The Hamlet of Padfield

The Hamlet of Padfield.

This page is based on the notes of Robert Hamnett, originally published as an article in the Glossop Advertiser in 1913.
Illustrations are from my personal collection.

The Hamlet of Padfield is the largest in the Parish The area is over 6,464 acres, in fact larger than the Hamlets of Hadfield, Dinting, Chunal, Simmondley, Charlesworth, and Chisworth put together. The Census returns show the rise and progress of the Hamlet:-

Year	Houses	Inhabitants
1811	78	450
1821	82	499
1831	175	1102
1841	284	1686
1851	316	2051
1861	338	1619
1871	350	1699
1891	557	2573

A different system of classifying prevents any later comparison. From 1821 to 1851 was the most prosperous period. For 20 years afterwards, the population declined until 1871 to 1881, when trade went up by leaps and bounds and proved the most prosperous 10 years the Hamlet has ever experienced, in 1841 more than one half of the population were born outside the county. The demand for cotton operatives being greater than the local supply. Many families of cotton operatives came from Yorkshire. One part of Station Road is still known as Yorkshire Row. For the same reason Yorkshire Street, Glossop, was so named.

Padfield
On the 16th April, 1660 the persons residing in Padfield, and the land they occupied, and the annual rent they paid were:- Thomas Doxon, Great Hill, 2a Draw Butts, Great Hill Head, Intake at Blackshaw Clough, 8a, part of Picknas (Peaknaze) 45a; rent Ł16 11s 8.5d. One piece of ground called Picknas in the tenure of Thos. Doxon, Nichollas Darnalley, Thurston Hadfield, John Hadfield, Thomas Garlique and his mother, William Hadfield and his brother, Nichollas Hadfield and John Darnalley, 100 acres. William Hadfield a piece of Shroggy Wood, part of Picknas 32a; rent Ł13 14s 9d; John Hadfield one Intake, 4a; rent 16s; George Hadfield and Ellen, widow, 56a; rent Ł11 1s 4d. John Darnalley, The Gallows Field, the Gallows Meadow, part of Picknas 45a; rent Ł16 17s 9d. James Goddard, the Upper Faugh, 14a; rent Ł6 8s 6d. Ralph Goddard, Gallows Field and Meadow, 23 a, 1r, 30p, rent Ł7 2s 7d. Reginald Goddard, Grace, his mother, Intake, 99a 2r. 30p., rent Ł9 4s 4d. Nichollas Oldham and Katherine his mother, 26a. 8r. rent Ł10 19s 7d. Anne Bramhall, widow, the Roughfield, 1a 2r., Ogden Clough, 9a. Hare Hill Meadow, Branckfield, Ridding, total 77a 1r., rent Ł16 8s 6d. Nichollas Bramhall, 54a. 1r., rent Ł12 5s 3.5d. William Sicke, 45a. 2r., rent Ł8 5s 3d. William Hadfield, Hollingberrey Meadow, 32a. 2r., rent Ł8 8s 7d. Nichollas Sicke 63a., rent Ł10 2s 2d. Ellen Hadfield, widow, White Hill 32a. 2r., rent Ł6 12s 3.5d. Lawrence Hinckley, 256a 3r. 10p., from 4d to 10s per acre, the outer portion 200a at 4d per acre. Total rent Ł14 19s 8d. Thomas Hadfield, 20a. 2r., rent Ł8 5s 9d. One Intake in Padfield in the tenure of Joh Hadfield which James Goddard saith belongeth to his farm, 3a, 7s 6d, ditto 5a, 14s 5°d ditto 10a at 6d, 5s.
Other tenants in Padfield were Alexander Hadfield, William Allsop, 28a. Anthony Sykes, 27a., Guy Hadfield 56a., William Bennett, late occupied by Anne Brounill, Nichollas Rawlingson 14a. William Hadfield, of Reaps, 38a.

A few of the names of plots of land are: Shew Bread, Overthuart, Dean Butts, Old Joseph's Meadow, Old Thomas' Meadow, Smoothing Iron (at bottom of Redgate), Hammer Hey Meadow, Great Radish Brow. Hadfield also has some queer names, Streta, Boar Bank, Hellish Meadow, Gelt Cliffe, Dark Lane, Blood Bank, and the Last Shift Meadow.

Padfield being the largest hamlet, had the largest farms and the farmers were among the wealthiest in the parish. In the ancient government of the parish, Padfield men always took the principal part, partly owing to the farmers being more numerous. The Churchwardens have been: 1703, James Braddock; 1705, William Hadfield; 1709, John Garlick; 1711, John Cresswick; 1712, John Hadfield, junior.; 1717, Benjamin Fielding, of Waterside; 1721, William Hollingworth, Torside; 1726, Robert Hollingworth; 1730, Joseph Garlick; 1731, Ed Moorhouse; 1733, George Hadfield; 1740, Joseph Dernley, Deepclough; 1743, William Sykes, Torside; 1753, Thomas Hadfield, O' Cross; 1759, John Hadfield, Deepclough; 1763, Thomas Braddock; 1764, John Garlick, Little Padfield; 1768, William Cresswick; 1781, Nathaniel Barber, Deepclough; 1800, George Sydall; 1802, Robert Lees.
The Overseers have been:- 1714, John Creswick; 1716, John Buckley; 1729, Robert Hollingworth; 1729, Ed. Moorhouse, Torside; 1755, John Sykes, Torside; 1767, William Creswick for Great Padfield; 1770, John Goddard for Waterside; 1772, William Sykes, Torside; 1775, Thomas Hadfield, Deepclough; 1787, John Braddock; 1795, Mr Turner for Waterside; and Thomas Frost, Deepclough; 1801, Joshua Roberts and Samuel Garlick; 1821, William Barber and Joshua Platt; 1823, William Barber and Joshua Platt; 1824 and 1825, Joshua Platt. Joshua Platt was overseer from 1819 to 1827. George Platt 1835 to 1838.
It was customary to elect a small committee to assist the Overseer to carry out his duties. We find that Joshua Roberts from 1808 served 7 years, Robert Lees from 1802 served 5 years, Thomas Frost from 1801 served 4 years, James Braddock from 1809 served 2 years, Thomas Hadfield from 1810 served 2 years, George Sydall from 1811 served 8 years, William Barber from 1817 served 6 years, John Sidebottom from 1822 served 2 years, John Goddard from 1825 served 7 years, George Platt from 1826 served 6 years, George Hadfield, 1816, James Sidebottom, 1830, John Barber 1835, one year each.

How the Cotton Industry Came to Padfield.
Had Padfield not had the Padfield Brook running through it the cotton industry would have been unknown to Padfield. At one period there were seven cotton mills deriving their supply of water from it.

The Wakes' festival, over 100 years ago was always eagerly looked forward to as the happiest time of the year, and the districts vied with each other as to which could make and show off the most artistic rush cart. Mr Robert Lees (see The Lees Family of Padfield and Woolley Bridge Mills), of Alt Hill between Ashton and Oldham was a great lover of Old English sports, and a well known authority on the construction of rush carts; he had an artistic taste, and rush carts built up and decorated under his supervision were much admired. Some business in connexion with the superintending and building of a rush cart at Padfield brought him to this neighbourhood, and during his stay he fell in love with Sarah, a daughter of Mr Barber, cotton manufacturer, of Padfield, who resided in the house in Main Road, which was afterwards used by the Padfield Liberals as their club premises.
They were married and had issue:- Henry, born 7th April, 1794 who married Elizabeth Stead of Walkley, at Sheffield on the 8th October, 1823. Henry died 24th July, 1870; his wife born 6th January, 1801, died 13th December, 1828; they had issue one child, a son named Robert John Lees, who emigrated to Melbourne Australia. The second son, John married Hannah Booth who died 12th October, 1836 and John died 4th December, 1836 aged 38. They had issue Thomas Booth Lees, born in 1827, died in September, 1901; James Lees born in 1830, died in 1895. The third son Edward, died a bachelor, 1st May, 1841, aged 35. The fourth son, Samuel, married Eliza, a daughter of John Wood, cotton manufacturer, Glossop. She died 10th January, 1901, aged 85. A daughter married James Murgatroyd. F.R.I.B.A. of Manchester, and they had issue eleven children. The eldest, Edith Eliza, married the late Mr Tom Harrop Sidebottom, M.P. on the 23rd June, 1886. Mary, the only daughter of Robert Lees, was born 21st July, 1796 and married on the 4th October, 1832, John Rusby Surgeon, of Glossop, and they had issue the Rev Mr Rusby, lately deceased, who left a sum of money for the restoration of Glossop Parish Church.
Robert Lees at first lived at Little Padfield, and afterwards at Padfield Brook House, which he built. He also built 14 cottages in 1821, which are now called Lees Row. He built Padfield Brook Mill. The lease dated from 29th September, 1807 and was for 89 years, rent Ł10, and the land was 5,380 square yards in area. In 1824 the firm was Robert Lees and Sons. Robert Lees died on the 25th June, 1837, aged 75, and Sarah his widow, on the 11th August, 1837, aged 65. Mr Lees retired from business in 1830, and his son John became tenant; after John's death his brothers, Edward and Samuel, became partners, and remained so until the death of Edward. Samuel continued the business until 1866 when he retired, and Thomas Platt became the occupier until 1875, when Joseph Dewsnap occupied it. In 1878 William and Edward Platt, junior, became possessed of it and Mr Edward Platt still occupies it. Mr Samuel Lees died at Hereford in December, 1896.

William Barber took out a lease and commenced to build a cotton mill in Padfield, which he did not finish. On the 6th December, 1803, he leased it to Abraham Clarke, machine maker and carpenter, Hadfield (see Clarke Family of Hadfield). He was the son of Abraham Clarke, husbandman, of Hadfield, and Nanny, daughter of Thomas Hadfield, slater, of Hadfield. Mr Clarke's daughter, Sarah, born December, 1796 married John Shepley, farmer, Laneside; his daughter, Mary, married Robert Wagstaffe, butcher, Glossop. Mr Clarke finished the mill and made the reservoir. Mr Clarke died 4th December, 1815, aged 54. In 1816 Mr Clarke's executors, Samuel Bray, yeoman, Glossop, and Joseph Lyne, cotton Spinner, Simmondley, leased the mill for 21 years to William Barber, at a rental of Ł204 per annum. In 1823 the mill was burned down, but re-erected by Mr Clarke's son-in-laws.
The conditions for the rebuilding of the mill are interesting, because they gave the local prices then current for mason's work. The agreement was as follows:-
“An agreement made and entered into this 6th day of May, 1823, between John Shepley, of Laneside, in the Parish of Glossop, in the County of Derby, farmer, and Robert Wagstaffe, of Bridge End, in the Parish and County aforesaid, butcher, of the one part, and Robert Hadfield, of Padfield, in the Parish and County aforesaid, mason of the other part. First the said Robert Hadfield for the considerations hereinafter mentioned and expressed doth covenant, promise and agree to and with the said John Shepley and Robert Wagstaffe that the said Robert Hadfield shall and will be and with the directions of the said John Shepley and Robert Wagstaffe or the one of them pull down the old walls which are now standing in a cotton mill or factory lately destroyed by fire belonging to the said John Shepley and Robert Wagstaffe, situate near Padfield, aforesaid, and clean all the lime from off the old stone for the price or sum of Ł15, and shall and will well and sufficiently rebuild or cause to be rebuilt, (in a good workmanlike manner according to the best of his art and skill) the said cotton mill or factory for and at the following prices, viz. getting, dressing and walling the new stone eighteen shillings per rood (eight superficial square yards to the rood) and for walling the old stone nine shillings per rood, getting window tops and bottoms one shilling and sixpence per stone, getting stair steps dressing and setting up four shillings per step, doors and windows hewing five pence per foot, chimney draughts one shilling and sixpence for every yard length, flagging new flags ninepence per yard, dressing and walling chimney twelve shillings, beam filling, scaffold holes making up, tools sharpening and sand riddling included at the above prices, getting stones for a new door ten shillings, and hewing thereof five pence per foot. And it is agreed between the said parties that in case the wheel race wall should exceed two feet in breadth to be paid in proportion of nine shillings per rood for any additional measure and for hewing out the rock to enlarge the wheel race and clearing the rubbish away the said John Shepley. and Robert Wagstaffe agree to allow and pay unto Robert Hadfield the sum of six pounds ten shillings. And the said Robert Hadfield doth further agree to and with the said John Shepley and Robert Wagstaffe that he will complete and finish the rebuilding of the said factory on or before the 31st day of August next ensuing the day of these presents, or in neglect thereof shall forfeit the sum of Ł20. And the said John Shepley and Robert Wagstaffe do also agree to and with the said Robert Hadfield that they or one of them shall provide for and find him sufficient scaffold poles and planks for scaffolding as may be competent and necessary for the erection of the said factory, so that the said Robert Hadfield is not impeded or hindered in carrying on the work for want of any material for the use of the building. And if this should happen to be the case it is agreed between the said parties that the said forfeit shall be void and further time given to finish the building of the said factory. And the said John Shepley and Robert Wagstaffe or one of them do further agree to and with the said Robert Hadfield to pay him such sum or sums of money according as the work is done so that an overplus may be in their hands to pay him when the work is finished. And they also agree to pay and give the said Robert Hadfield the sum of Ł1 for the lime cleaned from off the old stone And when the said cotton mill or factory is finished the said Robert Hadfield doth agree (at his own expense) to clear and take away from the inside of the said factory all old lime and scaplings of stone and shall take the same to his own use in case the said John Shepley and Robert Wagstaffe or one of them do not choose to clear and take away the same themselves. And the said John Shepley and Robert Wagstaffe or the one of them do further promise and agree to and with the said Robert Hadfield to pay him such a reasonable price or prices for any stone which he may get (either by the load or measure) which may be used as bond stones in walling the old stone of the said factory or any kind of work which is not hereinbefore mentioned and described. In witness whereof the said parties have unto these presents set their hands the day and year first before written:- JOHN SHEPLEY, ROBERT WAGSTAFFE, ROBERT HADFIELD. Witnesses present; Wm Barber, John Dearnaley. N.B. Before the signing of these presents it is agreed between the said parties that the said Robert Hadfield shall be paid and allowed one and ten pence per day for a man to assist loading the stone at the quarry.”
William Barber worked the mill, but in 1840 it was empty, and remained so for many years.

About 1847 the firm William Platt and Co commenced business as cotton spinners, but whether they took Clarke's mill I do not know. Their mill was then assessed at Ł46 16s 6d. In 1851 the firm was William, Thomas and Edward Platt, and in 1859 Thomas and Edward Platt, and the assessment was then Ł111 16s 2d. In 1862 Thomas Platt was sole occupier and there was a new mill built, assessed at Ł93 19s 8d. In 1875 the firm was William and Edward Platt, junior, now Edward Platt, J.P.

James Braddock built a small mill known as the Mouse Nest Mill in 1811 and it was assessed at Ł12. In 1824 George Platt began working it and when he left it in 1834 the assessment had risen to Ł39 3s 4d. In 1836 John and James Braddock were the tenants. It was empty in 1840, and was let to Abraham Broadbent, who left the Thread Mill, Glossop, to commence business as a cotton doubler here. He doubled yarn for hand loom weavers and used to carry his goods on his back from Padfield to Huddersfield. He died on the 18th June, 1861, aged 72. His executors worked it as a slubbing mill. Mr Isaiah Warhurst was tenant in 1865. It became empty in 1866 and Charles Collier bought it and used it as a corn mill. It was pulled down by Thomas and William Shepley Rhodes.

The mill built by the Barbers, called the Lower Mill was built on a lease dated 25th March, 1804, for 99 years, area of the land 2,150 square yards, and a ground rent of Ł8 8s per annum. In 1834 William Barber had 2,347 spindles and 672 doublers working. In 1841 the mill was enlarged. He worked it until 1848 when Samuel Lees became the tenant. In 1851 Mr Lees enlarged the mill. Mr Lees gave up the business in 1854 and John Kelsall appears in the rate books for 1855 as the tenant, but in the same year it became The Padfield Mills Co. In 1859 Charles J Fisher was tenant and he failed in 1862 In 1886-89 the Padfield Mill Co. It was pulled down by Thomas and William Shepley Rhodes when they were going to build the present Hadfield Mills. The weaving shed of Hadfield Mill was assessed in 1877 at Ł186 5s. and the mill was gradually built and opened to its present size. This mill was stopped for a month for alterations to the old engine, which were completed on 22nd March, 1887. On the 28th March 1887, there was an accident to it and a singular circumstance happened. On the same day there was an accident to an engine at Bridge Mills, and an accident to a steam pipe at Waterside Mills, so that three engines were stopped by accidents on the same day.

On the 24th October, 1896 one of the engines at Hadfield Mill ran away; the big wheel being smashed to pieces, and portions went through the roof of two cottages and over the roofs of others. It was not until the 14th December, that the engine resumed working.

William Barber had sons called Robert, John, Thomas and Edward, who worked Shepley Mill, Glossop. One of his daughters married Dr Jones, of Hadfield. Jones Street is named after him. William Barber died 25th July, 1845, aged 68; Robert died 11th June, 1873, aged 70.

Mr John Boyer was a paper maker at Tor Side in 1811. In 1823 William Boyer was tenant, in 1831 Thomas Turner, 1842 William Johnson, 1843 Mary Johnson, 1847 John Goddard, 1848 George Crooks, 1849 Thomas Stott. It became empty, and part of it was used as a beer house. There was also a public house at Tor Side owned and occupied by Mr Newton. I suppose the navvies working at the waterworks were the principal customers.

On the 4th March, 1803, there died John Turner, of Waterside Padfield, cotton spinner.
"As a husband, a father, and a friend, no man was more sincerely respected, and as a master his memory will long live in the hearts of the workpeople, more than 300 of whom attended his funeral."
This gentleman had a mill on the Cheshire side of the Etherow. His son, William, took out two other leases on the 1st February, 1819 and built Waterside Mill. In 1820 James Sidebottom, senior (see Sidebottoms of Hollingworth), came into possession, and took other plots of land in 1820 and 1824. He turned over the business to his three sons, John, James, and William. In 1823 they were assessed on 6,600 spindles and 206 looms; they also had four old cottages. The business under their management increased very rapidly. In 1836 they were assessed on 17,472 spindles and 590 looms, they had then nearly 70 cottages, three of them were known as 'Nine Holes.' In 1852 part of the 'Fire Proof' was assessed. and in 1853 the Shed Mill. In 1865 the firm was Messrs John and William Sidebottom, and during this period they had taken out nine additional leases for plots of land. On the 26th February, 1876 Tom Harrop Sidebottom obtained a 999 years lease of the whole. Part of the mill is in Hadfield and Padfield, and the Bridge Mill in Tintwistle.

Bridge Mill
In 1829 the firm was robbed:-
Manchester Guardian 14th March. “Extraordinary robbery took place on Tuesday last (March 10th, 1829), in the warehouse of Messrs W and G Sidebottom and Co spinners, New Market Buildings. Mr Sidebottom, whose factories are near Mottram, had drawn from the bank Ł800 in cash for the payment of the week's wages of his hands. Of this sum Ł500 was in bank notes and Ł300 in sovereigns and half sovereigns. The latter being too heavy to be carried about during the day, was put into a sort of belt like a shot belt which was used to take cash home in, and locked up in one of the drawers of the iron safe in the counting house, the doors of which were also locked. Shortly after one o'clock Mr Livsey, the book-keeper of Messrs Sidebottom and Co closed the warehouse, the front door of which was secured by one of Bramah's patent locks and taking the key with him, went to the Bull's Head in the Market Place, where he dined, in company with a nephew of Mr Sidebottom, having the keys of the safe also in his pocket. Mr Livsey was not absent from the premises three quarters of an hour, and on his return found that the outer door had been opened apparently by a false key, the door of the safe also opened, the bolts of the lock still being shot when the discovery was made, and the fronts of the drawers battered to pieces by a sledge hammer, which was left on the premises and the amount above mentioned in gold taken away. A drawer in the counting house desk, which was locked had also been forced open, but nothing taken from it. When the time of day and the remarkable publicity of the situation are taken into account, this must be regarded as one of the most daring robberies ever known in the town, Immediately opposite to the warehouse is that large and well accustomed Inn, the Thatched House Tavern, where a considerable number of country manufacturers and spinners were at the time dining. An individual who happened to be sitting at one of the windows saw a man leaving the premises, and a son of Mr Kenshead, silversmith, Market Place, also saw a man come out at 25 minutes before two o'clock, but they were each supposed to be persons belonging to the warehouse and no suspicion was excited. No clue whatever has been obtained to lead to the discovery of the thieves."

During the erection of the five storey Fire Proof Mill, on the 13th September, 1854, a portion of the scaffolding fell, unfortunately several men were precipitated to the ground, and one of them, Abraham Hodgkinson was killed and three others injured. Mr James and Mr William Sidebottom had only just left the place.
On the 30th June, 1868 a fire took place, 130 bales of cotton destroyed, and machinery and buildings damaged, the loss amounting to Ł5,000.
On the 28th May, 1878 during a thunderstorm, a chimney stack was struck and a coping stone smashed a loom and some warps were set on fire.
The great calamity came on the 5th June, 1899 when the Bridge Mills were destroyed, the damage being over Ł50,000 and over 1,500 persons were thrown out of work. The mill was first started on the 6th March, 1856. How disastrous was the fire may be conjectured by a comparison of the size of these mills with others. In 1896 Waterside Mills had 293,000 spindles and 4,700 looms; John Wood and Brothers 221,000 spindles and 3,385 looms; Messrs Francis Sumner and Co. 122,000 spindles, 2,668 looms. The workpeople had to remove to other places and whole streets became empty.

James Sidebottom, senior, was one of the first elected councillors for Hadfield Ward, and was elected an Alderman. He was born on the 10th March, 1800 and died on the 30th June, 1869. William Sidebottom, in 1825, married Agnes daughter of Mr Jonah Harrop, of Bardsley Gate. He was acting assignee for Edmund Potter of Dinting Vale Printworks, when Mr Potter was in financial difficulties and acquitted himself so well in his delicate duties that Mr Potter's creditors presented him with a handsome silver salver. He was appointed a County Magistrate on the 3rd January, 1843.
His eldest son, Tom Harrop Sidebottom was elected a councillor for Hadfield Ward on the 11th August, 1869, retiring from that office on the 1st November, 1872. He became a J.P. 4th January, 1870. He also became a deputy Lieutenant, and was a member of Parliament for Stalybridge for over 20 year. He married 23rd June, 1886 Edith Eliza, eldest daughter of James Murgatroyd, of Warley, Didsbury. On the 31st July, 1886 there was a monster picnic of Conservatives from Stalybridge and Dukinfield at his residence, Etherow House; over 5,000 persons were present, and a handsome writing desk was presented to Mrs Sidebottom.
Mr Sidebottom died on the 26th May, 1908 aged 82. His brother, James, became a councillor for Hadfield Ward on the 1st November 1871 and an Alderman on the 9th November, 1872. He was Mayor of Glossop 1879-85; 1886-88. He was a strong churchman and was very generous in his financial support to that body, and to musical societies, bands and social objects. He presented many valuable prizes to the Glossop Volunteers. He took great interest in meteorology, and daily kept a record of the rainfall and weather. His death was much regretted, for his loss to the district was great. He was twice married; his widow has died recently, and a portion of his estate will be sold on the 16th of this month. His first wife died on the 28th May, 1874 aged 41. I have recently given an account of his deceased sister.

Col William Sidebottom V.D., J.P., is the only surviving son of William Sidebottom. He was elected councillor for Hadfield Ward 1873-1885. He was the Mayor 1873-74 and appointed J.P. 27th December, 1893. He was elected the Member of Parliament for the High Peak Division, County of Derby on the 4th December, 1885 and represented the Division continuously until the dissolution of Parliament in 1900 when he did not seek re-election. I have been asked so often for the results of these elections that I take this opportunity of giving them.

4th December, 1885:-
William Sidebottom	4,199
John Frederick Cheetham	4,190
Majority	9
9th July, 1886:-
William Sidebottom	4,162
Herbert Rhodes	4,001
Majority	161
8th July, 1892:-
William Sidebottom	4,609
John Frederick Cheetham	4,243
Majority	366
23rd July 1895:-
William Sidebottom	4,671
Arthur Gibb Symonds	4,164
Majority	507

The inhabitants of Padfield need be proud of the associations of the Sidebottom family with the hamlet.

The Sargentsons. In 1866 James Sargentson rented a small building and carried on business as a waste dealer. The business is still carried on by members of the family. James Sargentson was a Liberal Councillor for Hadfield Ward 1878-93. In 1893 he was returned as a Unionist; he was one of the representatives of the Ward at his death, 2nd June, 1898, aged 49. His brother William, was elected a Liberal Councillor in 1883; elected an Alderman 10th November, 1902 but did not long survive the honour.

In 1838, in removing the soil near to a stone quarry in Hooley Wood, Padfield, a large number of Roman coins in billion-base silver-were found. Only five were taken particular notice of, and these were three of Alexander Severus and two of the Empress Julia Maesa. In 1881 they were in the possession of William and James Sidebottom. They were lent to Mr Beaumont, the Mayor of Warrington, but were never returned. Copies of them are in the Warrington Museum. The late John Hyde Roberts had some; his father was one of the finders. A Thomas Thornley, of White Mill had others, but he went to Australia and took them with him.
I have no doubt there are many others in the district that have been lost or hidden during the Roman occupation of Melandra Castle.

Padfield has few public houses. In 1846 Sarah Hadfield kept a beerhouse at the top of Main Road, and Mr Joseph Wood was the landlord of the Temple Inn, which gave the name to Temple Street, where it is situated. It is now the Peels Arms. The change of name was owing to a dispute between two lodges of Oddfellows. The inn was built by a lodge of oddfellows who had borrowed money from the other, and when pressed to repay the borrowed money they did so, but re-christened their property after Sir Robert Peel, who was at that time the popular Prime Minister of the day. The lease dates from 30th August, 1845. The inn and three cottages were offered for sale, 24th May, 1897, and withdrawn at Ł3,800.

Mr John Siddall was the owner and occupier of the Prince of Wales Inn, better known as “Dido, good dog.” The Siddalls (see The Syddall Family of Glossop) are a very old Padfield family, so are the Goddards. Goddards lived at Waterside over 160 years ago. John Goddard, of Greenfield House, Goddard Lane, part of Main Road, was a member of the first Board of Guardians. He was appointed a J.P. in 1843 at the same time as William Sidebottom. He was a man much respected.

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Last updated: 4 October 2020