We were asked recently if we could research "Overlea" or "Overleigh", a large house on Eccles Road at Horwich End.
Historic maps are always a good starting point and the 1899 Ordnance Survey map clearly shows "Overleigh", Park House" and its other neighbours.
We are unable, so far , to find any information about the history of these houses but perhaps ongoing research will reveal their stories.
The census, especially that of 1891, does tell us something about the residents of the neighbourhood.
Overleigh House was the home of James William Cunliffe, then aged 62, and his wife Frances; both born in Manchester. They had a live in cook and a housemaid. Mr Cunliffe's occupation was given as "Living on his own means". The census of other decades however shows that he was a Retired Calico Printer. He had apparently learned his trade because in 1861 he was a mere "Clerk at Print Works" and living in Handforth. The Cunliffe family originated near Blackburn and had long been associated with the textile trade and with banking. The family banking business was taken over by Lloyds in the early 1800s. Until late 2023, another Cunliffe, Sir Jon, was a deputy governor of the Bank of England. Companies carrying the Cunliffe name are still in the textile business to this day.
Over Lea Bank was the home of 52 year old Thomas Barker. He was a retired professor of mathematics. His cousin Margaret Knowles served as his housekeeper and another cousin, Sarah Knowles was an elementary school teacher. Annie Rowley was employed as a servant.
John Srigley lived at Over Lea Farm and his occupation was Colliery Agent. His is a familiar name in the history of local coal mining. He was 68 and his wife, Ann, 65 years of age. Their son, John Henry was the farmer.
Park House was the home of 56 year old Ralph Hall, a Justice of the Peace and a merchant. His was a large household and besides his 52 year old wife, Harriett, he had four daughters, none of whom appear to have been employed. To care for them, they had a live in nurse, a housemaid and a waitress/domestic servant. No doubt other staff lived out.
Another Over Lea neighbour was William Ritchie, aged 63, a retired Cotton Merchant. His wife was Annie, aged 65. The daughter Isabella wasn't working but the son Robert was following his father's profession as a Cotton Buyer. They only employed one servant.
John William Turner was a less affluent neighbour, being a mere Railway brakeman. He lived with his wife, Elizabeth and 2 year old daughter, Lilian.
The last neighbour was 65 year old Mary Fearns, a widow who was able to support herself by her own means.
Barbara Spencer wrote:
The house behind the gate was a hostel for Italian young women just after the war ,who I believed came to work at Whaley shed ,I think some married local lads and raised families here ,After that it was the cousins family Sid his wife .his sister Louie and her husband and Mrs Cousins senior,
We used to go there for eggs ,before they moved there they were landlord of the New Inn, previously being in the jewellery trade,
We also used to go to Bob Ritchie for flowers ,to this day I always call Eccles Road Richie’s Road ,And Mr & Mrs Bennett and there 4 boys ,
