(1821-1900)
William Gomersall of Otterburn was born on 26th November 1821 and christened at Kirkby Malham Church on Christmas Day. He went to Kirkby Malham School ('The Lambert School') which had been founded in 1604 and flourishes to this day albeit in a different location. In 1845 his father William Gomersall of Rectory Farm, Birstall Church, died, and by whose will inherited Hill House Farm in Otterburn, comprising 150 acres. His sister Mary who was married to Joseph Holroyd, a draper in Halifax also inherited 150 acres in Otterburn. His brother William Thomas Outhwaite who was apprenticed to a Mr Spence a chemist and druggist in York, also inherited 150 acres in Otterburn. |
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Hill House farm had been tenanted by William Moorby and his wife Bridget from William's father, prior to William taking over in 1844. The 1851
census shows William farming 320 acres, as he had
now aquired additional land from his sister Mary
Holroyd who with husband Joseph was carrying on
a draper's business in Halifax. |
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| William married Mary Lodge Beverley on 6th November 1844 at Wakefield Parish Church . Mary was born in Bank Newton the daughter of a farmer, John Beverley . Mary's unmarried brother, Anthony, was also living with them at Hill House jointly farming the 320 acres. They had
no children and Mary sadly died of peritonitis on
20th February 1853, aged 32. She is buried in Kirkby
Malham Church yard by the south east wall.
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William married again on 29th November 1853 in Leeds to Agnes Shackleton daughter of Joseph Shackleton a Corn Miller in Wortley, Leeds.
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