Joseph Highley 1828 - 1904

In the last post we learned that Joseph Highley was living at Jonny-gate on Erringden Moor in 1864 with his wife Eunice and 6 children, and receiving poor relief from the township of Heptonstall. Jonny-gate would appear to be another name for Johnny Gap.

The photo below shows 'The remains of Johnny Gap'. I am indebted to Paul Knights for his permission to use this photo from his Blog 'Landscape Story' - Imprints – Landscape Story

The various census records show Joseph living at:

Haugh Gate Head in 1841

Law Hill in 1851, occupation Wool Comber

Jonny Gap in 1861, occupation Labourer

Bank Bottom in 1871, occupation Beerhouse keeper

Sportsman Inn in 1881, occupation Beer seller

Gates End in 1891, occupation Beer retailer

Four Gates End, Cragg in 1901, occupation Retired beer seller

Joseph was the landlord at the Sportsman Inn in Cragg Vale. His son Alfred took over from him.

The former Sportsman Inn, originally a Beerhouse, closed in 1950.
© Copyright Humphrey Bolton and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

Jospeh, Eunice and two of their children, William Henry and Mary Ann are buried at the church of St John in the Wilderness in Cragg Vale.

Church of St John in the Wilderness, Cragg Vale (right) Grave of Eunice, Joseph, Mary Ann and William Henry

Gravestone inscription

 

Todmorden List of Paupers 1864

 Today's post looks at the Todmorden Union List of Paupers for 1864.

This document includes lists of persons whose relief was charged to the various townships of the Todmorden Union for the half-year ending March 26th 1864.

The information given was no. of males, no. of females, no. of children, no. of orphans, name, residence, cause of relief, relief given.

There are 4 Hileys/Highleys included in these lists:

M    F    C    O    Name                    Residence                Cause of Relief                Relief             

Township of Todmorden & Walsden

1     1     2           James Highley      Smails                      Rheumatism                    £0    7s  0d

       1                  Samuel Highley    Knowlwood             Old age                              £4  16s  0d

1     1     2           James Highley      Generalwood           Insufficient earnings     £0     8s 0d

Township of Erringden

1     1     6           Joseph Hiley         Jonny-gate               Without work                  £2     0s 0d

James Highley

James was born in 1839, the son of Reuben and Betty (nee Hudson). He married Mary Ann Lord in 1857. By 1864 they had had 2 children, Sarah Ellen and Reuben. They had 7 further children - Haigh, Hannah, Thomas, James, Lord, Emma and Mary Ann. James was a Carter. The census records show a number of residences in Walsden - Nicklety in 1851, Inchfield Fold in 1861, Newbridge in 1871, Strines in 1881 and 1891 and Smails (Smales) in 1864 at the time of this list.

Samuel Highley

Samuel was born in 1797, the son of John and Grace (nee Ogden). He married Mary Mitchell in 1817. The couple had 8 children - Thomas, Sarah, William, Mary Ann, John, Edmund, James, Joseph and George, but by 1864 all the children had left home. Samuel's occupation is given as Cotton Spinner in 1841, Cotton Carpet Weaver in 1851, Twister in Cotton in 1861, and Mule Spinner in 1871, two years before his death.

James Highley

James was the son of Thomas and Betty (nee Mitchell). He was born in 1839 and married Ellen Harrison in 1858. By 1864 they had had 3 children - Alice Ann, who died in infancy, Alfred and Harrison. At this time he was working as a Cotton Scutcher and living at General Wood in Walsden, not far from the Hollins Inn and Top o' th' Hill Road. James and Ellen had 6 further children - John Thomas, Sarah Ellen, Mary Ann, James Thomas, Martha Jane and Betsy. Ellen died in 1876 and James married again the same year, this time to Salome Wearne (nee Northey). He died in 1900.

Joseph Hiley

Joseph was born in Ovenden, Halifax in 1828 and married Eunice Wilcock in Heptonstall in 1852. By 1864 they had had 6 children - William Henry, John, Mary Ann, James, Hannah and Thomas and the document shows Joseph as being without work. Joseph and Eunice had 5 more children - Emma, Clara, Ada, Alfred and Sarah Ellen.

More about Joseph and his family in the next post