A house of mystery and secret ways. Mr. Leyland tells us of a secret passage from here going in the direction of Camp End, and of Roman coins discovered here encased in human skulls. Mr. Watson, in his history of Halifax, says:" At the north-east corner of Magson House is an uncommon hollow in the wall, which was discovered some time ago, when a repair was made. The workmen, as I was informed, could see that the bottom of it, which was about equal with the foundation of the house, was flagged, but did not venture down to make further discoveries. As the house stands on the side of a hill, it is possible that this cavity may be followed to some distance underground".

The 16th century house was pulled down, and the present building erected in 1852, but a small portion of the old house still remains. Mr. Crabtree, in his history published 1836, says: " Among the old houses worthy of notice in Warley township is Magson House. It probably took its name from some ancient owner of it. It has the old marks for Jesus on two parts of it, TJCC". As the historian suggests, some ancient owner may have originated the name for we find in the Wakefield Court rolls of the 14th century the name "Magge" occurring in this neighbourhood. It was too early for a surname, therefore, at a Court held at Rastrick, Oct. 18, 1315, one Robert, son of Magge, was fined for non-attendance at the Tourne. Maggson, or Magson, the son of Magge is probably the derivation of the name.

The late Mr. John Longbottom mentions in one of his articles that at Magson House there are scattered about several octagonal capitals of pillars and inscribed stones, and suggests they are part of the old Luddenden Church, but I think it is more likely the are parts of the old Magson House.

The earliest resident at Magson House we have any record of was one of the well known Oldfield family, of whom we find mention in the Court Rolls as early as 1275, and the Poll Tax Return of 1379 records the fact that Thomas Oldfield and his wife paid their groat for the assessment of the township of Warley.

In the list of Greaves for the Graveship of Sowerby, in the year 1491, we find that Margaret, wife of Richard Oldfield, Alice, wife of Richard Shaye, and Isabell Hopkinson, daughter of Richard Hopkinson were the Greaves of Sowerby, and had a tenant - John Oldfield of Magson House, in Warley, for 10 acres in the fields of Sowerby, and other lands called Elinholme. Hence we are assured that John Oldfield was settled here about 450 years ago. He also owned Roebucks and Greystones.

Pepys tells in his inimitable Diary, under date Jan.20, 1668, that " at the Council Board of the City and the Company of Strangers Merchants, we did debate the business of Waterbaylage, the merchants did quite lay the city on their backs with great triumph". Like many Warley landowners at that and later days, John Oldfield had his debates on water problems.

A Court Roll extract dated Jan.13, 1523, recites that Richard Longbothome and John Oldfield, of Magson House, and Richard Brigg, appeared before the Steward of the Court and took of the Lord one rood of land with two Well Springs upon the same of the soil and waste, within the Graveship of Sowerby, as the same lieth between the Water of Luddenden of the West part, Hillhouse Croft of the South part, and Lode Clough of the North part, which are granted to the said Richard, John, and Richard, who gives to the Lord of fine for entrance Vs. and a yearly rent of one penny.

The will of John Oldfield, of Magson House, dated Aug. 9, 1551, orders his body be buried at Halifax. He mentions his wife Isabell, and three bastards of his son William, two of them dwelling in London, also James Oldfield " my brother". Proved Oct.6, 1750. He was succeeded by his son William. A document dated Oct.26, 1576, narrates that William Oldfield, of Magson House, held Clough House, in Sowerby, and a close of land and meadow at Bolder Clough, also all that messuage called Over Breake, in Sowerby.

There was another John Oldfield at Magson House later on; what relative he was I don`t know. About 1595 he conveyed Magson House to one Richard Midgley.

This John Oldfield and his son Christopher were of the party involved in the Star Chamber proceedings - Foxcroft v Wade - over the fight for the timber at Roebucks, and the murder of Samuel Wade at Luddenden in 1593.

The new owners of Magson House, the Midgleys, were a well known Midgley family. The names of various members of it occur frequently in the Manorial records of the 13th and 14th centuries. In the " Roebucks" paper, in 1914, I gave a short account of them. As we have gathered from the notes on Cooper House, Edward Midgley also owned that estate, and held Roebucks at the same time.

We have no striking records of their association with Magson House, but among the deeds of that house we find a Memorandum bearing date June 19, 1650, relating to some " waterbaylage", in which " It is agreed betwixt Richard Midgley and William Midgley, of Magson House, and James Murgatroyd for Matthew Nicholson, that Richard and William Midgley shall have all the water springing in one Close called Deasley Field and Meadow Green, and the water shall be taken up and carried betwixt the Greystones House and Laith, and after it falls out of the Trough it is to be laid in hewn Atchelar through the fold and covered with stones, and a loft of stone with earth a garden thickness. And also Nicholson is to dyke it through his grounds until it come at Lane, and after it be done, Richard and William Midgley or their assigns shall have free liberty to dyke in that Dyke four yards deep and nine yards wide, betwixt Martinmas and Candlemas to dyke at their pleasure, and at the rest of the year to come with a Coulrake to cleanse and coul. And a Ward to be drawn to this effect.

Signed - Jas. Murgatroyd

Richard Midgley

Wm. Midgley.

Matthew Nicholson

Witnesses - Henry Murgatroyd.

Henry Richardson."

The will of Richard Midgley, dated Jan. 2, 1707, devises Magson House, lands, etc., to Robert, his third son, and there are legacies to his eldest son Richard, second son Isaac, fourth son William, and son-in-law, James Turner. Witnesses - John Crossley, Thomas Murgatroyd, and Jonathan Brigg.

Among the cluster of documents I find a Grant of Annuity in the days of Queen Anne, which, incidentally, resurrects the name of our old friend, Colonel John Dearden, of the Hollins. It is in Latin, and reads as follows:

" 5 May, 11 Anne. Witnessed by John Dearden, a tenant of the Lord, that Robert Midgley, of Magson House, in Warley, and Marie, his wife, surrender one Annuity or yearly rent charge of £7 and 15s. to be paid at the Feast of Whitsuntide, 1713, and every year afterwards, out of a messuage or tenement called Magson House, now in tenure or occupation of the said Robert Midgley, who pays to the Lord 6s. to the use of James Mitchell of Field Head,in Stansfield, Yeoman. Fine 12s. 10d. " This annuity appears to have been interest on a loan of £150, of which there is an indenture dated May 5, 1712.

On Sept.24, 1715, Robert Midgley sold Magson House to John Hird, Senr. of Rawdon, in the Parish of Guiseley, and William Hird, of Thornton, in Bradford Parish. The estate being duly surrendered and given up with a straw according to the custom of the Manor on the date aforesaid.

Another change of ownership took place in 1729, June 23, when William and Judith Hird sold to Stephen Atkinson, of Heptonstall, Yeoman. This gentleman held on 23 years, when in the language of a Memorandum of Nov. 13, 1751 : " It is this day agreed that Stephen Atkinson hath sold to Richard Holden of Bradford, the estate where the said Stephen now dwells called Magson House, with all the Appurtenances thereto belonging, at the price of £720 Str.

Signed - Stephn. Atkinson.

Richd. Holden.

Witnes present - Nathl.Priestley. "

An indenture between the parties followed, Feb. 8, 1752. Richard Holden, however, was not a very long stayer.

At the Halifax Great Court Baron of His Grace the most Noble Lord Thomas, Duke of Leeds, Lord of the Manor of Wakefield, holden there the 25th day of April in the Eight year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the third, and in the year of our Lord 1768.

To this Court came John Priestley of Northowram, Gent., Nephew and next Heir of Richard Holden, late of Bradford, dec., and paid his fine for licence herrioting all that messuage, etc., commonly known by the name of Magson House, otherwise Magson Place, in Warley.

Hence, John Priestley became the new landlord, but not the resident.

" The Leeds Intelligencer" of May 7, 1782, announced that " on Wednesday se` night was married at Halifax Mr. Joshua Farrar of Warley, to Miss Holroyd, of Magson House".

Joshua Farrar, or Warley Town, Shalloon Maker, in 1787 occupied rooms in the Piece Hall, and was one of the committee to detect and prosecute persons concerned in the exportation of Wool and Yarn. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Michael Holroyd, of Wood Lane Hall, and afterwards of Magson House.

On the death of Mr. Holroyd, Mr. Farrar succeeded him there. An indenture made Sept. 24, 1796, between John Priestley, of Cross Hills, in Halifax, Esquire, and Joshua Farrar, of Warley, Worsted Manufacturer, " Demised, leased, and to farm the latter, all that Messuage and Dwellinghouse called Magson House, and parcels of arable land, meadow, and pasture land to the same, known by the several names of the Magson House Bank, Six Days work, Great Carr, Little Carr, Spencer Field, Ing, Cross Field, Barn Field, Pinnell, Wood Field, and Waste, above the House, containing together about 36 days` work, in the occupation of the said Joshua Farrar, together with all Outhouses, Orchards, Gardens, etc., Excepting all Trees, Mines, and Quarries, which shall be reserved unto the said John Priestley, Joshua Farrar to have the estate on a 19 years` lease at a yearly rent of £31. 10s. 0d. during the first five years of the term, without any deductions for Taxes or otherwise". It is a very lengthy document containing provisos, instructions galore, signed by both parties, and Sealed, Stamped and Delivered in the presence of Jno. Edwards.

Three years later, in 1799, further Articles of Agreement and Covenants were inscribed on behalf of the parties. Joshua Farrar had laid out and expended a considerable sum of money in repairs, additions and improvements in and about the Magson House lands and premises, and intended to expend a further sum on money in alterations, etc., and requested John Priestley to secure to him a further term of six years from the expiration of the said term of 19 years, with which the owner agreed to comply.

The will of John Priestley, Esq., is dated Sept. 27, 1799, in which he makes bequests to relatives and others, and gives Magson House, in Warley, and his messuages in the several townships of Halifax, Ovenden, Hipperholme, Southowram and Northowram, to his brother-in-law, Robert Swaine, of Halifax, Merchant, and appoints him sole executor.

The next parties to have a deal in Magson House stock were Robert Swaine`s Trustees, to wit, William Walker, or Crow Nest,Esq., John Walker, of Cliff Hill, Esq., John Rhodes, of Saville Green, Esq., and Rawdon Briggs, of the same place, Esq., all in the Parish of Halifax.

In the Wakefield Court Baron proceedings of Aug. 21m 1807, quite a number of Swaines crop up to discuss Mr. Joshua Farrar`s Mansion House and Watercourse, with their Liberties, Easements and Privileges, which, of course, involved the putting of Joshua`s rent up. Thus we find mention, inter alia,, of Robert Swaine, of Halifax, Joan Swaine of Skircoat, Edward Swaine of the City of London, Hannah Swaine of Halifax, and Joseph Swaine, of the same place; all merchants, bankers, and co-partners in the several estates of the late John Priestley Esq.,

This Court presaged another change of ownership. And now we change the venue to the " White Swan", Halifax.

At the house of Mr. Ludley, the White Swan Inn, in Halifax, on Sept. 24, 1807, " All that Capital Copyhold Messuage or Dwelling House, known by the name of Magson House, in the Township of Warley, wherein Mr. Joshua Farrar doth now inhabit and dwell " was sold by auction, together with 35 Days Work, 3 Quarters and 12 Perches of land occupied therewith, with Barn, Stables, Warehouses, etc., Also 12 Days Work, 1 Quarter and 5 Perches of Wood Land. The purchase price was £1,800, and the purchaser John Appleyard, of Hebden Bridge, in Wadsworth, Gentleman.

The Deed of Covenants accompanying the surrender of Magson House is dated Feb. 2, 1808. It is a huge parchment of four parts, setting forth in profoundly legal and repetitious phraseology the security of Joshua Farrar as regard his interest in the property under his indentures, and the absolute vesting of the estate into the hands of John Appleyard.

I may here insert a small memo. In 1809, May 30, the surveyors of the Highways for the Township of Warley paid Mr. John Appleyard £14. 18s. 7d. for 511 yards of land taken from the Magson House Wood, for the use of a new road, and on June 23 the same year, a further sum of £14. 5s. 3d. for 489 yards at 7d. per yard for road and fences six yards wide.

The advent of the Appleyards at Magson House associates with a very honoured name; in Halifax the name became a household word. But long before that time they were inhabiting Warley, and the ancient hive of industry, Shaw Booth, will ever remain a memorial of their first settllement in this township. This well known family sprang from Norfolk, many years ago. I received a letter from a Norwich resident, saying that Sir William Appleyard, who died in 1419, was the first Mayor of Norwich, and the earliest ancestor, and mentioned the interesting fact that his son, Roger, married Elizabeth, daughter of John Scott of Camberwell, who survived him, and married secondly, John Robsart, who married the earl of Leicester.

In 1751, Shaw Booth was conveyed to Charles Appleyard, shalloon maker, who had occupied the old Warley homestead before that time. The Luddenden Church Register, dating from 1654, records many Appleyards of Warley, and in the Allotment of Seats in the Church in 1788, seats were allotted there to Samuel Appleyard, for Shaw Booth, and to Joshua Appleyard, for Upper Longbottom. I gave an account of this family in the paper on Shaw Booth, July 1913.

In the year 1822, Mr. Appleyard renewed the lease of Magson House to Mr. Farrar for one year at the rent of £65 of lawful money current in England. At the expiration of which Mr. Farrar retired to his house in Warley Town, where he died at the age of 78, his final resting place being in Warley Chapel, by the side of his beloved wife. Up to the year 1833, Joshua Farrar held large properties in Warley Town, which in 1834 were incorporated in the Cliff Hill estate. By his will of March 20, 1833, he bequeathed to Thomas Hitching, of Saltonstall, Gent., and George Edwards, of Halifax, Attorney at Law, all his messuages and lands upon trust to sell the same and divide the monies as testator did direct.

With the Appleyard`s in residence at Magson House, our brief story is nearing the end. In his will, dated Nov 5. 1826, William Appleyard devised Magson and Greystones to his son William, who was admitted to the properties in 1835, the Magson House Farm being then occupied by John Wormald.

In the year 1871, pursuant to the last will and testament of William Appleyard, of Magson House, the estates were granted at Wakefield Court to his only surviving brother, James Appleyard, and his heirs.

In 1903, John Appleyard, the son of James, devised the houses to his sons, William and James, which passed from the latter in 1908, to Dr. John Appleyard of London, and Dr. William Appleyard of Manningham, Bradford.

The final deal took place in 1920, when Dr. John sold Magson House to Messrs. Joseph W. Whitworth Ltd., of Longbottom Mills, Luddenden Foot, who were admitted to the estate on March 19 of that year.

The present resident is Mr. W.G.R. Norris, to whom I am greatly indebted for the loan of the Magson House Deeds - a rare old parcel, containing documents going back, as Macauley puts it, to " the mists of immemorial antiquity", one of them to the reign of Edward III, to which is attached a charming seal; others to the days of Henry V, Henry VII, Henry VIII, Mary I, Elizabeth etc., most of them in the Latin lingo, and secret writing to me, but our dear linguistic President kindly came to the rescue and furnished the translation. Unfortunately, these early deeds have no particular reference to Magson House, mostly of a Northowram tendency. I will however, quote the Edward III parchment: " Lease from John,, son of William of Northourum, to Mathew, son of Simon of the Dene, and his heirs, of one mesuage in Northourum, with buildings thereon, and with curtilage, and one acre of land called Annys croft, with all appurtenances etc.

To Hold and Have from the Feats of St. Martin in Winter in the year of our Lord 1347, for the term of 28 years fully following to be completed, with all liberties and easements, etc., used by the tenants everywhere within and without the boundaries of Northourum, doing the accustomed services to the chief lords of that fee".

John binds himself to pay Mathew 15s. sterling if he is disturbed in the occupation of the premises, and warrants the same.

Witnesses - Henry of Brouneshirte, William of the Ridings, Richard of the Ker, John, son of Simon of the Dene, William of Birstall.

Dated " Sunday next before the Feast of St. Thomas the Archbishop".

On reaching Luddenden Church we shall find some beautiful memorials of the Appleyard family. Mr. Joshua built the chancel of the Church in memory of his father and two uncles, and gave a stained glass window in memory of his son, Capt. John Appleyard. And there are other memorials.