Clay House, Greetland

The sketch and description were originally published in The Halifax Courier in 1912-1913. There is uncertainty as to the date of this picturesque hall – now divided into two residences. Ancient deeds show that the family of Clay lived there between 1313 and 1687 and one of them, Robert, was the 18th vicar of Halifax (1623-8). For some 300 years it remained an old timbered structure, but in the 17th century John Clay (who died in 1654) appears to have rebuilt the homestead or to have encased the ancient timbered structure with stone, which he referred to as ‘the New House at Clay House’. John Wheelwright, founder of Rishworth Grammar School, became owner in 1713 and on his death Clay House became a part of the Wheelwright trust. It is pleasing to know that the trustees have preserved the building as one of the grand old houses of this historic district. PH/28.