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Catalogue

Miscellaneous documents

Reference: D/X 995 Catalogue Title: Miscellaneous documents Area: Catalogue Category: Other Records Description: Edleston family business records

Covering Dates: 1848-1885

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Catalogue Description

Records deposited on long-term loan

27 August 1992 (Acc: 2083(D))

County Record Office,
County Hall,
DURHAM.
DHl 5UL

Telephone (091) 383 3253
INTRODUCTION

Robert Edleston, senior, was a small cloth manufacturer with a factory in Sowerby Bridge, near Halifax, Yorkshire. He married Sarah Holmes, daughter of another millowner, Joseph Holmes. On the death of Joseph Holmes, the firm of Joseph Holmes and Son passed to his only son, Thomas. Thomas died childless bequeathing the whole of the Holmes property to his sister's family in the form of the Thomas Holmes Trust which included a legacy of £40,000, the income from which was divided equally amongst Robert's six children.

Robert's fourth son, Joseph, went to Cambridge University and subsequently became Vicar of Gainford in 1863, where he remained until his death in 1896.

Most of this deposit relates to the business activities of Robert Edleston's third and fifth sons, Dickinson and Robert (junior) who were partners in the firm of Messrs. D. and R. Edleston of Sowerby Bridge and Halifax.

Catalogue Contents

Miscellaneous Items Prior to 1870 (Ref: D/X 995/1-4)

Receipted account paid by Robert Edleston, to the executors of the late John Shaw, 3 July 1865
(1 paper)


Account of money paid to Robert Edleston under the heading of Barleycorn Square, 22 January 1866
(1 paper)


Letter to George Sutcliffe, Union Street, Halifax, from Henry Philbrick, 14 George Street, Halifax, concerning an appointment for Mr. Sutcliffe and Mr. Edleston, with a Mr. Woods, 9 November 1869
(1 paper)


Loose pages from an unidentified account book, 23-30 September 1848, 3-6 January 1849, 28-29 March 1850 and 4 January - 24 April 1851
(4 papers)

Dyeworks and Problems of Fouling Streams (Ref: D/X 995/5-10)

Draft letter to J.E. Norris, Town Clerk [of Halifax?], from Robert Edleston on behalf of the executors of Thomas Holmes, saying that Dean Clough Dyeworks is to be sold as a whole, 23 September 1868
(1 paper)


"Memorandum of Business Accounts Checkings - to be always at hand", relating to a Dyeworks [? Dean Clough Dyeworks], 18 January 1869
(1 booklet)


Letter to Messrs. Ingram and Baines, solicitors, from Craven and Rankin, solicitors, Halifax, concerning Messrs. Edleston and Colonel Akroyd, and a request to make good the injuries done to Dean Clough Dyeworks when trade fixtures were removed; it was suggested that independent assessment of the cost should be made, 31 May 1869
(1 paper)


Letters to Robert Edleston from Wavell, Philbrick, Foster and Wavell, solicitors, 14 George Street, Halifax, and from Ingram and Baines, solicitors, Halifax, enclosing a copy of a letter sent to them from Wavell, Philbrick, Foster and Wavell, concerning breaches of the injunction against Messrs. Edleston and the Jack Royd Dye Works fouling the Hebble Brook, 12 January 1870
(3 papers)


Letters to Robert Edleston, 8 Havelock Road, Hastings, from Samuel Utley, concerning his improved health, and informing him that Messrs. Kirk of Old Lane are requesting an affidavit from Mr. Edleston or Mr. Utley to support their application for an injunction against Messrs. Todds, owners and occupiers of Stray Lane Mill, Overden, for fouling the stream, 29 May and 15 June 1875
(2 papers)


Letters to Robert Edleston, from Ingram and Huntriss, solicitors, enclosing letters from Booth, Clough and Booth acting for the executors of J.M. Kirk under lessees of property at Old Lane, and asking for information concerning water rights on account of persons higher up the stream fouling their water, 8 December 1877 - 25 October 1878
(4 papers)

 (Ref: D/X 995/11-15)

Halifax and Overden Railway Route and Associated
New Slaughter House


Correspondence with Robert Edleston, from Samuel Utley, Ingram and Huntriss, and Isaac Booth with a sub-committee of the Halifax Corporation Market Committee, concerning the use of a site at Ladyship for a new slaughter house and the subsequent payment by the corporation when it broke the contract, 4 January 1881 - 8 December 1882
(7 papers)


Confidential letter to Robert Edleston, from John Champney, James Akroyd and Son Limited, Halifax, concerning the attitude of the Halifax Corporation towards the proposed North Bridge Railway Extension and possible measures to gain the acceptance of their preferred route, 5 January 1882
(1 paper)


Letter to Robert Edleston from Ingram and Huntriss, solicitors, Halifax, concerning the campaign for the enlargement of North Bridge Station, 3 February 1883
(1 paper)


Plan showing area of Ladyship Mill, Spindle Mill Dam, between Old Lane and the railway (Halifax and Ovenden), plan no. 7420 by Utley and Gray, architects and surveyors, Halifax, 1 July 1880
(1 plan, 22 cm. x 17 cm., paper, coloured)


Plan of proposed reservoir near Ladyship Mill and the Halifax and Ovenden Junction railway, no. 7900, by Utley and Gray, architects and surveyors, Halifax, 13 June 1882
(1 plan, 54.5 cm. x 33.5 cm., paper, coloured)

Matters Relating to Coal Interests (Ref: D/X 995/16-20)

Letter to Robert Edleston from George Booth reporting on a meeting at Bradford of West Riding colliery and factory owners concerning a clause in a parliamentary bill restricting the employment of boys and how best to campaign to alter it, 28 March 1872
(1 paper)


Letter to Robert Edleston from F. Fawthorp offering to sell him his share in the coal on the West Croft farm, 9 December 1872
(1 paper)


Letter to Robert Edleston from George Booth, Quarry House Colliery, proposing price reductions in order to keep their customers, as other people are selling at much lower prices, 15 December 1873
(1 paper)


Letter to Robert Edleston, from John Shore, Siddal Top, Southern Ram, reporting on his visit to Adders Gate in Shibden where Mr. Greenwood, the farmer, had shown him where the land had fallen in; in Mr. Shore's opinion the collapse was due to Messrs. Walsh exceeding their boundaries, in coal workings, 15 January 1874
(1 paper)


Letters to Robert Edleston, from John Shore, concerning the closure of the pit at High Field due to the collapse of the side; fortunately the men and boys had left the pit 1.5 hours before the fall. He reports it would cost nearly as much to repair as the coal is worth, 27 March 1876 On the reverse, he reports that his first letter had been returned from Hastings, so he is forwarding him the letter to explain about the pit closure, 17 August 1876
(1 paper)

Matters Relating to Quarries (Ref: D/X 995/21-29)

Letters to Messrs. D. & R. Edleston from Samuel Utley, concerning Mill Lane Quarry and possible purchasers and the street plan and drainage scheme approved by the Halifax Corporation, 24 September 1873 - 8 January 1874
(3 papers)


Letter to Robert Edleston, from John Shore, concerning the quality of sandstone delff(bed) in Old Lane Quarry, 20 November 1873
(1 paper)


Tender for the Mill Lane Quarry from William Wright Binns, Roils Head, Warley, near Halifax, 12 January 1874
(1 paper)


Letter to Robert Edleston, from Samuel Utley, concerning the need to discharge Mutton for poor work [involving a quarry] and being constantly in 'a state of beer'; also the need to open the quarry while there is tip room, and details of terms made with the Water Committee relating to the corporation's future maintenance of the water mains, 2 March 1874
(1 paper)


Letter to Messrs. D. and R. Edleston from Utley and Gray, surveyors, Halifax, informing them that Trueman Shaw has undertaken to complete Mutton's contract concerning the streets at Booth Town and giving details of financial arrangements, 1 June 1874
(1 paper)


Letter to Robert Edleston from John Mutton, Wilson Yard, Elland, asking for justice in the payments of his accounts and complaining about Mr. Utley, 21 December 1874
(1 paper)


Memorandum by Robert Edleston of permission given to Edward Wright, Oxenhope, to try for stone in the allotment at Oxenhope, 1 April 1879
(1 paper)


Account for stone from the Country Marble Granite Stoneworks, Waterside, sent by John Oates, sculptor, n.d.
(1 paper)


Memorandum by Robert Edleston of the agreement of Messrs. John Thorp and Son to take stone on the hill at Old Lane, n.d.
(1 paper)

 (Ref: D/X 995/30-57)

Correspondence relating to alterations and land transactions
at Old Mill, Booth Town and associated areas


Letters to Robert Edleston from Samuel Utley and John Ingram concerning the sale of land at Old Lane and near Ladyship to Mr. C. Barston, 8 November 1872 - 18 June 1873
(7 papers)


Plan tracing (no. 3355) of Old Lane, Ladyship and the line to which the Halifax and Ovenden Railway gave notice, prepared for Messrs. D. and R. Edleston and Mr. Barstow by Utley and Gray, surveyors, Halifax, 8 November 1872
(1 plan, 27 cm. x 25 cm., pen and wash)


Letter to Robert Edleston from Utley and Gray, surveyors, Halifax, informing him of a meeting with the Halifax and Ovenden Railway requesting that as much room as possible should be left between the railway and buildings near Ladyship Mill (concerning Mr. Barstow as well as themselves). Utley and Gray suggested it was best to carry out the plan of straightening Old Lane submitted to the corporation in May 1870, which probably means Ladyship must come down. They request Mr. Edleston to bring in the plan tracing they left with him [D/X 995/31], 14 February 1873
(1 paper)


Letter to Robert Edleston, from Samuel Utley, reporting that he had met the Improvement Committee at the Old Lane diversion and complaining of their 'most annoying and insulting manner possible', 13 March 1874
(1 paper)


Letter to Robert Edleston, from J. Waymark, Halifax, assuring him that possible improvements to a lane have not been forgotten by the corporation, 9 June 1874
(1 paper)


Letters to Robert Edleston, from Samuel Utley, concerning the developments in Old Lane and the Booth Town estates and the possible sale of land to Messrs. Balme, 24 July - 20 October 1874
(3 papers)


Correspondence to Robert Edleston, from Samuel Utley and Ingram & Huntriss, concerning the proposal by Messrs. Balme and Earnshaw, Booth Town, to build an extension over the dam and to purchase their place, 20 June 1873 - 2 February 1875
(8 papers)


Letter to Robert Edleston, from Samuel Utley, concerning the need to settle the 'Old Lane question', annotated by Robert Edleston, and sanctioning Mr. Utley to fix a fair price between the Trustees (Holmes?) and Mr. Edleston; also some mathematical calculations, 8 February 1877
(2 papers)


Letter to Robert Edleston from Samuel Utley, making an appointment to see him regarding the proposed improvement of Old Lane and the Broad Tree Road and a proposition from Messrs. Kirk on the subject, 29 June 1877
(1 paper)


Note of the date of the conveyance of paper mill, 22 November 1871
(1 paper)


Letter to Robert Edleston, from W.H. Leather, Knowsthorpe, requesting further information concerning negotiations by the railway company for the transfer of Mr. Edleston's leasehold property, the Paper Mill Estate, 28 August 1872 Annotated draft letter on the reverse informing Mr. Leather that Mr. Utley has been instructed to communicate with him concerning this matter, 12 September 1872
(1 paper)


Letter to Robert Edleston, from Samuel Utley, informing him that Messrs. Ingham and Robinson may try to treat for the mills at Booth Town, 4 November 1873
(1 paper)


Letter to Robert Edleston from Samuel Utley, concerning the need for the Borough Engineer to deepen the Mill Lane sewer and the need for new roads to be made, 4 August 1874
(1 paper)


Notice to Messrs. D. and R. Edleston, Sowerby Bridge, from P. Bornie, Borough Engineer, Town Hall, Halifax, informing them that Hall Street, Booth Town, is being sewered and suggesting that they arrange with the contractor to construct connections of the present drains to the new sewer, 30 August 1872
(1 paper)


Draft letter to A.C. Foster, Town Clerk [for Halifax], from Dickinson and Robert Edleston, with reference to his notice concerning the fence 'West of Booth Town Mill and Booth Town Road', informing him that the trustees of the road have always maintained it, 3 March 1874
(1 paper)


Letter to Robert Edleston from Samuel Utley, requesting a meeting and including a copy of a note from Edward R.P. Escott, Borough Engineer, to Uttley and Gray requesting that a fence be erected adjoining the diverted portion of Old Lane, south from the New Mill, without delay, 20-21 November 1874
(1 paper)


Letter to Messrs. D. and R. Edleston from Edward R.P. Escott, Borough Engineer, Town Hall, Halifax, drawing their attention to the need for a proper fence opposite their property in Old Lane, between the bottom of Mill Lane and the dam at 'Barstows' Mill, a portion having fallen into the brook, 22 June 1875
(1 paper)


Memorandum giving terms for the rent of Booth Town New Mill and adjacent premises by George Holden and James Holt, silk spinners, 18 January 1881
(1 paper)


Letter to Robert Edleston from H.J. Barber and J.F. Walsh, District Superintendents, Royal Insurance Office, Crossley Street, Halifax, making an offer to insure Booth Town Mill, 8 February 1881
(1 paper)


Letter to Robert Edleston from Samuel Utley, concerning the sale of land to a Mr. Halstead and an appointment to view some roads which would develop the Park Lodge, Five Mile and Ovenden Hall estates, 24 March 1873
(1 paper)


Letter to Robert Edleston from Samuel Utley, of Utley and Gray, telling him that the Town Hall engineer wanted to know if they had a street plan on the Park Lodge Estate; suggesting to him that they arrange for necessary junctions into the main drain being laid in the Overden Road, and informing him of a report and valuation of the Ladyship property, 8 April 1873
(1 paper)


Letter to Robert Edleston, from Utley and Gray, Crown Street, Halifax, concerning a request to purchase land 'behind Stick's plot', 31 January 1873
(1 paper)


Letters sent to Robert Edleston, esq., from Samuel Utley, surveyor, and Ingram and Huntriss, solicitors, mentioning a meeting of 'The Ovenden Gentlemen' and referring to purchase of land by Mr. Yates, 1-25 July 1873
(3 papers)


Letter to Robert Edleston, from Samuel Utley, of Utley and Gray, civil engineers, architects and surveyors, Halifax, requesting information about the status of Hebble Lane (formerly Jack-Royde Lane) with regard to repair and drains, 21 January 1874
(1 paper)


Letter to Robert Edleston from Samuel Utley, informing him that a client would like a portion of land (like Mr. Yates) on a ground rent, to use for a joiner's shop, 7 May 1874
(1 paper)


Letter to Robert Edleston from Samuel Utley, reporting on a call made by Mr. John Atkinson wanting particulars of the foundry site as he wants to build a chapel, the Old Lane improvement contract's being almost ready and the fact that Messrs. Hirst and Co., Ladyship Mill, have stopped trading which involves Mr. Barstow among the creditors and the consequences to Mr. Edleston, 29 January 1879
(1 paper)


Letter to Robert Edleston, from Samuel Utley, concerning a possible meeting with Mr. Ingram to deal with 'Sykes' matters", 16 March 1880
(1 paper)


Letter [to Robert Edleston] from Samuel Utley, concerning Mr. Robinson's request to be allowed to rent the large mill only, n.d.
(1 paper)

 (Ref: D/X 995/58-63)

Correspondence from Messrs. D. & R. Edleston's Solicitors
(originally Ingram and Baines, then Ingram, finally
Ingram and Huntriss, of Halifax)


Letters to Robert Edleston from John R. Ingram, concerning settling the accounts of the late firm of Ingram and Baines, 26 March 1872 - 17 January 1873
(3 papers)


Letters to Robert Edleston from John Ingram and Ingram and Huntriss, concerning appointments on various matters, 1 June 1872 - 10 March 1874
(3 papers)


Letters to Robert Edleston, West Royd, Sowerby Bridge, from Ingram and Huntriss, concerning the Green Battersby and Company's estate, 17 October and 17 November 1873
(2 papers)


Letter to Robert Edleston from Ingram and Huntriss concerning the signing of a conveyance to "Pickles", 1 May 1874
(1 paper)


Letters to Robert Edleston, from Ingram and Huntriss, concerning the sale of land to Mr. Fletcher, 17 September 1874 - 1 December 1876
(4 papers)


Miscellaneous letters to Robert Edleston, from Ingram and Huntriss, concerning debts and conveyances, 24 February 1877 and 2 March 1878
(2 papers)

Notice of Sale of Clark Bridge Property (Ref: D/X 995/64)

Newspaper cutting concerning sale by auction by Davis and Shoesmith, auctioneers and valuers, Halifax, including property near Clark Bridge, to be sold on 30 March 1885, n.d. [March 1885]
(1 newspaper cutting, 9 cm. x 20 cm.)

Correspondence to Dickinson Edleston (Ref: D/X 995/65-68)

Letter [to Dickinson Edleston] from his agent James Rawnsley, Cross Hill House, Halifax, requesting whether he should give a notice to the tenants and concerning a meeting at the White Swan Hotel, Halifax, on 10th June 1872 which resolved on price increases in the rates charged for letting room and power for a variety of textile manufacturing purposes, 18 June 1872
(1 paper)


Letter [to Dickinson Edleston?] from his agent, James Rawnsley, informing him that Messrs. Pickles and Wood will call on him, 13 August 1873
(1 paper)


Letter to [Dickinson Edleston?] from James Rawnsley, Cross Hill House, complaining that when he visited Balme and Pritchard about paying for the ground used by them, he was accused by Mr. Pritchard of acting without instructions and Mr. Pritchard refused to pay any money, 21 July 1874
(1 paper)


Letter to Dickinson Edleston, from M. Leach[?], Norfolk Place, Halifax, apologising for an inadvertent trespass upon his ground at Wheatley, 19 February 1877
(1 paper)

 (Ref: D/X 995/70-72)

Correspondence to Robert Edleston acting on behalf
of Thomas Holmes' Executors and Trustees
/69 Two receipted bills paid by Robert Edleston, representing the executors of Thomas Holmes, Cross Hills, Halifax, to Ackroyd and Company, Albert Iron Works, Sowerby Bridge, for ironwork done on 29 December 1871 - 23 March 1872, and 9 August 1872, 30 March and 21 August 1872
(2 papers)


Correspondence with Robert Edleston, as representative of the Thomas Holmes Trustees, from Ingram and Huntriss, concerning a case against Stott and Swift, a subsequent purchase [of property or land?] from them and sale to Pogson, 13 April 1874 - 22 July 1875
(7 papers)


Letter to Robert Edleston, representing the Thomas Holmes Trustees, from Samuel Utley informing him that Mr. Graham, who had been given the right to purchase two lots of land adjoining his land within two years from 17 February 1875, still wanted the land but said because trade was so bad he could not afford to pay the interest on the purchase money until he wanted to use the land, 12 February 1877
(1 paper)


Letter to Robert Edleston, from Ingram and Huntriss, enclosing a copy of a letter dated 9th August 1878 from C.G. Godby, Legacy and Succession Duty Department, Somerset House, London, W.C., concerning the duty due on £3500 set aside in the residuary account to meet the annuity bequeathed to the testator's brother, Joseph Holmes, which became dutiable on his death in 1862 and requesting a completed form to be sent so that interest can be assessed, 10 August 1878
(2 papers)

Miscellaneous Items (Ref: D/X 995/73-77)

Reference sent to Messrs. Edleston Bros., Halifax, by Paul Speak of Paul Speak and Son, Spinners and Manufacturers, Mountain Mills, Queensbury, Nr. Halifax, recommending Mr. Joseph Sutcliffe who would like "to take the farm of yours occupied by Mr. Thomas Fawthorp", 9 November 1872
(1 paper)


Receipt issued to the executors of the late Robert Edleston by Parker and Holt, Clerk to the Trustees of the Blackstone Edge Turnpike, for the purchase money of materials of Watson Lane Toll House, 25 October, n.y. [either 1865 or 1884 depending on which Robert Edleston is mentioned]
(1 paper)


Details of a bill of an unidentified sale [of cloth?], between Edleston and Stirk & Naylor, n.d.
(1 paper)


An unused mourning envelope printed with the name of the Gainford Vicarage, n.d.
(1 envelope, 10.5 cm. x 8 cm.)


Journal des Débats Politiques et Litérraires, 1 September - 25 November 1851 Including comment on: The possibility of changing the constitution permitting Louis Napoleon to continue as president longer than the original four year term (1848-52), 10 October ff.; Palmerston's defence of British citizenship in the person of Don Pacifico, 3 October ff.; The Great Exhibition in London, 7 October; Louis Kossuth, leader of the Hungarian Revolt of 1848, 9 October ff. Mehemet Ali of Egypt and the Syrian Question, 19 October ff.
(83 booklets)