© 2016 David E. Spencer
William was born about 1776 and baptised at Meriden. He became a gardener in East Lancashire in three local halls - Wycoller Hall, near Colne, Crawshaw Hall in Rossendale and at Browsholme Hall, near Clitheroe.
The halls themselves have fared differently since William's day. Wycoller Hall was destroyed by fire in the 19th century. Some authorities claim it to be the inspiration for Mr. Rochester's home in "Jane Eyre" and is on the Bronte Trail walk as a consequence. Wycoller today is a beautiful, tranquil place that is a personal favourite of mine. Crawshaw Hall is, to the best of my knowledge used as a nursing home whilst Browsholme Hall is still the local hall and a private residence, open to the public on a few days in the year.
Wycoller Hall today
William's first wife was called Mary.She and William had a son called John in about 1806.
William's second wife was my gt gt gt grandmother Ann Riley. They married at St. Bartholomew's Church in Colne in 1810.They had five children - Ann (born 1811), James (born 1813), Sarah (born 1815), Sarah (born 1815), Margaret (born 1818) and Matthew (born 1820). All except Matthew were born at Wycoller. Matthew was born at Crawshaw.
Click here to read about William's family with Ann Riley
William's third wife was Hannah Bleasdale, cook at Browsholme Hall. They married at St. Michael's church in Whitewell, near Clitheroe in 1838. They had two sons and one daughter.
Click here to read about William's family with Hannah Bleasdale