282 History of the 



soke mills, as confirmed by the decree of the Duchy Court in 

 1785, and giving notice to all the inhabitants of the Forest, that it 

 was the firm determination of John Brooks, Esq., of Sunnyside, 

 and S. A. Lord, Esq., of Newchurch, the then owners of the mills, 

 to rigorously enforce the ancient custom, and offering a reward of 

 five pounds to any person giving such evidence as would be 

 considered sufficient proof to ground an action, or other legal 

 proceedings against defaulters. The explanation of this is, that in 

 the year named (1859), the late William Sutcliffe, being in treaty 

 for the lease or purchase of the mills from the then owners, 

 questioned whether any actual and assessable value attached to the 

 ancient exclusive rights ; and consequently he declined to take 

 into account any such supposititious value unless its tangibility 

 were proved. It was therefore with the object of affording proof 

 of such alleged value that the placard was issued. It is needless 

 to add that* the result was to corroborate the view entertained by 

 Mr. Sutcliffe as to the want of value in the claim. 



The corn mill at Bacup was built in 1826, by Hoyle and 

 Atkinson, on a portion of a close of land called " Stansfield 

 Meadow ;" but this firm having failed before commencing to work 

 the mill, it was assigned, in 1827, to Peel (engineer). Bates 

 (millwright), and Holt (builder). A further transfer of the 

 property was made in 1828 to Richard Heyworth and Edmund 

 Whitaker, who in turn sold it to William Thompson, John Hill, 

 and William Sutcliffe, in the year 1831. This latter firm began to 

 work it as a corn mill, under the name of James Thompson and 

 Son. Hill died shortly afterwards, and Thompson, in 1859, sold 

 his share to Sutcliffe, who then became the sole owner. In 1863 

 the name of the firm was altered to William Sutcliffe and Son. 

 For a consideration of ;^30 per annum, paid to S. A. Lord, the 

 owner of Boothfold mill, the mill at Bacup takes the mulcture of 

 the district down to Stacksteads. Rawtenstall mill was rebuilt in 

 1S57, by John Brooks, Esq., of Crawshaw Hall; and is also 

 worked by the Messrs. Sutcliffe. Another extensive corn mill, also 

 at Rawtenstall, was built in 1886 by the latter firm. 



