SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

Pic - 1875 MapI came across a reference in a book called "Wortley de Leeds" by William Benn published in the 1920's that mentioned that when Matthew Murray came to Leeds his first workshop was on Mill Green, Wortley before he moved to Water Lane. The question is - is Mill Green in Wortley and where precisely was the workshop? Mill Green is near the bottom of Copley Hill - the road still exists though it's an industrial estate now - Google Streeview linkhttp://tiny.cc/ge9efOn a second point - the Wiki reference mentions that Matthew Murrays grave is in St Matthews graveyard Holbeck but I can't see it using Google streetview - said it is marked by a cast iron obelisk made at the Round Foundryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_MurrayAs a footnote in the book it also mentioned that his three grand daughters laid the foundation stone of St John the Evangelist on Dixon Lane.Just one final note - now that the Matthew Murray school is no more wouldn't it be appropriate for a new development in Holbeck to be named after the great man

I was in Murray house when I was at Cockburn High School some 50 years plus ago. At the time I doubt I knew who Murray was but I assume now that it was named to honour Matthew Murray.

Hi Leeds Hippo. The Murray Obelisk is at the north end of the graveyard overlooking Stocks Hill, roughly in the area delineated by projecting Pleasant Place some twenty to thirty yards eastwards. It should show up on Google Earth, ( it's certainly big enough ) but I can't check that as my laptop is playing up again.    

[quotenick="Leeds Hippo"]Pic - 1875 MapOn a second point - the Wiki reference mentions that Matthew Murrays grave is in St Matthews graveyard Holbeck but I can't see it using Google streetview - said it is marked by a cast iron obelisk made at the Round Foundryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_MurrayHi Leeds Hippo,There is a picture of the obelisk hereThe building in the backround is part of the old Holbeck Loco Sheds

[quotenick="Leeds Hippo"]Pic - 1875 MapOn a second point - the Wiki reference mentions that Matthew Murrays grave is in St Matthews graveyard Holbeck but I can't see it using Google streetview - said it is marked by a cast iron obelisk made at the Round Foundryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_MurrayHi Leeds Hippo,There is a picture of the obelisk hereThe building in the backround is part of the old Holbeck Loco Sheds    

Attached is picture from Flickr, Unfortunately the link did not copy across

Thanks everyone - I can see that now - I must have a look at that next time I'm down that way. Just been reading up on Matthew Murray and the story of industrial espionage is quite fascinating with James Watt's son trying to steal Murray's inventions and attempting to buy up land near Murray's work in order to frustrate any expansion - would be good material for a film/book

Just thought I'd mention that Murray House was also one of the houses of Leeds Central High School - colour green. I wasn't in it though - Faraday House (blue) was mine. Newton (Red) and Priestley (white) were the other two.

Mill Green: Wortley or Holbeck? Hmm ... good question! In my book, Wortley (New Wortley or Lower Wortley) has to be north of Gelderd Road, otherwise it's Holbeck (or Beeston). I've always thought of Mill Green as in Holbeck but I'm a native, so I would, wouldn't I? Murray's grave was literally at the end of the street (the Pleasants; off Domestic Street) where I grew up.I went to Matthew Murray school from 68 to 74; the houses were named Fenton, Wood, Smeaton and Blenkinsop - all named after local engineers. I think Murray himself was in business with Messrs Fenton & Wood. The school was demolised in 2007, so I'm pleased that I made the effort to attend a reunion in 2004.I didn't know that one of the Cockburn houses was named after Murray - my pal (a Cockburnian) never told me that!

The obelisk is cast iron - cast at Murray's foundry.