John Brook who was clerk to Francis Watts succeeded his old master at
Colnebridge forge. He was the eldest son of Richard
Brook of High Hoyland, who was previously of Lepton in the parish of Kirkheaton,
Married Sarah ? buried at High Hoyland 1753, There Children were:
1: John Brook of Colnebridge forge. married Anna Maria ? they had:-
a) Charles Brook of Daw knowl, Kirkheaton and later of Bradley. Born 1752;
Steward to Sir George Armytage of Kirklees in 1772. The Diarist. Married Jane
Popplewell at Hartshead Church in 1782.
b) Maria Brook who married John Bower of Hathersage Derby in 1774 at Kirkheaton
Church.
2: Richard Brook of High Hoyland, born 1719 buried there 1793. Exor. to
his brother John. Married Sarah ? born 1728. buried High Hoyland 1792, they
had:-
a) Richard Brook born 1758 , buried High Hoyland 1792
b) Edward Brook of Leeds.
3: George Brook.
4: Martha Brook who married John Cockill.
5: Elizabeth Brook who married George Stringer of Emley.
6: Mary Brook.
26th January 1776
Continuation of frost and very severe. Carried Polly Roper behind me on my Bay
horse, being the first time he was ever tried since I had him, he kicked her off
just as we came to Ledgerd Bridge, Mirfield.
27th January 1776
My horse would not carry double this morning, neither had I any wish for him to
do so as I intended calling to see my dear Miss Hirst.
Mr. Nalson brought Polly Roper behind him. I believe my horse would have carried
double, but I encouraged him not to do so.
19th February 1776
Mr. Thompson came to bled my mother this afternoon.
15th May 1776
walked the boundaries of the town this day with Mr. Burton (the Rector) and the
rest of the Churchwardens. Dined at rd. Battley’s.
Went to the forge in the afternoon, had the Dam drawn, only caught two trout and
some Gudgeons.
16th May 1776
Mr. Walker of Rawthorpe dined here. I went to Mr. Burton in the afternoon, and
drank tea, supped, and spent the evening, there was a great deal of company, and
they had a dance. Mr. and Mrs. Horsfall (Curate of Kirkheaton) and I left them
at 12 o’clock.
14th June 1776
Mr. Walker of Lassel Hall, Mr. Burton, Mr. Horsfall, Mr. Hinchcliffe, Mr. Nalson
and Mr. Carr of Birstal were here today.
15th June 1776
Went down to Bowling Green in the Afternoon, Nalson called for me and we called
of Mr. Horsfall. There was Mr. Walker of Lassel Hall, and his company, and T.
Burton and his Sister, Mr. and Mrs. Walker of Rawthorpe. We drank tea there and
bowled.
17th June 1776
This day bought 140 weye of metal, 50 to Kirkstall and 90 to Colnebridge Forge,
at £5-14-0 per Ton to be paid for at Cand: and May Day next.
19th June 1776
Bathed with Tommy Dutton this day being the first time this year. In the evening
went down to Edward Hinchcliffe’s and from there to Easthorpe were I stayed with
my dear Betty till past 2 o’clock.
21st June 1776
went to Wakefield this morning with John Mallinson; dined at the Strafford Arms,
saw Miss Walker of Rawthorpe at Wakefield. Called at Eastthorpe on my way back,
and bought a calf of Mr. Hirst-most sadly dear!
30th June 1776
Sunday went to Church twice, called at Mr. Horsfall’s as I went in the
Afternoon, there was Miss Ismay. Young Rhodes came to chaise or his Mother. The
Ladies and Gentlemen sat in my seats. I collected rent for the seats. Drank tea
at Mr. Horsfall’s. Mr. and Mrs. Horsfall, Miss Rhodes, T Burton and I took a
walk with Miss Ismay part of her way home.
12th July 1776
At forge all day, they began rolling hoops, the first ever at Colnebridge
30th July 1776
Went to Mirfield to see Elizabeth Hirst and drink her health; she is this day 22
years old
5th August 1776
Assisted Tommy Dutton in receiving £500 of Mr. Fenton for some land he had sold
to Mr. Beaumont of Lepton.
7th August 1776
Dined at ”Church style” with Mr. Fenton assisted him in receiving the rents,
weighted the gold. Went to Mirfield and spent the evening with Elizabeth Hirst.
9th August 1776
Dr Wilson called and we drank two or three basins of Rum water.
16th August 1776
Went to see Mr. Bertram to speak to him about some money towards carrying on the
building; he said I might have £50 or £60 on Friday.
21st August 1776
Went to Mirfield; my dear Elizabeth Hirst gave me a bottle of the syrup of
cloves. Kitty Roper came in ye evening in ye chaise, she had been at Kirklees
with Mrs. Aizlabie.
27th August 1776
Bottled the cowslip wine.
1st September 1776
At Church twice, Mr. and Mrs. Walker of Lasel Hall and Mr. and Mrs. Horsfall
drank tea at our house.
2nd September 1776
A very wet day. Nalson came here to breakfast to go shooting, but ye morning was
so bad; we would not go out until ye afternoon. Called of T Burton and Sammy
Walker they went with us. I killed a brace of Birds, Nalson a brace, Sammy
Walker one old bird, and Burton none.
6th September 1776
In the afternoon went to Leeds to see my dear Elizabeth Hirst. After I got to
Leeds sent for a Barber and had my hair dressed, then went down to Mr. Dawson’s
the ladies were gone to the play. I found them and very luckily got the seat
next to them. The play was “ The Maid of the Mill.”
10th September 1776
Sir Lionel Pilkington came to Bradley today; he found some fault with the new
building.
27th September 1776
Went to Kirkstall and lay there.
28th September 1776
Mr. Cotton came down from Horsforth, Mr. Stanhope followed soon after, they
inspected the works, had some conversation relative to a new lease being taken.
Dined at Kirkstall, went to Harewood at after, called at Horsforth were we
stayed till 7 o’clock, got to Harewood at 10 o’clock, Mr. Cotton proposed going
to Kirkstall again to take a more perfect account of all the works.
16th October 1776
At Colnebridge in the morning collected my rents at rd. Battley’s in the
evening.
21st October 1776
Mr. Walker and his brother Joe breakfasted here, I went a shooting with them,
called at Mr. Horsfall’s he went with us. Dined at Lassel Hall. Sammy Walker
told me he was to be married to Miss Firth of Kipping in Bradford. Miss Walker
of Rawthorpe is this day 24 years of age.
25th October 1776
Went this morning to Dr Wilson with intent to be bled, but he was not home.
Called at Mr. Child on my way home, Miss Child played me some tunes on the
spinet. Mr. Walker of Rawthorpe spent the afternoon here, Mr. Horsfall and Miss
Rhodes supped and spent the evening here, played at cards.
4th November 1776
Let David Tunnacliffe the plastering work for the new house at Colnebridge.
7th December 1776
Had my hair cut of this day and had my new wig on.
13th December 1776
A general fast was this day observed throughout England to return thanks for the
success our forces had in America. Had my head shaved.
21st January 1777
Received a barrel of Oysters from Mr. Norris this day.
February 1777
A very fine day, frosty in the morning. Came from Preston to Chorley to
Breakfast, 12 miles, from Chorley to Manchester to dinner, 22 miles, came home
in the afternoon 29 miles stopped at Marsden a little. Had company from
Manchester to Blackmoorfoot, got home about 8 o’clock, rode my new horse 63
miles.
14th February 1777
Mr. Horsfall set off for London this morning to renew his former “tor” for
Dewsbury living, the late Incumbent, Mr. Lazonby, dying the last night
27th February 1777
Went to Whitley to dine with Mr. Beaumont and have some conversation with him
about exchanging or selling him some land, but he was not at home, dined there
and spent the afternoon with Mr. Lumm, and part of the evening. Mr. Beaumont
came home whilst I was there, but to late to speak to him. I fell from my horse
whilst opening the gate owing to I suppose to drinking a little too much and
from the frequent dizziness I had in my head. Lost my horse and returned to the
house. The servants found the horse, and Robert Fishborne the Game Keeper came
as far as Cockley Hill home with me, for which I gave him a shilling.
7th March 1777
Bled my horse this morning.
8th March 1777
Bled two cows.
20th March 1777
I am this day 25 years of age.
29th April 1777
Mrs. Walker of Lassel died at Mr. Slater’s, she was upon a visit there.
25th June 1777
Mr. Dyson came along with Mr. Sunderland this morning to assist him in taking
and agreeing for my house, they viewed the premises I let them the House, Croft,
Carroyed, and Dole Knowle, for £21 per Annum.
27th July 1777
Sunday, Sir George and Lady Armytage, Miss Armytage, and Masters John and
Godfrey all drank tea with us. Lady Armytage brought us some grapes,
strawberries and a melon
9th to 20th August 1777
At Scarborough bathed and took the waters.
23rd August 1777
Went up to Kirklees in the afternoon with intention of applying for the
stewardship but Sir George was at Hawksworth.
17th September 1777
Sister Bower, her daughter and her maid all came here this evening in my
Grandfather’s chaise, Neddy Roper drove them.
3rd October 1777
Called to see my dear Betty in the morning and took her some peaches and
nectarines
21st October 1777
Went to Kirklees in the morning, returned to my dinner. Mr. Sunderland came here
to dine, went out shooting with him in ye afternoon, Neddy Brook with us and
Tommy Dutton.
2nd November 1777
Met my Mother and sister at Nunbrook and dined with them there.
November 1777
Went out coursing with the Greyhound. Killed a hare at Hopton.
November 1777
Attended a vestry meeting at Hartshead relative to advertising for a curate.
21st November 1777
Went out shooting a little in the morning and returned to dinner. Went up to
Heaton in the afternoon, Tommy Dutton went with me met with some cocks in
Tibnetherend wood, got two shots, but did not kill any. I met Mr. Sunderland at
Richard Batty’s and let him the land in ye Ballgreave and lowfield late in my
possession for £6 per annum.
31st December 1777
Went to Kirklees and paid the Women servants their wages. In the afternoon went
to see Elizabeth Hirst. She had set me some Ruffles into a shirt which she gave
me home with me.