MARLFIELD PAPERS

[Stanley]

To fully appreciate what happened to Marlfield and the neighbouring dwellings between the 17th and 19th Centuries, it is necessary to understand that the lands on which most of these properties stood belonged at that period to the Manor of Thornton and that the Lordship of the Manor was in the hands of the Lister family and their descendants. The founder of this family was one Christopher Lyster (sic) living at Thornton in 1521 and who was buried at Gisburn. In the early years of the 16th Century, the Manor of Thornton had been part of the estates of Thomas, 1st Earl of Rutland who, in his will dated the 16th August, 1543, left the Manor to his second son John Manners.1 He, for reasons best known to himself, sold his inheritance to his elder brother Henry, the 2nd Earl, and it was from him that Christopher Lyster''s son, William, purchased the Manor of Thornton in 1556." The estate is said to have comprised the manor house itself, sixty cottages and a watermill, with lands there, in Earby, Kelbrook and Hague-in-Craven, as well as the advowson of the parish church of Thornton

The Marlfield Papers

1709 – 1927

Dennis Cairns



Introd
out 200 souls, living out an agricultural system which still retained close links with the Manorial System of the Middle Ages. If William Heap ever visited Earby, the factories of the industrialised textile era with their noise and smell, would have assailed his senses in abustling township of some 5,000 inhabitants. All in the period of 250 years!

Marlfield and its neighbours existed before the time of Bartholomew Cowgill. To discover earlier details one would have to delve into papers, if such still exist, which most certainly would not be as readily available as are those which have formed the basis for this account. But the future of Marlfield is in the hands of those who live there today, and their successors. How will their lives and actions be seen, one hundred, two hundred years from now?


Appendix 1


1. 1709-1818 Abstracts of Title Deed held by Ambrose Dean
2. 13th Sept 1709 Bartholomew Cowgill''''s purchase of Marlfield
3. 27th June 1718 Joseph Cowgill''''s purchase of birch hall
4. 29th Aug 1756 probate copy of Joseph Cowgill’s will
5. 5th July 1766 conveyance of land;Wm Turner to Joseph Cowgill
5a 5th July 1766 Promissory note, J Cowgill to Wm Turner & Martha Gott
6 17th nov.1768 conveyance of land Robert Rorkley to Joseph Cowgill
7 2/3 June 1808 Mortgage of Birch Hall & Marlfield to Mr’s Tillotson & Lister
8 9/10 July 1818 Mortgage agreement between J Cowgill and Ambrose Dean
9 29th April 1820 Mortgage agreement between J Cowgill and Henry Alcock
10 30/31 July 1824 Mortgage agreement between J Cowgill, A Dean & H Alcock
11 1825-1826 Court Order taken out by H Alcock against J. & Betty Cowgill
12 13th Sept 1853 conveyance of Marlfield & Birch Hall from H Alcock to J Heap
13 11th Nov 1865 conveyance of Odd Syke & Mill Hill form Sir J Lister Lister Kaye to
James Heap
14 10th March 1874 Copy of James Heaps will
15 1875-1877 Re- J Heaps estate; Inland Revenue receipts for Succession Duty
16 28th April 1876 Re- Dame Matilda Lister Lister Kaye copy of burial Certificate
17 15th Sept 1877 Declaration of Inheritance by William Heap
18 6th April 1900 Marlfield – Insurance policy
19 5th Dec 1901 Authorisation for change of bank account
20 22nd May 1918 Marlfield – Insurance policy
21 1907-1927 Insurance Premium receipts

Appendix II…The Marlfield Papers Chronology

1660 25th May Restoration of monarchy (Charles II)
14th June Windlefield granted to John Hargreaves of Carleton
1709 13th Sept From Lister-Kaye Estates; Fiddling Clough to James Cowgill
and Marlfield to Bartholomew Cowgill
1718 27th June Birch Hall purchased by J Cowgill from Benjamin Parker
1719 12th Dec Death of B Cowgill; Marlfield passes to J Cowgill
1724 17th Dec Death of James Cowgill; Rev James Cowgill inherits
Fiddling Clough
Circa 1751 Death of Richard Cowgill; William inherits Windlefield
1761 May death of William Cowgill; estate to his wife Margaret
1766 5th July J Cowgill buys Birch Hall fields of Wm. & Eliz. Turner
1744 10th Feb Death of Joseph Cowgill, Aged 92, Joseph inherits Marlfield
1782 26th Apr transfer of Fiddling Clough & Windlefield by Margaret Cowgill
to John Shackleton
1782 5th May Marriage of J Shackleton & Mary Cowgill at Thornton
1788 & 1790 Deaths of John Shackleton then in 1790 his wife Mary and
daughters Jennet & Mary Cowgill inherit Windlefield and
Fiddling Clough
1806 23rd Jan £600 loan from Richard Frankland (Fiddling Clough)
23rd Dec £400 loan from Matthew Cragg (Windlefield)
1808/1809 £1000 loan from RBT. Tillotson & Christopher Lister
1818 22nd Apr Disclaimer from Joseph Cowgill’s sisters Mary & Martha
27th Apr Frankland & Cragg repaid
28th Apr £2000 loan from Ambrose Dean of Addingham
2nd June £1,500 loan from Henry Alcock of Skipton
Ambrose Dean pays of Cowgill’s debt(£1000) to Chris Lister
plus £200 to Cowgill himself
1820 29th Apr further £200 from Henry Alcock
1824 31st July Alcock pays off Cowgill’s debt (£1200) to A dean and loans
Cowgill £600 with Marlfield and Birch Hall as securities
1825 3rd Aug Fiddling Clough & Windlefield sold to Thornton Parish in
lieu of tithes possibly by Ambrose Dean
1825/1826 Henry Alcock takes out a court order against Joseph &
Betty Cowgill.Final payment of £400 but all rents are
Forfeited by the Cowgill’s.
1853 13th Sept Marlfield & Birch Hall sold by Henry Alcock to James Heap for
£1800. Cowgill receives 10s. 0d. from Heap to renounce all
further claims on the estate
1854 23rd Jan Death of Joseph Cowgill
1865 11th Nov Odd Syke & Mill Hill purchased from Lister-Kaye estate by
James Heap for £445
1874 March extract from James Heaps will
1875 20th Feb. Death of James Heap; nephew William Heap of Selby inherits
Marlfield and associated land
circa 1918 Thomas Proctor is tenant of Marlfield
Circa 1927 Death of William Heap


Appendix III
Thornton-in-Craven Parish church Records 3rd August,1825
Lands and buildings purchased by the Parish in lieu of Tithes

Fiddling Clough comprises two excellent Farm Houses with Fold and two Barns with three Mistals and one Stable therin, now in the occupation of John Wilkinson, john Slater and joseph Cowgill
Acres Roods Perches
Low Field Meadow John Wilkinson 8 0 4
Low Field Pasture John Slater 5 1 13
High Meadow John Slater 8 2 18
Lower Pasture John Slater 7 3 4
Barn Field Pasture John Wilkinson 4 3 25
Bare Field Pasture John Wilkinson 7 3 20
Copy Pasture Joseph Cowgill 8 2 24
Ling Close Joseph Cowgill 2 0 39
Kiln Field Joseph Cowgill 5 1 38
Lamb Pasture John Wilkinson 2 0 24
Bank Pasture Joseph Cowgill 4 3 25


Also, Windlefield, the Dwelling House, Garden, Three Barns and Mistal and Stables therin, now in the occupation of William Sunderland and the following Closes of land.


Large Meadow 5 5 38
Lane Field Pasture 2 1 35
High Meadow 3 3 0
Higher Bank Pasture 6 0 0
Lower Bank Pasture 7 2 0
Little Sunder Hole Pasture 1 5 16
Little Sunder Meadow 1 5 25
Great Sunder Meadow 4 1 36
Langber Bottom Field 0 2 21
Wood Head Field 2 1 6
Wood 1 1 38
Three Acre Pasture 2 0 33
Limed Field Pasture 3 1 35
Bank Flat Pasture 2 1 9
Two Tough Pasture 9 0 29*
Far Hall Close 7 3 26*
Near Hall Close 4 3 15*

*In the occupancy of Joseph Cowgill



Appendix IV
Extracts from census returns for parish of Thornton in Craven
(Giving name, status, age & occupation, where recorded)

Marlfield

1841

Henry Wilkinson 30 Weaver
William smith 35 Weaver
Mary smith 35 Weaver
Joseph smith 7
Alice smith 5
Margaret smith 4
Richard smith 2
Henry smith 5 months
Sarah Bradley 9


1851
William Crowther 26 Hand-loom weaver
Mary Crowther 24 Hand-loom weaver
Joseph Crowther 3
Abraham Mitchell 12 Hand-loom weaver
(2 dwellings)
John Crowther 61 Farmer of 40 acres
Mary Crowther 64
John Crowther 16 Hand-loom weaver


1861

Joseph Wilkinson 39 Farmer of 41 acres
Grace Wilkinson 34 Farmers wife
Sarah J Wilkinson 9 Scholar
Mary G Wilkinson 7 Scholar
Elizabeth E Wilkinson 4
Martha A Wilkinson 3
William Wilkinson 1 month


1871

George Cowgill Head 53 farmer of 46 acres
Sarah Cowgill wife 51
Margaret Cowgill Daughter 38 Cotton Rover
William Cowgill Son 19 Cotton Weaver
James Cowgill Son 15 Cotton Weaver
Martha A Cowgill Daughter 12 Scholar
Charles Cowgill Son 9 Scholar
Alice Cowgill Daughter 2


1881

George Cowgill Head 61 Farmer of 47 acres
Sarah Cowgill wife 60
Martha A Cowgill Daughter 22 Cotton Weaver
Charles Cowgill Son 19 Farmer’s Son
(N.B. note the discrepancies in parents age between 1871 and 1881)


Birch Hall

in the census records there is no indication as too which families lived in the hall and which in the cottages.additionally, not all eight cottages were occupied.


1841

Martha turner 55 Weaver
Thomas Turner 35 Weaver
Richard Turner 35 Weaver
Betty Turner 25 Weaver
Christopher Turner 25 Weaver
Joseph Turner 20 Weaver
George Turner 20 Weaver N.B. 3 sets of twins
Mary Turner 15 Weaver
Abraham Turner 8


Martha Harrison 20 Weaver
Benjamin Harrison 15 Weaver
Jon Harrison 10 Weaver
Thomas Harrison 5
Sarah Harrison 2
Lister Harrison 1


James Hartley 35 Weaver
Mary Hartley 30 Weaver
John Hartley 13 Weaver
Benjamin Hartley 11 Weaver
William Hartley 9
Henry Hartley 7
Thomas Hartley 5
Joseph Hartley 3
Betty Hartley 4 Months


William Whitaker 35 Weaver
Mary Whitaker 35 Weaver
Alice Whitaker 15 Weaver
John Whitaker 9
Henry Whitaker 7
Jane Whitaker 2
Hilary Whitaker 1 month


1851

Ann Hall Widow 37 Hand-loom weaver
John Hall 8 Pauper
William Hall 5 Pauper
Sarah Hall 1 Pauper


Christopher Turner 33 Hand-loom weaver(worsted)
Martha Turner 37 Hand-loom weaver(worsted)
William Harrison Wife’s son 7
Elizabeth Turner 5
George Turner 4
John Turner 2

Martha Turner Widow 68 Bobbin winder
Betty Turner 37 Hand-loom weaver
Joseph Turner 32 Hand-loom weaver
George Turner 30 Hand-loom weaver
Abraham Turner 18

Richard Turner 42 Hand-loom weaver
Esther Turner 33 Hand-loom weaver
John Turner 5
William Turner 3


1861


Martha Turner Head/widow 79 Pauper
Betty Turner D’ghter/unmd 47 Worsted hand-loom weaver
Joseph Turner Son/unmarried 42 Pauper
George Turner Son/unmarried 41 Cotton power-loom weaver


1871

Two unoccupied dwellings only are noted.


1881

No mention is made of any dwelling!


Fiddling Clough

1841


John Slater 70 Farmer
Alice Slater 65
John Slater 40 Weaver
Richard Slater 9
Mary Slater 6
William Slater 3
Mary Crowther 30 Weaver
Mary Crowther 6
Alice Crowther 4
Ann Riddihoulgh 20 Weaver
William Riddihoulgh 20 Weaver
John Riddihoulgh 65 Army
Stephen Riddihoulgh 55 Pauper

N.B. The category ‘weaver’ would, no doubt be hand-loom weaver.


1851


Alice Slater Widow/Head 76 Farmer of 38 acres
Richard Slater Grandson 19 Hand-loom weaver
Mary Slater Granddaughter 16 Hand-loom weaver
William Slater Grandson 13 Pauper
Mary Crowther D’ghter/widow 44 Hand-loom weaver
Mary Crowther Granddaughter 16 Hand-loom weaver
Alice Crowther Granddaughter 14 Hand-loom weaver
John Riddihoulgh Brother 80 Chelsea Pensioner
William Riddihoulgh Grandson 29 Agricultural labourer


Richard Wilkinson Head 45 Farmer of 35 acres
Ellen Wilkinson 40
John Wilkinson Son 18 Hand-loom weaver
Hartley Wilkinson Son 15 Hand-loom weaver
Richard Wilkinson Son 3
Gabriel Wilkinson Widower 60 Hand-loom weaver

N.B. In this census, Fiddling Clough is listed as two dwellings


1861


Mary Crowther Widow/Head 54 Farmer of 40 acres
Alice Crowther D’ghter/unm 24 Cotton factory worker
Thomas Crowther Grandson 2
William Riddihoulgh Nephew/unm 39 Agricultural labourer
Mary Slater Niece/unm 26 Cotton factory worker
Ann Hall Cousin/widow 46 Charwoman
John Hall Son 19 Cotton factory worker
William Hall Son 15 Cotton factory worker
Benjamin Hall Son 8 Cotton factory worker
William Shackleton Servant 27 Shepard


Richard Wilkinson Head 55 Farmer of 36 acres
Ellen Wilkinson Wife 50
Richard Wilkinson Son 12
Henry Wilkinson Visitor 18 Cotton power-loom weaver

N.B. One uninhabited building was also noted.


1871


Mary Crowther Widow/Head 63 Farmer of 70 acres
Alice Lowcock Daughter 34 Cotton weaver
Silvestre Lowcock Son-in-law 32 Agricultural labourer
Thomas Crowther Grandson 12 Scholar
John Lowcock Grandson 7 Scholar
Mary Lowcock Granddaughter 3
William Lowcock Grandson 6 months
Mary Slater Niece/unmarried 36 Cotton winder
Ann Hall Boarder/widower 57 Washerwoman
John Hall Boarder/unmarried 29 Engine tenter(cotton) card room
Benjamin Hall Boarder/unmarried 18 Engine tenter(cotton) card room
William Shackleton Boarder/unmarried 37 Shepard


Richard Wilkinson Head 65 Farmer of 65 acres
Ellen Wilkinson Wife 60
Richard Wilkinson Son/unmarried 23 Agricultural labourer


1881


Ellen Wilkinson Head/widow 70 Farmer of 35 acres
Richard Wilkinson Son 33 Farm servant
Sarah Wilkinson Daughter-in-law 29
Mary E. Wilkinson Granddaughter 4 Scholar


Mary Crowther Head/widow 74 Farmer of 40 acres
Alice Lowcock Daughter 44
Silvestre Lowcock Son-in-law 41 Farm servant
John Lowcock Grandson 17 Cotton weaver
Mary Lowcock Granddaughter 13 Scholar
William Lowcock Grandson 10 Scholar


Windlefield

1841

Sarah Sunderland 60 Farmer
Samuel Sunderland 25 Farmer
Abraham Sunderland 15
Ann Tower 10


1851

Sarah Sunderland Widow 73 Farmer of 64 acres
Samuel Sunderland 37 Farmer’s son
Abraham Sunderland 28 Farmer’s son
Sarah Lund Granddaughter 12 House servant

N.B. Note discrepancies in ages, of first three, between 1841 & 1851 census returns!


Richard Bradley 37 Hand-loom weaver
Elizabeth Bradley 23 Hand-loom weaver
Sarah Bradley 4 months


1861….no record found.


1871


Christopher Harrison Head 45 Farmer of 84 acres
Mary Harrison Wife 42
Sarah Harrison Daughter 19 Cotton winder
Hartley Harrison Son 14
Arthur Harrison Son 12
Mary Harrison Daughter 8 Scholar
David Harrison Son 6 Scholar
Ruth Harrison Daughter 3


1881


Arthur Harrison Head 22 Farmer of 66 acres
Henrietta Harrison Wife 20



Appendix v
Bibliography & References


“The History and Antiquities of the Deanery of Craven Volume 1” T.D.Whitaker
“Thornton-in-Craven. Bygone Days in an ancient Parish” A.H.Clegg
(A series of articles appearing in the “Craven Herald & Pioneer”, April 1928 onwards
“Notes on Skipton Premises” Dr R.G.Rowley. Skipton Library
Registers for the Parish of Thornton-in-Craven County Records Office, Northallerton
Census Records for the Parish of Thornton-in-Craven .Barnoldswick & Skipton Libraries
Parish Register of Gisburne, Part 1, 1558-1745
Register of Baptisms & Burials, 1774-1789. Colne Library
6” Ordnance Survey Map of 1853 County Archives, Wakefield

[Stanley]

Bumped.

[Wendyf]

Our research into Earby Mill suggests that Joseph Cowgill lost the family fortune in a costly but failed attempt to make the move from corn to cotton.

[Stanley]

Reason enough in itself for bumping the paper. It gets the benefit of your latest research Wendy..... Thank You.