Yorkshire place name - help please

[AlanBoyd]

In the 1841 census entry for John and Nancy Rhodes (address simply Birstall) there is a Sarah Rhodes, 70. In 1851 John's age is 45 so dob ~ 1806 and his place of birth is West Ardsley.

There is a baptism at West Ardsley 17th September 1805
John son of Israel and Sarah Rhodes Yeoman

[MollyC]

Seems that the farm was called Rectory Farm, and that John Rhodes was there until his death.
22 January 1881: Dewsbury Reporter

It is possible for the executors to have continued to run the farm business for 20+ years before winding it up in 1881.

[AlanBoyd]

Thanks MollyC, I’m a complete novice when it comes to things like that.

[MollyC]

I conclude this only because I have come across businesses named eg "John Smith (Exors)" which appear in directories for years.  There may have been some tax advantage if the family wished to continue the business.

[AlanBoyd]

1822 Baines Directory West Yorkshire Yorkshire, West Riding, under West Ardsley
Sarah Rhodes, coal merchant
Israel & William Rhodes, corn millers

[MollyC]

I think you will find the Baines' directory is West RIDING, and I make no apology for continuing to remind people that West Yorkshire is a NEW county, so does not merit much air-time on Rootschat!  I blame Ancestry, who have got it all wrong.

[AlanBoyd]

Yes, I thoughtlessly transcribed the Ancestry information.

[MollyC]

I forgive you Alan.

[AlanBoyd]

That’s more than I deserve.