The Dig @ Rhyddings

Oswaldtwistle is not mentioned specifically in the Domesday Book of 1086, although the lands would have been granted to the de Lacy family, Lords of Pontefract, as part of the Honour of Clitheroe in the late 11th century (Smith 1961, 24). The earliest documentary evidence for Oswaldtwistle is recorded in documents from c 1208, when Adam de Rishton granted an area of land to Adam of Oswaldthuisal, which appears to have formed part of the forest of Accrington. The manor was subsequently granted by Philip de Oswaldtwistle to Adam de Radcliffe (Farrer and Brownbill 1911, 405). Richard, great grandson of Adam de Radcliffe, granted the manor to William his son in 1303 (Baines 1868, 52). Presumably the settlement took the form of scattered farmsteads across the township, but probably sited on or near Tinker and White Ash Brooks (Lancashire County Council 2005, 15).

The original manorial centre of Oswaldtwistle has never been located. Catlow Hall, which stood at the junction of Fielding Lane with Stone Bridge Lane, was of early origin, but was demolished before 1911. This estate may have been the half-oxgang of land that Roger de Oswaldtwistle granted to William, son of Richard de Rishton, in the early 13th century, who appears to have later adopted the name of ‘de Cathelow’ (Farrer and Brownbill 1911, 407). Alternatively, the de Oswaldtwistle family may have had a manorial centre elsewhere, possibly on the land between Tinker and White Ash Brooks known as Foxhole (or Foxhill), held by the brother of Philip de Oswaldtwistle in the early 13th century (op cit, 404).

In 1507, Henry VII disafforested the chases of Accrington, Bowland, Pendle, Rossendale and Trawden, leading to the formation of the townships of Accrington Old Hold and Accrington New Hold (Porter 1980, 30). In 1650 the two townships were estimated to contain about 200 families (Williams 1872, 8). However, the hearth tax of 1666 enumerated 38 hearths in Old Accrington and 99 in New Accrington, suggesting that the population of New Accrington was at least twice that of Old Accrington (op cit, 243).

A water-powered corn mill was certainly in existence on the Tinker’s Brook at Foxhill Bank by 1554-5, and may have had medieval origins. Nearby, it is possible that Ippings was one of the early centres of settlement, as it lay next to the ford which was the main crossing point over Tinker’s Brook before Tinker’s Bridge was built slightly higher upstream; Hippings Bridge may mark the position of this ford (Lancashire County Council 2005, 16). The settlement was a fold to the west of the ford, with another nucleation at Cross. The latter possibly acquired its name from the Oswaldtwistle Cross, a replica of which was placed at Rhyddings Park (ibid). This is almost certainly the same cross as the White Ash or Hippings Cross, which stood there in 1818 (Greenwood 1818). It seems likely that the area between the Hippings ford and the Cross was the focal point of medieval settlement in Oswaldtwistle (Hogg 1973, 27).

The Riddings Estate was originally part of the Catlow Estate, owned by the de Catlow family. The estate was divided in the 1500s, and part of it was taken by the Ridding family, who owned it until 1631; it is possible that a property known as ‘Riddings’ was occupied by the Ridding family. The footprint of this building lies within the boundary of the modern Rhyddings Park, and it is shown on the first edition Ordnance 

Survey of 1848 (Plate 2).

The corn mill at Foxhill Bank had been converted for use as a fulling mill by the 18th century (Rothwell 1993, 10), but the production of woollen goods had largely given way to cotton by the end of the century. This is reflected in the replacement of the fulling mill with a large textile-printing works that was established by Richard Brewer in 1780 (Rothwell 1993, 10).

The introduction of new machinery led to the development of the factory-based textile industry. In particular, James Hargreaves’s invention of the spinning jenny in c 1764, and the developments of Robert Peel of Knuzden, who had collaborated with James Hargreaves in c 1762 to develop a carding machine. By the 1780s and 1790s mills containing carding machines and jennies were being set up at Hoyle Bottom and Stone Bridge in Oswaldtwistle (Rothwell 1980, 9).

Textile finishing also became an increasingly important trade during the late 18th century, not least through the innovations of the Peel family, which had taken possession of Foxhill Bank Printworks in 1790 and expanded their thriving business. Nevertheless, Oswaldtwistle was still little more than a few scattered hamlets such as Ippings, Moorside, and Stanhill at the end of the 18th century.

The Rhyddings Estate was purchased in the mid-19th century by Mr Robert Watson, a local cotton manufacturer who, by 1851, was living with his wife and two servants at Hippings in Oswaldtwistle (some 0.5km to the north-west of Riddings). Watson demolished Riddings and constructed a new house, Rhyddings Hall, in 1853. He was one of the Watson brothers that founded Stone Bridge Mill and Rhyddings Mill in 1856, and developed the Stone Bridge and Rhyddings estates, which included housing for their employees. Nos 1-19 Rhyddings Street, for instance, were built in 1861 to house managers and foremen of Rhyddings Mill.

Rhyddings Hall was a large villa inspired by Pugin, a 19th-century architect who played a pioneering role in the Gothic Revival style of architecture. It was built in the centre of landscaped gardens, which now form Rhyddings Park, with a coach house, ancillary buildings and several glasshouses to the rear. The main entrance was reached via a sweeping carriage drive from Rhyddings Street, with a separate entrance via a lodge to the rear, close to what is now Edinburgh Drive.

An article printed in The Building News in the mid-1860s states that Watson initially erected ‘a residence, not overlarge, of that plain unadorned style usually denominated Anglo-Italian. But increase and growth of family, and growth of taste cultivated by foreign travel, impelled to what now constitutes an almost entire reconstruction of the plan and detail of the former edifice, combined with extensive additions. These form the present edifice’, which is captured in an engraving that accompanied the description (Plate 2). The article goes on to provide a detailed description of the building, which is worthy of reproducing at length as it provides a flavour of the immensely impressive mansion:

‘A balustraded flight of seven steps leads to a small terrace, from which is reached the loggia, or entrance to the mansion – a structure of solid stone, arcaded upon the exposed sides, the openings glazed with polished plate glass, and with a curved roof of coloured and ornamental glass. Thence, a small vestibule is entered, the windows surrounding which are glazed in single sheets of plate glass, coloured and patterned in enamel, with oval medallions in each of allegorical figures, representing Maternity and maidenhood, Philosophy, Industry, Purity and Plenty. A glazed screen separates the vestibule from the hall. The hall is tripartite in plan, the two compartments furthest from the vestibule being lighted from the top, and having elaborate ceilings. The staircase ascends in a sub- compartment of the central portion of the hall, and has an exceedingly rich entablature overhead, from which springs an arched glass roof. All these ceiling lights are glazed with coloured glass, of large sheets, enamelled in arabesque patterns. Detached pilasters and antae, with ornamental capitals, divide the central hall from the inner hall on the upper floor. The complexity of plan resulting from the union of the staircase and the three compartments of the hall, has produced, from what was at first a difficulty in dealing with the former structure, a novel and pleasant effect. Within the glazed screen dividing the vestibule from the hall is a lavatory and cloakroom, 16ft by 8ft. From the tripartite hall the principal rooms are entered – the library or morning room, 25ft by 16ft, with bay window; Mr Watson’s room, 25fy by 16ft; drawing room, 30ft by 24ft and 16ft, leading through a glazed screen to a conservatory, 21ft by 12ft 6in; dining room, 32ft by 18ft 6in, and 27ft across bay, leading onto a verandah supported by ornamental cast-iron pillars, carrying a glazed roof, and co- extensive with dining room and adjacent room. From the hall a corridor leads to a schoolroom, 18ft 6in by 12ft 6in; and billiard room containing a lavatory and other conveniences.

A corridor with ornamental glass roof divides the kitchen offices from the hall. In these are comprised butler’s pantry, 16ft 6in by 11ft; kitchen, 22ft by 16ft; scullery, 15ft by 12ft, pantry, 15ft by 7ft 6in; store rooms, back staircase, etc. In the kitchen court are a wash-house and other offices, and beyond these the stables and kitchen garden.

The loggia entrance, vestibule, hall, corridors and conservatory are laid with floors of Minton’s encaustic tiles, and are heated with hot water from an apparatus in the basement, where also are wine cellars, laundry, and other household conveniences….The mansion is replete with every convenience of gas and water supply. The grounds are laid out and planted ornamentally, and have horticultural buildings in various parts. Divided from the flower garden by a pavilion and a shrubbery, is the bowling green.

The external walls are faced with Burnley par-points, and the ashlar is of Catlow, Pleasington and Steetley stone…In style the building is an attempt to show the elasticity which the Italian Renaissance, both in grouping and detail, is capable of affording to a designer…Mr James Hibbert, of Preston, is the architect, and Mr John Simpson, the clerk of works’.

The article also lists all the specialist sub-contractors that were employed during the construction work, which included: James Duckett of Burnley, mason and waller; John Clegg of Accrington, slater; Messrs Whitehead and Stevenson of Padiham, joiners and carpenters; Robert Hodgson of Church, plasterer and painter; John Bradshaw of Padiham, plumber and glazier; and Mr Lamb of Manchester was responsible for ‘furnishing the interior on a costly scale’.

The Census Returns for 1861 show that the Watson family at that date comprised Robert Watson, his wife Cecilia, daughters Cecilia, Helena, and Emily, and sons Robert, James and Walter. Robert Watson, age 42, is described as a ‘cotton spinner and manufacturer’, who employed 373 males and 481 females in his mills. In addition to the Watson family, a governess and five servants lived at Rhyddings Hall (housemaid, cook, nurse, laundress and waitress); the coachman and his wife lived at Rhyddings Cottage, and the gardener and his wife resided in the lodge (RG9/3107).

The Census Returns for 1871 show that the Watson family at that date comprised Robert Watson, his wife Cecilia, daughters Cecilia, Helena, and Amy, and sons Robert and John. Robert Watson is still described as a ‘cotton spinner and manufacturer’, who employed 320 men, 339 women and just over 100 children in his mills. By 1871, the Watsons had just three servants living at Rhyddings Hall, together with the coachman and his family at Rhyddings Cottage, and a gardener residing in the lodge (RG10/4186).

The Census Returns for 1881 show that the Watson family at that date comprised Robert Watson, his wife Cecilia, daughters Helena, Emily and Amy, and sons Robert (described as a ‘cotton spinner and manufacturer’), James, John and Walter; their eldest daughter, Cecilia, had married a local merchant, John Glazebrook, in April 1873 (LDS Film 1470816). By 1881, there were four servants living in Rhyddings Hall, comprising a cook, a waitress and two housemaids (RG11/4201).

Watson gradually sold off portions of the western area of the estate, and terraces between Rhyddings Mill and the hall were built in the 1880s. In addition, in 1887, a ‘large quantity of valuable plants…worthy of special notice’ was advertised for sale at Rhyddings Hall by private treaty. The collection included camellias, palms, orchids, ‘a splendid collection of or roses’, and a variety of ferns and greenhouse plants (Preston Herald, 14 May 1887). Robert Watson finally left the estate in 1890 and retired to Southport, although it is noted that he owned of Catlow Hall in Oswaldtwistle (SPR Mic P 168/BL.A.1).

Sale particulars from this time describe Rhyddings Hall as ‘a mansion with vestibule, hall, large dining and drawing rooms, library, breakfast room, small sitting room, large nursery, nine bedrooms, two dressing rooms, servants rooms, kitchens, butler’s pantry and two bathrooms.’ There was also a range of other buildings including conservatory, stable block, wash house, coachman and gardener’s cottages, a laundry, vinery and greenhouse.

It seems that the mansion was purchased by John Bullough, one of the partners in the firm of Howard & Bullough, which manufactured textile machinery and was described as ‘one of the most extensive firms of machinists in the kingdom’, employing between 2,000 and 3,000 men at their huge Globe Works in Accrington. In addition to Rhyddings Hall (known subsequently as The Rhyddings), John Bullough also had a seat at Meggernie Castle in Scotland, reflecting the huge fortune he had generated from the textile-machinery business. However, Bullough died suddenly at the age of 53 in 1891, leaving a widow and ‘several children’ (Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 28 February 1891). The Rhyddings estate was bequeathed to his two sons, with the 21-year old George Bullough, being listed as the head of The Rhyddings in the Census Returns for 1891. George lived at the hall with his sister Gladis (sic), together with a nurse, a waitress, a cook, a kitchen maid and two housemaids (RG12/3411). Nearly all of the domestic servants had been born in Scotland, and had presumably served the Watsons at Meggernie Castle.

At the time of the 1891 Census, George Bullough was entertaining three visitors, one of which was escorted by a nurse. It was during the same year that the business of Howard & Bullough of the Globe Works in Accrington was registered as a limited company, with a capital of £500,000 in £100 shares (Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser, 13 July 1891).

The Parliamentary County Electoral Register for 1892 lists Alexandra Bullough as the owner of The Rhyddings (SPR Mic P 168/BL.A.1). The Register for 1896, however, lists George Bullough at The Rhyddings, but describes the property as a ‘tenement’ as a dwelling house. In 1898, William Bullough resided at The Rhyddings, but had a second dwelling on Kinlock Hollins Lane in Accrington (SPR Mic P 168/BL.A.1). In February 1900, the ‘furniture, etc’ in The Rhyddings was advertised for sale by auction (Blackburn Standard, 17 February 1900).

The south-west-facing elevation of the hall during this period, showing the bay window overlooking the formal garden, is captured on a postcard view that is undated but probably originates from the late 19th or early 20th century (Plate 3).  

  The aims of the community excavation were to assess the nature and survival of the remains of Rhyddings Hall, and to engage members of the Oswaldtwistle community with the investigation of their local heritage. Whilst the exterior of the house was well documented in photographs and maps, little was known of the interior layout of the rooms and the division between family and service areas. Although the 20th-century ground-floor plan (Plate 4) was useful in illustrating the location of internal walls, it does not outline rooms within the basement or suggest the function of rooms during the domestic occupation of the house.

Significant foundations of the hall were uncovered in all three of the excavation areas, and the volumes of Minton tiles, painted plaster and marble embellishments, all suggested that the interior of the house was as opulently decorated as the exterior. It is unlikely, however, that this level of decoration extended to the cellars which were found to have plastered and whitewashed walls with the flagstone floor partially revealed in the north-western corner likely to have been common to all cellar rooms. This simple decoration does seem to support the uses to which the cellars were put, according to the Building News article, which referred to storage rooms, wine cellars and a laundry. The excavation also revealed that cellars were not present across the full footprint of the house, indicated by undisturbed clay deposits identified to the 

north-east of wall 011 in Area 2.

The excavation was able to confirm that the foundations of the main outer walls of the hall survived in-situ, and reflected the historic mapping and photographic record. Based on wall thickness, it was possible to differentiate between larger, load-bearing walls which continued throughout the house and smaller walls seen within the cellar only and which did not correspond with the ground-floor plan.

In addition to the outer walls, only one wall was interpreted as a full-height structure. This was wall 011 in Area 2 which corresponded to the position of the southern wall of the living room as seen on the 20th-century ground-floor plan. The remaining walls revealed in this area were either more roughly constructed or less substantially built and therefore thought to relate to the cellars and which are likely to have formed partitions between rooms and, like 024 in Area 3, formed the supporting structures for floors above.

Only two brick structures were identified during the excavation, although hand-made brick was also found to be lining stone walls in Area 2 and used throughout for small-scale repairs to the stone walls. The largest brick structure, in Area 2, was not associated with any of the stone walls of the cellar, and may have been added to sub-divide a larger cellar room and provide more specific storage space by the inclusion of a built-in stone shelf, possibly as a cold store or working area. The only other free-standing brick structure was revealed in Area 1 to be blocking a doorway and, based on the use of machine-made frogged bricks, was likely to have been constructed in the early 20th century, perhaps as part of alterations to the house for its use as a museum.

The Building News article of 1864 describes the house as being partially rebuilt and enlarged 12 years after its initial construction, although no indication of which areas were affected by this work is given. Whilst the archaeological remains uncovered do show examples of repairs and alterations to the cellar structures, it is not clear when this work was carried out and if it formed part of a larger scheme of rebuilding. Evidence from the excavation indicates that the features revealed can be categorised into four broad phases:

Phase 1 – 1850s: it was not possible during the course of the excavation to identify with complete confidence those elements of the hall that could be attributed firmly to the initial phase of construction that is alluded to in the article of 1864, and the size, layout and chronology of the original hall remains unknown. The variation in the width of wall 011 (Area2) and the apparent relationship between the two different sections,

however, suggest that it derived from two principal construction phases.

Phase 2 – 1860s-90s: this phase encompasses the enlargement of the house and includes possible repairs and alterations made as part of such work. In particular, the inclusion of under-floor heating would have required some remodelling. Changes to the internal layout of the cellars is also likely to fall within this phase, and include the brick structure in Area 2 as well as the addition of brick lining to some of the stone walls. This phase may also include the addition of new developments, such as the fitting of the possible electrical wiring in the iron pipe fixed to the wall in Area 2.

Phase 3 – 1900s-20s: this phase covers the period following the departure of the Watson family and the changing of the house from domestic to museum use as proposed in the ground-floor plan (Plate 4). Very little appears to have been done within the cellar level during this phase with only the blocking of the doorway in Area 1 and other possible repairs in brick identified.

Phase 4 – 1930s-80s: this phase includes the demolition of the house and the later building of an ice cream kiosk/toilet building in the late 1960s. Only the concrete foundation of this later structure was revealed in the far northern corner of Area 1, but the increased depth of the remains of the bay window wall in this area suggests that its upper courses were removed for the construction of the later building.