Piecing together the life of Simeon Townend is like doing a jig-saw, without a picture, with several pieces missing. There was no newspaper obituary when he died, just a line telling the reader that he had died. The information board in Kipping Gardens tells us that he was responsible for introducing steam power to Low Mill, Thornton’s first textile mill, which had been built for David and Jonathan Wright, and tells us nothing more.
During his lifetime there were 3 other Simeon Townend’s in the Thornton / Bradford area. First there was his father, born in Bingley, who lived in York, but married his wife, Alice, by Archbishop’s License, at Haworth. They had several sons. Secondly there was Simeon Townend, a Copperas maker, from Thornton / Denholme Foreside, (what is now known as the A629, running towards Denholme). Copperas was obtained from Pyrite and used as a fixing agent in textile dyeing. That Simeon was a nephew of Thornton’s Simeon. The third Simeon Townend was a grandson of Thornton’s Simeon Townend, who became a Poor Law Guardian in Horton.
SOURCES: The sources of this survey of Simeon Townend’s life are all online, ranging from the British Newspaper Archive, (via a subscription to Find My Past), to Nineteenth Century Newspapers (previously available to all holders of Bradford Libraries membership cards, at home), Internet Archive, (via Yorkshire Archaeological and Historical Society website, available to all), the online catalogue of West Yorkshire Archive Service and Google searches, plus the 1849 Tithe award and census returns. It will, hopefully, be expanded after visits to Thornton Antiquarian Society’s Archive at South Square, and after a visit to Bradford Local Studies Library. A note about Partnerships: Details of the formation of business partnerships are not given in newspapers. Dissolution of such partnerships are, and sometimes refer to new partnerships. A glossary of textile terms will be included, as soon as I find a decent description of different types of textiles.
SIMEON TOWNEND’S LIFE
1803 ”Our” Simeon Townend was thought to have been born in 1803. He was baptised at Haworth on 19 October 1803.
1823, December 12. Nothing is known of his life until he married Hannah, by Archbishop’s Licence, at Bradford Parish Church, on 12 December 1823. At that time he lived in Cullingworth. His wife, Hannah, aged 21 as at her marriage day, was a daughter of David Wright, the owner of Thornton’s first textile mill. David Wright was a non-conformist, who attended Kipping Chapel. He was born in 1772, at which time he lived in Bradshaw Lane.
1826 David Wright had built what Cudworth, the 19th century local historian, referred to as “in 1826, the Old Mill, spinning by throstles, he then giving up hand-loom weaving.” (A throstle was an improvement, introduced about 1800, of Richard Arkwright’s water frame of 1769. The throstle was larger than the water frame, and ran at higher speeds in spinning the worsted yarn, and could be “driven” by hand as well as steam and other power.) Cudworth continues “In 1828 Simeon Townend introduced at the Old Mill, the first power-looms run in the Thornton Valley.” He later states “in 1837 Mr. Townend built Upper Mill”.
1826, February 4. In the Leeds Mercury, an article on local partnership dissolutions, includes that between D. Wright and J. Wright of Thornton, Yorkshire, Worsted manufacturers. 1826 being the year, we are told, that Low Mill was built.
1827, February 27. Another Public Notice shows that Simeon and his brothers, (who owned a mill at Cullingworth) had also been in partnership in respect of Low Mill. In the London Gazette of 22 February 1827 are notices showing the dissolution of 2 more partnerships. The first was between Jonathan Wright and George, William, Robert, Simeon and Edward Townend, in respect of George, William, Robert and Edward Townend, who had left the partnership, which would continue as a partnership between Jonathan Wright and Simeon Townend, in conjuction with David Wright. The second dissolution was to allow Simeon Townend to leave the partnership with his brothers in respect of the Cullingworth mill.
1829, January 19. On that date the London Gazette published details of another dissolution of a partnership, this being between David Wright, Jonathan Wright and Simeon Townend, in business as Worsted-spinners and Manufacturers, in respect of Simeon Townend who was leaving the business known as Wrights and Townend, which in future would be known as David Wright and Son.
1830. The Leeds and Clothing District Directory of 1830 gives the names of two Worsted Spinners in Thornton: Townend, Simeon (and heald yarn manufacturer), and Wright, David and Son.
1833, March 13. The London Gazette of that date gives notice of a partnership dissolution between Simeon Townend and Timothy Lawson, in business as Stuff Merchants and Commission Agents under the title of Timothy Lawson and Company, which company was dissolved.
1836, June 16. There was a notice in the Bradford Observer, of the dissolution of the partnership of D. and J. Wright, of Thornton, Yorkshire, as Worsted-spinners.
1837, February 16. The Bradford Observer of that date reported that the Poor Law Guardians for Thornton for the ensuing period were to be Simeon Townend and Joshua Craven, who were elected unopposed.
William Cudworth, a Bradford local historian, stated that it was in 1837 that Simeon Townend had built Upper Mill, later to be called Thornton Mills.
1838, January 13. A report in the Leeds Intelligencer of a case of embezzlement brought against Jesse Tankard, salesman, by his employer Simeon Townend. Details are given below under “Newspaper extracts” at paragraph A.
1838, November 1. A report in the Bradford Observer of a burglary at the home of Susannah Hainsworth of Hill Top, employed as a power-loom weaver by Simeon Townend. Details are given below under “Newspaper extracts” at paragraph B.
1839, March 21. Simeon Townend together with Mr. Jonas Spence were elected as assessors in respect of highways in Thornton.
1840, February 27. West Yorkshire Archives at Bradford have the Minutes of a meeting held on that day, of the creditors of David Wright, for the purpose of confirming the sale of the machinery and the letting of his mill to Simeon Townend.
1840, July 9. An advertisement in the Bradford Observer of a Sale by Private Contract of “…all that mill, now used as a worsted mill, situate at Thornton in the parish of Bradford, late in the occupation of Mr. David Wright, but now in the occupation of Mr. Simeon Townend, as lessee for ten years, with the steam engine main shafting”, etc…. Lots 2 and 3 were land occupied by Mr. David Wright at Storrs, called the Height, and consisting of good stone for quarrying, and a field called Three Nook Field, near Salt Pie and Small Lane End. The fourth Lot was a cottage at Green Lane in the occupation of Thomas Barker. At that time David Wright was aged about 68.
1841. Pigot’s Directory states that Simeon Townend of Thornton and Dale Street Bradford was a Worsted Spinner. Unfortunately no addresses in Thornton are given.
1841, June 6. The 1841 Census shows 5 families living at Upper Kipping. Upper Kipping was a substantial house, built in 1692, roughly situated to the east of the 2 houses on James Street, on the right hand side going uphill, which face down the hill. James Street didn’t exist until 1869/1870. By 1841 Simeon and Hannah had 5 children: Ann, aged 16; Mary, aged 12; George aged 10; Wright, aged 8, and Walter aged 3. Simeon’s occupation is given as “Worsted Spinner”.
1842, March 17. A report in the Bradford Observer stated that Mr. Simeon Townend presented a silver teapot to Mr. Isaac Wood, at the New Inn, (the house of Mr. John Driver), for “his unremitting attention to the general interests of the township in parochial affairs, and for his gratuitous services as guardian” of the poor, ” for the last two years”. The cost of the teapot was borne by major ratepayers.
1842, August 15. This was during the time of the Plug Plot Riots. In the evening of that day, while Thomas Horner, the engine tenter, (overseer of the steam engine driving the mill machinery), was in the mill yard, William Blakebrough and Samuel Wilson came into the yard with a large crowd. William Blakebrough asked Horner if he would allow them to withdraw the boiler plugs, and he said he would not. He went to see his master, and when he returned he said that they must let the plugs alone, and he would let the steam off later. Blakebrough in the presence of Wilson, said that they would draw the plugs that night, or return the next day with 10,000 people. Blakebrough then knocked out one of the plugs and Wilson followed his example. Wilson then attempted to knock out a third plug, but could not, and his foot was scalded. In March 1843 their case was heard and they were found Not Guilty of Riot, but Guilty of Conspiracy and sentenced to two months hard labour.
1843, March 30. The Bradford Observer reported on a meeting which had been held in Kipping Chapel School Room, to discuss a proposed clause in the Factories Bill which would provide funding to mills for educating children as long as they were brought up in the ways of the Church of England. Most, if not all of Thornton’s mill-owners were non-conformist in religion, and Liberal in politics. The meeting, at which Simeon Townend was one of the high-ranking attendees, supported motions objecting to the educational clauses. Those clauses were dropped, subsequently, from the Factories Act.
1845, July 24. The Bradford Observer reported on a court case on the theft of Gallipoli oil from Simeon Townend’s mill by Thomas Butterfield and his son Jonas. For details see Newspaper extract C, below.
1845, August 28. The Bradford Observer reported on a “landmark” case brought against Simeon Townend, mill owner. Information against Simeon Townend was laid by two sub-inspectors of factories for not “fencing off” a certain line of horizontal shafts at the mill in Thornton, whereby a fatal accident occurred to an individual, a white-washer, who had mounted a ladder, (contrary to instructions) during the motion of such shafting. Captain Hart and Mr. Baker, both sub-inspectors, admitted that not a single mill in the country, or kingdom, had similar shafts being boxed off, being at such a height from the floor, viz., 7 and 8 feet. Still, the interpretation clauses distinctly state: “that all shafts, be they upright, horizontal, or oblique are to be fenced off.” The magistrates, hearing from Mr. Baker, a sub-inspector, that Simeon Townend had kept his mill as one of the best regulated he had seen in 11 years, he was found guilty with a fine at the lowest rate.
1847, June 17. A letter in the Bradford Observer entitled “Arbitery Proceedings at Thornton.”, from Simeon Townend. See Newspaper extracts paragraph D, below.
1847, September 30. The Bradford Observer reported that while Mr. Simeon Townend was proceeding with a servant, in a gig, down the top of Westgate, Bradford, when owing to the horse taking fright, the vehicle was suddenly brought violently in contact with a cart, whereby the shafts were broken off. The horse was seized instantly by several people, and the accident happened, without the slightest injury to the riders.
The 1849 Tithe Award and map shows that Simeon Townend owned 7 parcels of land as in the table and map (a small extract from the Tithe map (©copyright of West Yorkshire Archive Service.)
| Field number | Field name, etc | Field content |
| 420 | (West House) Let to Mr. Hebblethwaite | House, yard, garden and cottage |
| 421 | Back Croft | Grass |
| 453 | Croft | Grass |
| 456 | Ing | Grass |
| 550 | Low Mill, not shown on this extract of the map | Mill, yard. reservoir, road etc. |
| 420a | Back Field | Grass |
| 456a | Upper Mill. | House, barn, stable, and Mill. |
(In respect of West House, the 1851 Census tells us that James E. Hebblethwaite, was a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, and Licentiate of Apothecary Hall, London and General Practition (sic). He was a British citizen, born in Oporto, Portugal, aged 28,at the time of the census)
1849, November 8. A report in the Bradford Observer of that date read “Rejoicings at Thornton.— Last Friday afternoon another of those social and interesting festivities which have recently so frequently occured in Bradford and the neighbourhood took place in this village, when Mr. Simeon Townend treated all his workpeople, amounting to between 700 and 800, to a good old English dinner of roast beef and plum pudding. The festivity took place at the mill,” (presumed to be Upper Mil) “half the company sitting down at once. Previous to the dinner, the day being very fine, all the workpeople, headed by the master and accompanied by the Thornton Brass Band, walked round the village, returning to dinner at 4 o’clock, during which the band enlivened and cheered the delightful proceedings ; and a really touching scene it was to see the employer and employed mingle so happily together. After the dinner was over, a party of glee singers tended to add additional charms to the interesting proceedings, and the happy view of the smiling countenances of so vast an assemblage enjoying such harmony and pleasure may be much more easily imagined than described. A large number of the juvenile portion of the company retired into a large room which was prepared in the mill yard to enjoy their dancing and other sports. During the evening apples, raisins, etc., were plentifully distributed, and nothing occurred to disturb the enjoyment and hilarity which every one seemed desirous to promote. When the period arrived for the interesting scenes to be drawing towards a close, Mr. Kay, who was deputed by the committee of management to return thanks on behalf of the workpeople, rose to do so for the generous old English hospitality which they had ail that day enjoyed, and in doing so elicited sentiments which called forth a response from Mr. Townend, which merited and met with the warm and hearty plaudits of the company. Soon after this the band played the national anthem, which closed the interesting festivities of a day that will be long remembered by those who had tbe pleasure of partaking of its enjoyments.”
1851, March 30. The 1851 Census shows Upper Kipping being the residence of 3 families. Of the Townends there were Simeon aged 47, Hannah, his wife, aged 49, and their children: Anne aged 25, Mary aged 23, George aged 19 and Wright aged 17. Walter, aged 13, was away at Shaw House School in Melksham, Wiltshire, and Emily, aged 11, was at school at 2 Park Place, Leeds. There was also a servant, living with the Townend family, Nancy Knowles from Gargrave. The occupation of Simeon Townend was stated as “Worsted Spinner and Manufacturer employing 80 boys, 110 girls, 349 men and 216 women.
1851, May 1 to October 15. The firm of Simeon Townend of Thornton near Bradford exhibited at the Great Exhibition in London, “Worsted, heald and genappe yarns spun from English wools; healds or harness for weaving; braids, poplins, etc., made from genappe yarn.”
1852, January 3. An advertisement in the Preston Chronicle read: ”CAUTION TO MANUFACTURERS: THE undersigned begs to caution Buyers of HEALD YARNS agains a party who is offering, and selling this article in Preston and neighbourhood as ‘TOWNEND YARNS’. Mr. RICHARD HORROBIN, of Preston, is the Only Agent in the town authorised to sell Townend’s Yarns. (signed) SIMEON TOWNEND, Thornton Mills, near Bradford, Yorkshire, 29 December 1851.” (This is the earliest reference I’ve found of the use of “Thornton Mills”.)
1853, June 30. The Bradford Observer reported that: At the Midsummer Quarter Sessions of the West Riding held at Skipton, Simeon Townend of Thornton, yarn manufacturer, was sworn onto the Grand Jury.
1854, July 18. The (London) Standard reported: Commercial Failures: ”The letters received from Bradford show that the late failures in the woollen trade there have, as was anticipated, been followed by further suspensions to a very serious extent amongst houses which were thought to be the strongest. They include Messrs. Passavant and Co., Messr. Simeon Townend, Messrs. Beckenbach and Co., Messrs. W. Beavers, Messrs. R. McLaurin and Co., and Messrs. Samuel Wilkinson. At Leicester there have been failures to the extent of £60,000 liabilities.
1854, July 20. The Inverness Courier reported ”The failure of Simeon Townend of Thornton, near Bradford, has occurred, amounting to £37,000. Two German houses have stopped payment – Passavant and Bichenbach; but, as they appear to have some connection with each other, and state that they are only requesting time, and will ultimately pay 20s. in the pound, the names and amounts of creditors have not transpired. Townend’s creditors are numerous. Wilkinson of Thornton Road, Spinner and two smaller manufacturers have also gone down”.
1854, July 22. The report in The (London) Standard was copied word for word by other newspapers. However the Lancaster Gazetter gave more information about some manufacturers, stating the following of Simeon Townend: ”The third stoppage is that of Mr. Simeon Townend, an old and highly respected name, at Thornton, whose creditors, we believe, have shown a disposition to make an arrangement, to avoid bankruptcy.” (It is strange that there was no report in the Bradford Observer).
1854, August 3. Report in the Bradford Observer of the death of Oliver Wright of Alderscholes, at a colliery owned by Messrs Townend and Wood. See Newspaper Extracts, paragraph E below.
1854, October 7. There was an advertisement in the Halifax Guardian of that date, regarding the sale of Lower Mill on instruction from Mr. Simeon Townend. (Details of content of the advertisement will be shown, in due course on the page, yet to be created, on Lower Mill’s history).
1854, November 16. The Bradford Observer carried an advertisement as follows: “Mr. Carr has been honoured with the instructions from Mr. S. Townend, to sell by Auction on Thursday, the 23rd day of November, at 2 o’clock p.m., in the New Inn Yard, Bradford, a Bay Horse, 16 hands high, 6 years old, superior action, well-bred and full of bone, gentle in harness and well known.” (Plus) “A Dog Cart, painted invisible green, and patent axles and a good set of single harness. May be viewed on application to Mr. S. Townend, Thornton, and further particulars had of the auctioneer.”
1856. Lund’s Directory of Bradford includes the following entry: “Townend Simeon, spinner and manufacturer of stuffs, heald yarn, genappe cords, etc., Swaine Street, works and residence at Thornton.
1856, March 27. A report in the Bradford Observer reads “Thornton, Wanton Mischief: Late on Saturday night last, or early on Sunday morning, some evil-disposed person or persons maliciously and wantonly cut down, tore up, and otherwise destroyed the young shrubs, trees, and plants in the garden and field adjoining the house of, and belonging to Mr. Simeon Townend, of Upper Kipping, Thornton. Ten pounds reward is offered for the apprehension and conviction of the offender, but so far nothing has transpired to lead to detection.” (The next report refers also to this.)
1856, March 29. The Leeds Times reported on that date, as follows: ”The Watchman Outwitted: At the West Riding Court on Thursday, Mr. Simeon Townend of Thornton, charged a watchman, named Mark Sutcliffe, with neglect of work. The semi-comical circumstances were these:- A bazaar has recently been held at Thornton for the benefit of the Wesleyan Chapel there, and it was decided that six of the members of the body, should in succession watch the place of exhibition at night. John Craven was one of the watching body, but when it came to his turn, he felt troubled about the ggreat affair, and after asking other members if they felt drowsy, came to the sage conclusion that he might fall asleep. He therefore offered the defendant, Mark Sutcliffe, a shilling’s worth of anything from the bazaar, if he, when watching Mr. Towend’s property, would also keep his eye on the bazaar, and prevent robbery. This agreed upon, Craven went to bed, and Sutcliffe, neglecting his duty both to his master’s property and the Wesleyan keeper, entered a public house and tippled, but during his absence some depredators entered his master’s premises, and despoiled it of several trees. This was the neglect complained of, and Mr. Townend said if the defendant would pay 17s. and 6d for the damage done, with costs, he would press the matter no further. This was agreed.”
1856, March 20. The Bradford Observer reported that Mr. Simeon Townend and Mr. Joshua Craven had both been re-elected Overseers of the Poor.
1856, May 1. Another advertisement appeared in the Bradford Observer in respect of Low / Old Mill, “lately in the occupation of Mr. Simeon Townend.”
1857, April 16. The London Gazette had a public notice announcing the dissolution of the partnership between Simeon Townend, Isaac Wood and John Ackroyd in Thornton, as Colliery Proprietors and Coal Merchants. (Abraham Ackroyd agreed as sole executor of John Ackroyd).
1860, March 17. The Leeds Mercury reported in its Death notices: “The same day” (March 14) “aged 56, Mr. Simeon Townend, worsted manufacturer, Thornton, near Bradford.”
1860, August 13. Probate was granted to his son George. Effects noted as under £1,000.
Simeon Townend’s will is in the Bradford Office of West Yorkshire Archives. (When the weather improves I shall go to read it.)
Simeon’s widow. Hannah, died, at her daughter’s house in Bingley, on 18 August 1890 in her 90th year.
Simeon and his widow, Hannah are buried in Kipping Cemetery.
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS IN PART RELATING TO MR. SIMEON TOWNEND
A. 1838, January 13. A report in the Leeds Intelligencer of a case of embezzlement brought against Jesse Tankard, salesman, by his employer Simeon Townend. It reads: “CHARGE OF EMBEZZLEMENT: On Monday last, Jesse Tankard of Thornton, was brought before the sitting magistrates at Bradford, charged by Mr. Simeon Townend, of Thornton, worsted manufacturer, with having embezzled several sums of money belonging to him. The prisoner is a respectable, middle-aged man, and had been in prosecutor’s service for about a year, as salesman. One part of the prisoner’s business was to collect money. On 17th last., he sold some goods to Mr. Jabez Butterworth, and on the day following he gave prosecutor an account of having received £25 for the goods, and gave him that amount, whereas in fact he had received £30. On 10 August he acccounted for £45 which he had received from Mr. Butterworth on another transaction, whereas in reality he had received £50; on 28 September he received £60, but only accounted for £50; and on 19th October he received £80 but only accounted for £60. These facts having been proved, the prosoner in his voluntary examination said ‘I wish the affair to be settled and I have £30 towards it now.’ He was committed for trial at the next Sessions. An application was to have him bailed. The Magistrates refused to take less than two respectable house-keepers to be bound in £100 each for the prisoner’s appearance.” On April 12 1838, it was reported that he was sick and unable to take his trial. There are no further reports on the outcome, in the British Newspaper Archive or Nineteenth Century Newspapers.
B. 1838, November 1. A report in the Bradford Observer of a burglary at the home of Susannah Hainsworth of Hill Top. The report states: “HOUSE-BREAKING AND ROBBERY: Last Wednesday night the house of a decent industrious woman of the name of Susannah Hainsworth, of Hill Top, in the township of Thornton, was broken into by some villain who robbed the poor woman of wearing apparel, bed, clothes, half a dozen silver spoons, and other articles amounting to about £15.” (equivalent to £2,051 in 2024) “The unfortunate woman is a power-loom weaver in the employ of Mr. Simean Townend, Thornton; and the robbery was committed so early in the evening that she found nearly an empty house when she got home from the mill at half-past seven. No trace can yet be had of the robber.”
C. 1845, July 24. A report in the Bradford Observer of a court case concerning the theft of Galipoli Oil from Simeon Townend’s Mill. It reads: “EMBEZZLEMENT: An old man, named Thomas Butterfield, from Thornton, was charged under the Worsted Act of having in his possession, three quarts and one pint of Galipoli oil, – an ingredient used in the worsted trade, which the officers suspected he had purloined. the defendant has a son living with him, and employed as a woolcomber, by Mr. Simeon Townend of Thorntopn, the defendant occasionally assisting his son with his work. Foster, inspector, from some information he received, searched the defendant’s house on 17th inst., and found the oil produced in the cellar. The defendant was convicted in the sum of £20, and in default was committed for a month. Jonas Butterfield, a son of the last defendant, was also convicted in the sum of £20, for not giving a satisfactory account of his possession of another quantity of Galipoli oil, used in the combing of wool. In these cases Mr. Wagstaff appeared for the Inspector, and Mr. Terry for the defendants; he raised some legal objections, but they were overruled.”
D. 1847, June 17. A letter in the Bradford Observer entitled “Arbitery Proceedings at Thornton.”, from Simeon Townend. (4 spaces in this typing represent a new paragraph). It reads: ” SIR, – A few days ago I received a demand of 16s 7d, from the Clerk to the Bradford magiistrates, for costs, etc., incurred for not appearing to a summons, issued some months past, on the information of two medical officers, appointed by the Board of Guardians of the Bradford Union, to survey the district under the new act for the removal of nuisances. The numbers of occupiers and owners in this village and neighbourhood, summoned, might be about seventy. I, amongst the rest, was not fortunate to be at home, when the paper was left at my house, by a crafy and notorious individual, who made no explanation of its comment, but said he would ‘see me’, but did not, and thus the summons got laid amongst parochial papers, (of which he was often the bearer). The consequence was it remained too late for attendance. I do not complain so much on my own account at being put to this expense, owing to the explained non-appearance, but I do complain, ampngst many others, who were thus arbitrarily summoned a dsitance of four miles, to attend, and wait a whole day, before one’s turn came to defend, or one’s willingness to remove any such nuisance, without being put to such trouble or expense. But this plain, reasonable way of first giving notice to the parties to remove nuisances, seems to to have been sufficiently interesting to those engaged. No! They at once pounced upon the law, with its costs, services, etc., etc. It wasa monstrous injustice, first to the occupier of a cottage, to summon him for attendance at Bradford, for a whole day, with loss of wages, etc., for what he was quite willing, by notice to remove. And it was equally so to the owners of property, that their time and expense would be thrown away for what they were willing to remove by notice. I do say, and I am sure all parties of this Job , believe it to be one of the most shameful extractions that ever occurred in this parish, And from a report of one of the meetings of the guardians of the poor at Bradford, on this subject, coupled with the interested officials connected with this affair; and the expenses the Board had incurred, (without due consideration), I have no hesitation, in designating it and unjust way of shuffling off their own shoulders, an expense they had unwittingly occurred, upon those of their neighbouring ratepayers and victims. I will only add, that this affair, like many others, should make the public careful of the power given by Acts of Parliament, and placed (as it is often, to carry out its provisions), in the hands of those who, dressed ‘in a little brief authority,’ ‘Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of war.’ Yours Truly, SIMEON TOWNEND”
E. 1854, August 3. Report in the Bradford Observer of the death of Oliver Wright of Alderscholes, at a colliery owned by Messrs Townend and Wood. It reads: “THORNTON. MAN FOUND DEAD – On Tuesday morning, Oliver Wright, the tenter at the colliery belong to Messrs Townend and Wood, Thornton, was found dead in the boiler-house. About half-past five o’clock, his son went to fire for him as he was in the habit of doing for him every morning, and was horror-struck on thus finding his father laid dead. The works were standing, and he is supposed to have gone in during the night, and when asleep, fallen against a step edge, as his face was covered with blood, and his forehead much cut. The deceased was about 63 years of age, and much respected. An inquest willl be held at the Black Horse Inn, on Friday next, before G. Dyson, Esq., coroner, but it is not likely that any additional light will be thrown on the unfortunate occurrence.”
©Clive Richardson, 2024. May be copied, with attribution, for non-commercial purposes.
(Updated 25 April 2024))
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