The above photograph of an embroidery 'tester' was kindly sent to me from the U.S.A, by Rhonda Burke who wishes to know something of its history. The tester is in possession of Rhonda's family and was made by Grace Emmott, a standard year six pupil of Barrowford Board School on October the 25th, 1886. A search of the 1881 census shows that Grace lived on Church Street, Barrowford, with her family:

1881

Dwelling: Church St: Census Place: Barrowford Booth, Lancashire, England

Source: FHL Film 1341999 PRO Ref RG11 Piece 4166 Folio 18 Page 8

Marr Age Sex Birthplace
John EMMETT M 38 M Burnley, Lancashire, England
Rel: Head
Occ: Mineral Water Manufacturer Employing 1 Man

Mary EMMETT M 37 F Barrowford, Lancashire, England
Rel: Wife
Occ: Cotton Weaver
Grace EMMETT 6 F Barrowford, Lancashire, England
Rel: Daur
Occ: Scholar

Margaret EMMETT 1 F Barrowford, Lancashire, England
Rel: Daur

Further to this, a cursory search of the Birth, Marriage and Deaths Index shows that Grace Emmott (misspelt as Emmett on the census returns) was born in Barrowford in December 1874 and registered at the Burnley, Lancashire, Register Office (record number 4thQ 8E 374), Burnley being the Register Office for the whole district, including the village of Barrowford. This puts Graces age at 11years and 10 months at the time that the tester was made.

The Barrowford Board School is not related to the boarding system whereby pupils lived on the premises - the name means that the school was run by a board of elected governors as had become necessary under law. School boards were building purpose-built schools throughout the land and these were to be commonly known as Council Schools. The present Barrowford Council or Board School, on Rushton Street, was opened on the 25th March 1897 by Lady OHagan, this was designed as two separate buildings to accommodate both primary and senior school pupils. At the time when Grace Emmott made the tester the Barrowford School Board rented space from the governors of the new Primitive Methodist Chapel in Church Street.

This PMC building housed the infants and opened in 1873 after the first attempt at building had failed and the shell was demolished. The building replaced the original, smaller chapel across the road which had been opened in 1837, this is now two houses. The new PMC is now used as a retail and warehouse unit by Illstones Furnishings - when grace Emmott made the tester the minister at the PMC was a Reverend Travis. The School Board also rented space for the older children at the nearby Congregational Church, this is probably the Board School that Grace attended when making her tester, the minister here was the popular Reverend E. Gough. I attended Sunday School at this church in the 1950s, the church and school rooms were on the ground floor, adjacent to Ingham Street, and the second floor was accessed from Church Street - this was a concert hall. This stout building was demolished around 1974 and was replaced by a number of flats.

The Congregational Chapel opened in October 1881. Known initially as the
Barrowford Congregational School, later Church Street Board School,
later the Central Council School and finally the County Secondary School.

The 1881 census shows that graces father, John was a mineral water manufacturer,
his works were located at number 2 Old Row where the council flats of Riverway and
Fountain Square now stand. It appears that by 1901 John Emmott was employing a
man called Metcalfe as a delivery driver.

The BMD Index shows that John Emmott was born at Burnley in September 1842 (reg. Burnley 3q vol21 page 207). In 1872 the Burnley Index shows that on the same day (8e 374) in September John Emmott married Mary Butterfield and Hartley Duckworth married Sophia Butterfield. Records show that in 1851 Thomas Butterfield has daughters Mary (7) and Margaret (5) and that in 1892 Thomas Butterfield of Pasture Gate Farm, Barrowford, left �38 in his will to "John Emmott of Barrowford, mineral water manufacturer, and Mary, his wife." It is probable that Sophia Butterfield was Marys sister and married Hartley Duckworth (probably Johns friend) in either a double wedding or at least on the same-day wedding. The argument for this is strengthened as the Butterfield family lived in the Church Street area and were responsible for building property around there. This is where the name of Butterfield Street originated, this was formerly Victoria Street after the 3-storied house, called Victoria Buildings, at the Ingham Street end. Hartley Duckworth was of the Barrowford family who built Duckworth Street in Barrowford and they also owned houses in Church Street. All of the above were business people would mix in the same social circles, and no doubt attend the same Zionist Methodist Church.

In 1834 an Emmott Sutcliffe had one-third of a 'garden with houses' on Church Street, his Christian name denotes a strong relationship between the Barrowford Emmotts and the Sutcliffes. This latter family owned a great deal of land and property around the village of Barrowford, along with farms on the outskirts - they also expanded the Bank Hall (now the Lamb Working Mens Club) in 1696 to make it the building that we know today. Emmott Sutcliffe died in 1858 aged 73 and is buried in St. Thomas's old churchyard.

Grace Emmott's father, John Emmott, was born in Burnley, the earliest reference that I can find refers to him as John Emmott, of Barrowford, photographer in 1872. In this capacity it is reasonable to assume that Emmott would have taken many of the early photographs of the village that still survive today. We have seen that he was married with a family in 1881, living on Church Street and shown as a mineral water manufacturer. In 1891 the same family had moved to 84 Gisburn Road, near to his works, and by 1901 they were all still together at number 5 Forest View, Barrowford, John is still a mineral water manufacturer aged 57, Mary his wife is aged 58, daughter Grace is 26 and daughter Margaret 21, both daughters are shown to be cotton weavers. A few of the neighbours to the Emmotts were:

Forest View; 1901;

1 William Hargreaves - butcher - he was from the Roughlee branch of the family. In 1893 James Berry purchased land to build houses on Gisburn Road but never carried this out. In 1898 he sold the land to this William Hargreaves who proceeded to build Forest View upon it. The Hargreaves family also built, and inherited, many properties around the present Victoria Street and the old Berry's Victoria Mill.

2 James Aitken who had responsibility for road building in the area:

3 Sarah Jane Totty of the Totty family who had butchers shops next to the present Conservative Club and later at 103 Gisburn Road (later to be Green & Son and then Eddie Green's), along with her relatives called Arnold.

4 Charles Crossley, dyer

5 Emmott family

6 Steven Grave, Tailor

The properties adjoining Forest View, on the Nelson side, were erected in 1898 and named Holmefield View. This whole area was named Holmefield before any building took place. Samuel Holden's Holmefield Mill stood at the back of these Gisburn Road properties on closes of land called Nearer and Further Holmefield. The present playing fields at the end of Wilton Street was called the Bull Holme and Barrowford Park was created on the Mill Fields. Holmefield House (later to become the Council Offices) was built on the Holmefield through which a farm track ran from the main road at Portland Street end, along Lucy Street and down to Lower Clough Farm - the trees that used to line this track from Lucy Street, past Holmefield House, are still standing. Holmefield View was demolished in the 1960s and Holmfield Mill built a new warehouse on the site, the mill itself was demolished in the 1990s and the entrance roadway into the new housing estate is where Holmefield View stood. On this lost row lived:

1 John Bowler: His obituary in the Colne Observer of April 12th, 1901 states that: "The death occurred on Friday, after only a week's illness, of Mr. John Bowler, builder, aged 57 years, of Holme Field View. Deceased came to reside at Barrowford 13 years ago, and identified himself with the Primitive Methodist cause, and afterwards with the Free Gospel Mission at Newbridge. Deceased had done more to alter Barrowford's appearance than any other person. Some fine buildings have been erected by him, especially in Gisburn road. Mr. Bowler also erected a large number of houses in Nelson, where he was well known. Inflammation of the bowels was the immediate cause of death. Deep sympathy is felt for the widow and five sons and daughters." Amongst other properties this John Bowler built numbers 32 to 44 Garnett Street.

5 Joseph Kenyon cotton mill manager

7 John Hodgkinson cotton mill manager

By 1949 we have on Holmefield View:

2 Martins Bank Limited

3 G. Bank warp dresser

4 Borough Building Society

4 W. Corden foreman

5 A. White weftman

6 H. Roache cotton weaver

7 Mrs. M. Hitchcox fruiterer

The properties on this stretch of Gisbun Road were, from Newbridge, 2 to 16, the Victoria Hotel, King Edward Terrace, Cromwell Terrace, Holmefield View, Forest View, Gladstone Terrace, the Police Station, Portland House, Gisburn Road fronting Corless Street, 64 to 78 Gisburn Road, Berry's number 1 & 2 sheds, 82 and 84 Gisburn Road, Pretoria Terrace, along the row of shops in the centre of the village, 102 to 122 where a smithy and limekiln once stood, then the park.

By the year 1901 John Emmott had become an executive of the Barrowford Liberal Party and, at the time of his death around 1904 he had become a Justice of the Peace. It appears that the mother of John Emmott's wife, Mary (Butterfield) was the daughter of Henry Holt, who owned land and property in Barrowford. Records show that Henry Holt left to Thomas Butterfield and his wife, one-third of the properties of numbers 54 and 56 Gisburn Road and number 15 Corless Street (at the rearof Gisburn Road). In 1873 these properties, plus a strip of land between Corless Street and the river of Pendle Water, were owned by Thomas Butterfield, cordwainer, of Pasture Gate Farm, and Thomas Holt in trust for Mary Copley of Barrowford. This strip of land, before the building of the turnpike road of Gisburn Road (around the turn of the 19th century) was the main road from Marsden to Barrowford and it can still be seen in its original state along the length of Corless Street.

Councillor John Emmott J.P around 1885

In the middle of the 19th century a Miss Holt taught young ladies privately in Barrowford, Miss Holt married Mr. Thomas Barrowclough, of the Oaklands estate - she was the sister of Mr. J. Holt of The Grove (later Grove House, now a retirement home on Wheatley Lane). Amongst the pupils of Miss Holt were Mary Butterfield (John Emmott's future wife), Miss Grimshaw (later to marry Councillor Faraday) and Miss Brown of Whitemoor. Upon Miss Holt's marriage, in 1862, the pupils presented a new bible to her, Mary Butterfield carried out the actual presentation.

Forest View, Barrowford. No. 5 is 2nd left

The first Barrowford Local Board in 1892. This was the early Parish Council
John Emmott is seated front row left with arm resting on his knee

"It is with deep regret that today we announce the death of Councillor John Emmott of Barrowford. The sad event took place on Sunday morning, after a brief but painful illness, an internal complaint causing him great suffering, although for a time he was unconscious. The news of his death was received with great regret , not only in Barrowford but also in Nelson, where he was well known and highly respected. Councillor Emmott carried on the business of a mineral water manufacturer."

"The deceased gentleman had been connected with the Barrowford Urban District Council (Local Board) ever since its inception in 1892, and during that time had held various positions. He was the fourth Chairman of the Council, a position which he held for two terms. Mr. Emmott was the Chairman of the Buildings and Sanitary Committe at the time of his death, and it is only a fortnight ago since he attended a meeting of the Council."

"Mr. Emmott always took an active part in anything relating to the work of the Council and affecting the welfare of the village. For many years he has been associated with social and political movements in Barrowford, being vice-president of the Liberal Club, and also president of the Barrowford Ambulance Brigade. He was a member of the Congregational Church. Mr. Emmott was warmly attached to philanthropic movements in Barrowford, and proportionate to his circumstances and position in life, exceedingly generous. In particular , the annual Christmas treat to the poor children of Barrowford received liberal support from him. Educational matters received his earnest attention, as he was the Chairman of the local Higher Education Committee. Mr. Emmott, who was in his 63rd year, is survived by his widow and two daughters, for whom the deepest sympathy is felt."

"The remains of the deceased gentleman were interred on Tuesday morning in the family vault at Wheatley Lane Cemetery. Throughout the district much sympathy was shown with the deceased gentleman's relatives. Blinds were drawn and shopkeepers closed their establishments while the cortege passed. Prior to leaving the house the reverend E. Gough conducted a short service. The funeral procession left the late gentleman's residence at 11-30. The hearse was followed by five coaches, and besides the private mourners were the members of the Council and officials. The Councillors present were: Councillors Baldwin (the Chairman): Faraday: W. Hargreaves: R. Hargreaves: Atkinson: Duckworth: Mr. Chandler (the Clerk): Mr. Mallinson (the Surveyor): Mr. Haworth (the Clerk to the Education Commottee) and Mr. Preston (the Sanitary Inspector. The coffin was covered with wreaths and other floral tributes, among those were the following:-
Wreath: "With deepest sympathy," from the Barrowford Urban District Council. Wreath: "Deepest sympathy," Barrowford Ambulance Division. Wreath: "With deepest sympathy," from Mr. & Mrs. T. Armistead. Wreath: "In memory of a valued friend," with sincere and deepest sympathy," from J.H.S. Atkin, Spring Grove, Barrowford. Wreath: "With deepest sympathy," from Mrs. Atkinson, Crow Trees. Wreath: "With deepest sympathy," from Mr.& Mrs. Graves and family. Wreath: "Token of respect and deepest sympathy," from Mr. & Mrs. Bracewell and family. Bouquet of flowers: From Mr. T. Faraday, Cromwell Terrace. Wreath: "As a token of respect," from the members of the Barrowford Liberal Club. Cross: "With deepest sympathy," from all at Crow Trees. Bouquet of flowers: "In loving memory," from Ethel and Lizzie. Wreath: "In remembrance and respect for kindness received," from Alan Brooklands."

In the middle of the 19th century a Miss Holt taught young ladies privately in Barrowford, Miss Holt married Mr. Thomas Barrowclough, of the Oaklands estate - she was the sister of Mr. J. Holt of The Grove (later Grove House, now a retirement home on Wheatley Lane). Amongst the pupils of Miss Holt were Mary Butterfield (John Emmott's future wife), Miss Grimshaw (later to marry Councillor Faraday) and Miss Brown of Whitemoor. Upon Miss Holt's marriage, in 1862, the pupils presented a new bible to her, Mary Butterfield carried out the actual presentation.