SHS Archives Edwards collection

H/ELE

Collection of Mr. E.L. Edwards of Evesham, Worcestershire.

Saddleworth Historical Society holds the substantial archives which Mr Edwards collected and collated over a period of many years. They comprise :-

  1. Five volumes of material largely related to Dobcross in Saddleworth.

  1. A catalogue of some 2,900 letters – all concerned with his researches.

  1. Three volumes (in 8 parts) entitled “Saddleworth and its Surroundings”.

  1. A collection of source and supplementary material.

Mr Edwards

Mr Edward Laurence Edwards was a Dobcross man by birth; his father and grandfather both being vicars of Holy Trinity. He moved to Evesham with his brother (Arthur Clements Edwards) around 1909 to start up as a fruit grower and later entered into partnership with the late Mr. Francis Bent, son of Buckley Bent of Dobcross. Neither he nor his brother married.

After his retirement, Mr Edwards was able to indulge his passion for Saddleworth history and carried out his researches with commendable skill and tenacity, as can be seen from his voluminous correspondence.

Mr Edwards died at Evesham on 27th February, 1978 at the age of 93.

ELE 1 to 5

Collection of Material on Dobcross – 5 volumes

Presented by Mr E. L. Edwards to the Parish of Holy Trinity, Dobcross, in memory of the Rev. Wm. Simpson, M.A., and the Rev. H.P. Edwards, L.Th., former Vicars of the Parish.

Rev. Wm. Simpson. Born 26/06/1812 in Leeds, Educated Queens College, Cambridge: B.A. in 1838 and M.A. in 1842. Ordained Deacon 29/07/1838, Curate of St. James, Halifax at £100 per annum. Priested 28/07/1839, St John’s, Bury. Married Miss Maria Stockdale of London at St. James’, Westminster, 31/03/1842. Headmaster of Rochdale Grammar School. Licensed to the Perpetual Curacy of Dobcross, 08/03/1845. Vicar of Holy Trinity, Dobcross for 55 years.

Rev. Harry Pollentine Edwards. Born 10/10/1847 at Cuthburt. Qualified as a teacher at Battersea Training College and appointed Headmaster of Dobcross Church School 1867. Entered Lichfield Theological College 1879, became deacon 1881 and was licensed to the Curacy of Holy Trinity Church, Birchfield, Birmingham. Priested 1882. Married 08/01/1884 to Caroline Mary, daughter of Rev. Wm. Simpson. Became Curate at Dobcross in 1885 and Vicar in 1900. Retired to Evesham in 1916 and died there 04/01/1922.

ELE 1

Volume 1

The author/compiler describes the Work as an Album or Guardbook of Dobcross. The volume has 209 pages, but many have multi page treatises attached – there are 158 photographs, prints, maps, plans and copies from engravings.

The Dobcross material is placed in context by the provision of maps and by information on the history of Saddleworth which includes accounts of transactions in land and property and detailed lists of place names and land holdings.

There is considerable emphasis on church matters and the relationship of the clergy with local people. Many aspects are covered, including church finances, problems with Glebe lands, religious education, sermons for special occasions, festivals, lists of parishioners, lists of people buried at Dobcross and elsewhere and commentaries on factors such as newspapers on attendance in church.

Evidence is presented of the life styles of the vicars and their wives by references to income, religious and secular activities, lists of friends, correspondence, involvement in the development of school an evening classes, activation of the church magazine and the taking of a house to house lists of parishioners to asses circulation; taking of confirmation classes, domestic duties, including dealings with livestock. Good evidence is also given of the political activities of the Rev. H.P. Edwards and in particular of his efforts in respect of ensuring the supply of pure water.

The album also contains family photographs, pictures of Holy Trinity Church, eminent churchmen, social scenes such as festivals, bazaar’s, amateur theatrical casts and teachers at school; houses, mills and local scenery. The author writes “Photographs have bee included to convey some idea of the state, or appearance of Saddleworth generally at the turn of the century, and to provide a means for forming a background, in the mind, of the scenes and events of time past.”

ELE 2

Volume 2

This volume contains the following items:-

  1. A report of a conference “Ashton-under-Lyne, Stalybridge and Dukinfield (District) Waterworks Committee – versus – Assessment Committee of the Saddleworth Union”. (1914-15)

This includes valuations for certain water works and the storage capacity of reservoirs.

(b) Two copies of a Bill – “To alter the constitution of the Ashton-under-Lyne, Stalybridge and Dukinfield (District) Waterworks Joint Committee and to make the Audenshaw and Saddleworth Urban District Councils combining authorities and to make further and better provision with regard to the Improvement Health Local Government and Finance of the Urban Districts of Audenshaw and Saddleworth and for other purposes.”

(c) Copy of a Bill – “To authorise the Corporation of Oldham to construct additional Waterworks Tramways and Street Improvements : to confer further powers with respect to the supply of Gas and Electricity; to make further provision for the Health Local Government and Improvements of the Borough; and for other purposes.” 1909

(d) Annual Report on the Health of the Urban District of Saddleworth for the year 1908 by Herbert Ramsden, M.D. 1908

ELE 3 Volume 3

Contents :-

  1. Two handbooks for Grand Floral Bazaar – Holy Trinity Church, Dobcross. 1904&1905

  2. The Friarmere & Dobcross Magazine. Copies November & December. 1880

  3. Dobcross Parish Magazine. 1896 & 1897

ELE 4 Volume 4

Contents:-

  1. Documents related to the “call-up” of men for the war in 1916

The material includes the constitution, functions and procedure of the local tribunals which decided on the legitimacy of claims for exemption from military service and also lists of certified (exempted) occupations and notes for guidance of tribunals. Other documents deal with Appeal & Central Tribunals, conscientious objectors and the substitution of women for men in industry.

The Rev. H.P. Edwards’ copies of Saddleworth Tribunals are included; these provide each claimant’s name, age, address, occupation, the name of his employer and in many instances the tribunals decision and the time taken to decide.

The Rev. H.P. Edwards attended as a member of the Tribunal for the last time on October 23rd ,1916.

(b) Register of Electors – Dobcross District. 1913

(c) Register of Electors – Diggle District 1913

ELE 5 Volume 5

Manuscript book of sermons, the earliest preached in 1772 at Halifax. Reference is included to sermons recorded in volume 1 of this collection.

ELE 6 – 12

General correspondence

Note. ELE 6–12, contains a collection of individually numbered items, mainly letters concerned with Mr. E.L. Edwards’ researches. Generally, the items identify the main research subject(s), the correspondent and /or the source of information and the date.

ELE 6 Catalogue of the letters in the E.L. Edwards’ collection.

ELE 7 E.L. Edwards’ correspondence, items 1–700.

ELE 8 E.L. Edwards’ correspondence, items 701–1400.

ELE 9 E.L. Edwards’ correspondence, items 1401–1835.

ELE 10 E.L. Edwards’ correspondence, items 1836–2263.

ELE 11 E.L. Edwards’ correspondence, items 2264–2703.

ELE 12 E.L. Edwards’ correspondence, items 2704–2852.

ELE 13–15

Saddleworth and its Surroundings.

In his preface Mr. Edwards comments on the changing character of Saddleworth and its people as the area becomes urbanised and the importance of recording historical information whilst recollection of the old ways is still available. He modestly emphasises that his “notes and pictures” are intended for the enjoyment of those who are interested in past times and old places.

ELE 13

Volume 1, part 1

Part 1, commences with a miscellany of newsclips and other items on a wide variety of subjects relating to Saddleworth – its history , places and people – ranging from a reference in the Doomsday Book to the Hundred of Blackburn, of which Saddleworth was a part, speculations on the Huguenot tradition and descriptions of old inns, to the sources of place names, the beginning of the wool trade, affairs of local churches and references to local notables and tradespeople. Local historians, Hartley Bateson, Ammon Wrigley, Beckett Whitehead and A.J. Howcroft figure prominently in this section.

The other sections of the volume 1, part 1 largely comprise of photographs of Delph and district and then Denshaw and Diggle. These sections feature Methodism, an account of a double murder in 1903, canal and railways tunnels and the Diggle Mill water wheel. Portraits are included of Morgan Brierley and Joseph, Henry and Frederick William Mallalieu.

Volume1, part 2

This book comprises a fine collection of photographs, first of Dobcross and then Greenfield – places, people, objects and scenery – which in total provide a good reflection of the characters of these parishes. The album is supported by newspaper cuttings which record the careers and/or family connections of notable people and the occurrence of floods, droughts, death, etc.

There is an account of the Stapletons of Yorkshire (early Lords of the Manor of Saddleworth) and pedigrees of the Saddleworth families of Shaw, Platt, Bent, Radcliffe’s of Shaw Hall, Bradbury’s of Lower Brownhill, Baileys of Grasscroft, Shaws of Furlane, Taylor’s of Westfield, Grundys of Hey, Platts of Butterworth and Farrer (Lord of the Manor) together with well known families in other places, such as the Blackburn’s of Richmond in Yorks, the Lacys of Pontefract, Stansfields and Townleys of Lancashire, the Saxon Deans of Whalley, Ormerods of Lancs, Openshaws of Bury and the Roberts family of Glassenbury in Kent and Ballyhooly in County Cork, Eire.

Volume 1, part 3

This again is an album of photographs of buildings, people, places and objects, supported by newspapers and other articles. The districts surveyed are Hey, which is adjacent to Lees, near Oldham, Lydgate, including Grotton Hall; Scouthead, Newhouses, Hartshead (pike), Uppermill and also Buckton Castle, Roughtown – Mossley, Whalley Abbey, Clitheroe, Digley Valley and Oldham. There is considerable information on the Platt family that was associated with textile machinery.

ELE 14

Volume 2, part 1

This volume includes local elements such as extracts from the Minute book of the 34 W.Y.R.V. Band at Dobcross, but largely comprises historical information relating to Saddleworth. Much is derived from well known published sources and in some cases the publications are re-prints of articles first published in the Oldham Chronicle and Manchester City News.

The principal sections are:-

  1. Copies of early maps of Saddleworth, including the Inclosures award of 1834.

  1. The Saddleworth section of A Description of The Country from 30 to 40 miles around Manchester by J. Aiken M.D.

  1. Historical Sketch of Saddleworth by James Bottomley.

  1. Mss. copies of Canon Raines’ notes on Saddleworth which include information on Incumbents, church finances, Dobcross and Lydgate churches and Wharmton School and a plan of the interior of St. Chads, dated 1769.

  1. Copy of “ A History and Description of the Parochial Chapelry of Saddleworth” by James Butterworth (82 pages) 1828

  1. Extracts from “Saddleworth Sketches” by Joseph Bradbury. 1870–71.

  1. Extracts from Outlines of the History of Saddleworth by Morgan Brierley. 1888.

  1. A Chapter from History of Saddleworth by Morgan Brierley. 1891.

  1. Extract from Annals of Saddleworth by Ammon Wrigley. 1901.

Volume 2 part 2

As in part 1, there are individual items of specific interest, for example, “The Delph Donkey Story” (railway) the Saddleworth War Memorial (1914 – 1918) and a record of hares caught during the period 1861–76. However, the bulk of the material is concerned with the history of Saddleworth, most being similar in nature to that described in part 1 above, but with the additional information, with sources, on places and organisations which have affected the development of Saddleworth and its Parish Church, viz, Whalley, Stanlaw Abbey, Clitheroe, Rochdale, etc.

This section also includes a measure of the Tenements of the Lordship of Saddleworth in 1770, prepared by John Lees, and an analysis of the holdings in 1795.

ELE 15

Volume 3

Volume 3, which is in 3 parts, shows by means of photographs, diagrams and explanations the progress made in the techniques of producing cloth from earliest times to the second half of the 20th Century. In addition, examples are included of old buildings associated with textile industry and examples of the application of different forms of motive power.

A brief history of textiles and information on some major inventions and important people are also included.

Part 1

The photographic record covers old buildings associated with textiles and then spans ancient spinning and weaving through to the early semi-mechanised machinery used in the home and house to the highly developed systems of production applied by Arkwright, Jacquard and others for factory use.

Certain men prominent in the development phase of mechanised production are featured, together with accounts of significant inventions. There is a photograph of Henry Platt’s house and Smithy at Dobcross and family pedigrees of Kays of Park, Oran, Whitehead, Allanson and Openshaw, all of Bury in Lancashire.

Part 2

This comprises a photographic record of 20th Century wool processing machinery for the processes prior to spinning and then for various spinning machines used for the production of “woollen” and “worsted” (combed wool) yarns.

Part 2 also includes the completion of a brief history of textiles and describes the influence of influxes of immigrants on the development of the textile industry in England.

Part 3

The first part of the book provides photographs of a selection of machines which prepare the spun yarn for weaving viz, winding, beaming, sizing and warping followed by different types of weaving machines and special mechanisms for weft insertion and cloth patterning. This section is completed by a series of photographs of cloth finishing machines.

The latter part provides photographs of machinery in woollen and worsted mills being tended by operatives.

Also included is an account of some aspects of life in Saddleworth, particularly in Dobcross, during the years 870 to 1880.

ELE 16

Copies of Photographs, numbers 1 to 159, used in the E.L. Edwards’ collection, with a catalogue which identifies subjects and locations.

ELE 17 to 53 inclusive

Source and Supplementary Material

Items ELE 17 to 53 contain much of the source material for volumes ELE 1 to 5 and 13 to 15 inclusive and also contain considerable supplementary and background information.

ELE 17 to 56

17. Will of Joseph Taylor of Dobcross. 1847

18. Non-Parochial Registers and Records – information from Public Record Office, London.

Also, photocopy of “Non-Parochial Registers in Yorkshire”, by Bryan Dale.

19. Extracts from Directories and a summary of 1814–1884

Directories:

Bentham 1814/15

Not identified 1818–20

Baines 1822

Pigot 1828/29,30,34 & 41

White 1837, 37/38, 42, 47, 53 & 66

Kelly 1861, 67 & 77

Worrall 1871 & 1884

20. Extracts: from Ashton-u-Lyne Registers

from Baines’ Directory of 1822

21. Extracts from Oldham and Middleton Parish Registers with reference to

Radcliffe and Mallaliue families

22. Ordnance map of Saddleworth – photocopies. 1854

23. Hirst Memorial in Saddleworth Churchyard – photographs (6).

Also contains material on Hirst and Taylor families and refers to James Hollingworth (Loomworks) coming from Holmfirth in about 1850 with the Hirsts.

24. Material relating to the Blackburne, Bent, Schofield and Shaw families, with information on basic sources.

25. Shawhall and Dobcross – tracings and photocopies of sections of old maps (work done by Mr. David Chadderton), with correspondence D.C. & E.L.E., and copies of documens relating to the Taylor family per H.

Mellor, Greenfield. c.1820 maps

26. Copies of sections of the Saddleworth Plan of 1822,”A Plan of the Township of Quick and the Parish of Saddleworth.”

27. Radcliffe: considerable material on the families, with pedigrees and locations of source data. Also includes a part copy of George Shaw’s notes on Shaw Hall and a list of subscribers to the rebuilding of the tower of St. Chad’s Church, Saddleworth in 1846-7.

28. Sadddleworth Parish Registers, by J. Radcliffe: notes extracted from

volumes 1 and 2, with index.

29. Westfield and Lydgate Mill. Includes lecture notes of Rev C.C.W. Airne.

Also refer to E.L.E. 25.

30. Information on the Shaw family, with pedigrees, and extracts from the catalogue of goods sold at St. Chad’s House, Saddleworth in 1920.

31. Wills and their whereabouts by A.J. Camp). Extracts,

including hints on making will abstracts.

32. Extracts from “Textile Finishing”, by A.J. Hall, Heywood Books.

33. Farrer: considerable material on the family, with pedigrees and locations of source material. Also includes information on the Platt and Radcliffe families (textile machinery), and the history of Halifax.

34. Platt: considerable material on the family, with pedigrees.

35. William Hinchcliffe, manuscript and typed copy of Dobcross as it was about 1870 to 1880” – to Rev. H.A. Thomas, vicar of Dobcross.

36. Openshaw, Townley and Grundy families: material pedigrees and some source information. Includes reference to Hey and Lydgate churches and Lydgate cotton mill and also contains a pedigree of Platts of Oldham.

37. Carucates, Clitheroe, Colne – ancient history.

Contains:-

  1. Carucates and other land measures.

  2. The Hundred of Blackburn and the Honor of Clitheroe – from the Domesday Book.

  3. Parochial Chapelry of Colne.

  4. Clayton le Dale – in Latin.

  5. Foundation of the present church of Whalley.

  6. De Statu Blagborneshire – in Latin.

  7. Differences in dialect, Northumbria –v- Mercia.

38. Lawton: material on the family with source data. Also contains Mr. F.G. Battye’s family tree.

39. Book: The Huguenot Ancestry of the Mallalieus of Saddleworth, by D.F.E. Sykes, L.L.B. 1920

40. Macmillan, the Rt. Hon. Harold – ancestry.

41. Ammon Wrigley – extracts from his Songs of a Moorland Parish.

42. Saddleworth Hunt: account of hares received and delivered and other information. 1861 – 1876

43. Morgan Brierley (1824–1897): an extract from his writings, by his daughter Helen.

44. Kays of Park, near Bury in Lancashire – pedigree.

45. Stapletons: extracts from The Stapletons of Yorkshire, by H.E.

Chetwynd–Stapylton. Pub. Longmans, Green & Co., London, 1897.

46. Marsden Moor Murders 1903 – Oldham Chronicle reports. Also Dobcross stabbing case 1903, the last Rush Cart 1919 and the comments of Ammon Wrigley on characters and places in Saddleworth.

47. Lacy: Pedigree and history with source data.

48. Saddleworth: numbered notes and cuttings on subjects related to Saddleworth – from various newspapers and other sources.

48/1. Newspaper cuttings, numbers 1 to 392.

48/2. Newspaper cuttings, numbers 393 to 836.

48/3. Newspaper cuttings, numbers 837 to 990.

49. Hollingworth (Dobcross Loom Works) – family and pedigree.

50. Lees of Delph Lodge: extracts of family entries I Saddleworth Parish Registers. Additionally, from old directories, entries on Broadbents of Carr and Robinsons of Woodbrook.

51. Methodism in Delph, Saddleworth – from Oldham Chronicle, January 15th 1955.

52. Harrop, Biltcliffe, Simpson/Edwards.

53. Miscellaneous items:-

  1. John Brierley (Clock John), watch and clock maker and jeweller of Delph.

  2. Wall Hill Clough et al and Dobcross Inns. Accounts of mills, inns, owners and trades. 1814 – 1896

  3. Mills etc. in Uppermill, including the Old Factory. Also family information on Buckleys, Bradburys and others and references to mills in Saddleworth.

  4. Wharmton School.

  5. Death of Mr. F.G. Battye J.P.

  6. Bottomleys of Greenfield – Tombstones.

Samuel Wrigley of Scouthead – Tombstones.

Robert Wrigley of Scouthead – Tombstones.

Elizabeth Shaw of Laceby – Tombstones.

  1. Old Walk Mill.

  2. Waterhead Mill – from Oldham Chronicle 8.9.1961.

  3. Roger of Poictou, pedigree – from Baines, History of Lancs. Page 119.

(10) Saddleworth Registers, including Non-Conformist Chapels, also Wills – locations of these. Also certain Census returns.

(11) Notes on Dobcross – people, places, schools, mills.

(12) Extracts from Bygone Marsden, by Lewis Buckley Whitehead.

(13) Sundry references – 12 pages.

(14) Barnes, Edith Annie.

(15) Peterloo, three accounts by eyewitnesses – names and where published.

(16) Note Photo negatives and weaving diagram of gauze with Lenoweave.

(17) Speech made at Sunday School entertainment – no date.

(18) Dobcross Holy Trinity – Harvest Festival and Thanksgiving Programme.

(19) Abstracts from Oldham Chronicle 1962/3 – Iris Mill engine, Saddleworth Banking, Castleshaw reservoir, Church Fields, finder of Viking gold ring, turnpike roads, Denshaw Church, Canal Tunnel and Dr. Byrom.

(20) Methodism in Saddleworth.

(21) ‘Fairbottom Bobs’ – Newcomen Engine

(22) Ammon Wrigley – typed etracts from Saddleworth Chronological Notes and Saddleworth: Its Pre-historic Remains.

54. Copy of Rate Map, Dobcross, 1822 (2 containers)

55. Envelope of miscellaneous items, many being copies of material previously calendared.

56. Newspaper extracts of Woollen textile processing – photos taken in mills. From Huddersfield Weekly Examiner.

57. Eight letters written by E.L. Edwards to David Chadderton and one to E. Woolley, photographer:

  1. to E. Woolley re the printing of 25 rolls of film which he took in 1897–98, and an enquiry re the possibility of photographing the Town Map of Saddleworth. 3 Feb. 1975

(2) to D. Chadderton re the old 1820 Map. Mar. 1975

(3) to “re the Farrar’s Arms area. 12 Mar. 1975

(4) to “re the Dobcross & Shaw Hall sketches. 8 Aug. 1975

(5) to “re the Delph Line. 10 Aug. 1975

(6) to “re the old map; some nostalgia about

Dobcross Vicarage & the spring in Husteads Lane; Tamewater Mill. 13 Aug. 1975

(7) to “re the 1822 Map. 6 Oct. 1975

(8) to “ “ “ “ “ 26 Nov. 1975

(9) to “ “ “ “ “ 29 Feb. 1976

Presented by Mr. D. Chadderton, December 1982