STANSFIELD MILL
Hallroyd Lane
Halifax Road
Todmorden
Map Ref: SD942243
Stansfield Mill in the 1870's
By kind permission of Roger Birch
Known occupiers
13th Century
Manorial system
1654-1658
STANSFIELD James
1712
UTTLEY John
1712-1908
SUTCLIFFE family
1824-1854
THOMPSON & LEE
Messrs Thomas Lee; James, Robert and William Thompson
1907
Corn mill on 25” OS map
Closed in the 1930’s and demolished in 1953
Additional information
researched, recorded and referenced by Mrs Sheila Wade
Hebden Bridge WEA Local History Group
Stansfield Corn Mill is thought to have been working as early as the 13th century. When a John de Sothill died in 1266, he was shown to have been in possession of:
In Stanesfelde and Routonstale he had from free men yearly £4.6s.0d; in meadow and pasture one marc (13s.4d.); from one small meadow in Stanesfelde 12d; and from one water mill there, half a marc.
(Extracted from History of Todmorden by Freda & Malcolm Heywood and Bernard Jennings)
Duchy of Lancaster (PRO) – deposition circa 1602
Deposition in Foxcroft v. Farrar includes a mention of rent paid for the attachment of a dam belonging to Stansfield Mill.
Will of James Stansfield Esq. of Stansfield 11th January 1657/58
James Stansfield grants to George Halstead of Bankhouse in the County of Lancashire, practitioner in phisicke, and Edmund Barker of Stansfield, yeoman, and James Gibson of Bridgeroyd in Stansfield, yeoman, properties including one water corn mill in Stansfield called Stansfield Mill, now in the tenure or occupation of James Stansfield or his assigns.
Conveyance 7th May 1712 (WR Registry of Deeds)
Conveyance by lease and release by John Uttley of Lee In Stansfield, yeoman, to William Sutcliffe of Stansfield Hall in Stansfield, yeoman, of water corn mill called Stansfield Mill, one water malt mill, one water fan, one close called Little Holme, one parcel of waste ground lying above the said mills, now occupied by John Uttley, for £165.
Will of William Sutcliffe of Stansfield Hall, yeoman, 13th May 1726
He gave to his son William a water corn mill called Stansfield Mill.
A History of Halifax (J. Watson) 1758
In 1758, Stansfield Corn Mill had 2 water wheels.
1794
William Sutcliffe, owner and occupier of Stansfield Corn Mill, supported bill for the Rochdale Canal.
Stansfield Township valuation 1805
Owned and occupied by William Sutcliffe; Lower Laithe; corn mill, drying kiln, waterfall etc; 8 perches; annual value £70.
Stansfield Township Map 1816
Stansfield Mill is marked on land owned either by John Sutcliffe of Stansfield Hall, or William Sutcliffe of Royd.
Baines 1822
William Sutcliffe, corn and flour dealers, Stansfield Mill
Pigot & Deane 1824-25
Thompson & Lee, corn dealers, Stansfield Mill
Baines 1825
Thompson & Lee, corn millers and flour dealers, Stansfield Mill. (Thomas Lee house – Millwood)
Pigot 1828-29
James Thompson, corn millers and flour dealers, Stansfield Mill
Parson & White 1830
James Thompson, corn millers and flour dealers, Stansfield Mill, and maltsters
Pigot 1834
James Thompson, corn millers and flour dealers, Stansfield Mill, and maltsters
Notes from John Travis
Prior to the railway in 1838, the water supply for power at Stansfield Mill was taken in at Damscout so as to have the advantage not only of two streams, but of the tail water from RIDGEFOOT and other mills.
Census 1841
- William Sutcliffe, Lower Laithe, aged 25, independent means.
- William Thompson, Millwood, aged 25, corn miller
White 1842-43
- James Thompson & Son, corn millers and flour dealers, Stansfield Mill, and maltsters.
- Thompson, Hill & Sutcliffe, corn millers and flour dealers, Stansfield Mill, and maltsters
Walker 1845
James Thompson & Son, corn millers and flour dealers, Stansfield Mill, and maltsters
White 1847
James Thompson & Son, corn millers and flour dealers, Stansfield Mill, and maltsters
Todmorden Local Board Plan 1850
Plan of old and new water courses at Stansfield Mill.
Census 1851
- Robert Thompson, Hallroyd, aged 33, corn miller
- William Sutcliffe, Lower Laithe, aged 36, landed proprietor
White 1853
James and Robert Thompson, corn millers and flour dealers, Stansfield Mill. House – Hall Royd House.
Stansfield Rates Book 1854
Occupied by William Thompson; owner William Sutcliffe; Lower Laithe; mill and power; rateable value £140.17s.6d; additions £11.11s.6d.
Halifax Guardian 8th July 1854
To be let – Stansfield Mill near Todmorden. Water corn mill containing 5 pairs of French stones, 2 pairs of meal stones, bean splitters, malt rollers, dressing machine etc. James Thompson & Son, tenants of the mill, are retiring. Mr. Sutcliffe of Lower Laithe is the owner.
Stansfield Rates Book 1860-1878
Owned and occupied by William Sutcliffe; Lower Laithe; mill and power; rateable value £182.6s.0d.
1869 – new warehouse £128.5s.0d.
Kelly 1861
William Sutcliffe, corn miller and merchant, Stansfield Mill
Census 1861
William Sutcliffe, Lower Laithe, aged 46, corn miller
William Sutcliffe (son) aged 18, corn miller
Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Advertiser 11th May 1861
Tender for the erection of an engine and boiler house at Stansfield Mill.
White 1866
William Sutcliffe, corn miller and merchant, Stansfield Mill
Rivers Pollution Commission 19th November 1866
Mr. William Sutcliffe of Todmorden examined:
- What amount of power do you use?
- I employ two 12hp engines and a water wheel.
- What power is the waterwheel?
- I have not had that tested.
- What number of stones can it drive?
- At first it drove 7 pairs of stones. I can now drive about 5.
- What power is required to drive the stones?
- Some millers estimate 3hp, some 4hp, but it will depend entirely upon the amount of feed upon the stone.
- How many dressing machines do you drive?
- Two silk dressing machines – do not require much power. Six pairs of French stones and a pair of grey stones for Indian corn and oat meal.
- How long has the mill been established?
- The present mill was built, I believe, in 1804, but there was one prior to that.
- How long have you been the lessee of the mill?
- I am the owner and have worked the mill for 10 years.
When questioned about any loss of power, he said the tail goit was raised by Todmorden Gas Company throwing ashes into the river, and the bed of the river was raised lower down. In action against the company he was awarded £15.
Census 1871
William Sutcliffe, Lower Laithe, aged 56, corn miller and landowner.
John Sutcliffe (son) aged 21, corn miller.
Kelly 1877
William Sutcliffe, corn miller and merchant, Stansfield Mill.
Stansfield Rates Book 1880-1897
Owned and occupied by William Sutcliffe; Stansfield; corn mill etc; rateable value £287.
1881 – reduced to £236.
1895 – additions rateable value £480.
Halifax Courier 27th August 1881
Fire at new portion of Mr. W. Sutcliffe’s corn mill at Bridge End, Todmorden. Little damage.
Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Almanac 1882
Mr. William Sutcliffe of Stansfield Mill supplies water to about 250 houses.
Halifax Courier 9th May 1885
Death of Mr. William Sutcliffe of Lower Laithe, Todmorden, in his 71st year. He had a very extensive business as a corn and flour merchant, and for many years took a prominent part in public affairs.
Halifax Courier 13th June 1885
William Sutcliffe & Son, corn millers of Todmorden, have acquired Longholme Cotton Mill in Rawtenstall, and on the site propose to erect a new corn mill costing about £30,000.
Slater 1887
William Sutcliffe, corn miller and merchant, Stansfield Mill
Kelly 1893
William Sutcliffe, water and steam corn miller, Stansfield Mill
Kelly 1897-1908
William Sutcliffe, water and steam corn miller, Stansfield Mill
Todmorden in Coronation Year 1902
Councillor John Ingham Sutcliffe, corn miller, living at Stansfield Hall.
Notes from Todmorden Album Volume 3 by Roger Birch
The Sutcliffes bought grain at the ports of Liverpool, Manchester and Hull, bringing it to Todmorden by canal boat and train. Around 1896, the mill was re-equipped and electric lighting installed. About 100 men were employed. The Sutcliffe’s team of horses were noted for their strength and were frequently seen on the roads as they moved the grain and flour to and from the mill.
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