Sunny Bank - Calderdale? Where or What is it?

[karen58]

Hi Wynb

Thank you for offering to send me the document.

Below is a link to a rootschat page that gives instructions on how to attach files. The instructions are midway down the page under the heading: 2) Adding an image to a posting

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,130922.0.html

There are restrictions on file size. If the file is too large I think there are other options - I will investigate.

I also have attached a file on this reply - hope it works. The instructions tell you to hold your breath and cross your fingers. I am also biting my bottom lip for good measure.

The attached file is an 1841 census document for William Pitchforth. As you will see, the census is for the Township of Fixby in the Parish of Halifax, yet William lives in Cowcliffe.

This is confusing me somewhat and am hoping you may cast some light on this.

According to the baptism registers, William's six children were born at Fixby and his wife's burial register (1846) records her place of abode as Fixby. However, William's burial register (1850) records his place of abode as Cowcliffe in the Parish of Huddersfield.

Joseph, William's son, was also living at Cowcliffe and he is enumerated on the 1841 census for the Parish of Huddersfield. The strangest thing is Ivy house is listed on both districts.

Would by grateful for any information you may offer.

Warm Regards
Karen
 

[dobfarm]

Hello Karen

I think the Cowcliffe Sunnybank was your Pitchforth's

see link

Sir J W Ramsden and John Pitchforth. Lease of farm buildings and land at Sunny Bank, Cowcliffe

1869

http://catalogue.wyjs.org.uk/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=KCZ0016%2f1%2f14%2f2%2f31&pos=5

In the link below

Scroll down page  to and click on



Episcopal Areas, Archdeaconries, Deaneries, Benefices

Number 215


Episcopal Areas- Archdeaconrie   -  Deaneries        -  Benefices

Huddersfield    -      Halifax         -   Huddersfield    -   Fixby & Cowcliffe


https://www.google.co.uk/?gws_rd=ssl#q=cowcliffe+halifax+parish

1801, 1811, 1821, and 1831 censuses were part Gov and parish head counts being more statistics

Post 1837 and 1841 census onward in 51c, 61c, etc in its most basic form, was the start change from Parish run affairs to councils and government run affairs at local level. The bigger urban town council boroughs, again at the most basic form, was like the centre of a cart wheel of it outer boundaries. These town boundaries did not use parish boundaries and cross overs of abodes in parish register and 1841 census

Pre 1837 -The big mother parish ruled local level government of its inhabitants, these could be towns or ancient villages mother church's. ie :- Almondbury or town parish like Huddersfield parish and Halifax parish with chapelries of villages in the outer parish. Therefore abodes in Fixby  Huddersfield census 1841 and Fixby in the parish of Halifax.

Fixby is above the wording- ' Old chapels marked' at the the bottom of the map page in link below

Enter - halifax parish map in the search engine

http://www.calderdale.gov.uk/wtw/search/controlservlet?PageId=Zoom&DocId=100955&PageNo=1

Though Huddersfield is called Kirklees council with Dewsbury today we still get cross over with Halifax Calderdale with Huddersfield in the NHS trust

http://www.examiner.co.uk/all-about/calderdale-and-huddersfield-nhs-foundation-trust

A book to read

https://archive.org/details/storyofoldhalifa00hansrich

[karen58]

Hi Dobby

Wow, thank you.

The information on episcopal has clarified the Cowscliffe/Fixby overlap for me.

Thank you for finding the reference to the lease document. I will order the document tonight and let you know if there is a link.

If the John named in the lease is William's brother, than he would be Hannah's uncle by marriage.

Thank you again
Karen

[dobfarm]

Wynb's first info of the Sunny Bank lead the way and needs take the credit.

Surprising what info soon turns up and falls in, once a place location is known or first found.

I hope Wynb stays with Rootchat as a member advising other members, being interested in history of Halifax/Huddersfield areas.

Regards
Dobby

[Wynb]

Karen
This was my explanation which is possibly irrelevant now but here goes.

Cowcliffe boundaries have always been unclear. Fixby for many years was in Halifax and then in a Boundary change became Huddersfield. Need to check date but possibly early 1920's.

According to the HDFHS Fixby census return A-Z index 1841/51 published in 1992 states the following: Fixby a township in the Parish of Halifax had a population of 399.

Unfortunately the Cowcliffe area was very much divided by a parliamentary boundary, one side  was owned by the Thornhills  (Fixby) and the other by the Ramsdens (Huddersfield). The Inn (1837). Methodist Church (1836) and  St Hilda's Church (1850's) School were all on the Ramsden land.

Although your ancestor is mentioned on the document it is not possible to exactly say were he was living but it was probably adjacent to this boundary

The boundary passed very close to Ivy House Farm probably passing through the land surrounding it which might explain why it has been counted twice. This area is now a residential road although Ivy House still exists and there are pictures of it on the internet. I believe it was built on in the 1950's.
Trying to send part of the perambulation information, all is much too large.
Wynb

[karen58]

Dear Wynb and Dobby

The perambulation was really helpful. A person named in the document is also on the 1841 census living close to William.

Also, purhaps I have been confused by Google maps. Google locates Cowcliffe on the other side of Bradford Road, nearer to Sheepridge. None of the places over there marched the places on the census.

Tried using Windows Map which locates Cowcliffe exactly on Cowcliffe Hill Road and things became evident.

From the explanation you both have given, I think I understand the Cowcliffe/Fixby confusion.

Is it that, William's abode was physically in Cowcliffe but, for parliamentary purposes he was within Fixby, because of the parish boundary?

Please let me know if my comprehension is wrong.

If I have this correct, it would explain why he voted in the Halifax Polling District.

On the Poll Books his residence is Fixby, but on the Electoral Registers his place of abode is Cowcliffe, situate in Fixby (sometimes spelt Cawcliffe, there are also examples of enumerators using this spelling on census documents).

His qualification is described, verbatim, as: Freehold Housing, Near Elland upper edge called Copperas houses.

Thank you both. I am truly grateful for your help and interest.

Sincerely
Karen
 

[dobfarm]

A few bits I googled

I'm not surprised your a bit confused as it seems everyone else still are confused with Cowcliffe (Cowcliff)

Cowcliffe

It is situated between Fixby and Birkby based around Cowcliffe Hill Road. Cowcliffe is a discernible village, though the boundaries aren't clear and is somewhat isolated from the rest of Huddersfield
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cowcliffe


1837
The HAMLETS, &c, in Huddersfield Township and Borough, with their distance from the town, are as follows: - Bradley, 3 miles N on the Leeds road; - Deighton and Sheepridge, two villages on the declivities of an eminence, 2 and 2½ miles N, - Fartown, 1 mile N but including within its constablewick, Hillhouse, Cowcliff, Cuckolds Clough, Woodhouse, and Birkby, extending close to the town; - Marsh, 1 mile W, surrounded by a fertile district, with many handsome villas at Egerton &c, - Paddock, 1 mile S W, has in its district Longroyd Bridge, Paddock foot, and many straggling buildings extending to the skirts of the town

(Botton of link below)

http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/WRY/Huddersfield/Huddersfield37.html

Ramden Estate

http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/bradford/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_9421000/9421995.stm


Fixby

http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/Misc/ChurchCol/WRY/EllandcumStainlandandFixby.html

[karen58]

Hi Dobby

Thank you. It is good to have the Cowcliffe/Fixby thing all cleared up.

I think Wynb is right in suggesting that William lived somewhere near North Cross Road. It made sense once I looked at the location on Windows Map rather then Google Maps.

All the effort you and Wynb have made has been very useful and the time being devoted to figuring it out has been very generous.

Perhaps this may help someone else who may have the same puzzlement with Cowcliffe.

Warm Regards
Karen

[Wynb]

Karen

Hi again. Just looking through my notes on Cowcliffe and have come across the following:

William Pitchforth Cropper of Cowcliffe was a Trustee for Cowcliffe Chapel ( Weslyan) 1837. Croppers were cloth finishers using an implement. Improved machinery from 1811 - 1817 (Luddites) resulted in many being thrown out of work. Information for this came from the Cowcliffe Methodist Church and Sunday School ' Reminiscences and Associations 1836-1936 '

Solomon Pitchforth Cowcliffe Woolstapler April 20th 1869 was described as a Parochial Constable. Not sure if he is one of your ancestors.