THORNHILLS ESTATE ACT

Description

Relating to Thomas Thornhill of Fixby's estates. Also notes relating to the history of Rastrick by J W Clay

Biography or history

John William Clay was the son of Joseph Travis Clay of Rastrick. He was a member of the Brighouse Corporation, mayor of the borough 1898-1900 and alderman 1900-1909. Clay also served as a JP for the West Riding amd borough of Brighouse. In the business world he became the director of Messrs J T Clay & Sons Ltd, worsted manufacturers, and also served as a director of the Halifax Commercial Banking Co Ltd.


J W Clay was elected to the Yorkshire Archaelogical Society in 1883, and became Vice-President in 1909. His chief work was as Hon Secretary of the Record Series which he held from 1897 until his death in 1918. He himself edited 9 volumes and also published articles in the Society's journal. His interests were principally in genealogy and heraldry - perhaps his most important work was his edition of Dugdale's Visitation of Yorkshire. He also transcribed several parish registers. For a long period he had been collecting material for a complete Yorkshire Armory. He was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London in 1888, and also seved as Vice-President of the Surtees and Halifax Antiquarian Societies, and was a member of the council of the Harleian and Yorkshire Parish Register Societies. One of the original members of the Tyke's Club, he was Archtyke in 1901.

Provenance

MS972-985. Papers of J W Clay (1837-1918) and C T Clay (1885-1978).

Access and usage

Access

This material is not subject to restrictions under Data Protection or other relevant legislation that might limit access. However, other protections, such as donor conditions or conservation considerations, may still apply where advised.

Related material

See also DD12, MS381and MS 985.

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