OVER the past couple of weeks we have learned much about Barcroft, a large house in Blackburn which was owned by the Scapa company and was used to entertain important visitors to the factory.

Looking Back reader Eric Nolan who has a keen interest in local history is in possession of the diaries of James Hargreaves, the wealthy Tobacco Factor who bought the fine house in 1904 from the town clerk of Blackburn, Mr M R Fox.

The diary entries provide a fascinating insight into the world of one of Blackburn’s wealthy merchants.

The first mention of Barcroft occurs in a diary entry from Christmas Eve, 1903.

James Hargreaves wrote: “R E Fox was offered the Town Clerkship of Leeds. I telephoned my congratulations, and the conversation turned to his house which he said would have to be sold and he invited me to go and see it tomorrow.”

Lancashire Telegraph: IMPRESSIVE: James Hargreaves, owner of Barcroft, and (above left) the sale notice listing some of the contents of Barcroft following the death of Hargreaves’ daughter Jennie in 1945IMPRESSIVE: James Hargreaves, owner of Barcroft, and (above left) the sale notice listing some of the contents of Barcroft following the death of Hargreaves’ daughter Jennie in 1945

James’ Christmas Day entry reads: “After 14 of us sat down to the usual fare of goose, plum pudding mince pies etc etc, went with son Robert (a solicitor) to see Barcroft. It certainly is a charming place, ingeniously designed, but the dining room is rather small.” Perhaps James was thinking of the 14 at his table a few hours earlier!

Over the next two days James discussed the issue with his wife Mary and eldest daughter Jennie who were “favourably impressed, but we could not house our furniture in it which is a very serious drawback as we naturally don’t wish to sacrifice such splendid and costly property to which we have become strongly attached. But we may by arranging for William (his eldest son) to come to “Mayfield”, (James’ current grand house on Preston New Road) reconcile ourselves by leaving certain cherished furniture for him.”

Consequently, William would talk this over with his wife, and James promised Mr Fox his answer in a day or two.

James’ diary entry of January 2, 1904 reads: “Had a further talk with Mr. Fox about Barcroft” and I offered him £1,800, to include all electric fittings, wood fixtures in Billiard Room, hooks & shelving all throughout, bottle racks, gardening implements, dog kennels, - also the billiard table with all cues, rests, balls, marker etc. for a further sum of £50.”

This was all agreed and James signed the Deed of Sale two days later.

On March 8, James “Opened estimates for Barcroft’s alterations & accepted John Cronshaw’s £358, to be completed in six weeks, under a penalty of £10 a week or a bonus of £5 a week if finished inside the time.” Part of this work involves “Mr. Ferguson of Stones removing bath to upper storey, Stagg wood to be put between joists to deaden sound.”

Then James visited Bridges in Accrington to buy tiles.

Over the next five months James spent well over £800, visiting Waring & Gillows in Manchester several times with his wife and daughter purchasing “chairs, sofa, overmantel, upper part of cabinet, carpet, fenders, dogs etc.,” He also accepted a tender of £213-5-0 for a vestibule and porch. In July James would again visit Manchester and spend £3-0-0 on billiard requisites and a stand for 12 cues from Ormes.

He would also purchase more land surrounding the property, and get the Highways Sub Committee to come to examine the road with a view to repairing it - which they agreed to.

In September 1904, James travelled by train to London, along with Mr. Ritzema (Northern Daily Telegraph owner), and the Victoria Statue Committee, of which James was chairman, to inspect the clay model, finding it to be “most satisfactory”.

The following day, James, “While in London, viewed pianos, visited Bluthers, Bechsteins, Steinways, Broadwoods & Ibach piano warehouses”. He would later “make an offer to Rud Ibach & Son for a semi grand piano”.

That same piano was listed at the Sale of the House and Contents in December 1945, as “a very fine semi-grand pianoforte by Ibach”.

James Hargreaves had died in 1918, and when his eldest and unmarried daughter Jennie died in 1945 the trustees decided to sell the property.

Lancashire Telegraph: The sale notice for Barcroft in 1945The sale notice for Barcroft in 1945

James lived for 14 years at his well-loved “Barcroft”. He would show off the rhododendron and rose bushes in his garden, his children would play tennis on the tennis court and his fellow wealthy businessmen cronies would frequently visit for a pleasant evening of billiards, port and a fine cigar

In April 1911, James wrote is his diary: “Filled in the Census paper, we were a small family only six all told, being without a maid entirely.”

The total in the household though was given as 10, so the four domestic staff were evidently elsewhere that night.

In previous Census (and houses) details, the Hargreaves’ household would include a cook, maids (usually 2), nursery maid, there (James had 11 children), gardener, and groomsman/coachman.

During his time at Barcroft, James had a new kitchen installed, with the latest kitchen range fitted which created a major upheaval, solved by moving his family to Southport for a week, to stay at the grandeur of the famous Palace Hotel !

James would normally walk down from Barcroft each Sunday to attend services at St Silas, and usually had a most critical review of the sermon to add to his diary entry that day.

He incidentally, sourced the magnificent Harrison and Harrison organ which still is in use at St Silas, having travelled to Durham to inspect the works and the nearby wonderful organ in the cathedral.

To give some indication about the Hargreaves’ family wealth, Eric Nolan has a notebook belonging to James which show his weekly takings which averaged out at just under £1,000 a week - almost £82,000 today. Not bad for the sale of pipe tobacco, snuff and cigars!

When James Hargreaves died in 1918 he left £83,356, the equivalent of over £3.3 million today.

With thanks to Eric Nolan for all the information. Eric has prepared a talk based on James Hargreaves’ diaries which he hopes to give once lockdown ends