KITSON WOOD MILL

(Naylor Mill)

Lydgate

Todmorden

Map Ref. SD920257

Known occupiers

1805

“factory” on Stansfield Township map

1805-1829

NAYLOR Richard & Robert

1835-1884

RAMSBOTHAM Thomas & James

1842-1857

HELLIWELL William

1855

HELLIWELL & PILLING

Pre 1853

NUTTALL James

1860-1874

GREENWOOD Thomas

1875-1881

Empty

1883

Dilapidated

1884-1930

FIELDEN Bros.

1907

Disused on 25” OS map

1930

GREENWOOD Thomas

1968

Ruined

Additional information

researched, recorded and referenced by Mrs Sheila Wade

Hebden Bridge WEA Local History Group

Notes from John Travis, 19th century historian:

The Ramsbothams were the owners of Maltkiln Mill, Naylor’s Mill etc. Thomas Ramsbotham was the owner of a considerable amount of property at Kitson Wood ad higher up the hill. He purchased the diversion of the Hawkstones Water from the Governors of Heath School, Halifax, when it was turned into Jumps Clough and thence falls to Catholes Dam; formerly being used first at Naylor Mill and then at Lydgate Old Mill, pulled down some years ago. (Written 1890).

James Nuttall, ironfounder of Todmorden, was many years in partnership at Naylor Mill, spinning and weaving. He gave up the mill, which was taken over as a going concern by Thomas Greenwood of Manchester, formerly a local man.

Stansfield Township map 1805

Factory marked on site

Stansfield Township valuation 1805

No. 608 on plan; Kitson Wood; factory, part of building, waterfall; owned and occupied by Richard Naylor; 14 perches; annual value £30.

Crompton’s 1811 spindle enquiry

Kitson Wood; 1440 mule spindles; 5 x 20doz.

1814 and 1819

Richard Naylor, Kitson Wood, mentioned in accounts book of Jeremiah Jackson

Stansfield Township map 1816

Kitson Wood Mill shown but not named, on land owned by Richard Naylor

Leigh’s Directory 1818

Richard Naylor, cotton spinner, Kitson Wood

Baines 1822

Richard Naylor, Kitson Wood, cotton spinner & manufacturer

Baines 1824/5

Robert Naylor, Lydgate Top, cotton spinner & manufacturer

Pigot 1828/29

Robert Naylor, Lydgate Top, cotton spinner & manufacturer

Stansfield Rates Book 1835

J. Ramsbotham; Lydgate Mill; empty; rateable value £13.10s.6d.

White 1842 and 1843

William Helliwell, Kitson Wood, cotton spinner & manufacturer

White 1847

William Helliwell, Kitson Wood, cotton spinner & manufacturer

Halifax Guardian 29th January 1848

Mr. Helliwell, occupier of Naylor Mill, Lydgate, has closed the mill.

Stansfield Rates Book 1854

Kitson Wood; mill and power; occupied by William Helliwell; owned by J. Ramsbotham; old mill used as warehouse rateable value £12.18s.6d; new mill rateable value £98.12s.0d; steam engine rateable value £26; new mechanics shop, scutch room and power rateable value £8.

Slater 1855

Helliwell & Pilling, Kitson Wood, cotton spinners & manufacturers

Halifax Courier 14th May 1859

William Helliwell of Todmorden, cotton spinner, bankruptcy examination started September 1857. Estate debtors £2,652.9s.3d; creditors £406.13s.4d; therefore dividend, if any, will be small.

Stansfield Rates Book 1860

Occupier Thomas Greenwood; owner Ramsbotham; Kitson Wood; mill and power; rateable value £152.10s.6d.

Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Advertiser 7th January 1860

Wanted – self acting mule minder and piecer; liberal wages; apply Thomas Greenwood, Kitson Wood Mill

White 1866

Thomas Greenwood, Lydgate, cotton manufacturer

Stansfield Rates Book 1867-74

Occupier Thomas Greenwood; owner Ramsbotham; Kitson Wood; mill and power; rateable value £158.2s.5d.

West Riding 1871

Thomas Greenwood, Kitson Wood Mill, cotton spinner

1871 census

Thomas Greenwood, 6 Strawberry Hill, Pendleton, Salford. Cotton spinner employing 18 men, 23 women, 9 boys and 5 girls. (exact details difficult to read) Aged 65 years.

Todmorden Advertiser 16th January 1874

To let – Kitson Wood Mill near Todmorden, late in the occupation of Thomas Greenwood of Pendleton, now deceased.

Halifax Guardian 14th February 1874

Auction 25th February on instructions from the administrator of the late Thomas Greenwood, at Kitson Wood Mill, Lydgate near Todmorden. Cotton machinery – 61 powerlooms; 3 single carding engines; 4 double carding engines; 1 drawing frame; 1 single press slubbing frame; 1 single press roving frame, 104 spindles; 3 single press roving frames, 108 spindles each; 8 throstles, 320 spindles each; 7 throstles, 264 spindles each; 1 pair self acting mules, 1112 spindles; 1 pair self acting mules, 1088 spindles; 1 double grinding machine; 1 single cotton opener; etc.

Fielden papers 28th January 1884

Conveyance and assignment from James Ramsbotham Esq. to Samuel and John Fielden; Kitson Wood Mill.

Fielden papers 12th April 1930

Conveyance of freehold mill known as Naylor Mill and cottages adjoining – Fielden Bros to Thomas Greenwood.