From Rags to Riches

The Tale of Todmorden's Oldest Inhabitant

Becoming a nonagenarian, while a notable achievement today , was a much rarer event in the early years of the last century.

So much so that the Todmorden and Hebden Bridge Historical Almanack devoted no less than four pages to a Shore lady who lived to be 93.

The story of Mrs Sally Haworth, who married twice and suffered "dire poverty" in her early years, was a real rags to riches tale told in affectionate, not to say effusive, tones.

Sally Haworth was born in January 1812 at Todmorden Edge where she lived until she was 16 years old, the Almanack for 1906 revealed.

Sally Haworth was born in January 1812 at Todmorden Edge where she lived until she was 16 years old, the Almanack for 1906 revealed.

Forced to make a hasty exit from their home "for fear of its falling in upon them," the family moved to Old Webster’s, High Barn, and "as little was to be gained by hand-loom weaving at this time," Sally ended up in service.

In 1835 she married her first husband, John Holt, of Dean House, who worked as a picker-maker at Woodbottom, Walsden. (The match was, apparently, against the wishes of her family), and Sally fought "a brave battle with dire poverty," keeping body and soul together by hand-loom-weaving when her husband suffered a series of calamities which began right at the start of their married life together.

"In those days," the Almanack explained, "it was usual to celebrate a wedding by a spree and on the second day a score or more met at Pearson’s, Hollins Inn, to hold high festival. During the evening the bridegroom had the misfortune to break his leg."

The groom’s woes did not end there for only three months later, "he had the further misfortune to cut the thumb off his left hand." Poor John "suffered severely," the wounded digit swelling to a "fearful size" eased only by a recipe applied by Owd Sally Fielden.

The couple were then living, according to Sally’s own account, in "very humble circumstances."

Sally went on to marry another John and ended her long life in comparative ease. Her story is told in full in Milltown Memories, issue 2. If this or other stories stirs a memory, we'd be happy to know - send us your memories and comments.