Road names in Pilling

By Walter Lawrenson

I have often wondered how the road from Damside Corner to its junction with Lancaster Road had got its name. It was not until November, 2001 that I found the answer.

On one of my visits to the Lancashire County Record Office, I noticed in the catalogue of documents available, there were legal papers relating to the ownership of Tarnbrook Farm. I discovered that a Mr. Thomas Taylor, yeoman, owned a one third share of the farm in 1748 (Document Ref: DDX 195-22).

He died on 25th November, 1772 aged 72, his wife, Margaret had died on 27th June, 1765. (Inscription on flat memorial stone on the grave near to the north west corner of the old church). They do not appear to have had any children. The one third share of the farm was left to a niece who sold it on to John Heys. He would have taken over the farm.

In 1865, John Heys daughter, Mrs. Sarah Threlfall became the owner of her father's share of the farm, which at that time included the land which became part of the New Damside Farm which was built in 1910; the other equal third shares belonged to Rd. G. Gardner of Fluke Hall, and Edward G.S. Hornby, one of the principal landowners in Pilling.

In 1866, Mr. John Fisher purchased Sarah Threlfall's share of Tarnbrook then quickly followed the partition of the farm; Mr. Fisher becoming the sole owner of land and farmstead to the east of the field opposite to the Memorial Hall.

A new farmhouse, now Nos. 3 and 4 Tarnbrook Cottages, with the barn, now Nos. 1 and 2 Tarnbrook Cottages was built, the old ones then being demolished. Development on the frontages to Taylors Lane and Lancaster Road soon followed and by 1871 fourteen dwellings had been built and occupied.

There are three farms in Pilling with the name of Bonds Farm.

Bonds Farm, Duck Street is so called because up to his death on 23rd January, 1856, Christopher Bond, yeoman, lived there with his wife Dorothy.

I have been unable to find out why Bonds Farm off Horse Park Lane and Bonds Farm, Scronkey are so called. "Morley's Farm would be more appropriate for the one off Horse Park Lane, as it has been in the occupation of the Morley family since at least 1841.

Wheel Lane, Pilling. Wheel Lane is almost sure to have derived its name from a water wheel which was situated on its west side.

When looking through legal documents relating to land and property on the left and right at the end of Duck Street, going back to 1676, several references are made to Weel (Wheel) Lane and a sluice, two dwelling houses, barn and a weaving shed.

Tradition always maintained that in former times, flax was grown in this area. If this was so, and the strong linen cloth called 'duck' was being woven, then it may be that this short lane is so called.

P.S. In the summer of 2003 the lane leading to Bonds Farm, off Horse Park Lane was officially named 'MORLEY'S LANE'.