Staups House, Shibden

The sketch and description were originally published in The Halifax Courier in 1912-1913. One of several old homesteads in Shibden valley. Staups dates back well over 300 years, for documentary evidence tells of a John Bentley compounding for the copyhold land there in 1607. In 1688 died John Crowther and they are his initials that are found over the main doorway – ‘IC 1684’ being carved there in a decorative panel. An interesting feature, especially to Freemasons, is the appearance of masons’ marks as the decoration for the lid of the soot box in the oven on the very old and spacious range in the first of the three dwellings into which the house is now divided. The old beams and other century-worn wood are also reminders of builders of long ago. Mr John Lister is the owner (Miss Lister purchased the property in 1834) and historic associations will not be disturbed more than is necessary. PH/28.