SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

Hi there,I am tracing my family of Longley's, who were builders in Leeds in the 18th and 18th century. They were Thomas Longley & Sons, (Thomas senior, William, John and Thomas Junior) whose registered address was at St Peter's Square. I am aware of at least one other Longley building firm, being Longley Brothers, who were based in Hunslet.I know that the Longley brothers (descended from Joseph, being James, Robert and John) had a brickyard in Hunslet at the junction of Hillidge Road and Jack Lane, and have read with interest the long and fascinating thread on this website.I know that Thomas Longley & Sons made bricks and had a brickyard, as I have seen adverts from them, as well as a report of an injury (William Spurr) at their yard. I have also read a newspaper article (Leeds Intelligencer, October 5th 1839) where it appears that Thomas Longley of St Peter's Square was operating a brickyard at Folly, in Holbeck.Can anyone shed any light on the location of this brickyard, and any other information?Many thanks,Ed.

Take a look at this Ed.http://www.secretleeds.com/forum/Messag ... =2481There was a Folly Hall, and Folly Lane in Holbeck/Beeston.

Ed. Using the Leeds Tithe Maps I came up with Longley's owning or occupying various land.A Thomas Longley owned plot 154 which is near Folly Lane ( I don't know what buck ground means)http://tinyurl.com/lnvhyjcEdit - Click & drag the maps to move around In the 1837 Directory there is a James Longley (Shoemaker), Folly, Holbeck

Any of this info any use to you Ed?

Hi Phil,The information about Folly Hall etc., is new and very interesting. It places Folly on the map for me, which is a big step in the right direction.I seem to be finding Longley builders in Leeds between the 1820's and 1900's all over the place. They seem to have built quite a chunk of Leeds, particularly municipal works, such as the gaol and the waterworks.Many thanks for your kind help.Ed.

elongley wrote: I seem to be finding Longley builders in Leeds between the 1820's and 1900's all over the place. They seem to have built quite a chunk of Leeds, particularly municipal works, such as the gaol and the waterworks.Many thanks for your kind help.Ed. Glad it helped you out a bit Ed.That's exactly what I found when I first had a look. Longley builders popping up in Holbeck, Beeston and Hunslet. It seems your digging pretty deep into things and having a good search about for info. I think we'd be two or three steps behind you by the sound of things so far.Good luck with your searching