Paley, Ralph - Mill Worker / WW1 Roll of Honour

 

Alice Tatham was the daughter of John Tatham. John was born c1857 in Bentham. He married Sarah Ann Hollingworth in Bentham in 1881. They had seven children. Sarah died in 1894. Widowed John married Kate Mashiter 1898 in Bentham. They had four children, but two died in infancy.

Alice was born 26 August 1900 in Saltaire. In 1901 & 1911 the family lived at 33 Dove Street in Saltaire with John working as a stone mason. John died, 6 November 1918, and was buried in Hirst Wood Cemetery in Shipley.

Extract from a report in the Shipley Times 20 June 1919 as follows: -

An examination of the employees of Sir Titus Salt, Bart., Sons, and Co., Ltd., Saltaire Mills, who recently attended a course of ambulance instruction at the Cafe, Saltaire, has resulted as follows: —Passed for First Aid Certificate): — Alice Tatham.

Extract from a report in the Shipley Times 20 January 1922, referring to the monthly meeting of the North Bierley Guardians, as follows: -

It was reported that the two probationary nurse, Miss Gladys of Idle, and Miss Alice Tatham, of Saltaire, had completed their period of trial satisfactorily, and were recommended for acceptance for training. This was adopted.

Alice, a nurse living in Bradford, married William Henry Palmer, 25 February 1933, at St Columba’s Bradford. William was a widower 28 years older than Alice. He worked as a master baker & confectioner. In 1939 they were living in Watford. Alice died in 1991 in Huddersfield.

 

Edgar Parker was the son of John Parker. John was born c1843 in Addingham. He married Mary Ann Wooler 2 August 1975 at Bradford Cathedral.

Edgar, the eldest of five children, was born 4 June 1877 in Baildon. In 1881 the family were living at 23 Barrett Street in Shipley with John working as a labourer.

Edgar married Mary Elizabeth Hartley in 1906. She was born 24 December 1878 in Shipley.

In 1911 they were both employed as mill hands, living at 15 Dove Street, Saltaire with no children.

In 1921 they remained at 15 Dove Street. Edgar was a check weigh man in the spinning dept. at Saltaire Mills.

Around 1936 they moved to 33 Moorhead Crescent in Shipley. In 1939 Edgar was working as a warehouseman.

The Shipley Times (12 March 1941) reported that Edgar had completed 50 years’ service at Saltaire Mill, and he had been presented with gifts and a framed certificate.

In November 1942, Edgar, of 56 Titus Street, was fined 10s for a black-out offence.

Mary died 7 December 1942 and was buried at Nab Wood Cemetery Shipley.

Edgar died 4 January 1948 and was buried alongside his wife.

In his will he left £794 0s 8d to John Parker.

 

Edwin Parker was born, 2 September 1850, in Oxenhope to Joseph Parker & Sarah Storey. In 1861 they were living in Oxenhope with Edwin working as a spinner and his father a grocer. In 1871 they were living at 19 George Street, Saltaire, where Edwin was a spinning overlooker and his father a wool washer.

Edwin married Nancy Robinson in 1872. Nancy was born, 1 October 1850, in Bingley. They had no children.

In 1881 & 1891 they lived at 2 Lower School Street, Saltaire. In 1901 they were at 2 Taylor Terrace, Baildon. By 1911 they had moved to Airedale View, Bank Crest, Baildon. Edwin contested Baildon’s West Ward in the local elections in 1908. He gained 97 votes to win the seat by 34.

Edwin’s wife, Nancy, died 15 January 1918.

Excerpt from a report in the Shipley Times 25 January: -

The funeral of Mrs. Parker, wife of Coun. Edwin Parker (late of Airedale View, Baildon), of 44 Kirkgate, Shipley, took place at Shipley Cemetery, Nab Wood, on Friday (18 January).

Prior to the interment a service was held at Rosse St., Church, which she was one of the original members who formed the church at the opening. The minister paid tribute to her constant support and unswerving fidelity to the place during her long membership. A large assembly of relatives and friends attended.

Widower Edwin married Hannah Maty Iveson, 9 June 1920. She was born, 19 June 1867, and was 17 years younger than Edwin.

Excerpt from a report in the Shipley Times 18 June: -

The marriage was solemnised at Haworth Baptist Church on Wednesday 9 June, the Rev. David Arthur officiating, of Mr. E. Parker, and Miss Hannah Maty Iveson, third daughter Mr. John Iveson and the late Mrs. Iveson, of Selby.

The bridegroom was a member of the Baildon Urban District Council for eleven years and was one the founders of the firm Messrs. Carter and Parker, hosiery spinners, Baildon Mills, whilst the bride was at the “Retreat,” York, for 21 years, for 14 years of which she served as sister and night superintendent. She possesses the medico-psychological medal, proficiency medal, and William Tuke Medal, the latter being presented by the committee of the “Retreat.”

The honeymoon will be spent in the Lake District and Paris.

Report in the Shipley 6 September 1930: -

The life story of Mr. Edwin Parker, Spring Field House, Cliffe Lane, Baildon, who celebrated the 80th anniversary of his birthday on Tuesday (2 September) carries a lesson which might well borne in mind by many of the youths of the present generation.

As will be gathered from his advanced years, Mr. Parker is a “half timer,” and up to retiring 15 years ago had been accustomed to hard work. His life bears many interesting links with prominent Shipley persons of the past, for he was born at Oxenhope, and worked for the firm of Messrs Greenwoods, a time when Sir James Roberts was the office boy. He also remembers the early days of the late Mr. Reddiough. (the founder of the Baildon firm of Messrs. Reddiough and Co.)

Mr. Parker commenced work when just short of eight years of age and four years later was working full time. From Messrs, Greenwood’s he came to Saltaire and worked for Saltaire Mills in the drawing and spinning departments for 22 years, later going to Messrs. Thomas Ambler and Sons, of Bradford, as inside manager, and finally to Messrs. Mittons, of Harris Street, Bradford.

As a youth he had attended the Saltaire Technical School and there, by dint of hard spare time work, received a thorough training in the theoretical side of the trade. During this time he was a most promising scholar and passed three examinations in connection with machinery, one with honours.

This, and the practical knowledge he had obtained in the course of his work, enabled him to enter into a partnership with a friend 23 years ago as Messrs. Carter and Parker, hosiery spinners of Baildon, now of Guiseley, from which he retired 15 years ago.

On his retirement, Mr. Parker purchased his present beautifully situated house and grounds from the family of Councillor Robson, and since has spent the majority of his time tending the spacious and well-kept gardens, and seeing to the requirements of his numerous poultry, work which always gives him the greatest pleasure. The tidiness and beauty of his large garden reflect ample proof of the many and active hours which Mr. Parker spends among these beautiful surroundings.

The house was once the home of the late Miss Marie Studholme, whose grandfather, Mr. S. Lupton, was the builder of it.

Mr. Parker carries his age very well indeed, as can be seen from the fact that whilst on holiday this year two acquaintances guessed his age 60 and 65 years respectively, and further proof of his magnificent health is contained in the fact that whilst in March he completed 40 years as a member of the John Hall Memorial Friendly Society, Rosse Street, Shipley, and that he has been a member of the Managers and Overlookers Society 58 years, he has never drawn a penny in sick pay.

He has also been a prominent supporter of the Rosse Street Baptist Chapel, Shipley, for 62 years, having at some time or other held the positions of deacon, secretary for 11 years, and church and Sunday School Treasurer. At the present time it is only on rare occasions that he misses his Sunday attendance at their services.

Mr Parker has also spent a period of eleven years on the Baildon Urban Council. In politics he is a staunch Liberal.

On Tuesday he received birthday cards, letters, and telegrams from personal and business friends in all parts of the country.  

Edwin died, 14 August 1941. He was buried with his first wife in Nab Wood Cemetery, Shipley.

Report in the Yorkshire Post 19 August: -

The funeral took place at Nab Wood Cemetery. Shipley, yesterday (18 August), of Mr. Edwin Parker (90), of Springfield House, Baildon. The service was held at Rosse Street Baptist Church, Shipley, where Mr. Parker hod attended for over 70 years.

Hannah was buried with him when she died, 1 April 1944.

 

 Hannah Pickles was the daughter of George Pickles. George was born c1819 in Bradford. He married Ann, (date of marriage and maiden name unknown).

Hannah, eldest of four children, was born c1842 in Bradford. In 1851 the family were living in Bradford with George working as a wool comber. Ann died in 1860.

In 1861 Hannah was living with her uncle, John Watson, at 7 Caroline Street in Saltaire. In 1871 she was living with her father, George, at 5 Caroline Street. George died in 1879 but Hannah continued to live at No. 5 with her spinster aunt, Ann Pickles. They lived here until after 1901.

By 1911 Hannah was living with her widowed sister, Matilda Hodgson, at 14 Park Avenue in Shipley. In 1921 she was living with her niece, Sarah Hannah Hodgson, at 9 Queens Road, Shipley. Hannah, who never married, died 9 July 1935.

Report from Shipley Times 13 July: -

The death took place on Tuesday, after a brief illness, of Miss Hannah Pickles, of 9 Queen’s Road, Shipley, who was believed to be the oldest woman resident in Shipley.

Miss Pickles, who was aged 93, was actively identified with the Saltaire Methodist Church for many years, and five years ago she was given the honour of opening a big bazaar there, in recognition of her valuable services to the church. She was born in Manchester Road, Bradford, and before she was ten years old was working as a “half-timer” at mill in Bridge Street, opposite the St. George’s Hall. Her wages for a year or two were only 1s. 6d. week. Later, when her family removed to Saltaire, she secured employment with Salts (Saltaire) Ltd., the spinners and manufacturers, for whom she worked from the age of 13 to 68—a great record. The funeral took place at Nab Wood Cemetery, Shipley, on Thursday afternoon. Before the interment, a service was held at Saltaire Methodist Church, conducted the Rev. C. H. Pitt. Mr. P. Warne was on the organ.

 

Harry Pitchforth was born, 24 June 1900, in Saltaire to James Pitchforth & Sarah Hannah North. Harry was baptised 9 June 1901 at St. Mark’s, Huddersfield. By 1901 they were living at 2 Fanny Street in Saltaire where James was a labourer.

In 1911 James was a cloth scourer living with his family at 21 Shirley Street in Saltaire. By 1918 they were living at 10 Park Street in Shipley.

In the 1921 Census, Harry was a cloth finisher his father a cloth finisher. They were both working at Saltaire Mills. In August 1920, Harry was reported as being a member of the Saltaire Mills Male Voice Choir. In 1923 & 1924 he was M.C. at a number of events connected to Saltaire Mills. Harry was in the cast of a play performed by the Saltaire Mills Dramatic Society, 11 March 1925, at the Saltaire hostel.

Harry married Katherine Hilton Cheesbrough, 10 October 1925. Katherine was born, 30 April 1901, in Lincoln. In the 1921 Census she was working at Henry Mason Spinners, Victoria Works, Shipley, and living in a hostel in Shipley.

In April 1939 Harry performed in a choir at St. Paul’s Shipley. In the 1939 Register he was a cloth finisher living with his wife, a burler & mender at 7 Glenholm, Shipley. In March 1947, living at Glen Road, Windhill, Harry supported an application for granting of an off-licence for a shop in Leeds Road, Windhill.

Harry died in 1973. Katherine died in 1996.

 

James Pitchforth was the son of Solomon Pitchforth. Solomon was born, 1 April 1845, in Elland. He married Elizabeth Wadsworth, 8 March 1864, in Huddersfield Parish Church.

James, the third of eight children, was born, 15 March 1868, in Longwood, Huddersfield. In 1871 & 1881 the family were living in Longwood with Solomon working as a weaver. In 1881 James was working as a piecer.

James married Sarah Ann North, 1 June 1889, at Emmanuel Church, Lockwood, Huddersfield. They had nine children, two of them dying as infants. In 1891 they were living in Lindley, Huddersfield with James employed as a wool washer. By 1901 they had moved to 2 Fanny Street in Saltaire where James was a labourer.

Report from Shipley Times Friday 22 January 1904 as follows: -

Saltaire Man Charged with Perjury.

At the Bradford City Court, on Wednesday, James Pitchforth, cloth washer, 21 Shirley Street, Saltaire, until recently employed at Saltaire Mill, was brought up in custody on a charge of perjury.

It is stated that in October last the prisoner applied for an administration order in the Bradford County Court in respect of certain liabilities which he could not meet. He made certain statements regarding his debts in his affidavit before the Registrar’s clerk. It is alleged that in this affidavit made a false statement, concerning wages Saltaire. He stated that he was in receipt of only 24s. per week, when, as a matter of fact, he was receiving 30s.

The case came in due course for hearing at the County Court, where the man's affidavit and a statement from his employers were retained and subsequently sent to London to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who ordered proceedings to be instituted. This was done, and Detective Sergeant Thornton apprehended Pitchforth his home at Saltaire on Wednesday morning.

The prisoner was remanded.

Report from Shipley Times Friday 29 January 1904 as follows: -

The Saltaire Perjury Case.

At the Bradford City Police Court on Tuesday James Pitchforth (35), cloth-washer, 21, Shirley Street, Saltaire. was charged on remand with having committed wilful and corrupt perjury in an affidavit.

It was stated that on the 26th of October last the prisoner made application at the Bradford County Court for an administration order. In the document he signed he stated that his wages were 24s. per week, whereas subsequent inquiries showed that he had actually been in receipt of 30s. per week for the past four years.

Evidence was given by Mr Samuel Hammond, clerk to the Bradford Registrar, and by Mr C. H. Briggs, cashier and secretary to the firm of Sir Titus Salt, Bart., Sons & Co., Limited, whom the prisoner is employed, and the prisoner, on being asked if he had anything to say, remarked, “I am very sorry. I have had a hard time of it; I have had a lot of sickness and have a lot of little children.”

He was admitted to the next Assizes for trial, and on Mr Briggs giving him an excellent character, was again admitted to bail, the Stipendiary Magistrate expressing the hope that these representations as to character would be placed before the learned Judge at the Assizes.

Report from Leeds Mercury Tuesday 16 March 1904 as follows: -

The criminal business of the Winter Assizes was resumed yesterday in the Crown Court, before Mr. Commissioner Bray, K.C.

James Pitchforth, labourer, was indicted for unlawfully and knowingly committing wilful and corrupt perjury at Bradford on 26 October. He was found guilty and sentenced to six weeks imprisonment in the second division.

In 1911 James was a cloth scourer living with his family at 21 Shirley Street in Saltaire. By 1918 they were living at 10 Park Street in Shipley. Around 1936 they moved to 3 Titus Street in Saltaire.

In the 1921 Census, James was working at Saltaire Mills as were his children, Rose, Harry, Florence, William Leslie, and his nephew, James Henry Hanson.

Image: James Pitchforth, cira 1946, courtesy Gail Dagleish, great granddaughter of James.

Sarah, James’s wife, died, 28 February 1936. James died, 21 January 1949.

 

William Leslie was born, 23 September 1908, in Saltaire to James Pitchforth & Sarah Hannah North. By 1901 they were living at 2 Fanny Street in Saltaire where James was a labourer. In 1911 James was a cloth scourer living with his family at 21 Shirley Street in Saltaire. By 1918 they were living at 10 Park Street in Shipley.

In the 1921 Census, William was a warp twisters assistant and his father a cloth finisher. They were both working at Saltaire Mills.

William married Mary Lucy Pearson, 26 December 1931, at Ault Hucknall in Derbyshire. They had two children, both born in Yorkshire – Constance in 1932 and Kenneth in 1939.

Report in the Shipley Times 17 December 1938: -

SHIPLEY MAN FINED

At Bradford West Riding Court on Monday (12 December), William Pitchforth, labourer, Barrett Street, Shipley, was charged with making a false statement to obtain unemployment benefit at the Shipley Employment Exchange on 2 September. Prosecuting on behalf of the Ministry of Labour, Mr. R. S. Bishop, solicitor, Bradford, stated that on the date in question, Pitchforth went to the Shipley Employment Exchange and signed a form representing that he was unemployed and available for work the previous Monday and Tuesday 29 & 30 August and was paid 10s.—5s. in respect of each day.

On 14 September he again repeated the statement that he commenced work 31 August.

It transpired that Pitchforth had been employed by Messrs. T. Barron and Co., coal merchants. Shipley, beginning on the Monday of the week which included the two days for which he had been paid and was paid in wages £2 7s. 6d. Inquiries were made and Pitchforth was interviewed and offered to repay the 10s.

Evidence for the prosecution was given by Fred Rhodes. Tom Turner and Ernest Webster, employed at the Shipley Labour Exchange, and Mr. Gardner, of the firm of Messrs. T. Barron and Co.

Pitchforth said that was under the impression that as he was being shown the round on those two days, he would get no wages and he signed the register. Since he had got paid his wages and he was not entitled to unemployment benefit he paid the money back.

The Bench decided to convict and imposing a fine of 20s. and 10s. costs, the Chairman (Mr. Fred Hind) hoped the case would serve as a warning against other persons doing a similar thing.

In the 1939 Register, William was a motor driver living with his family at 48 Barrett Street, Shipley.

William died in 1954 at 48 Barrett Street. He died before 20 March, the day his daughter Constance married.

 

Eliza Robinson was born, 16 April 1862, in Idle to John Robinson & Mary Ann Ellerby. In 1871 they were living in Idle with John working as a coal miner.

Eliza had a daughter, Maria, born 12 February 1888, with father unknown.

Living at 19 Caroline Street, Saltaire, she married Joseph Potter 9 February 1895 at St. Paul’s, Shipley. He was a woolcomber born in 1862 and living at 8 Katherine Street, Saltaire.

In 1901 they were living at 2 Caroline Street, Saltaire. By 1911 they were living at 12 Ada Street, where they would spend the rest of their lives. Joseph died in 1912.

In 1921 widow Eliza was a spinner working at Saltaire Mills.

Eliza died 17 June 1951. She was buried/cremated in Nab Wood Cemetery, Shipley. Her daughter, Maria Senior, joined her when she died, 31 October 1954.

 

Raistrick Pouncey was the son of Alma Pouncey. Alma was born 1852 in Bradford. He married Evangeline Raistrick in 1874. In 1881 & 1891 they lived in Calverley near Leeds.

Bob , the second youngest of nine children, was born 6 May 1892 in Farsley. By 1898 the family had moved to 2 William Henry Street in Saltaire, where they remained until around 1918. Alma worked as a painter’s labourer until his death in 1916. In 1911 Bob was working as a gardener.

Advert in the Shipley Times 30 April 1915: -

CHOICE Hardy PERENNIALS and ROCKERY PLANTS in good variety for Sale – RAISTRICK POUNCEY, 2 William Henry St, Saltaire .

Bob , working as a munitions worker, married Jane Proffitt 19 August 1916 at Sion Jubilee Baptist Church in Bradford. In the 1939 Register Bob was a nurseryman & seedsman living at 6 Mitchell Lane in Idle.

In March 1956 Bob presided at a meeting in Victoria Hall, Saltaire organised by the Bradford Branch of the British Peace Committee.

By 1958 Bob and his wife had moved to 8 Springhurst Road in Shipley.

Article in the Shipley Times 5 August 1959: -

ALTHOUGH LARGELY CONFINED TO BED MR. “BOB” POUNCEY RETAINS HIS INTEREST GARDENING

It may seem paradoxical not to be able to potter about in your own garden and yet still to call yourself a gardener. Yet Mr. Raistrick Pouncey, better known to his Bradford friends as “Bob,” of 8 Springhurst Road, Shipley, does still call himself a gardener, although since April1957, he has been in poor health and now spends most of his time confined to bed. He started his long gardening career at the age of 15 and since then, up to his retirement, it was only broken once or twice due to the war years.

The situation in which Mr. Pouncey now finds himself has not altered his love for nature but now, naturally, he has a different approach it. That is, instead of planting and picking nature’s fruits he now writes intimately and intelligently of the beauty they hold for him. This is for his own amusement. As a teenager he attended botany classes at Belle Vue Grammar School during the evenings and also Bradford Technical College.

Mr. Pouncey was born in Farsley 67 years ago but came to live in Saltaire with his parents at a very early age. He recalled that a school garden enclosed on the south side of the Albert Road, Saltaire Infants' department, then under the headship of Miss Studley, must have whetted his appetite for this early type of work. With his age group moving through the big school under Miss Baldwin as head, he was plant monitor and, in afterschool hours from 8 ½ years of age, he did odd jobs in the allotments of the village and sold flowers on the bridge in the summer evenings and Saturdays to augment his meagre pocket-pence. In a Caroline Street allotment, acquired from savings, he budded his first dozen roses for practice, and later inserted three sorts on each of two briar stocks for indoor blooming. When he was 12 he started work at Salts Mill as a half-time doffer, and when was a year older he worked full-time. His workmates at that time were Edgar Drake (overlooker), Ethel Crabtree, Martha Cromack, Edith Wright, Harry Sutcliffe Ramsden, Thomas William Olsen, Margaret Walburge Dawson Hanson and Jessie Waite nee Patterson. A couple of years later he switched to gardening and began with the Saltaire firm of Kershaw’s. Even before this he knew he had greenfingers.

The local herbalists used to see quite a lot of him and it was by selling herbs he collected along the Coach Road and ether parts of Saltaire he made a few pence for himself. He was given 1s. a stone for Groundsell and Chickweed; 2s. 6d. for Parsley-piert; 2s. for Sweet Cicely; 2s. for Skullcup; 2s. for Meadow Sweet; and 2s. 6d. for Marsh Marigold. During the early 1920’s to early 1930’s he gardened at Fagley where he had a partner for a time. Here he had a wonderful field of lupins. He showed me some coloured slides of one of his lupin fields and very beautiful it was.

During this period he removed to Idle and by now also had his own stall in Bradford Market. Included in his stocks was Wormwood, which be sold exclusively, at something like 3d. a bunch. Nearly all the big Bradford Wool warehouses stocked quantities to keep down the moths and such like.

One day a woman came to his stall and said, “Have you got any of that stuff left?” meaning wormwood. Mr. Pouncey said he had. Without delay she said: “I’ll ’a some then – I scalded it last time and supped it!” On another occasion a man bought some rhubarb seedlings which he intended to plant in his window box. Flowers, especially roses, were Mr. Pouncey’s life work and they were also his hobby. He told me how he used to go out into the surrounding districts collecting plants and taking them to evening classes for study under a microscope.

He soon dismissed my theory that there could not be very many rare types of moss or flowers in this district or in the Dales for that matter.

On studying the Saltaire district he discovered that 60 different types of grass grew in the area. He would return home with his vasculum containing his day's collection and then one by one he would make a detailed examination of them, noting all their characteristics and when that was done write thesis about them. At the moment Mr. Pouncey is writing about parks and flowers of the 1920’s, again just for his own satisfaction.

He has not done a great deal of showing except from some trade shows but the fact that he liked to grow flowers on large scale can be seen when I tell you that he once had three acres of michaelmas daisies under his care.

Vegetable plants for sale have also interested Mr. Pouncey and at the moment is carrying out investigations into the origin of a certain type of cabbage.

He also puts pen to paper quite frequently to keep in contact with many old acquaintances, some of them now overseas. He once wrote a letter to a certain young man telling him who his relations and grandfathers and great grandfathers were. The young man’s mother was thrilled by the way Mr. Pouncey’s letter had arrived containing true facts. His capacity as a letter writer is quite amazing. His literary efforts also turn in the direction of poetry and he has composed several short verses. Mr. Pouncey was married at Zion Baptist Church. Bradford, in 1916, he and his wife are living with their son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Hinchliffe.

Bob was living in Shipley when he died in 1966. Jane died in 1979.

Their daughter, Joyce, was born in 1923. She married Raymond Hinchliffe in 1943. Sadly, Joyce died in 1963 aged just 39.

 

Robert Power was the son of Edward Power. Edward was born c1814 in Ireland. He married Rosinah Taylor 27 April 1833 at St Paul’s Shipley.

Robert, the second youngest of five surviving children, was born 20 November 1841 in Bradford. In 1851 the family were living in Bradford with Edward working as a woolcomber. Edward was a Chartist, and he served the movement in a clerical capacity; he suffered imprisonment in York Castle for his beliefs.

In 1854, bereft of both parents, Robert and his four siblings went to Saltaire to work in the mill. Robert, residing at 21 Fanny Street and working as a warp twister, married Ann Rushworth, a weaver residing at 11 Titus Street, at Saltaire Congregational Church 29 January 1864. (Note – there is a query on this date – it may have been 29 December 1863.) Robert and Ann had four children who survived beyond infancy; Alice (16 April 1867 – 20 May 1931), Thomas Edward (21 September1869 – 2 September 1934), Fred (b1871), and Herbert (b 1874).

Robert’s passion was books and by 1871 he was a bookseller living in Briggate, Shipley with his family. He was also an assistant teacher at the Clarendon Academy in Bowland Street, Bradford. When the new Market Hall opened in Kirkgate Bradford on 31 October 1872, Robert was one of the first tenants with a bookstall. In addition, he was a travelling salesman for W Nicholson and Sons, publishers and printers. He held this post for thirty-six years. From 1881 the family lived in the Moorhead Lane area of Shipley.

Politically, Robert was a radical, he was a member of the Reform League, being the secretary of the Shipley and Saltaire branch. In the days of the early resistance to the Vaccination Act Robert was one of the six Shipley men who became notorious by their repeated appearances before the West Riding Magistrates at Bradford. Robert was a man of religious convictions, being at first associated with the Congregationalists, but for many years after he identified with the Swedenborg faith, and he attended the New Church at Saltaire. He was for many years the President of the Saltaire Society.

Robert retired from his business in Kirkgate Market in 1911, when his son Fred took over the running of it. Robert died 14 February 1925 at 1 Ivy Grove, Moorhead, Shipley. He was buried in Nab Wood Cemetery alongside his wife Ann, who died 8 May 1923. In his will Robert left £1862 9s 10d (worth c£110,000 in 2019) to his sons Thomas and Fred.

 

Thomas Edward Power was the son of Robert Power. Robert was born 20 November 1841 in Bradford. He married Ann Rushworth 29 January 1964 at Saltaire Congregational Church.

Thomas, the second eldest of four surviving children, was born 21 September 1869. In 1871 the family were living in Briggate Shipley with Robert working as a book seller. By 1881 they had moved to 28 Moorhead Villas in Shipley. By 1891 Thomas was working at Saltaire Mills as a clerk. He was the secretary of the Saltaire Cycling Club and of the Sports Committee of the Shipley and District Friendly and Trade Societies.

Thomas emigrated to the USA in 1891 when his employee, Sir Titus Salt, Bart, Sons, and Co., decided to open a plush department in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He sailed from Liverpool 25 April 1891 aboard the City of Chester.

Thomas married Hannah Ruth Rushworth (born Bramley c1871) in 1894. They had two sons; Harry Rushworth (b October 1898) and Frederick Rogers (b May 1900). In 1900 the family were living in Bridgeport, Connecticut. They returned to England in 1905 with Thomas working for the Saltaire Company as a yarn agent.

Whilst living and working in Vienna, Austria, Thomas was made a citizen of the USA 16 April 1910. In 1911 he was living with his family at 20 Moorhead Terrace in Shipley. By 1914 they had moved to 31 Victoria Park in Shipley.
Thomas died 2 September 1934 at 31Victoria Park. He was buried in Nab Wood alongside his parents and his son Frederick, who had died 24 September 1917, aged just 17.

In his will Thomas left £3181 5s 8d (worth c£220,000 in 2019) to his wife Hannah. She died in Morecambe 20 September 1945, in Morecambe, and was buried alongside Thomas. Hannah left £3652 8s 6d (worth c£150,000 in 2019) to son Harry. Harry died in Burnley 6 October 1960 and he was buried alongside his parents.

 

Price, Herbert - Mill Worker / WW2 Roll of Honour

 

Percy John Price was born, 19 January 1903, in Staffordshire. His parents were William Price and Charlotte Cox. William died in 1916 serving his country in WW1.

By 1918 Percy was living with his mother and siblings at 8 Caroline Street, Saltaire.

Percy married Elsie Otter in 1921. Elsie was born in 1903 in Sheffield. They had a son Percy William Price, born, 7 September 1921

In the 1921 Census, Percy and Elsie were living with his mother at 8 Caroline Street, Saltaire. They remained here until around 1935. In 1921 Percy was a comber working at Saltaire Mills.

In the 1939 Register Percy was divorced and living with his mother at 9 Huntly Street, Shipley. He was working as a motor lorry driver, and he was a volunteer A.R.P. warden.

Living with his mother at 21 Caroline Street, Saltaire, Percy married Mary Johnson in 1945. They lived at 46 Thompson Street, Shipley, until after 1960.Percy died in 1966.

 

Thomas was the son of William Edward Priestley. William was born 1848 in Greetland (near Halifax). He married Elizabeth Tatham in 1876 in the district of Settle. In 1881 & 1891 they were living at Burton in Lonsdale with William working as a labourer.

Thomas, the second youngest of ten children, was born 27 March 1889 in Burton in Lonsdale. From around 1901 to 1915 the family lived at 71 Victoria Road in Saltaire; by 1918 they were at 25 Albert Road (renumbered 49) in Saltaire.

Thomas worked as a yarn packer at Saltaire Mill and in 1917 his employers represented him at the Shipley Military Tribunal. (We know he was exempt from serving up to 30 September 1917).

Thomas married Edith Mary Dibb 8 March 1922 at St Paul’s. Shipley. In 1939 they were living in Bingley. Thomas died 2nd Qtr. 1970 in Sheffield, Edith died 14 November 1970 in Sheffield.

Thomas had two brothers Rowland and Henry, who served in World War One.

 

William Edward Priestley was the son of Christopher Priestley. Christopher was born, 25 December 1811, in Greetland (near Halifax). He married Mary Ann Kitchen 7 July 1833 at St John’s Halifax.

William, the fifth of seven children was born 1848 in Greetland. He married Elizabeth Tatham 15 April 1876 at All Saints, Burton in Lonsdale. They had eleven children with one dying as an infant. In 1881 & 1891 they were living at Burton in Lonsdale with William working as a labourer.

From around 1901 to 1915 the family lived at 71 Victoria Road in Saltaire; by 1918 they were at 25 Albert Road (renumbered 49) in Saltaire.

Report from the Shipley Times 18 April 1936: -

DIAMOND WEDDING MR. & MRS. W. E. PRIESTLEY, OF SALTAIRE.

Congratulations were showered upon Mr. and Mrs. William Edward Priestley of 49 Albert Road, Saltaire, on Wednesday (15 April), the occasion of the diamond celebration of their wedding.

Married at All Saints’ Church. Burton in Lonsdale. Mr. Priestley, who is a native of Greetland, near Halifax, is eighty-eight years of age, and Mrs. Priestley who was born at Westhouse, near Ingleton, is six years his junior.

Mr. Priestley followed various occupations until 37 years ago he was brought to Saltaire by the late Sir James Roberts to work at Saltaire Mills. He retired a short time after his seventieth birthday.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Priestley enjoy good health considering their advanced years apart from the fact that following attack of influenza, his first serious illness, during the heavy snowfall about three years ago, Mr. Priestley gradually went blind. Previously he had been aide to read without strain although not using spectacles. However, he is very patient and still retains a great interest in public affairs.

Mrs. Priestley is extremely active and takes a great delight in assisting her daughter, Mrs. Chapman, with the household duties.

During the time they have resided at Saltaire Mr. and Mrs. Priestley and their family have attended the Saltaire Methodist Church.

Of their eleven children, five sons and five daughters survive, two residing in Canada and one at Torquay. There are also seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. Those members of the family who reside in the district attended a celebration on Wednesday.

It is interesting to note that the Rev Thomas who performed the wedding ceremony. also christened each of their eleven children.

In a letter received by a friend of the family, Canon H. Stowell. who is the present vicar, writes that the other day he was attending a sick parishioner, a Mr. Adam Wallbank, who remembered “Ted Priestley” and “Elisabeth Tatham” and recalled many interesting memories about them.

William died 19 August 1938. Report from the Shipley Times 27 August as follows: -

BLIND MAN'S TRAGIC DEATH A verdict that "death was due to ' shock following fracture of the left leg from an accidental fall at his home.” was recorded by the District Coroner (Mr. E. W. Norris), on Saturday, William Edward Priestley. aged 90, of 49 Albert Road Saltaire.

Mrs. Chapman (daughter) stated that Priestley, who was blind, had been reaching for his pipe from a rack the previous Saturday morning when had slipped off the edge of the couch and had fallen to the floor. He had complained that he had hurt his leg. He had died on Friday. Mr. Priestley, who was one the oldest residents of the Shipley district, was for many years employed at Saltaire Mills. The funeral took place at Nab Wood Cemetery, Shipley, on Tuesday, conducted by the Rev. C. H. Pitt.

William was buried in Nab Wood Cemetery Shipley. His widow, Elizabeth, joined him when she died less than three weeks later on 3 September.

William had two sons, Rowland and Henry, who served in World War One, and a son, Thomas, who worked in Saltaire Mill.