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Land's Lane, Leeds

No known Lands lived on Land's Lane.


The corner of Land Lane and and the Headrow, Leeds, 2002

Photo Maggie Land Blanck, 2002

Land Lane was listed in the Leeds Intelligencer and trade directories as early as 1791.

The 1830, 1834, and 1837 Directories listed Land's Court.

In the 1853 Directory there were three place names in Leeds that included the name Land.

  1. Land Lane, 12 Commercial Street. Lands Lane still exists and is a north-south street which is situated between the Headrow (a continuation of Westgate) and Commercial Street (a continuation of Kirkgate) in the heart of the city. Lands Lane was listed on the 1906 Ordnance map of Leeds.

    Vivien Cartwright of the Leeds Local Studies Library informed me by email in July 2005 that:

    The Placenames of the West Riding of Yorkshire says:
    LANDS LANE....land (here doubtless 'a land of the common field') lane.
    I have also found an item in the Yorkshire Evening Post, 29/3/1975 page 4:
    Under feudalism and the open field system, the arable land of the tennants of the Manor of Leeds was divided into 3 huge fields- North, West and East: Westfield Road, Eastfield Street and Northfield Square (now disappeared) all commemorate this period of local history.

    The field of the Lord of the Manor was known as "Lands" hence Lands Lane. The large fields were divided into strips. The Headrows marked the beginning of the strip cultivation at the end of Briggate, the main street of the village of Leeds.

    However, I would put forth the idea that if this is the derivation of the name there were liable to be other Land's Lanes, Land's Courts, and Land's Yards in other cities and villages in Yorkshire. The designation "Land" seems to be exclusive to Leeds, a town that had several families whose surnames were Land. Other place names in the West Riding are derived from family names so it is not inconceivable that the name derived from a family name. The surname LAND is hard to research exactly because of its association with the standard meaning of the word.

    In May 2006 John Pennington wrote:

    "My attention was drawn especially to references to Lands Lane in Leeds - a distant relative of mine William Bell was living in Lands Lane in 1861. Your interest in the street is obvious!

    Perhaps the reason for other towns not having a street of that name is that it is at the back of Briggate, a fairly unique street, being laid out in the 13th century by the Lord of the Manor Maurice Paynel and being made up of strips of land called burgages meant to be occupied and rented by freemen of the manor. Hence perhaps the name Lands Lane.

    I had a look in a Yorkshire trade directory for the year 1791 and found two tradesman: Osburn W. Brandy-dealer, Lands-lane, Whitehead J. Brandy-dealer, Lands-la.

    And by coincidence there is also a gentleman called Land Philemon, Brandy-dealer, Call-La.. They seem to have drunk a lot of brandy around that time!

    For more information on Philomon Land see Lands in Queen Street Chapel

  2. Lands Yard, 127 Kirkgate. Lands Yard no longer exists. It was not listed on the 1906 Ordnance map of Leeds.

  3. Land Court, 14 Water Lane. Land Court no longer exists. It was on the south side of the Aire River in the Holbeck section of Leeds. Land Court was listed on the 1906 Ordnance map of Leeds.

Notes:

  • Leodis - a photographic archive of Leeds- is a project of Leeds Library & Information Service Under two photos of Lands Lane they say:
    • Lands Lane took its name from fields or lands belonging to the Lord of the Manor of Leeds.
    • The Lands referred to in the street name were the fields belonging to the Lord of the Manor of Leeds.

  • For many years there were Land families at Lands Court off Water Land in Holbeck.


Lands Lane circa 1898

Leodis, Leeds Library

Lands Lane circa 1898

Leodis, Leeds Library

Lands Lane circa 1935

Changing Leeds
Some of the photos on this page were taken from Changing Leeds a book published circa 1936. While the book is not dated it does refer to "the Great War" (what we now call World War I) so it had to have been printed before 1939. The last date in the book was 1935.

Changing Leeds

Lands Lane before it was widened and developed


Land Addresses in Leeds, Holbeck and Hunslet

The "addresses" I have found for the Land ancestors in Leeds indicate that they lived both in the city proper and on the south side of the River Aire in the Holbeck and Hunslet sections of the city.

The Lands were at the following "addresses":

  1. Charles Land and Elizabeth Dunford were listed on St James Street in 1797.

  2. Charles Lewis Land (the son of Charles Land and Elizabeth Dunford) and his wife, Ann Dinsdell, were listed in Leeds as follow:

    1. Holbeck between 1820 and 1833. They had the more specific "addresses" of :
      1. "Water Lane" in 1826
      2. "Brewery Field" in 1833.
    2. Hunslet between 1834 and 1844:

      1. At 29 Canning Street in the 1834 Leeds Directory as a cloth dresser.
      2. In Hunslet in the 1841 census.
      3. On Canning Street in Hunslet in 1844 at the time of his death

  3. John Land (the son of Charles Land and Ann Dinsdell) was listed:
    1. At his marriage in 1840 in Holbeck
    2. At the birth of his son, John, in 1841 on West Street, Leeds
    3. In the 1842 Leeds Directory at 56 and 63 Back Nile Street as a cloth dresser. Note: I do not know if this was a business or home address or both.
    4. At the birth of his son, Samuel in 1843 at 13 Cherry Tree Yard, Kirkgate, North Leeds.

    John Land and his family left Leeds before 1848.

  4. James Dunford Land (the son of Charles Land and Ann Dinsdell) was listed in the 1861 Leeds Directory as a traveller (traveling salesman), at 8 Caledonia Terrace. I have not located Caledonia Terrace on a current map.

Charles Land and Elizabeth Dunford, St James Street, Central Leeds, 1797

St James Street is highlighted in green.

St James Street no longer exists. It was about where the Leeds General Infirmary is now.

1906 Ordnance Map

The Leeds General Infirmary circa 1936
A Souvenir of Leeds, date unknown

Hirst Square, St James Street, 1920
Leodis (Leeds Library)

John Land, West Street, City of Leeds, Central


John Land was listed at West Street at the birth of his son, John, in 1841.

I do not have a Ordnance map that includes West Street.

West Street is on a current map of Leeds. It forms part of the on ramp for junction of the A58 ring road around Leeds.


Leodis, Leeds Library

West Street #s 29. 31. 31A. 33 amd 35


John Land, Back Nile Street, Mabgate, 1842

John Land, the son of Charles Land and Ann Dinsdell, was listed in the 1842 Leeds Directory on Back Nile Street. I do not know if this was a residential or business address.

Back Nile Street, circled in red, is the "back of Nile Street".

The current map of Leeds lists the area in Mabgate.

1906 Ordnance Map

Cottages in the working class sections of Leeds were back to back with no yards. There was, on average, one privy to every four cottages. There were no bath facilities. Baths were taken in a tub in the kitchen or in public bath houses.


Leodis, Leeds Library

Back Nile Street demolition 1907.

The two workmen on the right are holding a measuring rod which indicates that the height of the front of the one story house is 11 feet from the sidewalk to the roof line and the height of the two story house is 17 feet from the sidewalk to the roof line.


Leodis, Leeds Library

Back Nile Street demolition 1907.


Leodis, Leeds Library

Cottages on the north side of Back Nile Street looking from Bridge Street.


Leodis, Leeds Library

Back Nile Street yard. The access to the street is through the archway.


John Land, Cherry Tree Yard, Kirkgate, City of Leeds, North, 1843


Leodis, Leeds Library

Cherry Tree Yard where the Lands lived at the birth of Samuel Land in 1843.


The Lands in Holbeck


Charles Land, Water Lane, Holbeck , 1826

Charles Land was listed in 1826 on Water Lane in Holbeck. Holbeck is on the south side of the Aire River from the city of Leeds. There was, in fact, Land Court, off Water Lane, Holbeck, as shown in the 1906 Ordnance map (marked with the red "X").

Land's Court, Water Lane is between the Victoria Bridge to the west and the Leeds bridge to the east.


Holbeck

1857/58 Leeds Directory included a description of the township of Holbeck, the "township" where the family of Charles Lewis Land was living from 1818 to 1833.

Holbeck township and Chapelry, on the south side of the Aire (adjoining Hunslet) forms a populous south-western suburb of Leeds, commencing at Christ Church, Meadow lane, and extending westward to the old village of Holbeck, one mile S.W. and to Holbeck Moor and the Folly 1 _ miles S.S.W. of Briggate. It is noted for several copious springs of Spa Water, which is slightly impregnated with sulphur. Though it extends over only about 760 acres it had 14,152 souls in 1851.....The Methodists and Independents have commodious chapels in Holbeck township ....Holbeck cemetery, at Beeton hill, comprises about nine acres of land purchased at the cost of about 2500 pounds in 1856. It was opened in 1857."

Other Lands at Land's Court, Water Lane

Thomas Land and his wife, Anne Shirt, were listed in the Queen's Street congregation baptismal records at Water Lane in 1817 and 1822. Charles Land and Ann Dinsdell Land also belonged to the Queens Street congregation.

The 1830 Leeds Directory listed three Lands on Land's Court, Water Lane:

  1. Mrs Mary Land, 24 Land's Ct, Water Ln
  2. Thomas Land, flax spinner, canvas and sacking mfr. Land's Ct, Water Ln: h. 10 Providence row
  3. Wm Land, flax dresser, 21 Land's Ct, Water Ln.
The 1834 Directory listed two Lands at Water Lane:
  1. Mrs. Mary Land, 26 Land's ct, Water lane
  2. William Land, retail ale and porter dealers, Jolly Sailor, 10 Camp Land Water Lane.

The 1837 White's Directory listed three Lands in Leeds:

  1. Thomas Land whs man (wholesaled manufacturer ?), Kaye Street
  2. William Land, beer house, Camp lane and Land's Ct
  3. John Land, druggist, Kaye Street

The 1857-58 Leeds directory listed Elizabeth Land, shopkeeper, at 14 Water Ln.

The 1861 Leeds directory listed Elizabeth Land, shopkeeper, at 14 Water Ln.

I do not know, at this point, if these other Lands were related.


Water Hall, Water Lane cottages, Holbeck, Undated

leodis (Leeds Library)

Water Lane cottages, Holbeck, 1903

Old cottages scheduled for demolition

leodis (Leeds Library)

ASDA Headquarters

In 1986-8 ASDA (a dairy association) build their headquarters on a seven acre riverside site on the south side of the river Aire between the Leeds Bridge and the Victoria Bridge right on top of where Lands Court was shown in the 1906 Ordnance map.

Picture from Leeds Waterfront Heritage Trail by Peter Brears

Engraving by William Lodge, Date Unknown

Leeds bridge is on the right with St Peter's church in the background.

This view is from just about where Land's Court once stood and where the ASDA building stands today.

Picture from Leeds Waterfront Heritage Trail by Peter Brears

Leeds and Liverpool Canal warehouse beside River Lock, date unknown

Just west of Victoria Bridge and the ASDA building is the Leeds Liverpool Canal warehouse and the River Lock.

The River Lock marks the entrance to the canal from the River Aire.

Picture from Leeds Waterfront Heritage Trail by Peter Brears

Leeds and Liverpool Canal warehouse beside River Lock, 2002

The warehouse was built in 1777.

Photo by Tom Blanck

"Bridge End, looking from Water Land in 1869"

Bridge End" is also known as the Leeds Bridge.

Changing Leeds

"In Water Lane in the past"
Changing Leeds

Old Leeds Bridge

1849.

Looking north to the entrance of Briggate.

Engraver T A Prior.

Changing Leeds

Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck

Domestic Street Holbeck, Leeds.

I believe that there is now a highway ramp at this location.

Posted Holbeck, Leeds 1906


Print collection of Maggie Land Blanck

Leeds from Holbeck

There is no date on this print. However, I believe that the white tower of the City Hall can be seen in the background on the left. The City Hall was dedicated in 1858.


Old Round Foundry, Holbeck
Changing Leeds

Charles Lewis Land and Ann Dinsdell, Brewery Field, Holbeck

Charles Lewis Land and Ann Dinsdell were listed in "Brewery Field", Holbeck in 1833.

The only brewery I can find in Holbeck is/was the Tetley Brewery a few short blocks from Land's Court. I cannot find anything marked "Brewery Field".


This part of the map shows the relationship between Land's Court, Leeds Bridge, and the Brewery (which is indicated with a red X)

1906 OS Map


The Tetley Distillery showing grain courtyard and brewhouse
Hunslet, S Clark and M Wilson, Hunslet Social History Group, date unknown, book collection of Maggie Land Blanck


Tetley Brewery, Hunslet Lane, 1893

Joshua Tetley took over Sykes brewery at this site in 1822.

Picture from Leeds Waterfront Heritage Trail by Peter Brears

1829, Aire and Calder Canal near Leeds Bridge

Drawn by N Whittock

Leodis, Leeds Library

1829, Aire and Calder Canal near Leeds Bridge

Drawn by N Whittock

Leodis, Leeds Library

A view down river from above the Leeds Bridge

Leodis, Leeds Library

A view down river from above the Leeds Bridge

Date unknown. However, pre 1873 as the bridge was changed from stone to metal in 1873.

Leodis

A view down river from the Leeds Bridge

The steeple of the parish church can be seen in the background.

Changing Leeds

Another view down river from near the Leeds Bridge

The steeple of the parish church can be seen in the background.

A Souvenir of Leeds, date unknown

A view down river from the Leeds Bridge, 2002

If Charles and Ann lived near the Tetley Brewery, they would have been somewhere to the right of this photo.

Photo by Maggie Blanck

Looking up river from the Crown Point Bridge, near the Tetley Brewery, 2002

Looking up river the view of the Leeds Bridge is blocked by the buildings.

The Tetley Brewery is out of view to the left.

Photo by Maggie Blanck

Waterloo Lane, 2002

Waterloo Lane connects Water Lane to the Tetley Brewery.

Photo by Tom Blanck

Hunslet

Charles Lewis Land and Ann Dinsdall, Canning Street, Hunslet

Charles Lewis Land and Ann Dinsdell Land were listed in Hunslet from 1834 until Charles' death in 1844.

The 1841 censuses describes the Enumeration District where Charles and Ann Land lived as:

"All between north side of Ansley Street east side of Dale Street and south side of Charlotte Street to Meadow Lane and all north of Jack Lane to Dewsbury Road on the west side and east side of Meadow Lane.
At Charles' death in 1844 the address was given as Canning Street, Hunslet.

I do not have any pictures of this area.

The 1906 OS map shows Canning Street a bit south of Land court between Meadow Lane and Dewsbury Road.


1905 Ordnance Map
Canning Street Hunslet

The 1841 census description of the Enumeration District where Charles and Ann Land lived is highlighted in yellow as is Canning Street.


Interior of Hunslet church, not dated

Postcard collection Maggie Land Blanck

Photo collection Maggie Land Blanck

Last horse bus to run from Hunslet Carr to Briggate Leeds c. 1904. Part of the Mc Kenna collection.

In reply to my inquiry about the McKenna collection Rodger Parnell, on the behalf of Graham McKenna wrote in February 2006 about Graham McKenna:

He was many years ago an early member of the Leeds Cine club and filmed in and around Leeds including the last trams to run in Leeds which were shown on T.V. in a programme "All our Yesterdays".
About the McKenna collection of photos Rodger Parnell wrote:
The photos in the McKenna collection originally belonged to a man called Ramsden Farrar. Apparently he was a sign writer in Leeds and had these photos taken as examples for potential clients. The photos were given to Graham by the daughter of Ramsden Farrar for safekeeping and for Graham to keep and show to future generations, which he has done. Both Ramsden Farrar and his daughter have long since passed away.
The photos were copied by the Leeds Library and the original retained by Graham McKenna.

Ramsden Farrar

Ramsden Farrar born March Quarter 1864 (Leeds, 9b, 364, Free BMD) was the son of John Farrar.

He was listed in 1871 at 25 Garden Street Leeds East with his father as follows: John Farrar, head, age 51, silk dyer, Sarah A, wife, age 49, Mary, daughter, age 23, woolen weaver, Sarah A, daughter, age 21, cap finisher, John, son, age 19, butcher, Angelina, daughter, age 17, cap machinist, Thomas son, age 15, grocers assistant, William, son, age 13, drapers assistant, Fred, son, age 9, scholar, Ramsden, son, age 7, scholar, Arthur, son, age 4, scholar all born Leeds

He was listed in 1881 at 25a Garden Street Leeds East with his father as follows: John Farrar, head, age 62, dyer and cleaner, Sarah A, wife, age 60, Mary, daughter, age 34, cloth weaver, William, son, age 24, shoe rivitter, Ramsden, son, age 17, sign writer, Arthur, son, age 14, errand boy, Sarah Ann Lyneh (?), granddaughter, age 5 all born Leeds. Next door was Angelina Leneh, wife, age 27, and her husband, Frederick Lyneh, age 30, beer seller, Frederick W Leneh, son, age 1, and Thomas Farrar, bother in law, age 24, brewer and tapster.

Ramsden Farrar married Sarah E. Moss St Peter, Leeds September quarter 1885 Leeds (9b 605 Free BMD) They were not listed in the 1891 or 1901 census by Ancestry.com


Farr Street Hunslet, undated

Leodis (Leeds Library)


The Leeds Pottery

Leeds Pottery was located in Jack Lane (not far from where the Charles Lewis Land and Ann Dinsdall lived). It established by Richard Humble and John and Joshua Green in 1770. They made creamware that was popular in middle class homes. Leeds Pottery went though some financial ups and downs: it closed in 1806, reopened in 1813, went bankrupt in 1830, reopened again in 1849. It finally closed in 1881. It was made again from 1983-1986.

From Hunslet, S Clark and M Wilson, Hunslet Social History Group, undated, book collection of Maggie Land Blanck


Hunslet Feast

The Hunslet Feast featured shows and rides. It was originally held near the Hunslet church (St Mary's). In 1888 it moved to Hunslet Moor.

Leodis, Leeds Library


This sketch shows the relationship of Holbeck and Hunslet to the city of Leeds.

Connect to:
Leeds
The Lands
Pictures of Leeds

If you have any suggestions, corrections, information, copies of documents, or photos that you would like to share with this page, please contact me at maggie@maggieblanck.com

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