The Last Will and Testament of Joshua Bradley

Below is a transcript of 
the Last Will and Testament of 
Mr Joshua Bradley

                                                                                                                                                               

(Taken from "Reminiscences in the life of Joshua Bradley by James Bradley)

Joshua Bradleys House

A postcard of Joshua Bradley's property and residence, Mottram Road, Godley.


He lived (and died) in the middle house.


The house as it looks today, complete with a blue plaque.There is also a similar plaque on Hyde Town Hall.
(Courtesy of Google maps) 

Joshua Bradley - a short summary

A local man, born in a humble cottage in Further Lane, Hattersley.
After his father died he was sent to work to learn pin winding and ball making with a local thread manufacturer. Through hard work he rose to manage the Boston Cotton Mill in Hyde and in 1885 was elected to Hyde Town Council to represent Godley Ward. He retired in 1888 and died in 1898.
The large bell in Hyde Town Hall was given by Joshua Bradley and is known as "Owd Joss".

More Joshua Bradley

Town Hall Clock

 Here is an unusual view of Hyde Town Halls' clock and workings from inside the tower.

The dedication plaque shows Joshua Bradleys name and the date 13th October 1884. 
The large bell in the clocktower is known as Owd Joss (Old Josh), named after Joshua Bradley, a former poor child worker in the mills who later became mayor of Hyde. 

The clock chimes the Westminster Quarters, the same chimes as Big Ben in Westminster.

Reminiscences in the life of Joshua Bradley part 2

Joshua Bradley work origins.



Joshua Bradley learned his trade in the small premises that were at the rear of the Farm House where he lived on Pudding Lane. This was run by Joseph Walker who kept the business going after his Brother Daniel had left to run the day school near Newton Bank Print Works. All work was done by hand - The machinery consisted of a small spinning jenny and a few frames which were used for winding the manufactured thread into bobbins and balls which were then ready for sale.
Joshua started his learning as a pin winder and ball maker at the early age of seven years old. He started working the first week for no wages but was so quick at mastering the work that before weekend had arrived his name was placed on the wages sheet. His first wage was fourpence which ,whilst was a small amount , filled him with pride as he took it home to his mother.



After six months Joshua moved on from the Pudding Lane Manufacturers to the Ashton Brothers Cotton Mill in Newton. This required him to walk three miles each way per day which was no mean feat for a child of eight years old.
There were no restrictions in those days regulating the hours of Cotton Mills so Joshua would commence work at 5:30am and finish at 8pm. After mastering his new job his mother decided that he should take lodgings in Newton so he would be nearer to his work. His wages were now 4s 6d per week.

Reminiscences in the life of Joshua Bradley part 1

Taken from "Reminiscences in the life of Joshua Bradley" by James Bradley

"Owd Joss"

As most Hydonians know, the large bell in the Town hall clock is known as "Owd Joss". It is so named because it was bequested to Hyde by Joshua Bradley , a former poor child worker in the mills who later became mayor of Hyde.



The clock chimes the "Westminster Quarters" which is the most common name for a melody used by a set of clock bells to chime on each quarter hour. The number of chime sets matches the number of quarter hours that have passed. It is also known as the Westminster Chimes, or the Cambridge Chimes from its place of origin, the church of St Mary the Great, Cambridge.
Big Ben is probably the most famous use of the Westminster Quarters.

Joshua Bradley Book

I read this in a book about Joshua Bradley called "Reminiscences in the life of Joshua Bradley" by James Bradley and thought I'd share it with you.
High praise,indeed ,from Reverend Dowson.




This is the introduction to the book.
I will post more at a later date.