William Huntriss, born in Sherburn-in-Elmet in 1780, had moved to Halifax in Yorkshire by the early nineteenth century. The Industrial Revolution was in full swing.
It is not clear exactly how William, son of Henry Huntriss, a shopkeeper in Sherburn, came to move to Halifax and to quickly establish himself there. There are undoubtedly connections between the two places.
Teasel growing was introduced into Yorkshire in the middle of the 18th century in order to supply the growing woollen industry in the West Riding. the main growing area was centred in the area around Sherburn in Elmet and South Milford. Maximum production seems to have been around 1850. 1803
The first mention of William in public records is that of his marriage at St John’s church in Halifax to Hannah Wrigley, in which he is described as a cotton spinner. One of the witnesses is Watts Wrigley (Hannah’s brother), who was also a cotton spinner.
Their first child, Mary, was born towards the end of 1803. In 1835 Mary married WIlliam Graves (born in London) at St Martins in the Bullring, Birmingham.
1804
William’s first son, also named William, was born in 1804 and was christened at Sowerby Bridge chapel.
1808
In 1808, William Huntriss was initiated as a Freemason.
Christopher Rawson, banker and industrialist, was one of the most influential people in Halifax at that time.
In October 1808, Hannah Huntriss stayed at some lodgings known as Beacon Gutter near Liverpool for some rest and recuperation.
Beacon Gutter, once a lonely place on the Liverpool/Kirkdale border, is long gone. It was situated not far from the location of new Everton stadium.
1810
In 1810, William took out a lease on one of the Lower Willow Hall Mills in Sowerby Bridge. The original brick-built mill was built in 1783 by Edmund Lodge, and may have been the first cotton spinning mill in the district; William occupied the stone-built mill that was constructed in 1798.
1811
Birth of daughter Anne. She was to marry Joseph Rideal in Lambeth in 1843
1813
Son George arrives. Both he and his sister Anne were christened at Northgate End chapel.
1814
William seems to be prospering. In 1814 he bought a boat – for a quarter of a million pounds (at 2024 values).
1815
Looking for business, using his brother Henry.
1816
John Rhodes Huntriss was born in 1816, and baptised at Northgate End church. John grew up to become a vet in Dudley, and was appointed as Inspector of Cattle for the borough during the rinderpest (a viral cattle disease) outbreak in 1865.
1818
The arrival of Alice in 1818 completed William and Hannah’s family. Alice moved to London following her marriage to Alfred Bayfield in Lambeth in 1844
1819
The BBC TV series “Gentleman Jack” dramatised the life of Anne Lister. Anne inherited Shibden Hall in 1826 following the death of her uncle, and her financial portfolio included properties in Halifax, shares in the canal and railway industries, mining, and stone quarries.
The TV series drew heavily on Anne’s diaries. An entry in May 1819 included the following:
1824
William is declared bankrupt.
The auction in Sherburn presumably relates to assets that he has inherited from his parents.
1833
William Huntriss (senior) has moved to Digbeth in Birmingham, and is now the licensee of the George Hotel