Jill Radcliffe wrote:Does anyone know anything about Fernilee Reading and Recreation Room?
Hi Jill
Ref;---------- T R A C I N G – T H E – H I S T O R Y OF
– O V E R B R O O K – C O T T A G E.--------
Thomas Williamson of Grappenall near Runcorn in Cheshire
applied for a license to manufacture gunpowder at Fernilee in 1801.
He was so successful in 1855 he built Fernilee Hall he died 3 years later of Addison’s disease Addison’s is not usually a directly inherited condition. But a tendency to
Autoimmune diseases does seem to run in some families.
He also was manufacturing cotton elsewhere.
My mother always referred to Overbridge Cottage as the reading room.
I always imagine the building was designed as mill for generating power for some sort machinery the feel of the construction and the cast iron supports are the same as many mills. The water flows through a tunnel below the building.
But Thomas Williamson would not have used this so near to the hall to make gunpowder.
I have enclosed a few photographs taken during the 1950s.
Take a special note of the gate.
Dr Hall from Fernilee Hall made his chauffeur Mrs Townsend lock both gates to the drive every Sunday and Bank Holidays.
Doctor Hall pioneered the breathing of oxygen at high altitude and was used in climbing Everest.
Overbrook Cottage was built in 1864 nine years after the Hall and at about 6 years after Thomas Williamson death.
I remember Mrs Mitten and her daughter. Her daughter a very keen gardener spent every evening tending to the plants.
I don’t know if you can find out more information by looking at the deeds of the property.
Good luck with the research and two books I found most interesting.
Thank you so much for sending a link to Fernilee Cottage
A priceless picture and fills in so many gaps searching for the roots of my Grandad John Horsfield.
Regards Tony Edge.
Tony Edge attached the following image(s):
