Bulls Head Inn, Dale Street, Ossett

[wiseacres]

Hi all, another Bull's Head spinoff... William Saxton is in my tree. At 1881 spring census he was listed as an Innkeeper at Bank Street. Bull's Head is named on Bank Street on 1893 map, but no pubs down Dale St - were there two, or did part of Dale St become Bank St? He died in 1889 the year after he gave up the pub. By 1891 his widow Harriet Walker is back on rag sorting. I have a photo of daughter Ada Saxton > Ada Gawthorpe c.1907. If you have details on any of these folks I'd be pleased to hear them.

Actually I came here looking for Joshua Swallow. My gggrandad Arthur Clayton was an overlooker at Bottomfield Mill (mungo). The story goes that the mill passed to some spinster sisters the Misses Ward (dtrs of Joseph Ward) who gave over the business to him. His dtr-in-law used to tell me that he was a drinker and couldn't hold it together (must have caused some family resentment given the opportunities in the Great War boom). However I found out today that Arthur was trading as "Joshua Swallow & Son" at nearby Paleside Mill with some chap called Fawcett until this partnership was wound up in 1915. So maybe Joshua Swallow and his son William Andrew Swallow had had to give up their family business. In 1899 Wm A was executing his mother's will as if there would be creditors against it (London Gazette) but he was still in business until at least 1901 - census shows him lodging near the mill while his wife Mary had moved to Low Laithes.

[41g]

Pale Side Mill was advertised as "To sell or let" in the Leeds Mercury by Joshua Swallow at the beginning of 1896.
In 1901, William Andrew Swallow was lodging next door to Joseph Ward so perhaps they were in partnership or something like that?

[Nevthedigger]

The Misses Ward paid for the bells (or was it the clock?) in the new Town Hall which was opened in 1908 when they lived at Bottomfield House. I will look in my Ossett directories for the Swallow name sometime in the next day or two.
Dale Street extended past the Bull's Head, and part of it was known as Bank Street. Today the two are clearly defined ... the site of the pub is now classed as Bank Street.

[stoneturner]

Paleside mill   Dewsbury Road Ossett

I am trying to find out more about the above mill.

Does it still exist? if so where in Ossett is it?.

Any pictures or information greatly appreciated.

[Nevthedigger]

It doesn't exist any longer, the area is now a modern industrial estate with no remains of previous buildings. If I may quote from Steve Wilson's excellent website www.ossett.net ...

Paleside Mill
The mill located on Dewsbury Road, Ossett was built originally by Joshua Swallow, probably in the 1860s or 1870s for the prime purpose of cloth finishing. By 1881 Paleside Mill had been converted for rag grinding and spare capacity with on-site dyeing facilities was being offered to let by Swallow.1 The mill was subsequently put up for sale in 1892, but was withdrawn from auction after not being sold.2 Another similar advertisement appeared in 1895 with the mill being offered for sale or to let.3 It is not known if the mill was sold in 1895, but by 1901 the buildings were occupied by Bickle Brothers, rag merchants and mungo manufacturers together with J & G Lawrence, mungo manufacturers.4

1. "Ossett Observer", 9th July 1881
2. "Ossett Observer", 19th March 1892
3. "Ossett Observer", 7th December 1895
4. "Kelly's Directory", 1901

[stoneturner]

wow, what a quick reply. Really appreciate that.

In the light of your response I see I should have asked a different question.

The existing building at 170 Dewsbury Road looks as though it was used for some sort of textile processing.

Does anybody know anything at all about its history prior to it being used to sell car audio and alarms?

Thanks in anticipation,

[Nevthedigger]

Actually there are some old industrial buildings up that way which I forgot about ... what would I know  he he he

I'll have a look for 170 Dewsbury Road and see if I have anything on it.