Carlton, general servant, at South Hiendley in Felkirk vicarage.

1869 John, Robert, Rev. John Hoyland, and Rev. G.P. Cordeux are on the Brierley School deeds which they helped to found.

1871 Census has John Hoyland Landowner 77 born in Felkirk widower. Ann Stacey inlaw 70 spinster born in Sheffield at Brierley Hall

Robert Hoyland 74 attorney & solicitor  born in Brierley widower

Sarah his daughter 41 born in Brierley now the wife of 

Rev. G.P. Cordeux, 42 born in Barnsley, Curate of Brierley

Edith M Cordeux daughter 8 born in Brierley
Edith lived in the village for many years some older residents still remember her. She founded the Church Insitute on Church Street which is now a working mans club.

Robert H Cordeux son 6 born in Brierley

Edward H Cordeux son 5 born in Brierley all at Lindley House.
 

Rev. John Hoyland 39 Vicar of Felkirk and landowner

Mary Ann Hoyland wife 38 born in Barnsley with children

Alice aged 6, Clare 4, Clement E. 1, & Fannie 10 months all born in Felkirk  (at South Hiendley vicarage)                  

1874 Rev. John Hoyland retired as vicar of Felkirk       

1881 Census at Brierley Hall Church Street Brierley      

John Hoyland aged 49          Born in Felkirk,  Clergyman Without Care Of Souls M.A.Oxford

Mary Ann  his wife 48          Felkirk, and his two children at home both scholars Fanny I.       10 Felkirk. John Henry         9 Felkirk,  the other children Alice and Clare Hoyland are listed at a London boarding school, Clement E. Hoyland is listed at a Doncaster boarding school the same year.

At Lindley House Brierley  

Godfrey P. Cordeux  52 Born in Barnsley       Clergyman Without Care Of Souls

Sarah his wife 51  Felkirk,  and child, Edith   18 Felkirk,

Anne Stacey an aunt aged 81 born in Sheffield. Sarah Mitchell aged 23 a domestic servant born in Thurlstone.

1891 Census  has Alice, Clare, and Fanny Hoyland living alone at Brierley Hall

Godfey P. Cordeux with his wife Sarah at Lindley House.
By this time Clement Edward Hoyland had become a mining engineer an was visiting friends in Doncaster on the day of the 1891
census.

1893 Directory  has Rev. John Hoyland at Brierley Hall.

1901 Census has Rev. John Hoyland with his wife Mary born in Barnsley, Alice born in Hunningley, Clare & Fanny born in South Hiendley, living at  Brierley Hall. Clement Edward Hoyland is not on this census, he may have been out of the country, this was the time of the South Africa War.

Godfrey P. Cordeux was retired and living alone at Lindley House

1903 Clement E. Hoyland bought land at Brierley Gap to build a home. This is now the Robin Hood night club.

A Gap is a crossing point on a watershed, In this case it is between the rivers Don and Calder valleys.

Rev. John Hoyland is in the 1908 directory at Brierley Hall

Rev. John Hoyland died in 1910,  his  wife  Mary  and daughter Alice  moved to live in a house overlooking the Stray at  Harrrogate.  Clement  Edward  and his  wife   Louse  Eddie  Hoyland  were  staying  at The Grange  Hotel,  Grange  Over  Sands,  Lancashire  on the day of the  1911  census.  Having  sold his house at Brierley Gap he was listed as being of independent means.

Brierley Gap was purchased by Hemsworth RDC, and other Hoyland land in Brierley went to  the Cordeux family.

By 1912 Alfonso Wood is listed a living at  Brierley Hall.

1925 Clement E. Hoyland is listed as the owner occupier of Brinkworth Hall, Elvington York, probably at the time of his sale of the property.

For more on the history of Brierley Hall please see the 'People of Brierley' page in my on line booklet
 'Brereley a history of Brierley'

Dear Richard,

      I have recently researched my family history as far back as a George Holland who, in the 1881 census, lists his birthplace as Higham Royd circa 1838. I would be greatly interested to learn if any reference to this surname exists in local records and would certainly appreciate any pointers which may aid my further research.

                                  Yours sincerely

                                                            Paul Holland 

Hello Paul

If you go to this web site http://www.old-maps.co.uk/ and search for Higham, then select the one in Yorkshire, the 1854 Ordnance survey 6" map will centre on the village. Higham Royd is an isolated farm house about half a mile north west of the village. The 1851 census for Barnsley area could be useful to you it is the first one to have the place of birth shown and may show up the Holland family at Higham. Barnsley Archives have a copy of this, the email address is Archives@barnsley.gov.uk. The library has been closed for refurbishment but should be open again by open now.

Regards

Richard
 

Thank you

 Paul Holland

Hello Richard,
 My name is Bonnie Watson-Padgett.  My husband and I  with friends went to  Mexico for vacation.  We met a couple for West Yorkshire, England.  Their last name was Watson the same as my maiden name. So, that in it's self got us talking.  After a week talking and playing water volleyball with their children, Debi Watson invited us and/or all our friends to visit them if  we were ever in England.   Now, to my question.  Debi said they live in a  haunted home. So, I've tried to find it on the internet with no luck.  Do you anything about this home? Ackworth Old Hall West Yorkshire. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Bonnie Padgett Clarksville USA

Ackworth Old Hall

Hello Bonnie
Than you for your email. Yes I know Ackworth Old Hall it is about 7 miles from my home.It is an Elizabethan Hall built about 1580. In 1715 it was occupied by Rev. M. Lee and in 1893 by a farmer called John Waites. I Could not comment on its being haunted that is out of my field.
Ackworth Old Hall is to the west of the Church on Purston Lane B6421, it is marked on some maps as just 'Hall'.
Regards
Richard

Hello Richard,
Thank you so much for the information and picture.  It has been a lot of help.  If you know the Watson's that own Ackworth Hall now, please, tell them hello from the Tennessee Watson's( maiden name) they met in Mexico.  It has been nice talking to you and thanks again for your help.
Bonnie Padgett

Old House on Church Street 

Hi Richard 

I have taken a few photographs of the old house on Church Street  next to the Church being demolished   I intend to put a little bit on the Brierley Village web site news page and also for the Baipip archives. I wondered if you had any details about its history that I could use. 

Regards

Gary

Hello Gary

Yes it was a good house shame it had to go. A Miss. Watson lived there for some time. It was built about 1930. The 1919 Ordnance Survey map does not show it, but the 1938 one has the house marked. Hope this is useful.

Regards

Richard

Hi Richard

Thank you

Cudworth Pond

Hello Richard

Reflecting on my early days in Cudworth a question popped into my head the other day: why was that space in the centre of the village referred to as the "pond" ­ is it a corruption of pound (of the livestock-containing sort) or was there a pond there? Something else that I need to look into, for purposes of thoroughness, is the origins of the village. Whereas many of the villages round about seem to have arisen due to the discovery of coal, Cudworth, I suspect, had a longer (if undistinguished) history? But even that is a questionable statement. Did Grimethorpe exist before the pit-head? Come to think of it, it probably did. The coal owners would develop their pits around a source of labour ­ an existing village - and if the coal is down there anyway, it did not matter where the shaft was dug, did it? Then, as the need for labour grew, the so the village expanded. Am I correct?

Mike
 

Hello Mike

Cudworth takes its name from an Anglo-Saxon settler 'Cuda 's enclosure' it was in Anglian Northumbria (Yorkshire & Northumberland) close to Saxon Mercia (midland counties), worth is a Saxon place ending. The river Don was the accepted boundary. Grimethorpe was a Viking/Norse setlement or Grimr's Thorpe on the edge of  Anglo-Saxon Brierley, it never grew to more than a few farms  as the area became part of Brierley Manor deer park. So both have a long history. Following the opening of deep coal mines in the area Cudworth became a dormitory village for the incoming work force. In 1891 the population was only 1,607, by 1911 it was 6,824. That was the period when most of the terrace houses were built. There was a second phase of building c1930 when Newtown Avenue, Birkwood Avenue, The secondary Modern School, and most of the Barnsley Road shops were developed.
regards
Richard

Kind Regards

Gareth & Deborah

Hello Gareth & Deborah

Thank you for your email.

The Tithe Award Survey 1840 shows Jennet Croft as one acre of arable land owned by John Hoyland of Brierley Hall Church St. Brierley, and farmed by John Wilkinson of Grimethorpe. His farm house was close to what is now Windmill Avenue. The well is marked a Coblers Well (Cobblers) on the 1893  6" Ordnance Survey map of the village. There were no buildings on the site at that time. The next map I have is the 1919 Ordnance Survey, this shows the present buildings. I would be interested to see what buildings were there in the period 1894 to 1918. Unfortunately I do no know of any photo's of the well but will let you know if one turns up.

The  wells which  had served the villages for centuries  were  inadequate  for the increasing population following the opening of  Grimethopre Colliery.  Hemsworth  R.D.C. built a  reservoir  at Ringstone Hill  to supply  Brierley and Grimethorpe with piped water for the first time in their history. What a change this would have been for the older residents.

Regards

Richard

The Old Police House

    The 1840 tithe award for Brierley was a complete survey of the village with every plot of land accounted for. Plot 169 was  Pit Hill field, this was three quarters of an acre of land owned by William Attee’s heir and farmed by Benjamin Bedford in 1840. The pair of Houses in the photo above were built on this plot in 1851.       One of these was the home in 1852 of William Watson who was born in Brierley in 1801, he had lived in Monk Bretton and Cawthorne where his eldest child was born in 1838. He was the part owner of Proctor & Watson’s White House coal mine at Barnsley Road Shafton. This is now a kennels that stands back from the road. 
    It was known as the Police Station by 1871 when James Barritt of Skipton was the sergeant. In 1881 Thomas  Horne aged 37 born in Eversley, Berkshire,  was living in this house as a Police Sergeant with his wife Harriet and children Henry, George, Annis, Mary, & Harriet all  born in Barnsley. Two more children, Thomas aged 2 and Lily aged 1 were born in Brierley.  By  1891  this house  was  known  as  a  Police  Office  when  the  Sergeant  was  Christopher  Taylor.  Kelly’s Directory for  1893 has Sergeant Talor at Brierley Police Station.  

The other house was the home of Thomas Rogerson a stone mason and the builder of the houses.  Charles  Rogerson the son of  Thomas also a Stone Mason  who had lived in Liverpool for a while, occupied this  house with his wife Sarah, and children Anne & Charles,  from about  1881 to 1891     

Edward Watson is the next known occupier he was a Haulage Contractor based there in 1927. The Watson family lived there for some time and used the land as a coal and wood yard. These houses are now 24 & 26 Barnsley Road/Ket Hill Lane

The pair of houses are not on the 1849 Ordnance Survey 6” map but were built quite soon after the survey. They are shown on the 1893 edition. They are well built in stone and are quite up market in a Victorian style.

        Providence Terrace now gone was at what were Nos. 33-35-39 Barnsley Road. No. 35 was the Police                         Sergeants’  house,  Joseph Little from Stourbridge was the sergeant here in 1861. Much later No. 31 Barnsley              Road was a police house.