Shirecliffe Hall

[dunsbyowl1867]

Any further information?

Picture Sheffield Image

Death 1853

[neddy]

Any further information?

Picture Sheffield Image

Death 1853

Would have been near here, the entrance to the Helliport--football grounds,

http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=53.401397&a...r=0&src=msl

[Lyn 1]

It was used as part of Shirecliffe college until a few years ago. I think it still stands but has been turned into flats.

[Guest Gramps]

Any further information?

Picture Sheffield Image

The house in that photo is the replacement for the old hall. Joseph Hunter suggests it was built in the 18th. century either on the site of the old hall or near to it. When he was writing Hallamshire he claimed there was nothing remaining of the ancient manor house.

Hunter says that before the Conquest 'Shiercliffe' was part of the Saxon manor of Grimesthorpe. After the Conquest it was absorbed into the manor of Sheffield but later became the property of the De Mounteney family of Cowley Manor in Ecclesfied who were granted permission to empark much of the Shirecliffe area. Part of this deer park was later known as the Old Park Wood.

It seems that the manor of 'Shiercliffe', except for the house, was sold to George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury in the 1580s. From that time the house was occupied by farmers and various others of no real note. Can't tell you who rebuilt it as a country residence, although I'd like to know myself.

[dunsbyowl1867]

The house in that photo is the replacement for the old hall. Joseph Hunter suggests it was built in the 18th. century either on the site of the old hall or near to it. When he was writing Hallamshire he claimed there was nothing remaining of the ancient manor house.

Hunter says that before the Conquest 'Shiercliffe' was part of the Saxon manor of Grimesthorpe. After the Conquest it was absorbed into the manor of Sheffield but later became the property of the De Mounteney family of Cowley Manor in Ecclesfied who were granted permission to empark much of the Shirecliffe area. Part of this deer park was later known as the Old Park Wood.

It seems that the manor of 'Shiercliffe', except for the house, was sold to George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury in the 1580s. From that time the house was occupied by farmers and various others of no real note. Can't tell you who rebuilt it as a country residence, although I'd like to know myself.

One of this lot I imagine !

RE Leader

" * In 1741 Mr. William Watson was elected a Town Trustee; he

resigned in 1784, but he lived Until 1791 when he died at Hags House, near

Cannon Hall, Firvale, at the great age of ninety-seven. He was popularly

known as " Fecky (Confectioner) Watson "; and Hunter appends to his

pedigree (in " Familae Minorum Gentium ") the remark, " said to have been

a confectioner.'' He had twenty-three children, of whom William

Watson, of Shirecliffe, died 1793, was the eldest and last survivor. This

William, and another son Thomas, were also vintners. ~ Expenses at

Mr. Watson's, junior," appear in the Burgery accounts in 1749; after that

the entries are sometimes ~ Thomas Watson's,~ or ~ William Watson~s,~

or simply ~ Watson's." Thomas Watson, who pre-deceased his father,

was landlord of the first ~ George," in 1761. His sons, Thomas and

John, inherited the Hartshead property, and of these Thomas, who died

in 1832, continued in the business there into the nineteenth century. In

1796 Mr. Montgomery, writing from York Castle, directing payment of

sundry small debts, says: ~ I owe Thomas Watson, innkeeper in the

Hartshead, something for horse hire to Doncaster. I also owe the other

old Thomas, who lives there and lends horses, a trifle.'' The brother of

this Thomas Watson, John, attorney, succeeded his uncle William at

Shirecliffe Hall, and was the father of that honoured citizen, Sir Henry

Edmund Watson, whose decease (February 17, I90l) is recorded as this

page is passing through the press."

[Guest Gramps]

....and on page 10 -

"Already when Mr. Banks, the attorney, who is one of Mr. Arthur Jackson's instances of the successful accumulation of seventeenth century wealth, lived at Shirecliffe Hall, that house had been shorn of its ancient honours and had been divided into three;"

I think I have read somewhere the later history f the house, - will have to dig deeper. There might be more in Gatty's revision of Hallamshire but I don't have that.

I hadn't notice that reference to Hags House before. It is shown on the 1850s OS map and was presumably demolished when the new workhouse was built.

[dunsbyowl1867]

....and on page 10 -

"Already when Mr. Banks, the attorney, who is one of Mr. Arthur Jackson's instances of the successful accumulation of seventeenth century wealth, lived at Shirecliffe Hall, that house had been shorn of its ancient honours and had been divided into three;"

I think I have read somewhere the later history f the house, - will have to dig deeper. There might be more in Gatty's revision of Hallamshire but I don't have that.

I hadn't notice that reference to Hags House before. It is shown on the 1850s OS map and was presumably demolished when the new workhouse was built.

From Old Sheffield Town - Edward Vickers

'Shirecliffe - the name comes from Scir-cliff - meaning 'a bright steep hillside' Shirecliffe of 'Shiercliffe' was the ancient estate of the De Mountenay family, decendents of Sir Robert de Mounteney , grandson of Maud de Lovetot, in the time of Henry III. The sear of the de Mounteney's was Shirecliffe Hall, a fine house unfortunately demolished in the early eighteen hundreds.'

[dunsbyowl1867]

The house in that photo is the replacement for the old hall. Joseph Hunter suggests it was built in the 18th. century either on the site of the old hall or near to it. When he was writing Hallamshire he claimed there was nothing remaining of the ancient manor house.

Hunter says that before the Conquest 'Shiercliffe' was part of the Saxon manor of Grimesthorpe. After the Conquest it was absorbed into the manor of Sheffield but later became the property of the De Mounteney family of Cowley Manor in Ecclesfied who were granted permission to empark much of the Shirecliffe area. Part of this deer park was later known as the Old Park Wood.

It seems that the manor of 'Shiercliffe', except for the house, was sold to George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury in the 1580s. From that time the house was occupied by farmers and various others of no real note. Can't tell you who rebuilt it as a country residence, although I'd like to know myself.

Sounds like a bargain!

from National Archives web site

Lease WYL230/2142 3 May 1572

These documents are held at West Yorkshire Archive Service, Leeds

Contents:

From William Ingleby of Goldsborough, Esq., to William Burrus of Shyrtlyf (Shirecliffe) Hall in the parish of Sheffield and Margaret his wife, the messuage called Shirecliffe Hall in the parish of Sheffield with lands etc., for William's lifetime at £5. 6s. 8d. annual rent.

[dunsbyowl1867]

Another document from National Archives

Item details C 241/29/54

C Records created, acquired, and inherited by Chancery, and also of the Wardrobe, Royal Household, Exchequer and various commissions

Division within C Records of the Petty Bag Office

C 241 Chancery: Certificates of Statute Merchant and Statute Staple

C 241/29

Record Summary

Scope and content

Debtor: Robert, the son of William Breton, of ?Triben, and Thomas, the son of Robert de Monteney, of Shirecliffe {Schirecleue} [sheffield, Strafforth Wapentake, W.R., Yorks.].

Creditor: William de Normanton, and Ralph de Ufton, burgess(es) {Burgens'} of Nottingham.

Amount: £20.

Before whom: Adam le Palmer, Mayor of Nottingham; John de Rempstone, Clerk.

First term: 15/09/1296

Last term: 15/09/1296

Writ to: Sheriff of Yorks

Sent by: Reginald de Acre, Mayor of Nottingham; John de Rempstone, Clerk.

Covering dates 1296 Nov 3

Availability Open Document, Open Description, Open on Transfer

Held by

The National Archives, Kew

[dunsbyowl1867]

From Sheffield Archives

Deeds relating to the Manors of Cowley, Shirecliffe and Hesley ACM/SD/125-127, 169, 297 1560-1588

These documents are held at Sheffield Archives

5 deeds

Contents:

The property of John Thwayte of Marston (Yorks.), who settled Shirecliffe on his daughter Ann, on her marriage to William Inglebye of Ripley (Settlement, 1560); conveyed to George, Earl of Shrewsbury in 1572. Includes Exemplification of Inspeximus of deeds of the Thwaytes relating to the property.

[dunsbyowl1867]

Sounds like a bargain!

from National Archives web site

Lease WYL230/2142 3 May 1572

These documents are held at West Yorkshire Archive Service, Leeds

Contents:

From William Ingleby of Goldsborough, Esq., to William Burrus of Shyrtlyf (Shirecliffe) Hall in the parish of Sheffield and Margaret his wife, the messuage called Shirecliffe Hall in the parish of Sheffield with lands etc., for William's lifetime at £5. 6s. 8d. annual rent.

Folder icon Lease WYL230/2139 23 Jun 1570

These documents are held at West Yorkshire Archive Service, Leeds

Contents:

From William Inglebye of Goldsborough, Esq., and Anne his wife, to William Burrus of Shirecliffe Hall within the parish of Sheffield, yeoman, and Margaret his wife of the messuage called Shirecliffe Hall in the parish of Sheffield and lands for 21 years at the annual rent of 8 marks.

[dunsbyowl1867]

From Old Sheffield Town - Edward Vickers

'Shirecliffe - the name comes from Scir-cliff - meaning 'a bright steep hillside' Shirecliffe of 'Shiercliffe' was the ancient estate of the De Mountenay family, decendents of Sir Robert de Mounteney , grandson of Maud de Lovetot, in the time of Henry III. The sear of the de Mounteney's was Shirecliffe Hall, a fine house unfortunately demolished in the early eighteen hundreds.'

Folder icon Inquisition post mortem of Robert Mowntney ACM/SD/417 [1519]

These documents are held at Sheffield Archives

Contents:

Who held the Manors of Cowlev (Colley) and Shirecliffe of George, Earl of Shrewsbury, as of the Manor of Sheffield. Other property in detail. He died 5th August, 1519 and his heir was John his son, aged eleven.

[Bayleaf]

From Pawson & Brailsford's Illustrated guide to Sheffield and Neighbourhood 1862

SHIRECLIFFE.

Shirecliffe is a spot as noted in the poetry of Elliott as the Valley of the Rivelin; and equally beautiful. It is, indeed, peculiarly interesting to the admirers of Elliott, as the spot where was situated the "gospel tree," under which "the Ranter," in the poem of that title, went on Sundays to preach.

The peculiar title of " gospel tree," is not very appropriate, for the gospel preached in the poem consists principally of a denunciation of the Corn Laws and their supporters, mingled with sweet descriptive touches.

Elliott himself stated that he drew this picture from life; and it seems probable that the actual spot described in the poem was once used as a place for preaching. The tree, which unfortunately no longer stands, was an ash; and Elliott drove a nail into it that his friends should be able to recognise it.

We shall endeavour to describe the scene as it exists at the present time. First as to the road: The visitor will find an omnibus that will convey him to the Pitsmoor toll-bar, from which it is not more than ten minutes' walk to the spot where the "gospel tree" stood.

He turns up Shirecliffe-lane, at the top of which, on the left, are the gates of Shirecliffe Hall, once the seat of the ancient family of the Mounteneys, but now the residence of the Watsons.

A little beyond the gates there is a fine view of the adjoining country, reaching out as far as the villages of Handsworth and Laughton-en-le-Morthen.

A little further on, to the left, we turn off into a quarry, and a pretty steep ascent leads us to the scene we have set out to visit.

Formerly a view of the country on all sides could be obtained from one spot ; but the summit from which this was possible has been cut away in the quarrying operations. To see the whole district, therefore, it is necessary to go to places some little distance apart; and, passing from that where may be seen an expanse of country which includes Hoober Stand and Keppel's Pillar, we come to the principal view, an outline of which is given in the accompanying illustration.

It is scarcely possible to imagine a more magnificent sight than is presented in the stretch of country laid out before the gaze. Three distinct ranges of hills undulate in the midst of the landscape, while these again are backed by lofty prominences, which tower up in the far distance, and mingle with their purple hues in the serene blue that is over all.

In the middle distance two rivers, bright in the golden sunbeams, gracefully meander through the green fertile earth.

Here a church spire rises up through the surrounding foliage ; there a slender bridge spans the placid stream; while yonder a chimney top peeps out through the green trees, the blue smoke curling lazily upwards.

In the valley we see a fortress-like building of stone, extending over a wide range of ground; and this is backed by houses rising row above row on the hillside.

At our very feet where we stand, a sea of green boughs stretches further than the eye can reach-its varying hues brought out in marked contrast by the bright sunshine, and the gentle, breezy rustling of the leaves mingling harmoniously with the sweet notes of the birds and the busy hum of the short-lived summer fly.

The visitor cannot mistake the spot from which this view is to be obtained, in consequence of the very prosaic notice-" No Road"-put up on the tree on the right that skirts the eminence on which it stands. Though the " gospel tree" no longer exists, the place thus marked cannot be far from the site where it originally stood.

It is necessary to remark that the accompanying sketch of this magnificent view merely gives a general outline of its leading features, for the obvious reason that it is so crowded with objects that it was impossible to represent them within so limited a space.

Following the panoramic scene before us, let us trace the objects somewhat in detail. The mass of foliage at our feet indicates that below runs the Old Park and Cook Woods, extending on our right for some two miles, and on the left for perhaps a mile-in fact into the suburbs close to the town, which year after year encroaches upon its limits and threatens before very long its entire destruction, in the resistless march of brick and mortar.

Of the three large hills which front us, that on the left comprises the suburb of Walkley, and its rising sides are covered with the freehold-land allotments and building-society tenements which are such pleasing tokens of the thrift of our working men. The Walkley hill shelves down on one side to the valley of the Don, and on the other to the Rivelin, which runs hidden from our view at the back of Walkley.

The eminence in the middle is the range on whose side stands Stannington, with its church; and the third hill, on the right, gives local habitation to the villagers of Loxley.

Between the verdant undulations of the Stannington and Loxley eminences and the brick-clad sides of Walkley hill, the Bradfield moors, clad in their purple heather, stretch across in the hazy background.

Let us now come down to the comparatively level space between the foot of these eminences and the Old Park Wood at our feet. The hills surrounding the large valley below give it the shape of an amphitheatre, any great spectacle performed in which might be fully seen either from where we stand, or from any of the other eminences which are around it.

The most prominent object is the vast pile of buildings on the left; which look as though they had been built in anticipation of a siege. These are the Barracks.

In front of them winds the River Loxley. About the centre of the low land is the village of Hillsbro', where the Rivelin joins the Loxley, and both mingle with the waters of the Don, a short distance nearer Sheffield.

The St. Philip's burial-ground is visible amidst the trees at our feet, on the right; and the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincoln shire Railway runs close to the burial-ground.

It is very curious every now and then to see a thin volume of steam ascend gracefully out of the trees at our feet, and steal along until the cover of the foliage is passed, when the train dashes into sight and hurries as with irresistible power into the far distance.

A passing railway train is visible in the illustration, but there is no trace of a bridge over the river near the same spot, this. having been constructed since the sketch was taken.

[Ponytail]

The old Shirecliffe Hall?

Shirecliff Hall farm with some contiguous lands in Brightside Bierlow. 1762.

Surveyed for the Duke of Norfolk.

https://www.picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?keywords=Ref_No_increment;EQUALS;arc04005&pos=1379&action=zoom&id=103139

1 Shire Acre Hill, 2 Oaken Bank or Hand Bank, 3 Coach Way, 4 Cook Wood, 5 Nether Long Lanes, 6 Lane, 7 Upper Long Lands, 8 Far Robinsons Field, 9 Near Robinson Field, 10 two Cottages, Orchard and Garden, 11 Kitchen Greave, 12 Little Kitchen Greave, 13 Great Pond Meadow, 14 Little Pond Meadow, 15 Upper Pond Meadow, 16 Great Pear Tree Field, 17 Paddock, 18 Shirecliffe Hall, Outhouses, Yard, Orchards, Garden, Ponds, etc., 19 Little Pear Tree Field, 20 Waste hill with lane on both sides, the woods, 21 Crossley Buskes, 22 Long Crossleys, 23 Middle Crossleys, 24 Little Crossleys, 25 Great Crossleys, 26 Crossley Lane, 27 Yew Tree Field, 28 Little Patterson Flat, 29 Great Pattern Flat, 30 Slate Delf Field, 31 Nearer Little [Stubbd?] Piece, 32 Green Field, 34 - 40 Tofts, 41 A Little Lane, 42 Little Roe Wood, 43 Great Roe Wood, 44 Seven Acres, 45 Four Acres, 46 - 47 Five Acres, 48 - 49 Two Acres, 50 Little Cockshutt, 51 Great Cockshutt, 52 Great Subbd Piece, 53 Little Stubbd Piece, 54 A Little Paddock adjoining, 55 - 56 Tofts, 57 Shaw Gate, 58 Breirley Field, 59 Little Busk Meadow, 60 Lamb Field, 61 Busk Meadow, 62 New [?Boar] Leys, 63 Far [?Boar] Leys. Also shows 'The Old Park'.

 

[Ponytail]

North Main Window facing the main entrance, Sheffield Cathedral, Church Street. July 1990.

s38334

This window originally comprised the West Window, being erected in 1881 by Sir Henry Watson of Shirecliffe Hall in memory of his parents. In the Upper Tracery are scared symbols and monograms, and the principal group of figures represents St. Peter preaching to Cornelius. The lower panels depict scenes from the lives of St. Peter and St. Paul.

 

[Ponytail]

Link to:

Shirecliffe Hall. 

questions Folly/Church. 

https://www.sheffieldhistory.co.uk/forums/topic/5647-shirecliffe-hall/

 

 

[neddy]

Old map, showing position of old Shirecliffe  Hall and new.