Person Page - 3

     Isabella Sheard was born in 1823 at Batley. She was the daughter of Michael Sheard and Sarah Newsome. Isabella Sheard was baptized on 13 July 1823 at Batley.¹
In the census of 6 June 1841 she was listed as the daughter of Michael Sheard at Havercroft, Batley.²
Isabella Sheard married John Fox, son of David Fox and Rebecca Hall, on 21 September 1841 at Parish Church, Bradford, after banns. John was described as a foreman at the time.
In the census of 30 March 1851 Isabella Sheard was listed at Havercroft, Batley, as wife of John Fox.³
In 1855 Isabella Fox received a legacy of £100 in the will of her uncle George Sheard.
In the census of 7 April 1861 Isabella Fox was listed at Wellington Street, Batley, as wife of John Fox.⁴
In the census of 2 April 1871 Isabella Fox was listed at Wellington Street, Batley, as wife of John Fox.⁵
In the census of 3 April 1881 Isabella Fox was listed at Wellington Street, Batley, as wife of John Fox.⁶
In the census of 5 April 1891 she was listed as the head of household at Fox's Yard, Wellington Street, Batley, Living on her own means.⁷
In the census of 31 March 1901 she was listed as the head of household at Fox's yard, off Wellington Street, Batley, as a widow aged 77.⁸
Isabella Fox died on 17 January 1910 at Batley.

     Susan Sheard was born in 1825. She was the daughter of Michael Sheard and Sarah Newsome. Susan Sheard was baptized on 20 December 1825 at Batley.
In the census of 6 June 1841 she was listed as the daughter of Michael Sheard at Havercroft, Batley.¹

Susan Sheard married Thomas Walker Shackleton, son of Richard Shackleton and Ann (?), on 14 October 1849 at Batley; witnesses were Charles Wrigglesworth and Robert Shackleton.²
In the census of 30 March 1851 Susan Shackleton was listed at Havercroft, Batley, as wife of Thomas Walker Shackleton.³
In the census of 7 April 1861 Susan Shackleton was listed at Commercial St, Batley, as wife of Thomas Walker Shackleton.⁴
In the census of 2 April 1871 Susan Shackleton was listed at Commercial Street, Batley, as wife of Thomas Walker Shackleton.⁵
In the census of 3 April 1881 Susan Shackleton was listed at Field Hill, Batley, as wife of Thomas Walker Shackleton.⁶
In the census of 5 April 1891 Susan Shackleton was listed at 3 Stralau Street, Batley, as wife of Thomas Walker Shackleton.⁷
Susan Sheard died in 1898.⁸

     Benjamin Sheard was born on 13 January 1831. He was the son of Michael Sheard and Sarah Newsome. Benjamin Sheard was baptized on 6 February 1831 at Batley.¹
In the census of 6 June 1841 he was listed as the son of Michael Sheard at Havercroft, Batley.²
In the census of 30 March 1851 he was listed as aged 20, an assistant, presumably to his father Michael Sheard.³

Benjamin Sheard married Mary Senior, daughter of Benjamin Senior and Elizabeth Talbot, on 11 September 1856 at the Parish Church, Batley.^4,5

In the census of 7 April 1861 he was listed as the head of household at Wellington St, Batley, as a woollen cloth manufacturer, but by 1864 was listed as living at Upper Batley.^6,7

Benjamin Sheard is said to have suggested the provision of new materials for the facade of Zion Chapel and contributed to its funding along with his father-in-law Benjamin Senior.⁸

Batley Rifle Volunteers
in 1866 Benjamin Sheard was one of the founders of the Batley Rifle Volunteers, the 43rd West Riding Corps, and from 1868 was the first Captain Commandant of the detachment, said to have been linked with the Wakefield Battalion. Later promotions were to give him the ranks of major and eventually of lieutenant-colonel in command of the Battalion.⁹

By 1867 Benjamin Sheard was living at Elmwood House, where a tower was added from which he is said to have observed his volunteers drilling.
In the census of 2 April 1871 he was listed as the head of household at Elmwood House, Batley, as Captn 43 West Yorkshire Rifle Volunteers, Woollen manufacturer. By now Benjamin (listed in census as Bn) is employing a coachman, governess, cook, nurse and general servant.¹⁰
It was around this time that Benjamin Sheard became a director of the West Riding Union Bank.

If his Rifle Brigade exploits were not quite as comical as those portrayed by Isaac Binns there were occasional elements of farce. In 1873 the Rifle Volunteers joined a Battalion camp at Scarborough Castle. They travelled to Scarborough on the Saturday afternoon, marched through the town and pitched their tents. Then we hear:-

"about seven p.m. on Saturday there were appearances of a storm coming on, and by half past eight it rained heavily; a heavy wind from the north accompnying it, rendered outdoor quarters anything but comfortable. This continued all through the night. Such a storm had not prevailed in Scarbro' for a long time past. Some of the tents are very bad indeed, and the consequence was that the rain beat through the canvas something like a wave, and the men could get no sleep. Some of them paraded the camp the whole of the night, and had a rather lively experience of the hardships of the soldier's life. One third of the beds were wet, and fires were kindled in the barracks to dry them, and by four o'clock in the afternoon of Sunday the camp assumed its ordinary vivacity and life. Notwithstanding their first night's experience under canvas, on Saturday morning the men appeared little worse for the severe test to which they had beenput, and related to each other various incidents of the rough night's experience, some of which were very ludicrous, one of the men, for instance, saying that he should have slept soundly but for the fact that a gentle stream of water would persist in trickling on his fgace whatever position he took up, another fellow ran about the castle yard with nothing on but his drawers, saying he did it to keep up the circulation after his shower bath."

It was on this occasion that Benjamin was promoted to major, later to be further promoted to Colonel.¹¹
A Drill Hall was built in Bradford Road in 1870 to the designs of architects Michael Sheard, Benjamin's brother, and Walter Hanstock.
His first wife Mary having died in 1877, Benjamin Sheard married Annie Talbot, daughter of Joseph Talbot and Ann Walker,on 5 December 1878.¹ In the census of 3 April 1881 he was listed as the head of household at Elmwood House, Batley, as a woollen manufacturer.¹²
Benjamin Sheard was a Borough Magistrate and in 1882 was elected to the West Riding bench.
In the census of 5 April 1891 he was listed as the head of household at Elmwood House, Batley, as a woollen manufacturer and magistrate. By now Benjamin is employing a cook, sewing maid, two housemaids, and a coachman and family in the lodge.¹³
He died on 30 April 1891 at age 60.
He was buried on 1 May 1891 at the cemetery, Batley.

     Michael Sheard was born in 1833. He was the son of Michael Sheard and Sarah Newsome. Michael Sheard was baptized on 17 March 1833 at Batley.
In the census of 6 June 1841 he was listed as the son of Michael Sheard.¹

It must early have been decided that the woollen trade was not for him, and his interests lay rather in architecture and civil engineering. According to his obituary "he was articled to a firm in Bradford, and when quite a young man gave up his articles to come to Batley." Not all his training seems to have been in Bradford, however, for he is listed below as the pupil of a Mr Clapham of Wakefield. The only likely Mr Clapham I can find does indeed seem very likely:-
The 1851 census for Wakefield shows a Charles Clapham, a Civil Engineer and Surveyor, living in Northgate with his wife and four children and keeping four servants.By 1861 the family have moved to what would have been an elegant address in St. John's Square, but Charles has died, and we note that in 1865 Michael refers to him as the late Mr. Clapham.²
(The plan of a St. Mary's Church, Wakefield may well by by this Charles. Although described as surveyor and civil engineer it would not have been by any means unusual for such a person to combine this with architecture).³

In the census of 30 March 1851 Michael Sheard was listed as apprentice Civil Engineer, the son of Michael Sheard.⁴

Batley Town Hall

Michael Sheard is thought to have quitted his training at about this time when he was entrusted with the design of a Public Hall which was to be built by a company of shareholders. This served at first as a Mechanics' Institute and venue for many functions. Only later did it become the Town Hall. 1868 saw the incorporation of Batley as a Borough, and someCouncil meetings were held there, but in 1873 Councillor Marriott suggested that in view of the lack of dedicated accommodation for Council and committee meetings the Corporation should consider purchasing the building. After some further discussion this was done the following year. Plans for alteration and extension were discussed, but the council had heavy financial commitments and only minor alterations were agreed and carried out in 1876

Although gutted by fire in 1902, then much extended and altered, the Commercial Street facade of Batley Town Hall is still essentially that of Michael's building, though a window replaces what was then the central door with steps down to the road.⁵

In 1854 Michael Sheard's name was mentioned along with that of his father Michael in connection with the purchase of land at Healey on which the family's new home, Dryfield House, was to be built.

He became the engineer and surveyor for the Board of Health which had been established in 1853.⁶
In 1857 Michael Sheard was listed as Michael, jun, architect and engineer still at Dryfield House at Batley.⁷
He may have moved into Brookroyd House in 1857 or on his marriage the following year. The previous occupants were Ellen Nussey, Charlotte Bronte's friend, and two of her sisters,who left the house, which belonged to the manor of Batley, on the death of their mother.⁸

Hanover Street Congregational Church,
This church in gothic style with an impressive spire was opened in the same year, but was to be extended ten years later in partnership with another architect.

Michael Sheard married Anne Scholefield, daughter of Joshua Scholefield and Jane Sykes, on 26 June 1858 at Batley.^9,10

Batley Parish Church School

in 1860 Michael Sheard was the architect of Batley Parish Church School and schoolhouse. Building commenced in 1860 on a plot of land to the south of the Church given by the Earl of Wilton, whose son, Viscount Grey de Wilton, laid the foundation stone on the 18th of June. The stonemasons were Peter Thompson and Charles Thompson Although the stonework was rather fine, the buildings were old fashioned and neglected by the time of my grandfather Arthur Senior's headmastership. There is more about it in my account of him.¹¹

He was listed as the head of household in the census of 7 April 1861 at Brownhill, Batley, an Architect and surveyor. A visitor, Catherine Robinson, is also present.¹²
It is thought to have been in about in 1864 that he took on a young Walter Hanstock as draughtsman/assistant. There would have been nothing unusual at the time in a man with Michael's background practicing as an architect and styling himself as such. Walter, however, had had a specifically architectural training, and clearly soon proved talented.

Batley Cemetery

During the 1850s, faced with rapid population growth, there had been growing concern about the inadequacy of the overcrowded churchyard, where the ground level had risen on account of so many layers of burials. proposals were considered for a separate cemetery if suitable land could obtained, and it was hoped that the Earl of Wilton would assist. The Earl, however donated extra land to enlarge the existing churchyard.
Some enlargements had been made to the Parish churchyard in the 1850s, but by the mid 1860s the lack of burial space in Batley had become acute again, and so a larger plot of land was purchased at Healey. Michael Sheard was appointed architect of the twin chapels on the crest of the hill. Walter Hanstock is thought to have played a significant part in this scheme, but it is not clear if he was yet a partner, as early references only mention Michael.
An account of some buildings in Batley by W.S. Banks says:-

"The Batley Cemetery occupies twelve acres of sloping land, and has two decorated chapels, with a spire rising from the ground between them, and an excellent registrar's house. Mr Michael Sheard of Batley was the architect"
Kelly's Directory of 1881 says the cemetery was "laid out in 1865 at a cost of £12,500 and contains twelve acres with two gothic mortuary chapels from designs by Michael Sheard, Esq.^13,14
One who was to contribute much to Batley Cemetery in his work on many of the impressive memorials there was monumental mason/sculptor William Rawden and I wonder if it was news of the opportunities afforded by Michael's scheme that led him to return from America sometime in the 1860s.

The Station Hotel

An impressive hotel was built to Michael's designs to house the many buyers and other guests who came to Batley, now well served by railways.

In 1868 Michael Sheard was listed in a Building Trades Directory under Architects as:-

"SHEARD Michael, Batley, Yorkshire. -- pupil of the late Mr. Clapham, Wakefield. -- His works comprise West Riding Union Bank, Dewsbury; National Schools; Cemetery Chapels, Lodges, &c; St. Thomas's Church; and several Chapels in Batley; the Station Hotel for the Batley Station Hotel Company; Gas Works, and several warehouses in Soothill.--Is Surveyor to the Earl of Wilton's Batley Estate, and several other large estates in the district."
He was also listed in the same publication under the entries for civil engineers as:-
"SHEARD, Michael, Batley."¹⁵

Zion Chapel

In that year came the building of this fine chapel which still graces Batley Market Place.
It seems likely that Walter Hanstock made a substantial contribution to this project headed by Michael , and his charming illustration of the scheme survives.
The organ, made by Francis Booth of Wakefield, was the one from the old Chapel built in 1855, and it seems likely that some alterations were made, and Michael drew up plans for the organ case which were approved by the trustees in 1869.

Batley Parish Church restoration

in 1871 there were discussions about the future of Batley Parish Church, and some consideration seems to have been given as to whether it would be best to replace it with a new building on the site, as had just been done in Mirfield. It seems to the author fortunate that there was suffiicient local concern about this proposal for a decision to be made to restore the existing building, Batley's oldest monument. He kindly undertook to officiate as architect. Discoveries made during the restoration process were of several scriptural texts in black lettering on on the walls, in accordance with injuctions in the reign of Elizabeth I, and of the staircase leading to the rood loft which would have been removed in Tudor times.¹⁶

He was listed as the head of household in the 2 April 1871 census at Brookroyd, Batley,
a Land agent and surveyor. Eliza Anne Rayner is listed as a visitor.¹⁷

Works by Sheard and Hanstock included:-

Mortuary chapels 1865.¹⁸
St Thomas's Church 1868. Michael presented the East window in memory of his daughter Gertrude who had died the previous year, whilst the font and pulpit were gifts from his brothers George and Benjamin repectively.
Zion Chapel 1868.
Methodist Chapel, Adwalton.
Drill Hall, Bradford Road, 1870. This was for the use of the rifle volunteers then commanded by Michael's brother Benjamin Sheard.
St Saviour, Brownhill 1870-71.
West Riding Union Bank, 1871.
Cross Bank Wesleyan Chapel 1871. This building, now demolished, was erected by the family of Robert Brearley, and the style is said to have been broad Italian, with coloured columns of red mansfield and local stone and polished granite columns on the west front.¹⁹
All Saints, restoration 1872-3.
St. Thomas's School 1873.
Station Rd: warehouse for Abraham Brooke c1873.¹⁸
Villas in Batley including "The Rookery" for Samuel Senior and "The Woodlands" now the Bagshaw Museum, for George Sheard.

Michael Sheard and Walter Hanstock took on Max William Blakeley as a trainee during the 1870s.²⁰
In 1878 Michael's partnership with Walter Hanstock was dissolved.
St John's Church at Carlinghow was consecrated on 13 November 1879 and is said to have been executed from designs by Michael Sheard and carried out under his superintendence. William Preston of Carlinghow was responsible for the masonry.
On 1 March 1881 Michael Sheard and Isaac Binns were, with fifteen others, founder members of the Batley Antiquarian Society which met at the Princess Alice Coffee House in Wilton Street, Batley,  Sadly this was a short-lived Society, several of the early members dying in the next few years.
Michael Sheard is said to have reported at an early meeting that he was making a transcript of the Parish Registers, and mentioning some problems with his research into the Savile family. later he gave a talk on th Knights Hospitallers of St. John.

Records of the Parish of Batley

Michael's Savile problems seem to have been resolved by the time he included information on the family in his "Records of the Parish of Batley in the County of York", subtitled "Historical, Topographical, Ecclesiastical, Testamentary, and Genealogical." This book, published in 1894, includes much information on the history of Batley Parish Church, Manor, and local institutions. It includes some early wills and inscriptions from gravestones and from monuments within the Church, and is still a valuable source for family and local historians.

He is said himself to have had a splendid library including some exceedingly valuable books.
In the census of 3 April 1881 he was listed as the head of household at Brookroyd House, Batley, as a Land agent.²¹
In the census of 5 April 1891 he was listed as the head of household at St. Albans, High Harrogate, Harrogate, as a Land agent aged 58.²²

On 30 December 1891 Michael saw the consecration of St Andrew's Church at Bruntcliffe, Morley, for which he had prepared the plans.

At Sutton in the Isle

In the census of 31 March 1901 he was listed as the head of household at Sutton House, Sutton, Ely, as a Land agent (retired) A cook and housemaid are kept.²³

Why Michael moved to Sutton in the Isle is not yet clear, but this, a village on raised ground, is near to Ely itself, whose cathedral he must surely have loved. St. Andrew's at Sutton is an interesting church, and he wrote an article about it., published in 1908. He describes in a clear and readable fashion the history and architecture of the church, analysing the sequence of its building with a practised eye. As with his work on Batley he allows himself no personal comment, save that he feels that the lowering of the chancel walls to accommodate a new roof marred the effect of a beautiful structure. Otherwise there is an interesting anecdote about the priest ejected during the Commonwealth, who, being possessed of £120, bought some cows so his wife could run a dairy whilst he ran a school.

He died on 15 February 1911 at Sutton, Isle of Ely.⁵   He was buried there on 17 February 1911.

     George Sheard was born in 1835 at Batley. He was the son of Michael Sheard and Sarah Newsome.
George Sheard was baptized on 22 March 1835 at Batley.
In the census of 6 June 1841 he was listed as the son of Michael Sheard at Havercroft, Batley.¹
George was educated with a view to his taking a place in the family business. He is said to have attended Mr. Wilkinson's school at Healey, then a school in Hamburg and a period at Antwerp.
(At this time links between the West Riding and Germany were strong, with some German rag merchants settling locally. Not only were manufacturers doing extensive trade abroad, but also establishing shoddy and woollen mills overseas.).
In the census of 30 March 1851 he was listed as a scholar the son of Michael Sheard at Havercroft, Batley.²

George Sheard married Anne Whitworth, daughter of Charles Whitworth and Maria Nightingale, on 5 March 1857 at St. Peter's Church, Earlsheaton.³

He was listed as the head of household in the 7 April 1861 census at Staincliffe Hill, Batley, as a woollen manufacturer.⁴ By this time, with two small children and Annie pregnant again a housemaid and a nurse, Roberta Parker and Emma Roe , are employed.
In 1861 George was left one thousand two hundred and fifty pounds in his father's will, but this was part of a sum of money which George owed to his father on a promissory note.
In the 1860s he moved to Oakwell House, Birstall.
By now George had a second son, Percy,and a second daughter Florence was born in 1864, but it was while living at Birstall that his elder son Charles Michael died and was buried in the Churchyard there.
He was listed as the head of household in the 2 April 1871 census at Oakwell, Gomersal, as a woollen manufacturer.⁵ Two house servants are employed, Emma Jane Musgrave and Emma Birkett. With a fine house with stabling George now also employed a groom, Henry Firth.

Batley Trams

in 1874 George Sheard was one of the first directors of the Dewsbury , Batley and Birstal Tramways Company which ran the original horse drawn trams. When he saw a trial of a Merryweather steam tram designed for use in Paris, George was impressed and wanted to have a fleet of them for Batley, but Parliament refused the necessary legislation for a time, so only in 1879 did this become possible.⁶

George Sheard was a Governor of Batley Grammar School and Chairman of the managers of Batley Parish Church School.

The Woodlands, now the Bagshaw Museum

in 1875 George Sheard and Anne Sheard were living at "The Woodlands", a house designed for him by Sheard and Hanstock. Whilst Walter Hanstock is assumed responsible, one would that thought that Michael Sheard, George's brother, would have taken an interest in this scheme. We can, I think, assume my illustration to be Walter's work, for it closely resembles a watercolour of the house sometimes on view on the premises. this latter is signed by him and dated 1873, so was , I think, an illustration of what was yet to be built.
I believe a site at Gomersal was considered, which would account for Lindstrum listing it as there, but in the event it was built at Upper Batley, on land held on a 999 year lease from the Earl of Wilton. There was an annual ground rent of £66, but the building itself is said to have cost around £25,000, an enormous sum at the time.
The house saw many lavish occasions. The grounds are said to have been beautifully kept, and were made available for local functions. We hear of many spectators there for the wedding of his daughter Florence, and would suppose the same to have been the case for the marriage of his elder daughter Fanny.

George's time at the mills saw many changes; power looms replaced hand looms, the Hick Lane Mill had to be rebuilt after a fire in 1876, and Hick Well Mills were bought from the Burnley family. His father had retired from the business by 1861, and brothers John and Joseph retired early and both died relatively young. This left George and Benjamin in charge, the former in charge of buying and manufacturing, and Benjamin in charge of finishing and selling. George was in sole charge after Benjamin's death in 1891. His son Percy and nephew Benjamin came into the firm, but George is said to have been unable to take a holiday for some years, until he felt they had learnt enough to take responsibility.

He was listed as the head of household in the 3 April 1881 census at Upper Batley Lane, Batley, as a wol (sic) manufacturer.⁷
There are now three new domestic staff at the Woodlands Mary A Salman, Emma Day and Hannah Guyer.
Frederick Barker, gardener would have been living in the Lodge.

Silver Wedding

in 1882 George Sheard and Anne Sheard celebrated their Silver Wedding with a lavish Fancy Dress Ball. The invitation gives a hint of the garb which George was to wear on this occasion, but he has not felt able to forego his habitual beard, which provides an amusing contrast with his outfit!
There was a marquee on the lawn connected by a canvas passageway to the library entrance. Lighting was by gas lit chinese lanterns. There was a mishap when one of these ignited in the passageway, but luckily this was quickly put out and disaster averted.
There was dancing from eight o'clock until half past eleven, when supper was served.
I am pleased to see that the workpeople were not forgotten. We are told:-
"The same afternoon the workpeople of Hick Lane and Hick Well Mills were entertained to tea in the warehouse of the last named mill, about 540 sitting down to the tables. The tea was provided by the Batley Coffee House Company, at the conclusion of which dancing was indulged in to the strains of Hemingway's string band. In the lower room, the younger portion of the workpeople entertained themselves in games &c., a plentiful supply of orange and lemonade being distributed amongst them. the proceedings broke up at about half-past eleven o'clock, not, however before ringing cheers had been given for Mr. and Mrs. Sheard and family."⁸

George Sheard joined the Conservative party, and played an active role in local politics, becoming particularly prominent when his friend Joe Fox stood as candidate against the sitting MP, Serjeant Simon. Joe did not win , but won a substantial number of votes. It was under his leadership that Batley's large Conservative club was built.
In 1889 An account in the Times said that George Sheard had been selected to stand as Conservative candidate for the Dewsbury seat, in opposition to Mr Mark Oldroyd , described as the Gladstonian member, but he decided not to stand.⁹

In the 5 April 1891 census he was listed as the head of household at The Woodlands, Batley, as a woollen manufacturer and J.P. In one lodge is James Davis, gentleman's gardener, with wife and two children, and in the other Henry Firth, coachman, with wife and two children.¹⁰
George and Anne now employ a cook and two other domestic servants,, Isabella Appleton, Adelaide Hanley and Elizabeth Davis.
Both coachman Henry and new gardener James Davis are now living on the Woodlands premises.

In the 31 March 1901 census he was listed as the head of household at Woodlands, Upper Lane, Batley, as a woollen manufacturer, employer. A ladies companion, cook, two housemaids and a kitchen maid are now employed, while in the lodges are the coachman, George Thompson, a widower, and James Davis the gardener and his family.¹¹

In 1901 George was again pressed to be a candidate for the Dewsbury Constituency, but declined.
He died on 6 September 1902.
George's coffin was borne into Birstall Church by his former coachman and gardener, Henry Firth and James Davis and long-serving employees from Hick Lane and Hick Well Mills
and was buried on 9 September 1902 in the family vault at Birstall where his elder son was buried.¹²

George Sheard's home later became a museum through the efforts of Walter Bagshaw.

     Richard Arthur Sheard was born on 23 August 1842 at Batley. He was the son of Michael Sheard and Sarah Newsome. Richard Arthur Sheard was baptized on 2 October 1842 at Batley.
In the census of 30 March 1851 he was listed as a scholar the son of Michael Sheard at Havercroft, Batley.¹
In the census of 7 April 1861 Richard Arthur Sheard appeared as Arthur, a manufacturer, woollen in the household of Michael Sheard and Sarah at Dryfield House, Healey, Batley.²

Richard Arthur Sheard married Ellen Whitworth, daughter of Charles Whitworth and Maria Nightingale, on 28 April 1864 at Earlsheaton.³
Richard Arthur Sheard was still living at Healey in 1867.
By the 2 April 1871 census he was listed as the head of household in at Liversedge, Roberttown, as a cotton warp manufacturer.⁴
In 1878 Richard Arthur Sheard was listed as a cotton spinner and colliery owner at Balm Mills, Liversedge.⁵
In the census of 3 April 1881 he was listed as the head of household at Balmgate House, Liversedge, as a cotton spinner employing 135 persons.⁶
In the census of 5 April 1891 he was listed as the head of household at 5 Ash Grove, Horton, Bradford, as a cotton spinner.⁷

In 1894 Richard Arthur and Sons were listed as a cotton spinners and manufacturers at Balm Mills, Roberttown, Liversedge.
In the census of 31 March 1901 he was listed as the head of household at 13 Shearbridge Road, Bradford, as a mortgage and insurance broker on his own account.
He died on 29 January 1925 aged 82 and was buried in Batley cemetery.⁸

      Michael Sheard was also known as Michael the Elder
     a term presumably used at any time after the birth of his own son Michael, but particularly useful in distinguishing between their business interests when the latter was an adult, and when births in their families overlapped. Still useful to family historians attempting to differentiate between the various Michaels!

He was born circa 1776.¹ He was the son of George Sheard and Hannah Blakeley.
His baptism has not been found, and in first looking at this, although there were a few other Sheard researchers, none seemed to have made the connection with earlier parts of the tree. In fact his children's baptisms show him as Michael son of George in those useful Dade registers which show grandfathers' names, but because I had found the odd anomaly in these and this was an important link, I wanted to be sure, and looked for other evidence.
Thus:-
( i) His childrens' names names include a Hannah and a George after his parents
(ii) He married Sarah Lister, cousin of the Grace Lister his brother William married.
(iii) His eldest son, William, was baptised 25.12.1796, the same day as Hannah, daughter of another supposed brother, George. (older, next in age)
(iv) He was a witness at the marriage of above George Sheard and Ann Greenwood, on June 30th 1794. (signature resembles that at his own marriage.)
(v) His marriage was witnessed by Isaac Newsome, husband of sister Mary, and Thomas Lister.(Sarah's brother)
This exercise enabled me to clarify the connection with Benjamin Law's second wife, who was known to have been a Sheard.

Michael Sheard was indeed a witness at the marriages of four of his siblings:-.
He witnessed the marriage of Isaac Newsome and Mary Sheard on 28 May 1793 at Batley.²
He witnessed the marriage of George Sheard and Ann Greenwood on 30 June 1794 at Batley.²

Michael Sheard himself married Sarah Lister, daughter of Hannah Lister, on 24 June 1795 at Batley. Michael signed the Register but Sarah made her mark.²

He witnessed the second marriage of his sister Dinah Briggs to Sam Reyner on 27 January 1799 at Batley.²
He witnessed the marriage of Hannah Sheard and Robert Wilson on 27 December 1802 at Batley.²

As a child Michael probably expected a life like that of his father George, a clothier likely to have woven cloth at home on a hand loom, his wife spinning for him and the children helping with carding, winding bobbins, and stretching the cloth on tenter frames to dry after fulling. For fulling, to de-grease and "felt-up" the coarsely woven woollens which Batley produced, it was generally necessary to take the cloth to the Dewsbury fulling mills, since Batley Beck was not sufficient to power water driven fulling stocks, powerful hammers which pounded the cloth, or indeed the new spinning and carding machines.

Two major developments were to affect Michael's life in the woollen trade:-
firstly the development of steam power. This made it possible to carry out fulling and other mechanised processes locally. Batley clothiers clubbed together to found so called "company mills" to provide these facilities.³
Secondly was the invention, of Shoddy. Machines for tearing up rags to make stuffing already existed, but it was Batley clothier Benjamin Law who realised that it might be possible to use such a process to form a material with a consistency that could be re-processed to form new cloth.

In 1822 Michael Sheard and his son Michael Sheard were listed as flushing manufacturers in Baines Directory.⁴

Foundation of Hick Lane Mill

In 1823 Michael Sheard was a member of the Company which founded Hick Lane Mill, said by Willans to have been the first specifically for the making of cloth from Shoddy.⁵ He and Michael Spedding were two of those mentioned in the fourth part of a deed as in occupation of "that large and commodious scribbling and fulling mill lately erected" ------- this on a piece of land near Rouse Mill , and mentioning appurtenances and rights to draw water from Wooler Beck to work a steam engine or engines.
This must refer to Hick Lane Mill.

Since Benjamin Law's wife Lydia was his cousin, it could have been through this connection that he was one of those drawn into this development of the new process.
In 1829 Pigot's directory of Dewsbury lists Michael and George, Batley, as flushing and drugget manufacturers.
In 1834 Pigot's directory of Dewsbury lists Sheard Michael & Son, Batley as flushing and drugget manufacturers
also Sheard Spedding and Co, Hick Lane Mills as scribbling and fulling millers.⁶

The death of John Burnley in 1836 saw his heirs pulling out of the Hick Lane Mill , leaving Michael Spedding, Michael Sheard, Joseph Jubb and Phineas and David Fox.⁷

Sheard Spedding and Co.

This seems to have been the business associated with Hick Lane Mill.
In 1837 the firm of Sheard and Spedding was one of a number of local firms fined for offences against the Factory Acts.

Michael Sheard made a will on 29 November 1836; in which he left one of his four shares in Hick Lane Mill, then in the occupation of Messsrs Sheard, Spedding & Co., to his son George. The other three shares and his other properties were to be divided between his two elder sons George Sheard, Michael Sheard and Joseph Parker.

Michael Sheard died on 4 February 1837.⁸
He was buried on 9 February 1837 at Batley.²
Michael Sheard's  gravestone survives in the Parish churchyard, and from it we learn of more children who died in infancy than are otherwise recorded, whilst the wording tells us that they died of consumption.⁸

     Sarah Lister was born in 1778 at Batley.¹ She was the daughter of Hannah Lister. Sarah Lister was baptized on 26 April 1778 at Batley.¹
She married Michael Sheard, son of George Sheard and Hannah Blakeley, on 24 June 1795 at Batley Michael signed the Register but Sarah made her mark.¹
Sarah Sheard died on 28 March 1840 at Batley.²

     William Sheard was born on 19 November 1796 at Batley.¹ He was the son of Michael Sheard and Sarah Lister. William Sheard was baptized on 25 December 1796 at Batley.¹
He died in 1797 at Batley. He was buried on 17 January 1797 at Batley.¹

     David Sheard was born on 5 September 1800 at Batley. He was the son of Michael Sheard and Sarah Lister.
David Sheard was baptized on 19 October 1800 at Batley.¹
He married Martha Talbot, daughter of John Talbot and Hannah Carr, on 5 July 1821 at Batley witnesses being Abraham Newsome and James Talbot. The couple were married on the same day as Martha's cousin Elizabeth Talbot married Benjamin Senior.¹
David Sheard was a witness to the marriage of Elizabeth and Benjamin.¹
David Sheard, clothier died on 3 January 1838 at Batley at age 37 leaving his wife Martha a widow with nine children.² He was buried on 5 January 1838 at Batley.¹

     Hannah Sheard was born on 4 February 1803 at Batley.¹ She was the daughter of Michael Sheard and Sarah Lister. Hannah Sheard was baptized on 20 February 1803 at Batley.¹
She married Henry Brearley, son of Robert Brearley and Dorothy Hall, on 31 May 1827 at Batley witnesses were Mary Sheard and Samuel Harrison.¹
In the census of 6 June 1841 Hannah Brearley was listed at Batley as wife of Henry Brearley.²
In the census of 30 March 1851 Hannah Brearley was listed at Havercroft, Batley, as wife of Henry Brearley.³
In 1855Hannah Sheard inherited £200 in the will of her brother George Sheard.
In the census of 7 April 1861 Hannah Brearley was listed at Wellington Street, Batley, as wife of Henry Brearley.⁴
Hannah Brearley died on 7 September 1865 at Batley at age 62.⁵ She was buried on 9 September 1865 at Batley.¹

     Sarah Sheard was born on 20 January 1805. She was the daughter of Michael Sheard and Sarah Lister. Sarah Sheard was baptized on 10 February 1805 at Batley.¹
She married William Brooke, son of John Brooke and Elizabeth (?), on 29 September 1828 at Batley witnesses David Fox and Joseph Chadwick.¹
In the census of 6 June 1841 Sarah Brooke was listed at Havercroft, Batley, as wife of William Brooke.²
Sarah Sheard died on 3 April 1844 at age 39. She was buried on 5 April 1844.¹

     George Sheard was born on 4 February 1807 at Batley. He was the son of Michael Sheard and Sarah Lister. George Sheard was baptized on 1 March 1807 at Batley.¹
He married Mary Wilson, daughter of Daniel Wilson and Letitia Fox, on 25 July 1831 at Batley. He wrote his name, she made her mark. Witnesses were Jeremiah Chadwick and Joseph Clarkson.¹
The will of his father Michael Sheard the Elder, who died in 1837, left to George Sheard "one of my shares or an equal undivided fourth part or share of and in all his shares, right and interest of and in all that mill or factory situated at Batley aforesaid commonly called the Hick Lane Mill and now in the occupation of Messieurs Sheard, Spedding and Company." George was a trustee for the remaining three shares and other properties., and he and his mother were to carry on the partnership business currently carried on by Michael and son George.
In the census of 6 June 1841 he was listed as the head of household at Hick Lane, Batley, as a Woollen manufacturer, with one female servant Hannah Turner.²
1844 saw George Sheard and Abraham Burnley representing Batley interests on the provisional Committee of the proposed Leeds, Dewsbury and Manchester Junction Railway, chaired by Leeds manufacturer John Gott.³
In 1845 George Sheard was an executor for the will of William Colbeck.⁴
In the census of 30 March 1851 he was listed as the head of household at Commercial St. North side, Batley, as a woollen mfr. I male and one female servant are employed. A daughter Hannah is present, listed here as Hannah Sheard; but not present in the earlier census. this would appear to be an illegitimate daughter now taken into the family, as she was later married under the name Beecroft, but as George's daughter.

He appears to have been involved in three businesses:-

A Firm of 2 employing 74 men 2 women.⁵
This can I believe be identified as the partnership Sheard and Senior
George Sheard and Benjamin Senior were were living close to each other at the top of Hick Lane. Both mention a firm of 74 men, and in George's case 21 women, in Benjamin's case 22 women.
The partnership of George and Benjamin as Rag Merchants and woollen Manufacturers was dissolved by mutual consent on the 24th of March1854.^5,6

A Firm of 6 employing 5 men, one boy

A Firm of 3 employing 76(?) men 1 woman, 18 boys and 11 girls (these figures not very clear).

George Sheard made a will in 1855.⁷ He died in 1855 at Batley.
He was buried on 7 May 1855 at Batley.¹

George seems to me to get neglected in the story of the Sheards. He died quite young, and we are told "Death at an early age seems to have been a common occurrence among the early prominent men of Batley. Prominent among them stands Mr. George Sheard of Hick Lane, whose end came when he had just made a position in the town, and at 48 years of age. Reviewing his contemporaries, and placing them in juxtaposition, he stood head and shoulders above them in all the essentials associated with a successful man of business.

     Benjamin Sheard was born on 22 September 1809 at Batley. He was the son of Michael Sheard and Sarah Lister. Benjamin Sheard was baptized on 15 October 1809 at Batley.
He married Margaret Gledhill, daughter of Joseph Gledhill and Sarah Briggs, on 17 August 1829 at Batley witnesses George Newsome, John Chadwick.¹
In the census of 6 June 1841 he was listed as the head of household at Havercroft, Batley, Innkeeper, with family & female servant Mariah Auty.²
In the census of 30 March 1851 he was listed as the head of household at Havercroft, Batley, as a cloth manufacturer.³

It has been something of a puzzle as to what became of Benjamin after this, and the search for him has been very much a joint effort with several of us on his trail. It is now clear that he left England for Australia in 1852.

He sailed from Liverpool on the 1500 ton "Delta", a Liverpool "Eagle" Line packet, which was scheduled to leave for Melbourne on 17 July 1852. This would have been a sailing ship, and a cheaper option, with fares at £20 second class and £50 first, than the thirty to eighty guinea fares for the 3500 ton steam ship "Great Britain" which was scheduled to make a voyage to Australia the following month.⁴
On 19 October 1852 Benjamin was recorded as arriving in Australia on the Delta. He was an unassisted passenger, listed as a manufacturer, married, but travelling alone. We do not know the reason for his voyage, but it is conceivable that his mission was to buy wool. There were concerns at the time that the Gold Rush affecting Australia would lead to flocks of sheep being unattended, with consequent shortages.^5,6

Wharever the original purpose, we now know that Benjamin remained in Australia, and was to have a second family there.
On 4 September 1853 he made an apparently bigamous second marriage to Eliza Downie, daughter of Alexander Downie, at St Francis Catholic Church, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.^5,7

His English family would seem to have still hoped for his return, and evidence found is in the form of an advertisement in the Melbourne press on 16 June 1855 asking a Benjamin Sheard who left Liverpool in July 1852 to communicate his address to a firm , Michaelis Boyd and Co. of 35 Flinders lane East, Melbourne. . This fits well with enquiries which would have been made following the provisions of his brother George's will, in which he was left £200 subject to his presence in England at George's decease or within the following twelve months. Michaelis Boyd appear to be a firm of merchants and shipping agents and an understandable channel for such an enquiry.⁸

Benjamin Sheard died on 23 June 1873 at 2 Block plt, Sydney road, Coburg, Bourke County, New South Wales, Australia, at age 63.⁷

     Margaret Sheard was born on 23 February 1812 at Batley. She was the daughter of Michael Sheard and Sarah Lister. Margaret Sheard was baptized on 29 March 1812 at Batley.¹
She married David Fox, son of David Fox and Rebecca Hall, on 27 August 1832 at Batley witnesses Michael Sheard, Joseph Chadwick.¹
In the census of 6 June 1841 Margaret Fox was listed at Batley as wife of David Fox.²
In the census of 30 March 1851 Margaret Fox was listed at 62 Great George Street, Bermondsey, London, as wife of David Fox.³
In 1855 Margaret Sheard was legacy of £250 in will of brother George Sheard.
She died in 1857. She was buried on 1 December 1857 at Nunhead Cemetery, Southwark, ; as of Great George St.⁴

     Grace Sheard was born in 1814 at Batley. She was the daughter of Michael Sheard and Sarah Lister. Grace Sheard was baptized on 13 November 1814 at Batley.¹
She died on 18 October 1815 at Batley. She was buried on 20 October 1815 at Batley.¹

     Grace Sheard was born in 1816 at Batley. She was the daughter of Michael Sheard and Sarah Lister. Grace Sheard was baptized on 17 November 1816 at Batley.¹
She married Joseph Megson, son of Samuel Megson, on 8 March 1838 at Batley Witnesses were George Sheard and Joseph Chadwick.¹
In the census of 6 June 1841 Grace Megson was listed at Ossett as wife of Joseph Megson.²
In the census of 30 March 1851 Grace Megson was listed at Gawthorp Lane, Ossett, as wife of Joseph Megson.³
Grace Sheard died in 1851. She was buried on 13 October 1851 at St Paul, Hanging Heaton.⁴

     John Sheard was born in 1818 at Batley. He was the son of Michael Sheard and Sarah Lister. John Sheard was baptized on 27 December 1818 at Batley.¹
He died on 6 February 1820 at Batley. He was buried on 8 February 1820 at churchyard, Batley, ; aged 1.¹

     Susanna Lister Sheard was born in 1820 at Batley. She was the daughter of Michael Sheard and Sarah Lister. Susanna Lister Sheard was baptized on 21 May 1820 at Batley.
She died on 14 December 1822 at Batley.

     William Sheard died at Batley; in infancy. From gravestone of his parents. He was buried at Batley. He was born at Batley. He was the son of Michael Sheard and Sarah Lister.

     Mary (?) was born circa 1792 at Littleborough, Lancs.. She married Thomas Binns.
In the census of 6 June 1841 she was listed as the head of household at Birkenshaw, Birstall.¹
In the census of 30 March 1851 she was listed as the head of household at Birkenshaw Bottoms as a widow aged 59.²
Mary Binns died in 1851 at Birkenshaw. She was buried on 2 December 1851 at St Paul, Birkenshaw, ; as of Birkenshaw Bottoms and relict of Thomas, a weaver.³

     Thomas Sheard was born at Batley. He was the son of Michael Sheard and Sarah Lister. Thomas Sheard died; in infancy - from gravestone.

     George Sheard was born in 1740 at Birstall. He was the son of Jonas Sheard and Dinah Kirk. George Sheard was baptized on 14 September 1740 at Birstall as son of Jonas Sheard of Great Gomersal.¹
He married Hannah Blakeley, daughter of Benjamin Blakeley and Sarah Johnson, on 14 November 1762 at Batley witness Michael Sheard.²

George Sheard married Hannah Lister on 12 October 1795 at Batley one of the witnesses was Isaac Newsome, his son-in-law.²
George Sheard married Elizabeth Cowling on 11 March 1811 at Batley by banns. I now believe this to be his third marriage. Witnesses were Jeremiah Chadwick and another name which is hard to read, possibly Webster. This explains a marriage which it has been hard to fit into my researches into the Batley Sheards, and a newspaper entry speaks of the groom aged 72 (this is a year out, but in his 72nd year) as father of nine, grandfather of forty-six, and great-grandfather of six all said to be living. If we discount some who died these numbers are of the right order for this George. Elizabeth was said to be only 19!^2,3

     Harriot Lodge was the daughter of William Lodge. Harriot Lodge married Samuel Senior, son of John Senior and Ann Haigh, on 11 October 1838 at The Parish Church, Emley.¹
In the census of 6 June 1841 she was listed as aged 25 in the household of Ann Senior at Skelmanthorpe.²

     John Sheard was born on 7 May 1763 at Batley. He was the son of George Sheard and Hannah Blakeley. John Sheard was baptized on 3 June 1763 at Batley.¹
He married Maria Blakeley, daughter of John Blakeley and Sarah Swallow, on 22 November 1784 at Batley both make their marks. Witnessed by William Blakeley and Thomas Parr.¹
On 23 June 1801 John Sheard joined the recently founded Nelson of the Nile Masonic Lodge.²
He, with Benjamin Law and George Newsome, was in partnership with a London woollen draper and warehouseman James Gunnis, who probably acted as their agent. In 1808 Law withdrew from the partnership.³

John Sheard died in 1815 at Batley.
He was buried on 4 February 1815 at Batley ; aged 51.¹