THE LAW FAMILY
William Law (Senior) was a Fulling Miller who married Sarah around 1822 and they had 6 children, including Alfred (born 1825), John (b 1830), Ellin (b 1830), Mary (b 1833), and William (born 1835).
In 1847 Alfred Law went into partnership with a local businessman, James Fletcher under the name of "Law and Fletcher". The company was included in an 1852 Trade Directory as Flannel Manufacturers at Lydgate Mill (pictured right) on Blackstone Edge Old Road (an early Turnpike)/ this mill was built by the partnership.The company lasted for 18 years before each partner went their separate ways.
When the partnership with James Fletcher ended in 1858, Alfred he set up a new partnership with his brother William, ‘A & W Law’ to take over and operate Lydgate Mill. It must have become obvious that Lydgate mill didn’t have sufficient capacity for an expanding business. Not long afterwards, they decided that a new mill should be developed at Durn, lower down in the valley and closer to the Rochdale Canal, railway and potential employees. The site was carefully chosen to ensure adequate supplies of water even though the mill was to be driven by a steam engine. Later, William Heap and his sons built their West View Mill on an adjacent site (pictured right).
The Rochdale Observer carried an advertisement for tenders for the erection of a new Mill, Engine House and Boiler House with plans and drawings available from Russell & Whittaker Architects, Rochdale. Construction commenced in 1864 using local bricks from nearby Rake Brickworks and iron pillars from Schofield Foundry which was just across Halifax Road. In 1867 the company had a new warehouse built adjacent to the mill.
With the brother having lived at Bent House for some years, in 1873 William had a large house built for Alfred and himself which cost £5,000. It was located across the main road and William named it "Honresfeld", a variation on Hundersfield, an old name for the area.
After the deaths of William & Alfred their nephew, Alfred Joseph Law (pictured opposite) inherited Honresfeld and A & W Law in 1913. A bachelor like his uncles, he had numerous business interests, was a member of the Conservative party, and became the MP for Rochdale in 1918 (for 4 years) and 1929 was elected as the MP for the High Peak constituency. Knighted in 1927.
