Eastburn and Steeton
William Rishworth (1742 to 1811) and Mary Midgley
William was born about 1742 and christened on 20 February 1742 in Bingley. On 3rd August 1769 when he was 27 he married Mary Midgley, daughter of John Midgley and Mary of Cullingworth in Bingley Parish Church..
There is an indenture for lands in Eastburn dated 13th and 13th October 1769, between John Moorhouse and William Rishworth.
On 16th and17th September 1784 there is a lease and release of lands in Eastburn between Benjamin Blackburn and Margaret his wife, Francis Lambert, William Rishworth and Joshua Wood.
Wiliam and Mary had eight children all born in Eastburn from 1772 to1792.
They had a daughter Martha Rishforth, then seven sons, Thomas Rishworth, John Rishforth, William Rishforth, Midgley Rishforth, Henry Rishworth, Samuel Rushworth and Clapham Rishworth. The spellings are as shown in the Kildwick Parish Register. In the cases where the record had been made as Rishforth these were obviously errors at the time of entry and were not subsequently used. This is directly relevant since John Rishworth is a direct ancestor of ourselves and William Rishworth a direct ancestor of Lisa Wilson.
Martha the eldest was baptised 2nd August 1772, and married John Shuttleworth.
Thomas, 1774, bapt. 13th October 1774, married Sarah Rhodes on 3rd September 1798 when he was 24. (See Thomas1774)
Third child was John, bapt. 12th January 1777. On 3rd September 1799 when he was 22 he married Martha Smith, aged 21. They had seven children, five girls and two boys, between1799 and 1817. It has been reported that he was known as “John of Aberford”.
Their fourth child William was born on 28th March 1779, bapt. 11th April. On 1st December 1814, aged 35, he married Mary Padget who we shall find more about shortly. He was also reported to be known as “William of Aberford”. (See William1779).
Fifth was Midgley, born on 18th April 1781, bapt. 3rd June. He married Mary Cure, daughter of Thomas Cure, on 22nd February in Keighley, at the age of 20. They had ten children between 1803 and 1824. Midgley died in 1853 aged 71. (See Midgley1781).
Sixth was Henry, born 8th December 1783, bapt. 12th December. He died a few days later, his burial date being scarcely legible and appearing to be 12th, 15th or 22nd December. It is possible that he died within hours of his baptism on 12th December.
Seventh was Samuel born 15th January 1785, bapt. 20th February, who married Elizabeth of Bradley. They had three girls and two boys, Anne 1816, Mary 1819, Wiliiam 1823, Martha 1825, and Thomas 1828. Samuel died in Kildwick on 11th April 1854. He was 69.
Lastly, Clapham born in 1792 and died aged 9 on 16th July 1801.
During the early part of this period the Leeds-Liverpool canal was being built through the valley, with construction of the Keighley/Skipton section commencing in 1770 and completed in 1773. The present main road through Eastburn to Steeton was completed at the time of the building of the turnpikes and was finished in 1789. Most of the buildings along the present main road have been built since the turnpike was made. The Eastburn to Sutton Lane was built in 1797-1799.
William acquired his land in Steeton on 28 March1787, the areas being referred to in the indenture being the Croft, Carter Royd, Barrows, Stone Groves and 2 parcels of land in a close called the West Ing.
It has previously been recorded that William died on 24th April 1811 aged 69. The burial record indicates that he was buried on 27 June 1811, aged 68. It is presumed that an error was made on his memorial inscription from which the April date had been quoted. It is considered that the date and age given in the burial record should be regarded as correct. In his will proved on 9th July 1811 he bequeathed considerable land and property to his wife Mary and children. Estates and Manors of Eastburn and Steeton were divided up and given to his children and wife. Much of this land was already being farmed and occupied by them.
Mary, born in Cullingworth, wife of William, died 3 years after him on 21st September 1814, and is buried at St. Andrew’s Parish Church, Kildwick.
John Rishworth (1777 to 1855) and Martha Smith
Third child of William Rishworth and Mary Midgley was John, born in 1777 (or late 1776) and baptised on 12th January 1777. On 3rd September 1799 when he was 22 he married Martha Smith, aged 21. Martha died on 5th May 1837. They had seven children, five girls and two boys, between 1799 and 1817. It has been reported that he was known as John of Aberford.
An examination of the later (1822) Tithe map indicates that Samuel Smith occupied property very close to Eastburn House. It is considered that there would have been similar occupancy in 1799 so that John and Martha were probably near neighbours.
Little is recorded about John’s location, but there are records of a land transaction on 1st June1819, between John Rishworth, Farmer of Eastburn and Midgley Rishworth, Yeoman of Steeton. This is for a lease for 1 year @ 5 shillings for Broadholme Heads in Steeton. The 1846 Tithe map also indicates land belonging to John Rishworth.
Although it has been stated above that the marriage took place on 3rd September 1799, another source indicates that the marriage took place on 11th April 1799.
More information about John is obtained from the baptism records.
Their first child, Mary, was born on 4th May 1799, less than one month after the earlier reported marriage date and she was baptised on 9th June 1799. The record gives the description “woolcomber” of Eastburn. Mary died 14th January 1818.
Elizabeth was born on 11th February 1802 then baptised on 14th March, with John described as before. Elizabeth married Samuel Fort on 11th June 1821. They farmed 28 acres at Rakes Head, Silsden Moor. Elizabeth died December 1886, age 84. The 1841 Census listed a 15 year old son Rishworth Fort.
Sarah, born 23rd December 1804 was baptised 17th January 1805. On this occasion John was described as a “weaver”. Sarah married William Fergusson on 2nd July 1826.
Charles, born 26th November 1807 was baptised 10th January 1808. On this occasion John was described as a “farmer”. Charles died 13th January 1878. He is reported to have married Martha, but this is questionable. In the 1841 Census he was recorded in Steeton (age 30), living with Martha Rishworth (age 20), as a Shoemaker. This Martha is considered to be his sister (see below). There is no record of his marriage. In 1851 he was employed as a Cordwainer, living as a servant in Sutton. In 1861 he was still a Cordwainer, but living alone. In 1871 he was still living on his own in Sutton, but now once again described as a Shoemaker. He died on 13th January 1878.
Thomas was born on 14th October 1810 and baptised on 1st November 1810. Again John is described as a “farmer”. Thomas died on 24th January 1880. There is more to follow about Thomas and his family.
Emma was born about 1814. She married Isaac Hindle, Mar 1838, and died Mar 1887 aged 72. Isaac was a Painter and Glazier and they lived in Barrows Lane, Steeton
Martha was born on 4th May 1817. It is suspected that she married Robert Smith in March 1843.
The 1841 Census records John (age 60) living on his own, close to Low Fold, Steeton, described as “Gardener”.
The 1851 Census shows John (age 74) to be living between Hawkcliffe Toll House and the Railway Station, Steeton and still describes his occupation as “Gardener”, although at the age of 74 this should be regarded as his retirement occupation.
Martha, wife of John died on 5th May 1837 in Kildwick, she was 59. John (of Aberford), died on 7th January 1855, at the age of 78
Thomas Rishworth (1810 to 1880) and Fanny Thornber
Fifth child of John Rishworth and Martha Smith was Thomas Rishworth, born on 14th October 1810 in Steeton. He died on 24th January 1880 aged 69. It is through Thomas that the line descends, since his only brother Charles did not have children. He married Fanny Thornber March 1839. Fanny was born in Silsden on 8 May 1817. She died on 27th January 1906 aged 88. Thomas was a tailor, indicated in the 1841 Census and continued throughout his life, and set up a family tradition in this occupation. He lived all his adult life in Steeton, and it is probable that this is where he was brought up. The Census address in 1861 was 5, Silsden Road but in 1871 they were lower down the road at the newly built Garden Cottage, now 27, Station Road.
Thomas and Fanny have been recorded as having had 11 children, seven sons and four daughters, but it is considered that there were only 10 children, due to inconsistency over the name for Charles/Thomas Charles: Thornber was born June 1839 and christened at Kildwick on 18th August 1839. A separate chapter is included, (See Later), due to his influence on the centre of Steeton and also his family descendants). This chapter also includes youngest brother Samuel. Henry was born June 1841 and christened on 18th July 1841. In 1861 he was still living with his parents, employed as a Bobbin Turner. He married Mary Smith Sep 1868. In 1871 they were living at Rishworth Street, Steeton but in 1881 they were at 111, Utley Green Head, Keighley, with Henry described as a Wood Turner. By 1891 there was a significant change and he was now described as a Farmer at Gildersber, Addingham. In 1901 Henry was the Farmer at Bracken Hill Farm, Silsden, together with his wife Mary, and employing his Nephew, Harry Rishworth, age15, (See Chapter 4), as a Labourer. Henry died 3rd March 1925. It appears that there were no children. Henry and Mary had taken over at Bracken Hill Farm from Mary’s deceased parents:. Mary was born Sept 1843 and christened on 22nd October 1843. It is probable that she married Mar 1866.
John was born December 1845 (see Ilkley) Charles was recorded as age 2 in the 1851 Census. It is considered that he is the same person referred to as Thomas Charles in the 1861 Census who was born Sep1848 and died 2nd October 1904. (There was a Charles Rishworth recorded as born Mar 1848, the son of Clapham Rishworth living in Keighley in 1851). The 1871 Census records Charles, age 22, to be living at Rishworth Street Tailor’s Shop with his brothers John and Samuel, working as a Spinning Frame Fitter. In 1881 Charles Rishworth, age 30, born Steeton, is recorded as Soldier, 5th Dragoon Guards at Fulwood Barracks, Preston. The death of Thomas Charles on 2nd October 1904 is recorded on a family gravestone. Martha was 2 months old at the 1851 Census, therefore born in1851. It is probable that she married Dec 1874. Samuel was born June1854 (also See Later)
Fanny was born June 1856. It is probable that she married Sept 1884. William was born Mar 1858 but died an infant June 1859. Emma was born Mar 1863 Thomas died 24th January 1880 age 79. Fanny survived him until 27th January 1906.
Thornber Rishworth (1839 to 1919) and Emma Tillotson
Thornber was the first child of Thomas Rishworth and Fanny Thornber. In 1851 at the age of 11 it is recorded that he was already working with his father, as a tailor. He married Emma Tillotson, born Mar 1844. As well as working as a tailor Thornber was also active as a “property developer” with interests in the area at the top end of Silsden Road in Steeton. Census reports give an interesting insight, viewing the names of his own residence:
Edith born Sep 1865, but not recorded in 1881, and no further information.
Fred(erick) born Mar 1868, initially apprenticed as a Tailor, but subsequently as a Provisions Merchant. He died in Manchester Mar 1946.
William born Dec 1870, died 22nd Sep 1912.
Ellen born Mar 1873, died 20th October 1890, age 17.
Martha born Jun 1875, died Jun 1962., having continued to live at 12, Station Road
Maud Mary born Jun 1877,
Thomas born Sep 1881, died Apr 1940.
For the three sons there is no further information about marriages or children, so it is possible that the line did not descend from Thornber.
The property activities of Thornber and Emma are well recorded. Emma was the owner of 1, 3, 5 & 7 (the whole of) Station View, and also 18 Station Road. Thornber owned and occupied 1 Station Road, but actually lived at 12 Station Road, photo below. He also owned and rented out 5-17, 14&16 Station Road.
It is suspected that Tillotson Terrace and Tillotson Buildings are the same and possibly subsequently renamed to be 12 to18, Station Road. Rishworth Terrace and Rishworth Row are probably also these same buildings, or some at the opposite side of the road.
Emma died 3rd February 1918. Thornber survived for just under a year and died 23rd January 1919.
Samuel Rishworth (1854 to 1932) and Rose Mitchell.
Samuel was the seventh child of Thomas Rishworth and Fanny Thornber. He was born June 1854.
It has previously been noted that he was living with his brothers John and Charles at Rishworth Street Tailor Shop, employed as a Bobbin Turner. By 1881 he was living with his mother at Garden Cottage and probably continued to live there for the rest of his life. He married Rose Mitchell Dec 1892, recorded in Keighley, and they had a son Wilfred, born Dec 1893.
Wilfred was Killed in Action, World War 1, in 1917.
Samuel is said to have owned and rented out numbers 21, 23 & 25 Station Road as well as “Station House” and garden where he resided. Perhaps this should have been reported as “Garden Cottage”, which is where he resided with his mother in 1901. Garden Cottage has now been identified as the property with the postal address of 27, Station Road. The present occupants have advised me that some correspondence still bears the reference to Garden Cottage.