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Walton Lodge, The Seat of William Calrow Esquire in 1846

Walton Lodge, The Seat of William Calrow Esquire in 1846

Walton Lodge was large property and estate that was once situated at the top of what we now know as Chruch Brow, in Walton le Dale, which leads onto Cuerdale Lane. In some cases, it was referred to as Cuerdale Lodge. The property was originally created by Mr. Richard Calrow. It is said that the mansion of the Calrows at Walton Lodge was built partially of the bricks brought from the demolished Mosney works.

An Illustration of Walton Lodge
An Illustration of Walton Lodge

 

CALROW OF WALTON LODGE

Richard Calrow of Adlington, Co. Chester, was father of Richard Calrow of Bury, Co. Lancaster, who purchased the Walton Lodge estate in this township. The son, Richard Calrow, Esq., of Walton Lodge, had sons, William ; and Thomas Calrow, Esq., of Woodhill, near Bury. He died, aged 71, in 1830, and was buried at Walton Church.

The Mosney firm of calico printers extended their works, and for some years prosecuted a flourishing business, and bore a high reputation in the trade ; but a succession of pecuniary losses very much shook the credit of the concern, and resulted at last in the suspension of business. The bankruptcy of the firm was announced in the year 1788. The works at Mosney were stopped, and do not appear to have ever been re-started. After lying idle a few years, the buildings at Mosney were demolished, and the machinery taken out of them. Mr. William Assheton, of Cuerdale Hall, bought the site from the executors of Thomas Livesey, in 1792, and sold it to Mr. Richard Calrow about 1797. It is said that the mansion of the Calrows at Walton Lodge was built partially of the bricks brought from the demolished Mosney works.
The only vestiges now to be seen of the once extensive arrangements for calico-printing at this spot are a portion of an old wall, and remains of the brick culvert constructed for turning the water used in the works into the River Darwen. Mosney estate is still the property of the Calrow family. An informant mentions that the Liveseys had bleach-works at Bamber Bridge, and also a cotton mill at Higher Walton, which was purchased by Rodgett Brothers about 1859, and afterwards pulled down and a new mill built. Mr. Thomas Livesey resided at Knott House, and died there ; this house had previously been the residence of Mr. Anstie, one of the masters of the Mosney print-works ; Mr. Hall, another partner, resided at Darwen Bank, now the property of Mr. Rodgett. Knott House was since the mansion of Edmund Calvert, Esq.

However, it appears that its life in the ownership of the Carlows was relatively short. Below is an interesting advertisement for an auction that took place on Wednesday 25th November 1812.

WALTON LODGE To be Sold By AUCTION in 1812
WALTON LODGE To be Sold By AUCTION in 1812


The full text of the 1812 auction advertisement is as follows:

WALTON LODGE.


To be Sold, By AUCTION, MR. CLOUGH, THE RED LION-INN,

AT THE HOUSE OF PRESTON,


On WEDNESDAY the 25th Day of NOVEMBER, 1812,

AT O'CLOCK IN THE EVENING,

Subject to such Conditions as shall be then produced:

ALL THAT

BEAUTIFUL and CAPITAL RESIDENCE

CALLED

WALTON LODGE,

Two Miles distant from Preston, Lancashire,

COMPRISING capital Coach-houses, Stables, Hot-Houses, Gardens, Pleasure-Grounds, Farm-Yard and every other Conve-nience, and also about 286 Acres, Statute Measure, of beautifully varied and well-wooded Ground, in a Ring Fence, (or a less Quantity at the Purchaser's option) including the CAPITAL FARMS called OSBALDESTON-HOUSE, SALLOM-HOUSE. the late Mr. WINSTANLEY'S, and several smaller Houses and Cottages, several extensive and very thriving Woods and Plantations, and a considerable Extent of the River Darwen, with its valuable Streams and Falls, and the fine Holm Land on both its Banks.

ROBERT HUNTER, at Walton Lodge, will shew the Premises, and further Particulars, and a Plan of the Estate, may be had at the Office of Messrs. Cross Gregson & Woodburn, Attornies, Preston, or of Mr. Cottam, of Whalley.

ADDISON, PRINTER PRESTON.


-x-

  

The following is an illustration (a Lithograph) of Walton Lodge, Lancashire, The Seat of William Calrow Esq, 1846. It was lithographed and printed by C J Greenwood for ‘The Mansions of England and Wales, illustrated in a series of Views of the Principal Seats in the County of Lancashire’ by Edward Twycross. This would suggest that the estate of Walton Lodge was bought by Richard Carlow at the 1812 auction and that he built the main house either in addition to, or in place of building that were already there.

Walton Lodge, The Seat of William Calrow Esq, 1846 Lithograph
Walton Lodge, The Seat of William Calrow Esq, 1846 Lithograph

 

The following maps, which are taken from 1848 Ordnance Survey Maps that are available on the National Library of Scotland website, shows the estate and the three main properties that were up for sale in 1812. These were Walton Lodge, Osbaldeston House and Sallom House.

Walton Lodge, Osbaldeston House and Sallom House on 1848 OS Map
Walton Lodge, Osbaldeston House and Sallom House on 1848 OS Map

 

Walton Lodge an Osbaldeston House on 1848 OS Map
Walton Lodge an Osbaldeston House on 1848 OS Map

 

The next maps, again taken from the National Library of Scotland website, show a comparison between 1848 and the early twentieth century. By then Walton Lodge had been demolished and replaced by a row of house named ‘The Drive’. These new house were built in 1899.

Walton Lodge Farm on 1848 & early 1900s OS Maps
Walton Lodge Farm on 1848 & early 1900s OS Maps

 

The Drive in Walton-le-Dale - Houses Built in 1899
The Drive in Walton-le-Dale – Houses Built in 1899

 

The Drive in Walton-le-Dale - Houses Built in 1899
The Drive in Walton-le-Dale – Houses Built in 1899

The auction was held at the Red Lion Inn in Preston. However, coincidentally, there was also a Red Lion Hotel just down the road from Walton Lodge at the time. The property that was once the Walton le Dale Red Lion Hotel public house was built in 1763. It not clear if it was built to be a Hotel and Public House initially, or whether the building served another purpose originally. The building survives, it is a private residence, and is now known as Red Lion Cottage.

Walton le Dale Church (Saint Leonards) and the Red Lion Hotel
Walton le Dale Church (Saint Leonards) and the Red Lion Hotel

 

Red Lion Cottage - The Former Red Lion Hotel, built in 1763
Red Lion Cottage – The Former Red Lion Hotel, built in 1763

Osbaldeston House stands near the road leading from Walton Church (Saint Leonard’s) to Moon’s Mill (an earlier name for Higher Walton). It was rebuilt in 1661 by William and Dorothy Osbaldeston, as recorded by their initials and the date on a stone over the porch.

Osbaldeston House in Walton le Dale. A Farmhouse dated 1661
Osbaldeston House in Walton le Dale. A Farmhouse dated 1661

 

Sallom House Farm exists today, and there appears to be a building in the location occupied by Sallom House. This is possibly the same (original) building.

Sallom House Farm exists today. This is possibly the original building
Sallom House Farm exists today. This is possibly the original building

 

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Further reading and sources of information

The mansions of England and Wales,
illustrated in a series of views of the principal seats with historical and topographical descriptions
by Edward Twycross v. 2

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nyp.33433105260321&seq=11

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Walton Lodge Sale Notice. November 25th 1812
Walton-le-Dale. Sale held at the Red Lion Inn, Preston.
From the Preston Digital Archive

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rpsmithbarney/53277074827/

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Walton-le-Dale Church, Preston
Tinted postcard. Lochinvar N&C
From the Preston Digital Archive

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rpsmithbarney/6145296297/

.

Ordnance Survey Maps
Available on the National Library of Scotland website

https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=16.7&lat=53.74927&lon=-2.65713&layers=257&right=ESRIWorld



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