All’s Well

Thornton-In-Craven well is placed by St Mary’s Church. Henry Richardson placed it there and there is a millstone on top of it. He came from a rich family with two elder brothers and sisters and a younger brother. He became an Oxford graduate like his father. Henry Richardson was born in 1710 and became rector in 1738.He lived in North Bierley and lived in Bierley Hall. Henry Richardson was married to Mary Dawson in 1738. Mary was the daughter of a wooll merchant. They had two boys and two girls. Henry died in 1778 in service and unusually there has been no memorial.

His son, Henry was to become rector but it was not to be, as he didn’t take holy orders so his cousin took over for five years. Henry married into a wealthy family from Eshton Hall. He soon died and was buried at Thornton. His daughter also married into a wealthy family.

Does anybody know of any wells in or around Thornton and if so please can you give us map references. Also does anybody have any historic information?