BRADLEY INDEX ENTRIES

[Stanley]

BRADLEY INDEX ENTRIES AS OF 02/06/11


1851 census
John Bradley, Lower Barnsey, 64, limestone quarry labourer (Rainhall Rock?). Mary, wife, 64. William,41 Limestone quarry labourer. Christopher, 20, L Q labourer. Martha, 30, HLW wool. Mary 26 HLW wool.
1851 census
John R Bradley, Dam Head, 25, Limestone quarry labourer. Elizabeth, wife, 26, dressmaker.
1859
William Bradley noted as an elector of Barlick.
c.1860
Ann Bradley was nurse to a daughter of Christopher Bracewell in Earby after her mother Susannah Elizabeth Whittaker died 6 months after her birth. She became Christopher's mistress and bore him two children. In 1893 she married Christopher in Colorado USA after his second wife Jane died and they had 11 years together before he died in 1904 when she inherited half his estate and returned to England.
1861
Posted by Janet Huige (Netherlands) on OGFB 9/12/2005: “My Great grandfather's younger sister was Jane Bradley and she and her husband William were living at Gutteridge Farm at the 1861 census (RG9/3184/164/7) As her maiden name was also Bradley I suspect she married a cousin. All the Bradley family at that time were living in West and East Marton and I've been unable to find evidence of a marriage for these two there. The marriage must have taken place between 1851 and 1861 as in 1851 Jane is living with her parents at Mire House West Marton.”
1890
(UDBk.19/4. PCRO 34) Notes Watson Bradley as manufacturer in 1890. (Butts?)
1896.
Letter from Bradley Brothers to the Barlick Local Board stating that they are the only tenants in Butts Mill.
1896
Barrett directory reports Robert Bradley as shopkeeper, Earby.
c.1905
LTP 78/AK/02. Emma Clark talks about her husband's brother George Clark marrying Eddie Bradley's sister. Eddie Bradley was son of one of the Bradley Brothers who had 900 looms in the first phase of Bankfield Shed (1905) I think the brothers were Christopher Edwin, Arthur and Watson. One of the brothers (C E Bradley) fell out with the others at the beginning of WW1 over which sons should be given deferment from army service and demanded to be paid out. He set his son Eddie up in a red brick garage at the junction of Skipton Road with Gisburn Road with £1000 capital and £1000 stock. Emma says he was spoilt and lived, with his wife Elsie, with his parents on Gisburn Road. She said that Eddie died in about 1969. C E ('Kit') Bradley made a smart move getting out of the weaving firm, they later went bankrupt. In 78/AK/03 Emma expanded on this saying that it was the father of Eddie, Kit Bradley who had to go to the war because only two of the brothers could be exempted. He drew the short straw and this was what caused him to be asked to be paid out. Smart move as it turned out!
In 'This is My Life' Jack Griffiths talks about Bradley brothers. He says that one lived at Coates and another on Skipton Road. The one on Skipton Road had a son Jim who worked in the warehouse and drove the firm's wagon. When Bradley Brothers banked Jim Bradley became a bus driver. His wife died and Jim caught a cold at her funeral and died of pneumonia a fortnight later. Jim's children were looked after by his mother who told Jack Griffiths that if they had given up at Bankfield instead of trying to survive the depression they could have come ot with over £65,000.
c.1880
Craven Herald report 19/05/1935. At Old Shed, Earby (on what is now New Road) Robert Bradley was the engineer. He removed to Barnoldswick and his three sons Watson, Christopher and Arthur founded Bradley Brothers. (LTP 78/AB/05) Billy Brooks talked about Bradley Brothers, not quite clear who he was talking about but he said one was a baker in Commercial Street and had no experience in the textile trade. (Barrett directory for 1887/1896 reports Robert Bradley as baker and confectioner of 1 Green Street.) He said that after the failure this man's wife lived on Gisburn Road and had to take lodgers in. (78/AB/04) Billy says that the first shed built at Bankfield in 1905 held 1800 looms and Bradley Brothers had 900 of them. James Nutter had the rest. Billy was adamant that the reason for the failure was weaving for stock while hoping for trade to recover.
1890
Craven Herald 18/04/1890. Report that Butts Mill Shed Co was registered on March 3rd 1890 with capital of £10,000 in £1 shares. The subscribers were J Eastwood of Burnley and Mrs Eastwood, W H Maudsley and Mrs Maudsley, Fred Eastwood, warehouseman, Watson Bradley and Mrs Bradley, all with one share each.
1896
Billy Brooks says that Bradley Brothers were weaving in Butts Mill with 400 looms and had warps slashed during a strike over the 'Local Disadvantage' wage reductions. (78/AB/02). They moved from Butts into Bankfield early in 1905. (According to CHSC Minute Books the quit date at Butts was 14th December 1905, this corresponds to James Nutter quit date to move into the same shed of 31st December 1905.)
1902
Barrett mentions Henry Bradley as farmer at Prospect.
1902
Christopher Edwin Bradley noted in Barrett for 1902 as living at 4 Shaw Terrace. 1896 at 33 Rainhall Road. In Rainhall Road in 1890 Local Board elections. Also mentioned as secretary of the Barnoldswick Cotton Manufacturers Association.
c.1920
Ernie Roberts (LTP. 78/AC/02) talks about raiding Bradley's orchard at Bank House. He talks about crossing 'Bradley's' bridge to get to the orchard but I think he means Banks Bridge, now demolished.
1922
Kelly directory. James Edwin Bradley (Eddie) automobile engineer, repairer and agent, Skipton Road. Member of the Motor Trader's Association. Garage for 25 cars. Telegraphic address 'petrol' and tel. no. 97.
c.1930
In 'A Way of Life Gone By' by Dorothy Carthy, Arthur Green relates how he learned to weave in 1915 at Bradley Brothers at Bankfield. He also said that when Bradley Brothers failed the business was taken over by a new company, the Barnoldswick Manufacturing Company but they failed also and John Sagar and Son took over.
1932
Craven Herald 25/03/1932. Report of the death of Henry Bradley (75) of 26 Park Avenue. Born 1857 in Rainhall Road he was an overlooker at Coates Mill and in 1890 started farming Prospect Farm. He was there for 22 years until 1912 when he retired and moved back into the town. He leaves a widow, four sons and five daughters.
1963/67
Albert Bradley, council member.