Upper Cockroft, Rishworth

The sketch and description were originally published in The Halifax Courier in 1912-1913. In the upper part of Ryburn Valley, about a mile behind Rishworth Grammar School. It has really been two houses, the lower half being the older. In association with the latter, the history has been traced to 1546, the Holroyd family having possession. George Holroyd in 1607 began to rebuild or case in stone the home of his father. The porch was added in 1701 by Samuel Lees who became owner in 1699. The property now belongs to Mr J H Wheelwright, of Rishworth. The upper portion was the ancestral home of the Bottomleys of Rishworth. One of them, John, put the building into substantial shape in 1642. The Wheelwright Charity now owns the estate. There are still indications that the barn was used originally as a warehouse or finishing house for cloth and there may have been looms there. PH/28.