On Wednesday I posted a few of my own pictures taken around Matley, Barry Lewis who now lives in Australia remembers this area from his youth and left a comment on the post. Barry as been a great source of information and has supplied us with many pictures since this blog was in it's infancy, we are very grateful for his continued support. Barry sent the pictures in which inspired today's post.
Barry remembers this as being called Blenkinsops Farm, I thought I could just had a cutting from an old map and the post would be sorted, but somehow one thing led to another and the post grew.
If you look on the 1840 Tithe Map below at the plots 284, 285,and 286 buildings are clearly marked, and interestingly on Plot 286 is a Pottery.
Below Plot 286 Information
James Ollerenshaw is shown as owner and occupier of land known as Taylor Field and the Pottery Buildings
Below Plot 285 Information
James Ollerenshaw is shown as owner and occupier of 2 houses and 3 gardens
Below Plot 284 Information
James Ollerenshaw is shown as owner and occupier of house,garden and lane
I have not been able to find any information about the Pottery, so if you can add anything that would be great. It seems that James Ollerenshaw had a number of plots in that area, Plot 295 is called Clay Field which made me wonder if this was where the potter got his Clay from. The use of this field in 1840 at the time James Ollerenshaw owned it was used as a pasture. I noticed on Plot 286 where the pottery is shown that is was called Taylor Field and was being used as a meadow. I don't know if James Ollerenshaw was the Potter, or if maybe someone called Taylor who the field is named after.
The above Ordnance Survey map of 1910 now shows a building called Pothouses, and the farm is shown as Matley Lane Farm. The Rising Moon now appears but it was not on the 1875 map, but there was a well there then.
I think the building on the right is now called Pot House Cottage, but as for the farm building I'm not sure. As can be seen above it is now an Equestrian Centre. If you own either of these properties and would like to add to this post please get in touch.
I'm going to have a Virtual Pint now with Barry as a way of thanking him for today's post, I think we will use the old pub as the prices will be more suitable for our pockets.
Updated
01/10/2013
We have been contacted by Arthur Heywood the Gr. Gr. Grandson of the above mentioned Pot-Maker James Ollerenshaw, Arthur as sent in two scans and has this to say:
"Regarding your article about James Ollerenshaw, he was my great great Grand father, I enclose a copy of the 1841 Census with his brother`s on as pot Makers, and the 1851 Census which is damaged but shows his name, and farmer and as you can see the address as Pot Houses."
Thank you Arthur
