John Rishworth was the fourth child of Thomas Rishworth and Fanny Thornber.  He was born at Steeton on 17^th December 1845.  At the age of 16 he was employed as a Bobbin Turner but by 1871 he was living at Rishworth Street Tailor Shop, accompanied by his younger brothers Charles and Samuel, and by this time working as a Tailor. It is not known who had built Rishworth Street, or indeed which property this was.  Rishworth Row had been recorded in 1861

In 1880 his father Thomas died and at the time of the 1881 Census John was still living in Steeton with his mother at Garden Cottage.Shortly afterwards on 30^th July1881 John married Mary Elizabeth Lantaff at Ilkley.

The 1881 census recorded Mary Elizabeth Lantaff as being employed as a servant, residing with her employers, Wm.T. and Kate Potter at Cross Beck Road, Ilkley.  Mary Elizabeth was born at St. Ives, Oldhurst, Huntingdon, Dec1855 and died at Ilkley June 1944. 

John Rishworth and Mary Elizabeth Lantaff had two sons and six daughters.  John died March 1917 aged 71, but was survived by Mary Elizabeth until June 1944 when she died age 88.

Arthur was born 29^th October 1881.  The 1901 census recorded that he was an Apprentice Cabinet Maker.  Arthur emigrated to Canada and arrived in Toronto in April 1911.  Shortly afterwards on 20^th September 1911 he married Alice Mary Sowerby.  Arthur died August 1957.  (See Later ).

Emma was born 1^st January 1883, and died unmarried, June 1958 aged 75.

Fanny was born 29^th October 1884, and died unmarried, December 1934 aged 50.

Harry was born 24^th March 1886 and married Mary Alice Lister.  He died 26^th December 1946 aged 60 (See Later).

Arthur, Emma, Fanny and Harry were all christened at Ilkley on 5^th September 1887.  The family address was stated to be Ash Grove.

Alice was born 10^th January 1888, and died unmarried, June1972, aged 84.

Amy was born 10^th October 1889.   Amy married Harold Stott, a soldier of Laburnum Cottage, Ben Rhydding, on 2^nd January 1915, when they were both aged 25.  Amy’s address at this time was 103, Leeds Road, Ilkley.

Amy and Alice were both christened at Ilkley on 25^th May 1890, the address being more positively stated to be 59, Ash Grove.

Maggie was born 1^st October 1892 and christened at Ilkley on 23^rd July 1893.  Maggie, aged 27, married Joseph Wood, aged 28, a mechanical engineer, at Ilkley on 27^th September 1919.  Both addresses were stated as 103, Leeds Road, and both fathers were reported as deceased.  The next wedding in the Parish Register was that of their best man, Priestley Wood, on 25^th October 1919, and his address was recorded as 12, Leamington Terrace, Ilkley.

Annie was born 3^rd December1894 and christened at Ilkley on 10^th December 1902.  The address was now stated to be 23, Ashland Terrace.  Annie was engaged to Ernest Simpson and was travelling on the Beltania from England to Australia in 1925 to marry Ernest who was already in Australia. However during the voyage she met a ship’s cook Frederick Graves who she subsequently married in Sydney later that year.  Annie died on 17^th September 1989.  23, Ashland Terrace was the family address at the time of the 1901 census.  It is suspected that Ashland Terrace may have been incorporated into Leeds Road and subsequently became 103, Leeds Road.

At the time of the 1901 census all the family except for Harry were living at the family home at 23, Ashland Terrace, Ilkley.  Additionally the house was occupied by a boarder, William Harris Hotchkiss, whose profession is described (with abbreviations) as Priest Cath Apol of Church.

Arthur Rishworth, born in Ilkley on 29^th October 1881, emigrated to Canada in 1911.  He married Alice Mary Sowerby on 20^th September 1911.  Alice Mary Sowerby was born in Epworth June 1887.  Arthur died in August 1957, aged 76. Alice died on 6^th December 1964, aged 77.  They had one son Edgar (Ed) and one daughter Beatrice Muriel (Betty).

The exact date of Arthur’s arrival is not known.  The marriage application said that he had been in Canada since 1^st April 1911, but it is not clear if this is his date of arrival or whether he had been resident since “before 1^st April”.  It is further understood that they had met while Alice was in service in Ilkley.

Edgar Rishworth, born 1915 married Lola Brock and had a son and a daughter, both live in Calgary, with their families.

Beatrice Muriel Rishworth was born 22^nd January 1918.  She married Fred Hull, born 15^th March 1918, on 18^th May 1942.  Beatrice (Betty) was known as Beatrice Muriel Rishworth Hull.  They had three daughters, all married with children.  Fred died on 24^th February 2004.  Beatrice died 27^th May 2017 in her 100^th year.

Harry Rishworth had left the family home and in 1901 was residing with his Uncle Henry Rishworth and wife Mary at their farm “Bracken” at Silsden, and was employed as a “farm servant”.  Examination of a current map indicates “Low Bracken Farm” and “High Bracken Farm”.  The latter is considered the farm Grandad described to me as being “high on the moors above Silsden, and a right bleak spot” and so far as I am aware the place where he continued to live and work until his move to Thornton in Craven.  Aged 21, he married Mary Alice Lister, aged 18, on 11^th January 1908, at Thornton in Craven Parish Church.  The Marriage Certificate records that he was a Farm Labourer, living in Thornton in Craven.  He lived at Thornton in Craven until his death in hospital at Skipton on 26^th December 1946.  He was buried at Thornton in Craven on 28^th December 1946.  His home for most of the period, Beech Hill, was at the top end of the village green, now part of the enlarged former farm house.  During his latter years he was separated from his wife.

Mary Alice Rishworth, who was born in Blackburn on about 8^th September 1889 lived at 20, Wellhouse Road, Barnoldswick during the last years of her life, after separating from Harry c 1936.  She died 14^th January 1959 and was buried at Thornton in Craven 17^th January 1959.

Harry Rishworth and Mary Alice had three sons, all born at Thornton in Craven.

William Rishworth was born 24^th June 1908 at 4, Station Road, Thornton in Craven. He subsequently married Dora Russell of Colne, June 1940 then they emigrated to Australia in 1957.  They had no children.  William died c1972.  Dora was born 11^th August 1908 and died 8^th August 1984.

John Rishworth was born 16^th November 1909.  He married Margaret Henderson Stephens at Thornton in Craven on 4^th July 1930.  He died on 2^nd September 1986.  Although he always referred to living at Thornton in Craven for all of his life, there was a short period early in the marriage when he lived at nearby Kelbrook.

Margaret Henderson Stephens was born on 16^th June 1906 at Murton, Co.Durham.  She died at Thornton in Craven on 28th August 1998, bringing an end to almost a century of the Rishworth life in Thornton in Craven.  Margaret had left her parents home in Co. Durham to work as a servant for the Clay family at Thornton Manor House.  During the last few weeks of her life she was cared for at the Thornton Manor Nursing Home, which had been converted for this use some years earlier.

John and Margaret had two sons, Ronald and Robert, and a daughter Elizabeth.

Ronald Rishworth was born at 67, Dotclifffe Road, Kelbrook on 26^th November 1932 and baptised at Thornton in Craven on 18^th December 1932. He moved to Holland in 1953 to work as a translator for Royal Dutch Shell and continued to live there at The Hague where he died on 16^th July 2016.

He married Jacobine Heymans at Thornton in Craven Parish Church on 30^th September 1961.  He then married Sonia La Lau in Holland on 23^rd March 1967.  Sonia already had a son Diederik William Folef , born 30th January 1960, who subsequently changed his name to Rishworth.  Ronald and Sonia had a son born in 1969.  Diederik died 9th July 2011.

Robert Rishworth was born at 1, Station Road, Thornton in Craven on 19^th September 1937, and baptised at Thornton in Craven on 17^th October 1937.   He has lived in the counties of Durham, Northumberland and Warwickshire, before returning to Yorkshire in 1985 and moving to Filey in1997.  He moved to Huddersfield (only a few miles from Rishworth village) in 2014 after several years at Filey on the Yorkshire coast.

He married Patricia Anne Marsden, born 21^st November 1938, at Bardsey Parish Church (near Leeds) on 14^th December 1963.  Pat died on 9^th May 2006.

Elizabeth (Betty) Rishworth was born at School House, Thornton in Craven on 3^rd July 1939, and baptised at Thornton in Craven on 6^th August 1939.   She married in 1959 and has lived in Skipton since this date.

John and Margaret Rishworth moved from School House to Lime Tree Cottage, Thornton in Craven, c1964, and this continued to be their residence until their deaths.  Margaret Rishworth was the last Rishworth to reside in Thornton in Craven when she died in 1998, just over 90 years after Harry had arrived there.

Harry Rishworth was born at Beech Hill, Thornton in Craven on 27^th January 1915, and baptised on 4^th April 1915. He married Martha Lister, June 1935 and died in March 1982.  (A second generation Harry Rishworth marrying a Lister, but a completely different family, from Skipton). Martha, born 14^th March 1909 died January 1992. They had a son Harry born 10^th December 1935 who died August 2004, and a daughter Margaret born 1938 who married Geoffrey Bartlett then emigrated to Australia..

Harry Rishworth, born 10^th December 1935 married Elsa Winifred Eden, born 11^th September 1938, Sept 1957.  They had two daughters, Pamela J, born 5^th November 1958 and Helen T, born Dec 1961.  Both daughters are understood to be married but not yet traced.  Harry died August 2004 and Elsa died March 2005.

Margaret A Rishworth, born Sept 1938 married Geoffrey Bartlett Dec 1956.  They emigrated to Australia, and are understood to have had two children, Donald, born  c 1959 and Jeanette, born c 1961.  No further information is available at this time.

Origins in the Rishworth Area

Then via Coley and Colne to Ghyll Grange

It is suggested that our family history begins in Halifax where Thomas Rishworth, who was living about 963 A.D., had a daughter Ann, born in Rishworth about 1009 A.D.  Ann apparently rose to the position of Vicar or Rector of Halifax, although no evidence has been found as yet..

Ann married Adam de Copley, who was slain when William the Conqueror laid siege to York in 1070.

Adam and Ann had a son Hugh Talva de Copley, who married Margaret, daughter of Richard de Liversedge.

Hugh and Margaret had three sons, Rafe, Richard, and Adam (Rector of Halifax until 1273) and a daughter Margaret.

It is subsequently reported that Rafe’s grandson John, who lived from 1339-1381, bequeathed the Copley lands to Henry Rishworth  c 1320, suggesting that the families had remained closely connected for over 300 years.  These dates are obviously incompatible but since there is evidence to support the 1320 date it is suspected that other dates associated with the Copleys are incorrect estimates.

The accuracy of the above is questioned because names were essentially Anglo-Saxon prior to 1066, and names of generally French origin were then introduced.

Another author has quoted the genealogical saying “that without verification, Family History is speculation”, and this might very well apply here.

The Crusades mainly occurred during the 12^th Century.  It is said that King Richard I bestowed a gift on a Rishworth Knight for services rendered in the Christian/Moslem Holy Wars in the Middle East.  Although no evidence appears to be located, the Rishworth Coat of Arms seems to bear this out, apparently having its origin in the 12^th Century.  (There are a few variations of the Rishworth Coat of Arms).

In the meantime, William de Rishworth was born in about 1150.  He had a son Elias de Rishworth.

Elias was married and had two sons, John de Rishworth and Elias de Rishworth.  In about 1200 he owned, or at least received money from all lands in Holdsworth from Assoh de Holdsworth.

John de Rishworth was a clerk in Cromwell Bottom and had a son Henry de Rishworth.  Henry de Rishworth was Foreman of Halifax Jurors in 1285.  He was married to Alicia and they had three daughters, Margaret, Agnes and Isabel.  Henry owned the Manors of Rishworth and Barkisland and resided at Rishworth Hall.  He died in 1307 at Coley.

Thomas Rishworth was married to Hawyse and had a son Robert de Rishworth.  A further example of wider land ownership is that in 1277 Thomas and Hawyse were reported to have 6 acres of land in Holme in Almondbury Parish (Huddersfield outskirts).

Robert de Rishworth was married to Christine de Coldley and they had two sons, Thomas de Rishworth and Henry de Rishworth, and a daughter Margery Rishworth.

Margaret, daughter of Henry, married Sir John Saville, certainly before 1306 and probably in 1300.  The Rishworth property thus passed to the Saville family and the ownership continues to recently.Agnes married William de Langfeld.

Isabel married Jordan de Insula.

Elias de Rishworth owned, or paid 10 shillings for land in Lightazles from Adam de Lightazles in 1275.  He was married and had a son Thomas.

It is about this time that the family acquired lands in Coley.  Coley is in Hipperholme township some eight miles down stream from Rishworth in the Calder Valley.  The previous owners had been the “de Coldley” family and there is a record of Robert de Rishworth and his son Henry acquiring lands in 1339.  Just when the family moved to Coley is not absolutely certain, but probably between 1330 and 1340.  The Coldleys had obtained the land about 1270 from the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem who had a Hospital there in 1187.

Thomas de Rishworth is reported without marriage or descendants.  Margery Rishworth is also reported without descendants, although there is a statement that she married John Savile in the latter half of the 1300’s.

Henry de Rishworth was reported to have a daughter Margaret Rishworth, and three sons Nicholas de Rishworth, Henry Rishworth and John Rishworth.

Margaret Rishworth married Thomas Savile.

Nicholas Rishworth married Helen and they had a son Henry de Rishworth.

Henry Rishworth had a daughter Alice who married John Brande.

John Rishworth had two sons Thomas Rishworth and John Rishworth.

Henry de Rishworth married Joan Bercroft and they had two sons John de Rishworth and Henry de Rishworth

John de Rishworth married Joyce Neville and they had two sons, John de Rishworth and James Rishworth, and a daughter Agnes Rishworth.

The narrative is continued with the children of John de Rishworth and Joyce Neville.

No further information is recorded for James Rishworth.

John de Rishworth was born c1440 and it is believed he died c1478.  He married an Unknown Lacy, and they had a son Alexander Rishworth and a daughter Agnes Rishworth.  John Rishworth settled lands in Horton, Manningham and Haworth on Alexander Rishworth.

Agnes Rishworth married John Waterhouse.  They lived at Shibden Hall and their Coats of Arms are included in a window there.

Alexander Rishworth was born c1470 and married Grace Townley in 1488.  They had a son John Rishworth.

John Rishworth was born in 1502 and died in 1575.  He married Agnes Parker in 1529 and they had four sons, Alexander, Robert, John and Thomas, and five daughters, Elizabeth, Joan, Luce Alice, Ann and Phoebe.  He leased Coley Hall from his grandfather then came into full possession of the Estate in 1537.  He acquired Stanroyd Hall, Colne through marriage to the Parker family.

Alexander Rishworth J.P. married Beatrice Tempest c1546.  They had three sons and a daughter.  In 1572 Alexander sold Coley Hall on the death of his father, thus the Estate passed out of the family.  It is suggested elsewhere that Alexander was born in 1530, shortly after his parent’s marriage.  Alexander had 4 sons, Richard, John, Lawrence and Abraham and a daughter Cecilie.  It is suspected that Richard may have been the father of John Rushworth, the Civil War Historian.  All subsequent descendants of Alexander were known as Rushworth or Rushforth.

John Rishworth, also known as John of Kinsley, bought the reversion of lands in Shelf and Great Horton from his brother Alexander.  John is widely described as b 1520 but as suggested in the section on Hemsworth it is considered more likely that he was born about 1535.  A separate chapter is provided for the Hemsworth branch.

Thomas Rishworth, born c1540, was given Stanroyd Hall in 1566, establishing the line there.

Robert Rishworth, born c1542, and died 1602, married Ann Townley then Ellen Paslew daughter of Walter Paslew owner of East Riddlesden Hall which he subsequently acquired.  He was responsible for the building of the barn at East Riddlesden, which remains a legacy to the nation.  Robert and Ellen had a son John and 3 daughters.  John had 2 sons Richard and Robert and 5 daughters.  Richard had 1 son and 1 daughter but there is no information beyond this

In the case of Alexander and Robert the name Rishworth was only continued for 2 or 3 generations.  It is through Thomas that the mainly recognised Rishworth line is continued, but the name continued vigorously in the Hemsworth area (see Hemsworth).

Elizabeth Rishworth was born 1537.  She married John Gascoigne.

Joan Rishworth was born 1520?  She married Lawrence Whittaker then Bernard Hartiley.

Luce Alice Rishworth married Henry Bannister then Bernard Parker.

Ann Rishworth married Richard Sunderland and Phoebe Rishworth married William Savile 

Stanroyd Hall, Colne.

John Rishworth had acquired Stanroyd Hall after his marriage to Agnes Parker in 1529.  He subsequently shared his time between Stanroyd Hall and Coley Hall.

Thomas Rishworth, who had been given Stanroyd Hall in 1566 died and was buried at Colne in 1604.  He married Joanna Whitley and they had three sons, Thomas Rishworth, Anthony Rishworth, and Johannes (John) Rishworth and three daughters Ellen Rishworth, Jennet Rishworth and Margareta Rishworth.  All the children were born at Ghyll Grange.

Anthony Rishworth was born c1585 and married firstly Isabel Unknown then Francisca Unknown at Kildwick.  It is considered that Anthony Rishworth was the father of Thomas Rishworth and William Rishworth, who were made sole executors on his death in 1640/41, and also of John Rishworth who was baptised at Kildwick in 1594, but the background to this information is not confirmed.

Kildwick and the Surrounding Area

The Kildwick parish originally contained several villages including Steeton, Eastburn and Silsden, which are now separately identifiable.  It is also of course only a short distance down the Aire Valley to Keighley (also East and West Morton), Riddlesden and Bingley..

Thomas Rishworth had been given Stanroyd Hall in 1566 and had married Joanna, daughter of Richard Whitely, heir to lands in Hipperholme in 1573.  All their children were however born at Ghyll (or Gill) Grange (or Gilgrange) and baptised at Kildwick, although the baptism record for Anthony has not been found.

However it is the sons of Anthony that we are more directly interested in.

Anthony Rishworth who had been born c1585 had married Francisca Unknown.  They lived in Keighley from 1607-1619 and subsequently at West Morton.  They had three sons, Thomas Rishworth, William Rishworth and John Rishworth.  There is a suggestion that he died in 1646 but it is considered more likely that he had died in 1641.

 Thomas Rishworth was born in 1607 and married Ann Boulton to establish the line as described below.

William Rishworth was christened at Keighley in 1619 and married Mary Driver.  Mary lived until 1676 and William until 1696.  They resided at West Morton and had four children, Grace born 1651, Ann born 1653, Isobel born 1655 and John born 1657.  There is no information available about descendants and it is presumed that the land did not pass on via son John but via descendants of William’s brother Thomas (see later in this chapter).

John Rishworth married three times, first to Martha Bolton in 1635 with whom he had a daughter Isobel, born in 1638 before Martha died in 1640, then to Elizabeth Unknown who died 1676, with whom he had a daughter Martha who married Joseph Parkinson in 1699, and finally to Isabel Unknown.  John and his family lived at Ghyll Grange.  John died in 1672.

Thomas Rishworth (1607 to 1699) and Ann Boulton 

The family line now descends from Thomas of Gilgrange and Ann Boulton of Addingham.  They were married on 26^th February 1645 in Addingham Parish Church.  Both are mentioned in the burial registers of Kildwick Parish Church with Ann being buried in 1693 and Thomas in 1699.

Thomas Rishworth (or Rishforth) had five sons, Johannes (or John) Rishforth, Guilielmus (or William) Rishworth, Thomas Rishworth, Anthony Rishworth ) and George Rishworth.

It is not clear when the move to Ghyll Grange was made, possibly after the death of Anthony but it would appear that Thomas was living with his brother John at Ghyll Grange after his marriage to Ann.  However in 1651 there were two young children in Thomas’s family and at this time his new house at Doublerstones was built.  It should be noted that the property currently referred to as Ghyll Grange is in fact the property Far Ghyll Grange, as distinct from Ghyll Grange itself.

It is considered that the inscription above the door lintel “TAR  1695”  at Cragg House Farm, Addingham Moorside refers to the residence of Thomas and Ann Rishworth, although this date is just after Ann’s death.

First son John was born in 1646 and married Anna Horsfall on 5^th February 1688 when they already had three children.  It is probable that he had taken over at Ghyll Grange in 1672 after the death of his Uncle John and continued to live there until his death.  His son John, born 1678 lived in West Morton, and it is through him that the line is reported in John1646

Their second son William was born in 1648 and was also baptised at Kildwick Parish Church.  He married Elizabeth Moorhouse from Addingham Moorside, daughter of John Moorhouse and Mary.  It is William and his descendants that we are concerned with here.

Third son Thomas was born in 1654 and married Jane Stirk.  It is through Thomas that most of the Rishworths of Silsden in the Censuses from 1841 to 1901 are descended, in fact all except those descended from William and Elizabeth Moorhouse, and this is reported in Thomas1654.

William Rishworth (1648 to 1705) and Elizabeth Moorhouse

William continued to live in the stone homestead at Doublerstones, Gilgrange, built by his father in 1651.  He married Elizabeth on 8^th October 1699 at St. Peter’s, Addingham.  William was 51 and Elizabeth, born in 1680, was just 19.

William and Elizabeth’s two children Ann and Thomas were born in 1700 and 1702.

On 23^rd September 1704, William, probably wanting to set up a farm and house of his own, is first mentioned as purchasing land in the village of Eastburn, down in the valley, about four miles from Gilgrange.  This was done in partnership with Stephen Moorhouse (Elizabeth’s brother), and Abraham Gott (Mary Moorhouse, Stephen and Elizabeth’s mother was now remarried to Abraham Gott).

On 31^st March 1705 William purchased 55 acres of land, 2 dwellings and 2 barns in Eastburn for £475 from Thomas Garforth.

Not many weeks later, in June 1705, William aged 57, passed away, leaving his 25 year old wife with 5 year old Ann and 3 year old Thomas.  In the Kildwick Parish Register he was described as “paterfam” meaning “head of the family” of Gilgrange. He left all his property in Addingham Moorside and Eastburn to his wife Elizabeth and his son and heir Thomas (with a payment of £200 to his daughter Ann when she reached the age of 21).  His will indicates that the children were too young to accept responsibilities and that guardians should initially look after the estate. 

Thomas Rishworth (1702 to 1772) and Mary Clapham

Thomas married Mary Clapham of Low Utley, the next village after Steeton going from Eastburn towards Keighley, about 2 miles from Eastburn, on 6^th April 1732 in Kildwick Parish Church.

When they had their two sons, Thomas in 1739 and William in 1743 they were living at Thwaites, Bingley.  Brief information is given about Thomas Jnr. below, but the main narrative is continued via William in the next chapter.

Upon his death in 1772 when he was 69, Thomas Snr. left the Thwaites property in Bingley to his son Thomas, and the Eastburn and Steeton properties to William.

Mary Clapham, the elder, died on 15^th January 1789, “widow of Eastburn” and was buried at Keighley on 19^th January.

Thomas Rishworth (1739 to 1809) and Amy Netherwood

Thomas was christened in Bingley on 3^rd April 1740.  He married Amy Netherwood in All Saints Church, Bingley on 28^th January 1772 when he was 33 and she was 23.  Thomas built Thwaites House, Bingley in 1780.  He died at Thwaites on 29^th September 1809 and was buried on 3^rd October 1809 in Bingley Parish Church.  Amy had been born in 1749 in Amblethorpe, Kildwick and died at Thwaites on 14^th March 1818 when she was 69.  There is a monument in Bingley Parish Church to the family as they were buried in one of the church aisles  They had 3 children.

Amelia, born in 1782, married Thomas Whitely of Bingley and died on 20^th April 1841, aged 59.  She was buried in the aisle of Bingley Church,  and Elizabeth, born in 1784, married John Craven  of Keighley.  She died in 1859, aged 74.

Thomas, born in 1787 at Thwaite, married Mercy Smith in Keighley on 25^th February 1834 when he was 46 and Mercy 35.  They had two sons, Thomas born in 1821, and John in 1841, born at Thwaites.  (These dates given by grandson Professor Frank Rishworth and thus considered to be reliable).  He had to sell his Thwaites property about 1854. and went to Tuam, Co. Galway, Ireland.

Thomas Rishworth, b 1821, m. Elizabeth Shackleton.  They had four children.

William m. Mary Anne Lupton, “Fernfield” Bingley and had three children, Amy Beatrice, d. 1956; Thomas Edgar under care in a home; William Henry d.1955.  All were unmarried.

Anne Amelia, b. 1852, died 1939, m. Thomas Henry Secker of Surrey.   Amy Elizabeth, m. William Maude Sharman of Bradford and Harrogate.  John Henry, d. 1877

John Rishworth of Thwaites and Tuam, b. 1841, at Thwaites House, d. 1925 at Ballymote House, Tuam. m. Hannah, dau. of James Maude Sharman of Bradford; she died 1909.  They had six sons and one daughter

John Henry Rishworth, b.1874, d. 1922, m. Mary E. Madden of Ballinlough.  They had three children, John F, d. aged 22, then daughters Eileen  and Mary Dorothea, m. Dr. Peter Denham of Dublin.

Frank Sharman Rishworth, m. Mary Beecroft of Bingley.  They had no children.  This is Professor Frank Rishworth (1876 to 1960) who contributed vastly to research on Rishworth Family History.

Charles James Rishworth, d. in infancy.  Christina Mary Rishworth, m. Alexander Ernest Marks.  William Herbert Rishworth, unmarried lived at Tuam,

James Maud Rishworth, MB, b.1886, d. 1950, Doctor at Blackheath, m. Mary Reid in 1945, d. 1950.  They had one child, James Robert, b 1948.

Walter Netherwood Rishworth, MB, M.C., b.1887, d. 1962, Doctor at West Hartlepool, m. Mary Vera Brabazon in 1928. They had two daughters, Doctor Ruth Hannah, MB, b 1931 and Patricia Margaret, b 1934, the latter m. to Lionel Hunt, 1957.

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 3^rd 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 13^th and 13^th October 1769, between John Moorhouse and William Rishworth.

On 16^th 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 2^nd August 1772, and married John Shuttleworth.

Thomas, 1774, bapt. 13^th October 1774, married Sarah Rhodes on 3^rd September 1798 when he was 24.   (See Thomas1774)

Third child was John, bapt. 12^th January 1777.  On 3^rd 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 28^th March 1779, bapt. 11^th April.  On 1^st 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 18^th April 1781, bapt. 3^rd June.  He married Mary Cure, daughter of Thomas Cure, on 22^nd 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 8^th December 1783, bapt. 12^th 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 12^th December.   

Seventh was Samuel born 15^th January 1785, bapt. 20^th 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 11^th April 1854.  He was 69.

Lastly, Clapham born in 1792 and died aged 9 on 16^th 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 24^th 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 9^th 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 21^st 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 12^th January 1777.  On 3^rd September 1799 when he was 22 he married Martha Smith, aged 21.  Martha died on 5^th 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 1^st 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 11^th April 1799.

More information about John is obtained from the baptism records.

Their first child, Mary, was born on 4^th May 1799, less than one month after the earlier reported marriage date and she was baptised on 9^th June 1799.  The record gives the description “woolcomber” of Eastburn.  Mary died 14^th January 1818.

Elizabeth was born on 11th February 1802 then baptised on 14^th March, with John described as before.  Elizabeth married Samuel Fort on 11^th 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 23^rd December 1804 was baptised 17^th January 1805.  On this occasion John was described as a “weaver”.  Sarah married William Fergusson on 2^nd July 1826.

Charles, born 26^th November 1807 was baptised 10^th January 1808.  On this occasion John was described as a “farmer”.  Charles died 13^th 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 13^th January 1878.

Thomas was born on 14^th October 1810 and baptised on 1^st November 1810.  Again John is described as a “farmer”.  Thomas died on 24^th 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 4^th 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 5^th May 1837 in Kildwick, she was 59.  John (of Aberford), died on 7^th 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 14^th October 1810 in Steeton.  He died on 24^th 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 27^th 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 18^th 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 3^rd 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 22^nd 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 2^nd 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, 5^th Dragoon Guards at Fulwood Barracks, Preston.  The death of Thomas Charles on 2^nd 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 24^th January 1880 age 79.  Fanny survived him until 27^th 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 22^nd Sep 1912.

Ellen born Mar 1873, died 20^th 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 3^rd February 1918.  Thornber survived for just under a year and died 23^rd 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.