Blackburn, Sudell Cross 1895

Photo ref: 35726

More about this scene

The shops behind the big lamp in the centre of the road are interesting. Next to the draper's shop on the left is Walmsley's Stationers and Bookshop. The large window proudly proclaims that they have a Bible and Prayer Book Department. The horse-drawn tram heads off towards the Town Hall. The Sudell family can be traced back to the reign of Edward VI. They owned land in Blackburn and out at Oozebooth. The family built a large town house on King Street. They also built a large warehouse, and Sudell Court and Sudell's Yard appeared round it. Henry Sudell, the last of the family to live in Blackburn, enclosed Woodfold Park, and built the Hall there. He also bought the manorial rights at Mellor. For all his money (he was a millionaire by 1815), he was a very fair employer, and averted a troublesome strike in August 1818 by agreeing to a 5% rise in wages. In 1827 he lost thousands in overseas trade, and was forced into bankruptcy. He paid his creditors over 19/- in the pound, but they never forgave him; he moved to Bath to live in retirement.

An extract from Heart of Lancashire Photographic Memories.