JAMES WISEMAN 1809-1899
Joiner and builder
James Wiseman was born in Kettlewell in upper Wharfedale, now part of the county of North Yorkshire on 11, May 1809, the youngest of a family of ten children. Almost 100 years after James death it is to his credit, that many of his building’s in the town still stand as his monuments. It was at Kettlewell that James served his apprentice as a joiner and builder, and while still in his teen’s he moved to Barnoldswick to seek work. He didn’t remain long in Barnoldswick, but shortly moved on to Burnley, where job prospects were better. His first job was to take part in the building of a barn for the Towneley’s at Moor Isle’s Farm. Following a "tiff’ with one of the workmen, he packed his tools and left to go to his brother, William, who was working at Lothersdale near Skipton. On route, he stopped at a timber yard at Colne, where he was directed to work at Anderson’s of Clitheroe, and for a while he was employed there. It is said that he was attacked in the streets on three occasions during his travels, but as he "Fort forever" he was allowed to proceed unmolested. He stayed at Clitheroe for exactly two years when he returned to Burnley, getting work at Chaffer’s on Aqueduct street (now Centenary Way) About this time he became acquainted with Gilbert Keighley, the father of George Keighley, who was a foremen mechanic at Holgate’s in Lane Bridge.
Gilbert Keighley managed to get James employment in the joinery department at that firm. He remained at Holgate’s for a year or two, returned to Chaffer’s, and following another "tiff" made up his mind to leave Burnley, and "go further into Lancashire" .As he was leaving town, he met Robert Smith who was involved in the building of some houses off Bank Parade. Smith confronted James, with the words "Where art thou goin, I thought tha wer at Holgate’s" "I wer" said James "Till I gave ower, an I’ve bin at Chaffer’s since then an gin ower there" "I’ve five houses" said Smith "Yonder in South Street that want woodwork, I’ll find timber, you find men" And so the bargain was struck James however, was keen to start up on his own, and found premises for a builders yard opposite the old Keighley Green police station. He acquired enough work to keep himself and one man busy through the first years. His enthusiasm and standard of work was soon renown throughout the town, and as more and more work came in he was able to engage many years later, up to 60 men on his books. His first real job was the building of eleven houses and offices for George Slater, what is now called Slater Terrace off Sandygate. This was in the mid 1840s, James was commissioned by George Slater to erect the eleven houses over a canal-side warehouse. The four roomed dwellings, with both lean-to extensions and back yards were far superior than many of those of the day, though they soon became overcrowded. The front doors of these houses led onto a landing cantilevered out over the waters of the canal, and the warehouse below. Not all the persons who lived here were obliged to work at George Slaters factory, though it was stipulated that at least one of the occupants should be in his employ. It was here that James dedication to hard work, not only from himself but his workers too, was noticed. James unknown to some of his workers overheard a conversation with some of his men, one of them said "Well, I’ve had many a master, but yon chap caps the devil for work". In religion, James identified himself with the United Methodist Free church, who at this time rented a room over a smithy in Lane Bridge (now Finsley Gate) His energetic enthusiasm for this cause was demonstrated when he built a pulpit for the church, and carried it from his new premises on Hammerton street on his back!. The Mount Pleasant chapel on Hammerton street, was the first in Burnley to be built by the United Methodist Free Church in 1868, and it was James who did all the joinery work. With the opening of the Brunswick Methodist Free church on Manchester Rd in 1869, James became a Trustee, and again was responsible for all the woodwork and joinery. Besides the aforementioned, he was also connected with the erection of Salem chapel, Sion chapel, Yorkshire St. erected 1862 superseding the one of 1831, and Fulledge chapel Todmorden Rd. He was also connected with the building of Haggate chapel, though his first large contract was the erection of Prospect Terrace, Yorkshire street.
Later he built the Borough Hotel, Sandygate Shed and the old Co-op buildings on Hammerton Street. His removal to Hammerton street Saw Mills and Timber Works (now the builder’s yard below Mount Pleasant chapel) was brought about in an unusual way. The previous owner William Hargreaves was undertaking the venture of building Spuce Mill on Finsley Gate. The Hammerton street property was advertised in the Cross Keys, but no suitable bid was made.
Hargreaves mentioned the matter to Wiseman, whose reply was "Don’t talk to me, I’ve no brass" Hargreaves however, was persistent, and in time James Wiseman made an offer that he thought would place him out of the question as a possible bidder. One night as James was having a chat with George Slater in the Cross Keys, he happened to mention the Hammerton street premises. He told Mr Slater, that every time he saw Hargreaves, he dropped his price a little more, and was beginning to fear he would be taken up on his offer, and it was money he could ill afford. Slater told James, next time he saw Hargreaves to take him up on the offer "I’ll find what you can’t". Accordingly, the premises were bought, but when it came to settling the final accounts, Hargreave’s intimidated, that although he agreed to sell the premises, that did not involve giving up the keys or his tenancy. Wiseman was so incensed by this act, that nothing but the urgent intervention of those present prevented a scene of violence. Hargreave’s in the end submitted the premises to Wiseman, which he occupied right up to the last year of his life. From 1896 James was confined to bed at his home 72 Manchester road, under the care of Dr Dean. He passed away peacefully on Friday 10, November 1899 at the grand age of 90 years and was survived by one daughter. He was buried at Burnley cemetery on Wednesday 15, November 1899.
“100 Hundred Burnley Worthy’s” by Jack Nadin.
