STONESWOOD HIGHER MILL
Bacup Road (Dulesgate)
Todmorden
Map Ref. SD 920233
Known occupiers
c1780 – c1796
GREENWOOD William
1796
GREENWOOD John
1796-1815
GREENWOOD James & HAMER John
1822-1860
GREENWOOD Bros.
1860-1861
Empty
1862-1866
PICKUP James
1867-1871
Empty
1873-1874
FARRAR William
1875-1876
LORD Edward
1879
Empty
1880-1881
STEPHENSON Young
1884- 1923
SUNDERLAND & MERCER
1907
Not shown on OS 25” map
Notes
The mill is still standing. It has original window frames and mullion windows. The lawn behind was the dam. Next to it are Fern Cottage and Fern House.
Notes from John Travis, contemporary historian
Lower down still is the old corn mill, which was changed into a weaving place before 1880 by Mr. William Farrow, a native of those parts but who had been out to Glossop for many years as a powerloom overlooker. The place had only waterpower, and when he gave it up Mr. Young Stevenson occupied it for some time as a bakery etc. and later it was turned into an artificial flower manufactury by Messrs. Sunderland and Mercer, who afterwards purchased the whole site, including a block of cottages, stables and sheds. Since then they have greatly restored the old mill, converted the dam into a garden, and erected a number of handsome dwellings with front gardens, abutting on the Bacup Road.
Additional information
researched, recorded and referenced by Mrs Sheila Wade
Hebden Bridge WEA Local History Group
Indenture 3rd September 1796
From deeds relating to Fern Cottage and Fern Works, between John Greenwood of Longfield, gentleman, brother to and heir at law of William Greenwood late of Stones, gentleman, deceased (1). John Haigh of Inchfield Pasture, farmer (2). Christopher Rawdon of Underbank, Stansfield, merchant (3). The indenture relates to the sale of water rights of Midgelden Brook and various pieces of land part of which belongs to a mill lately leased by John Greenwood to James Greenwood and John Hamer. Christopher Rawdon to pay £210 to John Greenwood.
Land Tax Assessments 1797
Owner John Greenwood, occupiers Hamer and Greenwood, tax 5s.
1st December 1801
Royal Exchange Insurance Policy
James Greenwood and John Hamer of Stoneswood in Todmorden, cotton manufacturers. Cotton Mill £260; millwright’s work £40; clockmaker’s work £400; stock in trade £100; Total £800. premium £11.14s.0d.
Land Tax Assessments 1803 and 1804
Owner John Greenwood, occupiers Hamer and Greenwood, tax 3s.6d.
Halifax Archives MP:18 1823
Map of Todmorden 1823, showing Stoneswood Lower and Higher Mills, owners Messrs. Fielden and Greenwood.
Parson & White 1830
William Greenwood and Bros. Stoneswood, Watty and Scaitcliffe Mills, corn and flour dealers.
List of Todmorden voters 30th July 1842
James Greenwood living at Harehill, Stansfield, freehold mill and land, Stoneswood Mill.
Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Advertiser 25th Feb 1860
To be let or sold with immediate possession, Stoneswood Mill with waterwheel, dam, goits, water fall etc. Also dwelling house lately occupied by Mr. Peter Ormerod. Further particulars apply Greenwood Bros. Watty Mill.
Todmorden Rates Book 1860-61
Empty. Owners Greenwood Bros. Stoneswood Mill; corn mill; rateable value £65.12s.8d.
Todmorden Rates Book 1862-66
Occupier James Pickup; owners executors of James Greenwood; cotton mill; Stoneswood; rateable value £46.13s.8d.
Todmorden Rates Book 1867-71
Empty. Owner John Greenwood; mill and power; Stoneswood; rateable value £41.17s.0d.
Todmorden Rates Book 1873-74
Occupier William Farrar; Owner John Greenwood; mill and power; Stoneswood; rateable value £41.17s.0d.
Todmorden Rates Book 1875-76
Occupier Edmund Lord; Owner John Greenwood; mill and power; Stoneswood; rateable value £41.17s.0d.
Todmorden Rates Book 1879
Empty. Owner John Greenwood; mill and power; Stoneswood; rateable value £41.17s.0d.
Todmorden Rates Book 1880-81
Occupier Young Stevenson; owner John Greenwood; house, mill, barn, 34 Stoneswood; rateable value £32.5s.0d. Two-thirds empty.
Todmorden Rates Book 1884-90
Occupiers Ambrose Brook Sunderland and John Edwin Mercer; owner John Greenwood; house, mill, barn, 34 Stoneswood; rateable value £15.10s.0d.
Deeds of Fern Cottage 1886 and 1889
John Greenwood leases to A.B. Sunderland and J.E. Mercer
Yorkshire Factory Times 9th Aug. 1889
Treat to Workpeople – The hands in the company of Messrs. Sunderland and Mercer of Stoneswood Todmorden, had an outing to Haworth on Saturday, going to and from the place in an omnibus
Deeds of Fern Cottage 1904
Assignment from Mercer to Sunderland
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