Benjamin Law, the son of George Law and Mary Wilby (1773-1837) Benjamin Law, the son of George Law and Mary Wilby, was born in Gomersall in Birstall parish and baptized on November 8, 1773 in Birstall Parish Church.
Benjamin Law, Early Years Benajmin's family lived in Great Gomersall, Gomersal Hilltop, and Poperley Gate in Birstall Parish. Benjamin's father, George, died in 1788 when Benjamin was 15 years old. Benjamin appears to have been the oldest surviving child of the union between George Law and Mary Wilby. George Law was a clothier and Benjamin most likely learned his trade from his father. However, since his father died when Benjamin was so young he likely had to apprentice himself to another clothier. This may have happened earlier if indeed George Law had been ill for some time before his death. In any event, sometime after the death of George Law, Benjamin moved to Batley parish where the first record was his marriage at the tender age of 17. His wife Rachael Stubley had a "bastard" baptized in the Batley parish church 7 months before. See below. Benjamin's brother, Isaiah, married in Birstall parish in 1796. He had several children born in Birstall parish who later settled in Huddersfield. Brother, John, moved to Batley where he died at age 21. Brother, Thomas, also moved to Batley. However the records for him are very sparse. Benjamin's mother "the widow Law" died in Batley in 1801.
Benjamin Law and Rachael Stubley before their marriage Rachael Stubley Birth Rachael Stubley was the daughter of Abraham Stubley and his wife Noe (or Noah) of Batley parish. Rachael's parents, Abraham Stubley and Noah Eastwood were married on December 19, 1757 and had at least the following children: Sarah (1760), Hannah (1763), Nancy (1765), Elizabeth (1766), Martha (1768), Abraham and Rachael (1769), Joseph (1771), Benjamin (1775), Mary (1777), and Hephzabah (1779). Noe, the wife of Abraham Stubby was buried on July 17, 1792. For more information on the Stubleys go to, Abraham and Noah Stubley Rachael Stubley Bastard Child Baptized in 1790 Rachael Stubley had a "bastard" baptized in Batley parish in 1790. The Batley parish register listed the following, "Charles, of Rachael Stubley, a bastard, baptized on October 24, 1790."Bastardy was relatively common and more often than not the parents of the bastard went on to marry one another. Having a "bastard" was frequently a way of "arranging" a marriage when the parents of one or both parties did not approve of the union . In most of the listings for bastards, the "reputed father" was listed. The parish expected that the father of a bastard would support the child, even if he did not marry the mother. No "reputed father" was listed for Rachael's bastard.
Benjamin, born in 1773, was only 17 years old and was several years younger than Rachael when Charles was baptized in 1790. However, Benjamin Law married Rachael Stubley seven and a half months later making it highly likely that Benjamin Law was the father of Charles. His youth was probably the reason that:
Marriage: Charles Stubley married Hannah Mason of Silkstone on March 30, 1812 in Batley parish, he signed she x'ed, witnesses Geoe Law and Mark Sykes both signed. Note: George Law was the first son born after the marriage of Rachael Stubley and Benjamin Law. The signature is similar to that of his own wedding in 1815. Children:
For more information on Charles Stubley see Stubley
Marriage of Benjamin Law and Rachael Stubley Benjamin Law of Batley Parish married Rachael Stubley of Batley Parish on June 13, 1791. Benjamin signed his name "Ben Law". Note: Ben Law was 17+ years old at the time of the marriage. Rachael was about 22 years old.
Children of Benjamin Law and Rachael Stubley Benjamin Law and Rachael Stubley lived in the village of Batley in Batley parish and had the following children:
Marriage of George Law: In the 1841, 1851, and 1861 censuses George's wife was listed as "Sarah". 1841, 1851 and 1861 Censuses in Batley: George Law was listed in the 1841 census as a rag dealer, in the 1851 census as clothweaver, and in the 1861 census as a "hawker of house cloth". See Laws in the English Censuses Death of George Law: George Law of Batley, age 72, was buried September 22, 1864 (Batley Parish Record) Death of Sarah Law: Unknown Death : John "Lawes" buried July 7, 1800. There is no other information, but this is most likely the death record for John, the son of Benjamin and Rachael. Birth: Ann, "daughter of Benjamin Law, clothier, son of George, by Rachael his wife, daughter of Abraham Stubley" was born November 11, 1794 and baptized February 2, 1795. Further Records: I am not sure what happened to Ann. However, she was probably the Ann Law that was a witness at her brother, George's wedding in 1815. Death: Sarah died as an infant and was buried with her mother, Rachael. See below. Death of Rachel Stubley Law Rachel died in 1797. Her burial was not listed in the parish records. However, her death on October 22, 1797, at age 28, was recorded on the memorial Benjamin's headstone in the Batley Parish churchyard which reads in part, "In memory of Rachel the wife of Benjamin Law of Haver-croft Who departed this life on the 22 day of October 1797 In the 28th year of her age Also of Sarah their daughter who died in her infancy". Marriage of Benjamin Law and Lydia Sheard Benjamin Law, clothier, of the parish of Leeds married Lydia Sheard, of the parish of Leeds, by banns on April 20, 1801 in Leeds. (Leeds parish records) Notes:
Children of Benjamin Law and Lydia Sheard Law Benjamin Law and Lydia Sheard Law lived in the village of Batley in Batley parish and had:
1851 Census in Morley at Howley Beck: John Parr, head, age 51, clothier, Hannah, wife, age 45, Rachael daughter age 17 burler, Hepseba daughter age 15, burler, John age 11 scholar, Thomas age 8 scholar and James age 3 scholar. 1861 Census in Morley at Howley Beck: John Parr, head, age 61, woolen weaver, Hannah, wife, age 54, Thomas age 18 dyer, James age 13 labourer, William Wood, boarder, married age 23, farmer, Lydia, boarder age 2? and Rachel daughter age 2 1871 Census in Morley at Howley Beck: John Parr, head, age 71, weaver, Hannah, wife, age 65, John Parr, age 31 widower, cloth dyer, James Parr, son unmarried, age 23, overlooker at mill, Alice Parr, granddaughter age 10 scholar, Thomas, grandson age 7 scholar Death of John Parr: Between 1871 and 1881. 1881 Census at Cross Park Street Batley: Esther Fozard, age 46 widow head, Samuel Fozard, son age 22, married, cloth finisher, Arthur Fozard, son unmarried, age 20, tallowchandler, Martha Fozard, daughter-in-law married, age 25 cloth sorter, Mary Fozard, granddaughter age 2, John Fozard, grandson age 7 months, and Hannah Parr, mother widow age 75 Death: Unknown. Before 1887, see Death of Catherine Law Barrett below. Birth: Joseph, "son of Benjamin Law, clothier, son of George, by Lydia his wife, daughter of Michael Sheard" was born on August 20, 1807 and baptized on September 17, 1807 in Batley. (Batley Parish Records) Marriage: Sarah Occupation: bookkeeper, school master, rent and dept collector Children:
Death of Joseph Law: Unknown Death of Sarah Law: Sarah Law of Batley, age 67 buried April 16, 1865 Birth: William, "son of Benjamin Law, clothier, son of George, by Lydia his wife, daughter of Michael Sheard" was born on March 12, 1809 and baptized on April 2, 1809 in Batley (Batley Parish Records). Marriage:William Law married Mary Worth in Cheshire Occupation: clothier, hand loom weaver Children:
Birth: Emma 1838 Marriage: Thomas Pickering. See William Law now or at the bottom of the page. Birth: Mary Ann 1845 Marriage: Samuel Land 1863. Lands in Philadelphia now or at the bottom of the page. Further Records: I do not know what happened to Benjamin Law. He was not listed in any of the English Censuses Death: Unknown Birth: Sarah, "daughter of Benjamin Law, clothier, son of George, by Lydia his wife, daughter of Michael Sheard" was born on February 11, 1812 in Batley and baptized at the Gildersome Chapel on March 29, 1812 (Gildersome Chapel Records). Marriage: Sarah Law, full age, spinster, of St Peter's Gate, daughter of Benjamin Law, manufacturer, married Benjamin Horn, full age, bachelor, spinner, of Chestergate, son of Ralph Horn, band maker, on May 17, 1838 in the Parish Church in Stockport in the County of Chester. They both signed. Witnesses were Ralph Horn and Rebecca Carrington. Marriage Civil Record: LAW, Sarah to HORN Benjamin Stockport, St Mary, Stockport ST16/1/221 1838 Occupation of Benjamin Horn: spinner Children: Unknown. See possible children below under Laws in Heaton Norris. Censuses : Sarah was not listed in the censuses. 1871 listing for Benjamin Horn could be Sarah's husband with a new wife. Heaton Norris, Wooley Lane, Lancashire, Benjamin Horn, head age 60, twine spinner and provisions dealer, Sarah Horn, wife age 50, both born Castleton, Derbyshire Death: Unknown. Before 1887, see Death of Catherine Law Barrett below. Death: James Law "of Ashton" in Batley parish, age 16, was buried April 6, 1829 (Batley parish records) Birth: Samuel, "son of Benjamin and Lydia Law, Batley clothier", was baptized on September 18, 1815 in Batley (Batley Parish Records). Marriage: Unknown 1861 census: Samuel Law was listed in the 1861 census in Manchester as a 45 year old lodger with William Norberty on Barnston Street, unmarried, overlooker, born Batley Yorkshire. Child:
Birth: Abraham, "son of Benjamin and Lydia Law, Batley clothier" was baptized on September 17, 1817 (Batley Parish Records). Marriage: Ann Occupation: Rag merchant, commercial traveler Children:
1861 Census: Abraham Law was listed in Batley in 1861 census as a commercial traveler. See Laws in the Censuses Death of Ann Law: Ann Law "Stanford near Manchester" September 10, 1865, age 47. Death of Abraham Law: Unknown Birth: Catherine, "daughter of Benjamin, Batley clothier, and Lydia Law" was baptized on October 3, 1819 (Batley Parish Records). Marriage: Catherine Law, full age, spinster, of Heaton Norris, daughter of Benjamin Law, Labourer married Robert Barrett, full age bachelor, warehouseman, of Heaton Norris, son of Isaac Barrett, bookkeeper on February 17, 1842 in the (can't read) Parish Church, Parish of Manchester, County of Lancaster. Witnesses were Ed Hough and William Alred. Robert signed. Catherine made her mark. Note: Benjamin died in 1837. Occupation of Robert Barrett: yeast merchant Children: Unknown 1861 Census: Catherine Law Barett was listed with her husband Robert Barett, age 39, German yeast merchant, born Stockport Cheshire and Catherine wife, age 42 born Batley Yorkshire, at Haworth St Salford Lancashire. 1871 Census: At Rose Cottage Salford, Lancashire, Robert Barrett, age 48, yeast dealer employing 1 man, and Catherine Barrett, wife, age 51, with one domestic servant 1881 Census: Catherine Law and her husband, Robert Barrett, were listed in the 1881 Census (LDS film #1341947 Piece 3968, folio, 96, page 1) at 83 High Street, Salford, Lancashire as follows:
1891 Census: At Rose Cottage, Salford, Lancashire:
1901 Census: At Rose Cottage, Salford, Lancashire:
Birth: Isaac, a twin of Rebecca was baptized January 13, 1822. Marriage: Isaac Law, full age bachelor, clothier dryer, son of Benjamin Law, manufacturer, married Ann Milner, full age, spinster, Dewsbury, daughter of Robert Milner, clothier on July 28, 1845. He signed his name. Ann signed with her mark. (Batley Parish Records) Occupation: cloth dresser, painter Children:
Death of Ann Law: She must have died near the birth of Joseph Henry in October 1851. No listing in the parish records. 1851 Census in Batley: Isaac Law was listed in the 1851 census as a 29 year old widower. There was no one else listed with him. 1861 Census in Batley: Isaac Law was listed in the 1861 census as a 39 year old widower woolen cloth dresser. There was no one else listed with him. 1871 Census Batley: Isaac was listed age 49, lodger, painter, born Batley living with Ann Hobson and family on New Street Batley Death of Isaac Law: Unknown Later Records: I do not know what happened to Rebecca Law. She was listed with her mother in the 1841 census in Heaton Norris. Death: Before 1887, see Catherine, above. Note: It is interesting that none of the children were named, Michael, after Lydia's father. The Children of Benjamin Law Benjamin had 17 children if one counts the child born to Rachael Stubley seven months before Benjamin married her. There is, of course, the possibility that this child was not Benjamin's. However, I believe that it is highly likely that it was Benjamin's child. Charles Stubley married and raised a family in Batley. Rachael and Benjamin had four children: George (1792), John (1793), Ann (1794) and Sarah (1797). John and Sarah died as infants. George married and had children. Ann's fate is unknown. Between 1801 and 1822 there were twelve children born to Benjamin and his second wife, Lydia Sheard. The eldest John (1801) went to America and never returned. James (1813) died at age 16. The fates of Benjamin (1810) and Rebecca (1822) are not known. Hannah (1805), Joseph (1807), William (1809), Sarah (1812), Abraham (1818), Catherine (1819), and Isaac (1822) married. Hannah, Joseph, William, Abraham had children in Batley parish. Isaac lived in Batley but does not appear to have had any children who lived. Sarah (1812) married in Cheshire and Catherine (1819) married in Lancashire. It is not know if they had children. Samuel (1815) according to the Batley News of 1996 married and had a daughter, Sarah, born Stockport circa 1835. Unfortunately this is before the civil records start. There is no marriage for Samuel listed on the IGI. There is no baptism for Sarah on the IGI. The only record I have found for Samuel is the 1861 census in Manchester when he is listed as age 45 born Batley overlooker unmarried. I cannot find Sarah in the 1841 or 1851 censuses. I need to do more research on Samuel Law and his daughter, Sarah. With some children marrying at the same time as others were being born there was about eight children living in the Law household for many years.
Benjamin Law as a witness Benjamin Law was the witness to the marriage of Joseph Preston and Ann Brook August 2?, 1799 in Batley Parish. According to the 1851 census Joseph Preston was a woolen cloth weaver born in Batley circa 1776.
Place of Residence Benjamin Law and/or his family was listed in Havercroft in Batley from 1797 to the 1830s. Havercroft is listed on the 1742 map of "certain Lands in Batley" surveyed by Ter. Shepley for John Copley, Squire. In 1829 at the death of his son, James, Benjamin Law was listed in "Ashton" in Batley. His house was still standing in 1880. "The house occupied by Mr. Law still stands in what is now a kind of fold or court off Wellington St. It is a stone fronted house and at the time he resided there it was one of the best houses in Batley. It had four rooms on the ground floor and a detached kitchen or wash house at the back. It had a garden in front and at the back was a field some 2 acres in extent used by Mr. Law as a tenter field where he dried and stretched his cloth. There were stalls for 2 cows. A pear tree grew against the house. There was nothing but hay and corn growing in the vicinity. All around was the open country and the house had all the appearance of the residence of a well-to-do family."Benjamin left Batley circa 1830. He died in Stockport in Cheshire in 1837. Sometime after his death the family returned to Batley where his widow, Lydia, died in New Batley in 1849.
Benjamin Law and the Development of Shoddy Rags To Cloth Benjamin Law developed a process of recycling old woolen rags mixed with new wool and turning it into new woolen cloth. Called shoddy it was an important advance in the manufacture of woolens. The development of shoddy enabled the poor man to have a cheap suit. It was responsible for most of the economic advances in Batley and the surrounding area and had wide spread and long term economic effects in the industry. There is some debate about the year that Benjamin made his discovery. The Law family puts the date at the latest in 1813 and possible as early as 1809. Others put the discovery as late as 1820. However, all sources seem to agree that the inspiration came while Benjamin was on business in London. In the words of his grandson Edwin Law writing in 1880:
"He was one day trying to dispose of a quantity of flocks to a saddler in London when he was shown a material which it was said answered equally as well as flocks and was cheaper. Whilst handling this substitute for flocks, which was woollen rags torn into shoddy and twirling it in his fingers to test its textile qualities, he conceived the idea of applying it to the manufacture of cloth. He purchased a quantity to try the experiment. It was successful."According to Batley View and Review, 1898 Benjamin Law was in London on business about 1820. He was visiting a saddler's shop hoping to sell his wares when he observed: "some of the saddler's workmen stuffing saddles with flocks made from torn up carpets and soft rags. With eyes ever on the alert for something new, Mr. Law took some of the flocks in his hand and on examining them the thought struck him that they would mix well with wool."Whatever the date, Benjamin figured out how to use the shredded rags combined with some new wool and weave it into a serviceable cloth. "Mr. Law had the whole business to himself until 1812, when others seeing the progress the Laws were making, entered into a business they had hitherto considered somewhat wanting in respectability. In those early days of the shoddy trade people looked askance and with aversion on the heaps of old woollen garments which had been collected with much trouble and care for the purpose of being reconverted into wool and in passing them described an arc of no mean radius, avoiding them as they would a plague spot. But the desire of riches is superior to even John Barleycorn in inspiring us with contempt of dangers and the vision of large profits and glittering gold at last removed the aversion and overcame all squeamishness."The new material was used: "in the making of druggets, carpets, blue-grey blankets, and other heavy woolen clothes, chiefly for America, the southern slave states at the time taking a large quantity of cloth and blankets of Batley make."The new material called "shoddy" enabled Batley manufactures to sell their goods much cheaper than if they had used solely new wool. "The new industry, for it can accurately be described as nothing less than a new industry, gave a wonderful impulse to Batley manufacture and enterprise as well as to manufacturers in the Dewsbury, Spen Valley, and other adjoining districts, who were not slow to imitate each other in the rapid strides then were then making."Local historian, James Willian, wrote The Rise and Progress of Batley which was published in 1880. On Benjamin Law and the development of shoddy: "Manufacturers from Batley and other towns were in the habit of traveling about the country to dispose of their goods, and frequently to London. In about the year 1820, Mr. Benjamin Law, of Batley, was there on business, and being in a saddler's shop trying to dispose of his goods, he saw them stuffing saddles with flocks from torn up carpets and soft rags, and on handling it he though it would mix well with wool. On his return home to Batley he got some rags pulled, and used or blended it along with wool and made it into cloth; under the above circumstances it came into use in the manufacture of all kinds of woolen cloth, and the pulling of rags increased rapidly and soon spread to the Continent, where some of the largest pulling factories are in operation, and whence immense cargoes of shoddy and rags have been sent to this country. Batley and Dewsbury gentlemen and other form this country having established factories in Berlin and other large towns on the Continent."Benjamin's discovery initially was not greeted as a positive development. There were those who considered the adulteration of virgin wool a crime. However, the economic benefits of the process soon became apparent and most local manufactures soon jumped on the bandwagon. Rags To Riches On the growth of the town of Batley as a result of shoddy manufacturing: "Batley is now entirely changed; formerly, and even at the beginning of the present century, it as decidedly an agricultural village, farmhouses being dotted up and down in it and most of them on the road sides, the land belonging to the farms being around them and a few cottages for labourers. The old Parish Church was the only place of worship in the village. Batley has altered by degrees, but more especially within the last 30 or 40 years, first by the manufacturing of coarse clothing. Since the introduction of shoddy and mungo as a material for manufacturing the progress of the town has been marvelous. At that time numbering only four thousand inhabitants, it is now a large town of nearly thirty thousand inhabitants, with Mayor and Corporation, and a ratable value of 70 to 80,000 pounds, or twenty times more than at the beginning of the century. Batley now possesses many beautiful places of worship, spacious and well conducted schools, first-class houses for merchants and tradesmen, comfortable and convenient cottages for artisans and operatives; good roads, railway accommodations to all parts of the kingdom; tramways, water and gas works, such as no other town can surpass, having risen by the genius, industry, indomitable energy and perseverance of its inhabitants, and has to all appearances a brilliant future in prospect."And further: "I will now attempt to give a rough history of the progress made in Batley since the time when wool made from rages was first brought into use for manufacture of cloth. It was first applied by Mr. Benjamin Law, and made from soft flannels, stockings, and carpets, and when ground up was called shoddy. It came into general use about the year 1830 in the making of druggets, carpets, blue-grey blankets and other heavy woolen cloth chiefly for America, the Southern or Slave States at that time take a large quantity for garments and blankets. Other foreign countries also were customers. The new material made out of pulled-up soft rags enabled them to sell the goods at a much cheaper rate than they could have done when they had to use all wool; it gave a wonderful impulse to Batley manufactures. The advantage of having sole use of the new material to themselves enabled them to secure very large orders for goods which before were sent to other districts, and the mills and machinery then in Batley was very far short of what the trade soon required. There were the Batley Old Mill, owned by accompany consisting of tradesmen, farmers and maltsters, amongst them whom were J. Scatcherd, W. Ibbetson, T. Hall, T Wilby, and a few manufacturers, Mr. Thos Taylor's mill at Clerk Green, Messrs Nussey & Clapham's Brookroyd Mill, all the mills together at that time not nearly as large as an average one now built, the consequence was, new mills were built. The Hick Lane Mill, owned by a company of nearly all the principal manufacturers then in Batley, the Speddings, Sheards, Jubbs, Foxes, etc. About this time the new staple was first brought into use by the pulling-up of fine cloth, (a finer staple than that from stockings, carpets, etc) and was used in the manufacturer of finer cloth, pilots, tweeds, etc. This material was introduced by Samuel and George Parr, nephews of the above Benjamin Law, and was called mungo."Note: Samuel and George Parr, were the sons of Benjamin Parr and Elizabeth Sheard. Elizabeth Sheard was a sister of Lydia Sheard, the second wife of Benjamin Law. Benjamin Parr and Benjamin Law were partners in the Howley Mill on Howley Mill Lane near Benny Parr Woods.
"Shoddy, pulled from stockings, flannels, skirting, carpets, etc., is of such a staple in length of fibre and elasticity that when scribbled ii t is almost equal to pure wool, and cannot e very easily distinguished from it, and if required can be made into similar goods again to those from which it has been pulled, entirely by itself, without a particle of wool being mixed with it, and the goods made from it will be sound and serviceable, and will compare favorably with those made entirely from pure wool, and this, notwithstanding all the abuse it has been subject to by a great many people, and in the press by persons who, of course, have been entirely ignorant as to the valuable properties it possessed as an article of manufacture, both as to the process of manufacturing , and its adaptation as to its uses which may now be witnessed by a visit to any of the manufactories at present in operation in the district."It was necessary to blend in more wool for the manufacture of Mongo because it was a finer cloth with a shorter staple, pulled from fine cloth rags.
The development of the shoddy and mungo trade gave "employment to a large number of men,
women, and children in the different stages of preparation, such as sorting, seaming, grinding etc.
"
James Willans The Rise and Progress of Batley, 1880 By 1880 there were something in the neighborhood of 50 mills of various sizes, totaling about 1,500 horse power, and employing about 5, 000 people, more than 25 times more than at the beginning of the century with more than 100 of times the value of goods manufactured. In addition to the shoddy mills there were mills manufacturing fine cloth from pure wool. Batley manufacturers had a reputation for making good sound serviceable cloth of almost "every description of style and pattern". Riches to Rags Many people made a lot of money with his process. Benjamin, however, was not as successful as his competitors. In fact his children and grandchildren as listed in the censuses in Batley had rather mediocre jobs. Apparently Benjamin was initially very successful as both a clothier and a shoddy manufacturer. "Mr. Law appears to have found it necessary to open out foreign markets for his manufactured goods and with this purpose in view he sent his eldest son, John, then a youth of some 17 or 18 years, to America with a quantity of goods to dispose of. The venture appears to have been very successful, for the young man, much against his inclination, was ordered by his father to undertake a second expedition. The second consignment was much larger than the previous one. Mr. Law, in the hope of reaping a rich harvest of profits had invested the greater portion of his capital in the venture. John sailed with the cargo but was never heard of again. After he had sailed, it was said to his father that he had said that if compelled to go, he would never return. Whether this was a mere idle threat, uttered in the vehemence of his displeasure and afterwards fulfilled by accident, can never be known. When this utterance of his son came to Mr. Law he followed him to New York and there heard that a youth, answering his description, had sailed for New Orleans where it was said the yellow fever was raging. He did not attempt to follow him farther but returned home, having lost his son and the greater portion of his capital. From this time the prosperity of the family declined and finally, the lucrative business from which others have reaped such a rich harvest and which has found employment for thousands of people and opened out a new era for the West Riding of Yorkshire, was abandoned and at the present time not one of his descendants, so far as the writer is aware, is in any way connected with the trade originated by their ancestor."Wendy Rose transcribed the 1880 article by Edwin Law and the letters related to it. For the complete transcription of the Batley Reporter Articles of 1880 go to Wendy Rose
Benjamin Law in in the 1822 Baines Directory Benjamin Law was listed in Batley as a flushing manufacturer in the Baines Directory of 1822. His, partner and brother-in-law, Benjamin Parr, was also listed as a flushing manufacturer. He was not listed in the directories for 1830 and 1834. There were no Laws listed in Batley in either of the directories, although his sons, John, Joseph, and William were all adults by 1830. However, there were three Sheards, George, Michael, "sen.", and Michl. "Jun." listed under the heading, "Flushing, Padng. and Drugget Mfrs." Michael, senior, was a cousin of Benjamin Law's second wife, Lydia Sheard.
Benjamin Law in Hyde and Stockport The Laws Move To Stockport
"The family left Batley and went to reside at Hyde, whence they removed to Stockport where the founder of the shoddy trade died 21st February 1837 at the age of 65 and was buried in the burial ground of Batley Parish Church. His tombstone which is broken across may be seen opposite the clock tower, close by the wall separating the church yard from Church Lane. Mr. Law was not a native of Batley. He was born at Great Gomersal 8th November 1772 and was the son of Mr. George Law of the same place. Although the grave is neglected and the tombstone broken his best monument is the prosperity of the town where he resided and which is due to his genius." The tax records for Stockport, which are available only to 1831 did not list Benjamin Law. According to Lewis's Gazetteer in 1831, Hyde was a chapelry in the parish of Stockport four miles from the town of Stockport. The chapel at Hyde was being build in 1831. The local industry included spinning and weaving (on power looms) in cotton mills that employed up to 5,000 persons. LDS does not have any records for the Church of England in Hyde before 1832. They have no marriages before 1839. It is not clear why Benjamin would have moved to Hyde. It is not known how long the family stayed in Hyde before moving to Stockport. The banns of marriage for Stockport included two listings for Law:
While some of Benjamin's children came with them. Others did not make the move to Cheshire.
"Although several members of the Law's family accompanied him into Lancashire yet some remained here and continued to be engaged in shoddy trade though perhaps in more humble ways than the discoverer himself."Children who appear to have stayed in Batley
Children who moved to Stockport
Lydia Law and her Children in Heaton Norris, Stockport in the 1841 Census At Watt Street, Heaton Norris, Stockport, Lydia Law, age 60, Catherine Law age 20, weaver, Rebecca Law age 20 weaver, Sarah Law age 5,* Abraham Law age 20, spinner, Isaac Law age 20 weaver, John Parr age 40 woolen Benjamin Parr age 13 weaver, Hannah Parr age 40, Rachael Parr age 9 Esther Parr age 8, Lydia Parr age 4 * Daughter of Samuel?? Other Laws in Heaton Norris, Stockport There are indications in the Cheshire/Lancashire BMD that the Laws who stayed in the Stockport were in Heaton Norris. There are listings for all of the appropriate names: Law, Barrett, Horn. Heaton Norris in the parish in the township of Manchester, and partly in the town and parliamentary borough of Stockport. Possible children for Sarah Law and Benjamin Horn
From Cheshire BMD web site at Cheshire BMD Note: There were other Horns having children in Heaton Norris.
Death of Benjamin Law Benjamin Law died in Stockport in Cheshire in 1837. His death was listed in the Batley Parish records. "Benjamin Law Stockport age 63 buried February 26, 1837". The civil records index does not start until the June quarter 1837. The death of Benjamin Law was not listed in St Mary's Church, Stockport.
Death of Lydia Law Church Record: Lydia Law, Batley, age 68, November 22, 1849. (Batley Parish Records) Civil Record: Lydia Law, age 68, widow of Benjamin Law, clothier, died on November 20, 1849 in New Batley of Phthisis (pulmonary tuberculoses) not certified. The death was reported by Isaac Law present at the death.(Civil Record) Note: Isaac Law was Lydia's son.
Other Laws in Batley Parish There are several records for Laws in Batley Parish that I have not been able to reconcile with the known Law families in the parish. To see these records go to Other Laws in the Batley Records
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1996 Plaque to Benjamin Law
In 1996 the Yorkshire Society commemorated Benjamin Law, the inventor of
shoddy, by
placing this plaque on the front of the Batley Library.
The manufacture of shoddy
was an important aspect in the development of Batley into a major
manufacturing center in England. |
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Batley Historian Malcolm Haigh on Benjamin Law Regarding Benjamin Law and the development of shoddy, Malcolm Haigh in the History of Batley says: "His quick inventive mind had international repercussions. He laid the foundation stone of the industrial revolution in Batley and Dewsbury. Opportunities opened up for those daring enough to follow and for some, at least, there were ample rewards.To obtain a copy of The History of Batley please write to Malcolm Haigh at:
64 Solway Road Malcolm also has two other books about Baltey. Historical Snapshots of Batley and Birstall is a lovely book of old postcards and photos with comments by Malcolm. His most recent book, Batley Pride, contains more stories of Batley folks.
Orders, with sterling cheques can be made out either to Malcolm Haigh or The History of Batley Fund.
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Ann Law Spelling, the daughter of John Law and the great-granddaughter of Benjamin Law.
