2023 - New Year - January - after Janus ...The month of looking both forward and backwards

 BROADWATH LOCAL HISTORY GROUP

Broadwath in the early 1800s

I recently found this map of Broadwath, I don’t know the date, but I think it is early 1800s.

I have indicated in red the buildings I believe to be houses.

These are -

Whitegate / No.1 The Courtyard, which was when the map was produced, known as Broadwath Farm. This is probably the oldest house in the hamlet and the farm building would belong to Broadwath Farm.

Broadwath House, now divided into Broadwath House and Old Broadwath House, an extension to the house now known as Cairn House had not been built.

Broadwath Cottage, this cottage was partly demolished to provide a new farm road around the back of Broadwath House. The gable end of the cottage shows the new brickwork constructed during the alterations.

Broadwath Villa, probably occupied by Broadwath Farm’s farm manager.

Three cottages in field 289, I was completely unaware of their existence. I can only assume that they were farm cottages rented out by the owner of Broadwath Farm.

Later we’ll look at who might have been living in the above houses.

Interesting things to note-

The farm track leading to fields and eventually Burnrigg runs in front of Broadwath House. This was later diverted to the back of the house, probably when the Victorian extension was added.

The large barn, now converted into Old Gin Case, Middle Barn and Beckside Barn has not yet been built.

There is a well shown in the grounds of Broadwath House. Could this be the only water supply in the hamlet?

Note the summer house in what is now The Dell.

It appears that the buildings now known as the Courtyard have not yet been built although the water mill is shown, by the bridge.

Broadwath Farm appears to have an extensive garden and orchard and possibly a tennis court.

But who could have lived here, well at present the only evidence is the 1841 Census.

The Dixon Family

They lived at what was Broadwath Farm.

The head of the family was Joseph Dixon, he was the fifth son of Peter Dixon, of Dixon Chimney fame.

Living in the house in 1841 were Joseph’s wife Ann Dixon (nee Parry), heir son Wilson Peter Dixon (1). Also living in the house were their employees/servants,

Margaret Bowman (40), Jane McFannen (25), Mary Thompson (25)                                   and Thomas Flaunders (18).

The Ellwood Family

The Ellwoods were two ladies living on independent means, living at Broadwath House. Sarah Jane Ellwood (70) and her niece/companion Elizabet Ellwood (23).

Sarah owned quite a bit of land around Broadwath, which she rented to farmers.

The Simpson Family

Thomas Simpson (34) had been married to Jane Brown (34) for ten years, they had four children. Thomas was working as a farm labourer, there Is no way of knowing where they lived, but it is likely to be one of the cottages.

The Hetherington Family

In 1841, Simon Hetherington and his four children were living in Broadwath. Simon’s wife Hannah had died in 1829 and Simon who was an agricultural labourer brought up the children on his own. Again, the exact cottage they lived in is not known.

The Gaddas Family

Joseph Gaddes’ family who were workers most likely working at one of the local mills (but not Broadwath Mill, as it had not yet been built)

Joseph and his Mary had eleven children, but by 1841 most had married and left home, but four were still living in Broadwath with their parents.

Joseph and Mary’s older children had emigrated to the USA, soon Joseph and the rest of the family joined them, leaving Broadwath forever.

It’s a pity we don’t know exactly where the families lived, but with further research we may learn more.

If you would like more information, please come to Broadwath Local History Group bimonthly meeting.

Jim Prescott – j.prescott369@btinternet.com