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Jonathan Stansfield and Blacko Tower

Jonathan Stansfield built Blacko Tower in the early 1890s upon his own land. In his "Annals of Barrowford" Jesse Blakey states that Jonathan Stansfield bought Old House Farm and One Tree Farms in later life and that he built Blacko Tower on land belonging to the latter. This seems to be wrong to me, as far as I am aware the One Tree Farm at the base of Pendle Hill is the only one of this name in the area - I am willing to stand corrected if anyone knowsof another one.

In the later 19th century, following his purchase of Old house Farm it would appear that Stansfield renamed the building as Stansfield's House. The farm is now called Blacko Tower Farm. He also built a number of properties in Barrowford in the earlier 19thc, many around the Old Row.

Stansfield had delved into many small business ventures throughout the mid-19th century - he tried running the Old Mill in Barrowford Park but lost money. His father ran a beer shop at the bottom of Halstead Lane which Jonathan also seems to have been involved in. He does seem to have been successful in the running of the grocery and drapery store, taken over from his father, in the Halstead Lane, Jonathan Street area. This must have brought in enough money for him to eventually purchase the two farms aforementioned.

The standard reason given for Stansfield building Blacko Tower is so that he could see into neighbouring Ribblesdale where his sweetheart was born. This, to my mind at least, is utter tosh! His wife was born in Marsden (Nelson) for a start. He is said to have told an enquirer that "I have never smoked or drunk in my life so I am doing this." Personally I think that he had the tower built as a matter of ego and self-gratification. He would be well aware of the legend of the Lancashire Witches whereby Malkin Tower was a central theme - in this Victorian era the legend had gained new credence through the writings of W.H Ainsworth, the erection of the tower was possibly a romantic gesture. The building of this structure can also be seen as a male stamping authority on a female landscape - or as a phallic symbol. What is certain is that Stansfield would be aware that the tower would dominate the landscape for miles around and would serve as a personal memorial to himself for a long time to come

Jonathan Stansfield died in 1894 at the age of 71.

FOLLOWING IS AN EXTRACT FROM THE 1881 CENSUS:

Dwelling: Back St John St
Census Place: Barrowford Booth, Lancashire, England
Source: FHL Film 1341998 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 4165 Folio 103 Page 35
Marr Age sex rthplace
Jonathan STANSFIELD M 58 M Colne, Lancashire, England
Rel: Head
Occ: Grocer & Draper
Ellen STANSFIELD M 56 F Marsden, Lancashire, England
Rel: Wife
Occ: Domestic Assistant
Willie STANSFIELD U 24 M Barrowford, Lancashire, England
Rel: Son
Occ: Labourer
Mary STANSFIELD U 22 F Barrowford, Lancashire, England
Rel: Daur
Occ: Grocers Assistant
David STANSFIELD U 21 M Barrowford, Lancashire, England
Rel: Son
Occ: Grocers Assistant
James STANSFIELD U 17 M Barrowford, Lancashire, England
Rel: Son
Occ: Carter
Sarah STANSFIELD 14 F Barrowford, Lancashire, England
Rel: Daur
Occ: Domestic Assistant
Clara STANSFIELD 1 F Barrowford, Lancashire, England
Rel: G Daur

John A Clayton � Barrowford 2005

Blacko Tower looking from Malkin Tower