Northowram

[arthurk]

I have re-checked the census and it seems the trammers in Clay pit was at a brick works?

According to the English Dialect Dictionary (ed. Joseph Wright; online at archive.org) a trammer was the person who looked after the wagons running on the tracks through a mine. A brick works might have had similar tracks and wagons, so maybe trammers too. Although in practice it might have been a junior position in a mine, the definition I've found doesn't mention age or seniority - it's just a description of the kind of work involved.

I'm glad others are contributing - I'm not bad with maps and directories and general Yorkshire things, but I don't have the detailed knowledge of Northowram that you seem to be getting now.

Arthur

[jennifer c]

Thank you all for your time and kindness.

Jennifer

[Calverley Lad]

As promised: Link to Northowram history including drawings.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ny8knp6mmg02kby/255YqxUPgi
Happy hunting
 Brian

[dave the tyke]

Hi,
On Bradford Road near the junction with Swalesmoor Road there is Howcans Pottery and a place called Bricks, both of them very close to Slack End. All the places are near Holmefield Mills.

Many of the people in this area were non-conformist and many were buried at Ambler Thorne Methodist Chapel Queensbury.

Have you looked on Malcolm Bulls 'Calderdale Companion' ?

Dave

[jennifer c]

Thank you Dave,

Unfortunately the Watson family who lived for many years at Slack End were just ordinary folk working hard for their living.

It is always great to share and receive knowledge.

Jennifer

[Nostromo]

Clay pits - are you sure it isn't coal pits, of which there are quite a few nearby? Clay mining isn't something the West Riding is particularly known for. On the other hand the map shows dozens of sandstone quarries in the area - maybe someone who knows a bit about geology might be able to say whether this makes clay pits more or less likely.

Fire clay is often found under coal seams, so that could be an explanation perhaps.

[dave the tyke]

Hi

On Bradford Road near the junction with Swalesmoor Road there is Howcans Pottery and a place called Bricks, both of them very close to Slack End

Both brick making and pottery require clay.

Dave