THE DEATH OF JAMES AMBLER

SHOCKING FATALITY AT LUDDENDEN

Todmorden & District News 6th June 1901

Quite a consternation was caused in Luddenden on Wednesday by the shocking  death which befell Mr. James Ambler, one of the best known and most highly respected of its residents, head of the firm of Messrs John Ambler and sons, worsted spinners Peel House mills. Mr. Ambler was at the works, as usual,  shortly after breakfast, he busied himself in the office until about 11:00. He then went into Mill lane to meet a horse and cart laden with coal,  which Mr. John Stockings, an employee of the firm was bringing  from Luddenden- foot railway station. Stockings was expected to have a parcel for Mr. Ambler. After making an inquiry  respecting it,  the lamented gentleman  walked to the off side of the cart, and was looking in, it was believed, at the horse when he somehow fell with his head underneath the vehicle, which was still in motion. The brake being on the wheel of the cart was prevented passing over the body, but the full weight of the load was brought to bear against it, severely crushing Mr. Ambler about the head. Stockings, after stopping the horse,  pulled Mr. Ambler to the side of the road and he was afterwards removed to the house and Mr. Wormald, the cashier. There Mr. Ambler was seen by Dr.  Crowther who, however, pronounced  life to be extinct. The body was removed to Glenroyd, the sad tidings meanwhile being conveyed to members of the family.

No man was better known in the Warley district than Mr. James Ambler. In his early days he resided at Norton Lodge, Warley. Subsequently he built Norton Towers and resided there up to the time of moving to Glenroyd. Whilst at Warley he was a very prominent in connection with the Congregational Church, he and the late Mr. L.J. Crossley taking an active interest in the organ fund and he has since grown a great interest in the church at Booth.

For 21 years Mr. Ambler was chairman of the old Warley Local Board. He was elected to that position on May the 27th 1872 and retired in the year 1893, when the District Council came into operation. Mr. Ambler always brought his practical, methodical, business ability to bear on anything he had to deal with in connection with the Local Board.
Many improvements were carried out mainly through his foresight and energy. The universal kindness which he always displayed towards younger members of the board was also a feature of his chairmanship. When he retired the members of the Board showed their appreciation of his services by presenting him on the on July 8th 1893 with a beautiful illuminated address which was after prominently hung in the old Board room. The address was couched in the following terms

“Dear Sir – We, the members, ex members and officials of the Warley Local Board desire to express to you our deep regret on your retirement and the consequent loss of your valuable co-operation and assistance.
 To the abilities and zeal you have displayed during your long term of 21 years continuous an active service as chairman of the Board in the promotion and carrying out of all projects calculated to further the interests of the ratepayers and secure the well-being of the district generally, we earnestly bear record.
Your unvarying courtesy and strict impartiality have ever gained for you with respect and this team of your colleagues on the Board and all with whom you have been  brought into contact.
 In asking your acceptance of this small tribute of your esteem and regard we earnestly hope that many years of happiness and prosperity may be in store for you”.

This was signed by Mr. Arthur Thompson (chairman), Mr. A Leyland (vice chairman), Mr. J. B. Holroyd (clerk), Mr. J. Robertshaw (deputy clerk), and other officials and members of the board.

In replying to the kind things said about him at the gathering Mr. Ambler contributed an interesting piece of his family history and the following remarks:

 “ I feel very pleased to think that name of Ambler has been connected with the Township of Warley for considerably over half a century, my father being settled in the Township a little over 60 years ago, and forthwith commenced to take an active part in the township’s affairs under the old Board of Surveyors and continued until the year 1863 when local boards of health were inaugurated. My brother was elected first chairman, and continued in office until the year 1872. You then conferred the honour upon me, which you have continued for 21 consecutive years, retiring for the reason I gave at the last meeting I attended viz., not now having the necessary time to devote to the township's affairs. My nephew Mr. Amber Leyland, is still a member of the Board and perhaps at some future time my son may be willing to give you his service also.

In business Mr. Ambler's career was most exemplary. He and his brother Mr. William Ambler J.P. of Kirby Lees, Halifax, took charge of the works at Peel House mills when their father, Mr. John Ambler, retired in 1868. A few years afterwards the business was turned into a limited liability company. This did not exist very long. Subsequently Mr. William Ambler retired and Mr. James took sole charge of the business. In later years he received valuable assistance from his son, Mr. John Ambler.
The deceased gentleman, who is 62 years of age, married Miss Webster (daughter of the late Mr. S Webster, Brewer), who survives him. He had seven children. The eldest married late Mr. Frank Walker of Lindley. Another daughter married Mr. W, Highley, of Halifax, but both Mr. and Mrs. Highley are dead. The youngest daughter Miss Mary was recently wedded to the son of Mr. J.F. Sykes of Edgerton, near Huddersfield. Two daughters - Miss Annie and Miss May - and the only son Mr. John are unmarried and reside at Glenroyd. A second son died in infancy.
Mr. Ambler could have been an Alderman of the Halifax Town Council when Warley entered the borough, but he refused the preferred honour. In politics he was an ardent Liberal and took a keen interest in the Sowerby Division Liberal Association. On July 2nd 1894 he was placed on the Commission of the Peace for the West Riding.

THE INQUEST

Todmorden and District News 7th June 1901
“Mr. E.H. Hill held an inquest afternoon before a respectful jury, over which Councillor Marshall presided, at the house of the deceased.
Mr. John Ambler, son of the deceased, was the first witness called. He stated that his father was 62 years of age last May. Witness last saw him alive at eleven a.m. on Wednesday. In the morning his father in getting up had complained of little dizziness, but for so far as he (witness) knew this had soon passed off.

The Coroner- ‘was he at all lame?
Witness- ‘Yes, lame on the right leg, the result of an accident a few years ago.’
Coroner- ‘Was it general lameness or did it come on Saturday at times?’
Witness– ‘It came on very often with a change in the weather and was more pronounced at these times; he was generally lame.’
Coroner- ‘Did it ever give way with him entirely? Did it ever stop him from walking at all at once?’
Witness- ‘No, I should not say so far as that, but it still compelled him to walk very slowly.’
Coroner -‘I suppose he never threatened to take his own life. or anything of that sort?’
Witness – ‘No.’

THE DRIVER’S STORY

John Stockings, cart driver in the employ of Messrs. John Ambler and Sons, gave evidence that the previous morning he was in the lane leading from the railway station with two horses and a cart. When he was in Mill Lane, near to the works, he saw the deceased coming out of the office. Mr. Ambler came up to the witness and asked if he had a parcel for him, which he expected to bring from the station. Witness told him that he left it at the gardener’s and the deceased replied “all right”. The deceased appeared cheerful.
After receiving the witnesses reply, he crossed in front of the shaft horse, and the other horse being five yards in front, unchained. Deceased went on the other side of the cart.

The Coroner- ‘Did you stop your horse to speak to him?’
Witness- ‘No I never stopped the cart.’
continuing he said that after Mr. Ambler had crossed he felt a ‘burr’ underneath the wheel, and pulled up to see what was the matter. He went round passing in front of the horse and found Mr. Ambler laid on the ground face downwards with his head under the wheel.

The Coroner -’Is the road smooth or rough?’
Witness- ‘smooth set’.
Witness never heard of fall or any noise except the sound of the wheel on the over the setts. The brake was on at the time.

The Coroner- ‘Did he walked more lame than usual?’
Witness- ‘No sir, no different.’

The Witness pulled the deceased from underneath the wheel. He never spoke and was apparently quite dead.

The Coroner-‘Did the wheel’ ?

Witness-‘No, sir, he was blocked in and shoved him along in front’.
Mr. Wormald, cashier, came to the witness’s assistance. There was no need to back the horse in extricating deceased from under the wheel.
In reply to a juryman witness stated that The witness stated that the deceased had a smile on his face while speaking to him and seemed quite well.

CASHIER’S EVIDENCE

Jonas Wormald, cashier, in the employ of Messrs Ambler and Sons, and residing at Peel House Lodge, said he was with the deceased in the office for about quarter of an hour on the morning of the accident.
Deceased witness he knew, was waiting for Stockings. When the latter was seen coming down Mill Lane, deceased went out to meet him, coming up to him about 25 yards from the mill.
Witness saw him speak to Stockings from the near side of the vehicle. Deceased then passed across to the other side, walking in front of the cart. Witness saw him partly turn around to look at the chain horse.
The next thing witness saw was deceased suddenly falling to the ground - this was half a minute afterwards. Witness saw deceased was struggling, either in the act of falling or trying to rise, and the idea struck him that he was in a fit.
The Coroner- ‘Had he said anything that might lead was think he had he might have a fit?’ Witness- ‘No. The lane,’ he added, ‘was very steep and the office from where he was looking was about on a level with where the accident happened.’
Deceased had in meeting a driver crossed in front of the horse to go forward to the office. The jury immediately returned a verdict of “Accidental Death”.

VOTE OF CONDOLENCE

The Foreman moved a resolution of deep sympathy with the family in their bereavement. Mr. Ambler’s death was a loss not only to the family but to the district. Deceased was a man with a large heart and was full of sympathy and consideration for others. Councillor Parker seconded the resolution which was passed by the company standing and Mr. W Ambler undertook to convey it to the family.

Todmorden and District News 26th July 1901

THE WILL

The will is dated 8th March 1894, of Mr. James Ambler, J.P., of Glen Royd, Luddenden, Yorks, and of the firm of John Ambler and Sons, Peel House Mills, Luddenden, worsted spinners, who died on the 5th June last, aged 61 years, and the estate has been valued at £39,493 16s (approximately £4,250,000 today) gross with net personalty nil.

WILL OF THE LATE MR JAMES AMBLER

– the will, dated March 8th 1894, of Mr. James Ambler, of Glenroyd, Luddenden, Halifax, head of the firm of John Ambler and Sons, worsted spinners, of Peel House, Mills, Luddenden, has just been proved in London by Mrs. Emma Jane Ambler, the widow, and Mr. John Ambler, the son, two of the executors, Mr. Edgar Booth, solicitor, of Halifax, having renounced probate.>br> The gross value of the real and personal estate £39,493 16s, and the net personalty nil.
Mr. Ambler bequeathed to his wife his wines and consumable stores, and during her widowhood the use of Glenroyd, with the furniture and effects therein and an annuity of £400, to be reduced to £200 should she again marry, and to his son his live and dead farming stock.
All the residue of his property is to be divided into seven parts, two for his son John , and one each on trust for his daughters, Mrs. Edith Walker, Mrs. Jessie Hoghley, Annie Ambler, Elizabeth Ambler and Mary Ambler. His son is to have the option of taking over his business, and, if he elects to do so, provisions are made for the transfer of the testator’s to him.

Leeds Mercury 17th October 1901

IMPORTANT SALES AT HALIFAX

A large company assembled at the White Swan Hotel, Halifax, last evening, when valuable mill and residential property was offered by Mr. J Shoesmith (Messrs Davis and Shoesmith , of Halifax).

There were first offered the two four storey mills, known as Peel House Mills (Messrs. John Ambler and Sons), Luddenden and with them warehouses, various sheds and outbuildings, the motive power, a splendid water supply, and fifty-three cottage houses in the vicinity. The mills had accommodation for 1,916 spindles. For the last nine years the houses had brought in an average yearly income of £327 (Approximately £35,200 today) and a few years since the whole of the estate had been valued at £39,470 (Approximately £4,250,000 today).
Bidding opened at £5,000, and at £8,300 ( approximately £893,750 today) the property was knocked down to Mr. John Murgatroyd, of Castle Carr, near Halifax. Messrs. F. Walker and Sons, of Halifax , were the solicitors for this lot.
Here was next offered “Glen Royd”, Luddenden, lately occupied by the late Mr. James Ambler, the whole covering over 17 acres. The estate was valued a few years ago at £7,000. The opening offer, £2,000, and at £2,500 (approximately £270,000 today), Mr. W Gray, of Halifax became the purchaser. Messrs Godfrey Rhodes and Evans, of Halifax, were the solicitors concerned in the sale. Bidding was slow throughout and each sale was described by the auctioneer as “ a perfect slaughter”.

  Yorkshire Post ands Leeds Intelligencer 22nd November 1901

MR WILLIAM AMBLER , OF HALIFAX

Mr. William Ambler, a well-known West Riding and Halifax Borough Magistrate, died with startling suddenness at his residence , Kirby Lear (sic), Halifax last night. Early in the evening he went to Halifax Club, Fountain Street, and played a game at Billiards. He then seemed quite well and cheerful. Subsequently he walked to his residence, about a quarter of a mile away from the club, and soon after reaching there he died very suddenly, apparently from failure of the heart.

Only a few months ago his brother, the late Mr. James Ambler, was killed near his mills , at Peel House, Luddenden, through being run over by a cart.

He was 70 years of age, but despite his advanced age, showed remarkable activity, and apparently enjoyed very good health. He was formerly a partner in the firm of John Ambler and Sona, worsted spinners, of Peel House Mills, Luddenden, but he retired from the business long ago. For many years he had been a county and borough magistrate, and for a long time had been prominently identified with the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. The Halifax Infirmary and other benevolent and philanthropic institutions found in him a warm and generous supporter.

Leeds Mercury 27th December 1901

THE WILL (MR WILLIAM AMBLER)

The will of Mr. William Ambler, of Kirby Lees, formerly a partner in the firm of John Ambler and Sons, worsted spinners, Peel House Mills, Luddenden has been proved by Frederick Ellis Wayman, Charles Herbert Daines and Wm, John Barton, the executor. The value of the estate is £51,961 13s.(Approximately £5,600,000 today) gross and net personalty £44,225 9s.6d.(Approximately £4,750,000 today)

Mr Ambler bequeathed to his executors £200 each; to his coachman, John Watson, £200; to his wife his furniture, plate etc.; to his cousins William Ambler and Mary Ann Ambler annuities of £40 each;
The residue of his property is to be held on trust to pay the income thereof to his wife for life. On her decease he gave £8.000 to Charles Herbert Baines; £8,000 each on trust for his wife’s nieces, Emily Florence Baines and Annie Louise Baines; and the ultimate residue between his nephews and nieces, Edith, John, Annie, Lizzie and Mary Ambler, William Parkin, Ambler Leyland, Jessie Highley, and Percy, Maud Ethel an Sydney Wood.

The Ambler Memorial, Luddenden Churchyard

The Ambler Memorial in Luddenden Cemetery

James Ambler's Memorial

“In loving Memory of James Ambler, of Glenroyd. Born  May 10th 1839, died June 5th 1901 and Emma Jane his wife. Born April 2nd 1842, Died May 29th 1930.”

Remains of Peel House Mills, Mill Lane, Warley

The Remains of Peel House Mill as seen from Mill Lane

This seems to be the only remnant of the mill buildings. The mill was recorded in the 16th Century as a Fulling mill. In 1833 when it was a Worsted mill, records show employees worked a 78 hour week. At the time there were 37 children under sixteen years old working at the mill

Buildings, including this one, are shown on the 1850 Ordinance Survey six-inch map, when it was a worsted mill. The small square structure is the base of a mill chimney, so perhaps the building was an engine house. Later in it's life it produced blankets. It's last owner was RT Riley.