William Heap and Family

William, the 2nd son of William and Betty Heap, was born in the township of Heap in Bury on 27th December 1797 in Bury later being baptised on 2nd January 1798. He married Elizabeth Fielding in 1830 and they had 8 children including Hannah b1831, Thomas Edward b1833, William Edward (baptised 28th September 1834 in Wardleworth), Joshua b1836, Elizabeth b1838, John J b1840/1, Sarah Alice b1842 and Samuel Fielden b1847 (who was born in Littleborough).

William left Rochdale and in 1842 moved into the Ealees Fulling Mill, one of the older mills in Littleborough, where he finished some 450 to 480 pieces per week. During this period William lived in Ealees with his growing family with the 1851 census describing him as a Fuller and Farmer with son Thomas also being a Fuller. By 1861 William was a Woollen and Cotton Manufacturer and Flannel Finisher employing 80 men, women and Children. John Joseph was a Fuller but Thomas, now living  in a separate house, was a Cotton Manufacturer employing 14 men and 7 women. As the business and family grew more space was required and a new mill was developed in Durn which opened in the mid-1860s which remained the basis of the family firm. Son William Henry Heap preferred to be involved in Flannel Manufacturing which lasted for some 40 years. However, the finishing of cloth remained important throughout. When Gerald took over, Flannel Manufacturing ceased and the business concentrated on Bleaching, Dyeing and Finishing until it all ended in 1939 when Gerald sold on West View Mills. (Picture opposite  - West View Mills from Aerofilms aerial picture – Historic England collection

Whilst Textiles was the family’s main occupation, William senior, Thomas Edward and Samuel Fielden were also farmers during their lifetimes. Thomas Edward also plied the Coal Merchanting trade as did his son, Walter who also ran a Fellmongering business (ie, dealing in hides but especially particularly sheepskins including, preparation for tanning and sale of wool etc).in Smallbridge.

After the family sold its interest in 1939, the mill turned to Flannelette manufacture but  West View Mills suffered a serious fire in 1940. West View Mills was demolished between 1955 and 1960.

WIDER HEAP FAMILY

According to the Rochdale Observer of 1st December 1886, “It is said that the family originally came from Heap Bridge between Heywood and Bury and that they can trace their Ancestry back to Sir William Heap, who lived at that place three centuries ago. It is supposed that either the place took its name from the family or the family from the place. It will be seen, however, that for several generations the Heap families have been associated with the staple trade of the town, as Fullers in the first instance and latterly as manufacturers.

Whilst William had been a common family forename, the article referred to Stephen Heap, a Fuller at Ellenrod, Spotland, Rochdale who died in 1827, aged 88. It was his son, William Heap and his wife Elizabeth who together led the wider family that developed their businesses across Rochdale and beyond with its main base at Caldershaw. William and his wife Betty had seven children, Thomas (b 1793), William (b 27th December 1797), Elizabeth, Rachel, John (b 1805), Samuel (b1807) and James (b 1809). The five sons joined their father in his mills but gradually each son sought their own business. Thomas left Caldershaw first before 1823 moving to Ogden Mill. After William Snr died in 1833 his property was shared out between the seven children. John went to Shepherds Mill in Norden in 1837. Also in that year all seven siblings took on a long lease of Caldershaw Mill. William Henry moved to Ealees in 1842 having latterly operated Hamer mill for his father. Samuel and James continued at Caldershaw until James left in the early 1850s to operate Providence Mill in Milnrow. Samuel was able to buy out all sibling interest in Caldershaw Mill in 1859, henceforth being able to operate it to his own wishes.

The complex stories behind this large family and there businesses is explained as much as possible in the booklet opposite. However, the relationships between the family groups, especially in later generations is difficult to determine as only limited information is available within local newspapers and even that is generally related to Weddings and funerals.

More information on the Heap family is available within the booklet shown opposite available from Littleborough’s History Centre and George Kelsall’s bookshop in Littleborough Square - pictured opposite