Folly Hall, Hunslet / Holbeck

[Kitty84]

Does the name Folly Hall ring any bells with anyone?I've been researching the history of a long-demolished farmhouse on Leeds Road, Lofthouse Gate. It was built in the early 19th century by a man called Joseph Appleyard and was called Folly Hall Farm, although I cannot find any reference to the property by this name before 1881. What I have found are several references to Folly Hall in the street names on the way into Leeds; apparently there was an estate by that name in Hunslet / Holbeck. The only information I have at the moment is that a building called Folly Hall in the Beeston Hill area was used as a boarding school for young ladies in the mid to late 19th century, and was run by the Thornton sisters, who moved to the area from Baux House on Ilkley Moor.I am stuck in London at the moment so am frustratingly out of reach of the archives and local studies library, so thought I would post this message in the mean time, just in case anyone has come across Folly Hall before?Probably wishful thinking...

[chemimike]

KittyIf you go to http://www.british-history.ac.uk/mapshe ... =357&y=153 , then Folly Hall (this is 1854) is just about in the middle of the page. Looking at the 1905 map,it seems to correspond to between Folly Lane and Lady pit st. Folly Lane no longer meets Beeston Road, and Lady pit St seems to be what is now the part of Malvern Rd on the east of Beeston Road. Afraid the 1854 map is not very clear.

[Si]

West end of Folly Lane, Beeston Hill, 1908...    

[Si]

...and the Eastern end. Not sure if these are of any use?

[Kitty84]

This is brilliant, thanks! As mentioned above I have found dotted references to the hall and the people that owned it, but living down in London I'm limited to internet research until I have a few spare days to travel up to Leeds.I can feel a research trip coming on. At least now I have a map to guide me :-)Kitty

[Brenda Turnbull]

Hi, I believe my Great, Great Grandfather John Dickinson was a farmer who lived at Folly Hall, Lofthouse Gate. The Census records of 1871, 1881 and 1891 show Dickinson family living there. I believe Folly Hall Farm was located opposite the Woodman public house, where the Co op is now situated, on Leeds Road, A61. I have found an image of the farm dated 1962.