almondbury poor house

[jackski]

Hi
Does anybody know if the Almondbury poor house went by the name of the Square House? I have a family whose last child was born in the poor house. Previous children were born at the Square House. I wondered if this was another name for it, or a completely different address.
Jacky

[Sunlaws]

Hi Jacky

You don't say what date you are talking about, but I know that in the 1851 census, the Almondbury workhouse is enumerated as 'Park House'.

Regards,

Lesley

[jackski]

Hi
No it would be earlier than that. About 1780 to 1800ish. There are three baptisms of children belonging to James Meal of Clow Ings in 1764, 1777 and 1780. Then three more baptisms to James Meal of Square House in 1766 1770 and 1772 which fit nicely between the first three, making me think it may be the same family. Then finally in 1785 a further child born to James Meal of the Almondbury Workhouse. I'm wondering if all three sets are the same man.
Jacky

[Sunlaws]

Hi Jacky

Square House (or at least, Square Hall) still exists as an address in the 1841 census, with just one family, headed by Charles Willans, a farmer, living there, so it doesn't look like it was the poorhouse. It comes between the returns for Almondbury Common and Bottoms, so was possibly in the area where Lumb lane joins Sharp Lane, and around half a mile from Clough Ings.

regards,

Lesley

[jackski]

Hi
Thanks for that! Very helpful. I'm almost certain now that this was indeed the same family.
Jacky

[dobfarm]

Hi Jackski

http://www.old-maps.co.uk/indexmappage2.aspx

As Sunlaw says above Clough ings farm house in indeed is on lumb lane and as it meets Sharpe lane a hundred yard futher on turn right and square house a little hamet of a few houses about 30 yards from the junction.

Put Almondbury in old map search and find Almondbury church  on the 1850 map- using the direction arrows at the side of the map- go south south west or 7.oo oclock arrows- Find Sharpe lane at 5 oclock from the church right botomm corner and follow Sharpe lane down to Fenny common (Not fennybridge)
James Meal of Clough inggs and Square house are the same one in the parish register of Almondbury.

Be quick as moderators  may remove this info.

[jackski]

Thanks for this information. These two James Meal's are definitely the same man. Now all I have to do is try to figure out which James Meal ended up in the poorhouse!
Jacky

[dobfarm]

Whatever Square house was? is now long gone!! but Clough Ings buildings untouched as was then are still there.

[JoeWilly]

Jackski,
Square Hall.  My g. g. grandfather lived at square hall in 1861.  It is shown on a late 19 century map of Almondbury. so I went to find it last night.   On the map there are several buildings but all that is left is a single cottage, address 77 Sharp Lane, Almondbury.  I spoke to the current owner who has lived there for 40 years.  He said the name Hall was a misleading.  It is common in the area for a group of houses to be called hall.  He said the buildings were originally three small cottages - now knocked into one (now a listed building) - and other farm buildings.  He thought the farm was part of the King James School estate.  It looks like your relative, like mine, worked on the farm or perhaps on the estate.