Wright & Pighills of Near Oxenhope
-------------Map of Oxenhope -------
In 1809, in the year of their marriage, Nathan Wright and Susan Pighills lived at Royd House, Near Oxenhope seen on the map by the bend in the A6033. The Royd House property, owned by John Murgatroyd, comprised a farm, lands and a mill. In 1808, the uninsured mill burned down, causing a severe financial loss for John Pighills, and Nathan Wright (see alms appeal below). After their marriage, Nathan & Susan Wright continued to live at Royd House until after their second son, Pighills Wright, was born in 1814. Royd House Mill was rebuilt by Robert Heaton.
Royd House Mill converted to cottages -->
1808 ALMS REQUEST
To the Right Honorable Lord Eldon Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain
We his Majestys Justices of the peace for the West Riding of the County of York assembled at our General Quarter Sessions of the peace holden at Pontefract on Monday the twenty fifth day of April in the forty eighth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third and in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eight Do humbly certify unto your lordship that on the thirteenth day of April instant a sudden and terrible fire accidently broke out upon the premises of John Pighills and Nathan Wright of Royd House in the Township of Haworth in the said Riding which in a short time (notwithstanding the utmost endeavours of the said John Pighills and Nathan Wright and their neighbours to extinguish the same) consumed the floors Roof Machinery and Stock on Hand of the said John Pighills and Nathan Wright . That the truth of the premises hath been made appear unto us in our said Sessions in open Court as well by and upon the oaths of the sufferors the said John Pighills and Nathan Wright as also of John Roper John Smith and John Brown three of the most substantial Inhabitants of the Township of Haworth aforesaid who were well acquainted with the said Premises before the said accident happened and have carefully viewed the same since and made an Estimate of the loss occasioned thereby which upon a moderate computation amounting the whole to the Sum of seven hundred and sixty eight pounds and one penny by which shocking accident the said John Pighills and Nathan Wright are reduced to extreme want and poverty all which they have brought us to certify unto your Lordship to the end that your Lordship would be pleased to take their deplorable circumstance into your tender consideration and procure for the said poor Sufferors His Majestys Most Gracious Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain to impower them to ask collect and receive the Alms of Charitable Christians throughout England Wales and Berwick upon Tweed. Given under our hands and Seals at the Sessions above mentioned.
