Birkendale was the second Freehold Land Society to be set up in Sheffield, for an introduction to Birkendale, click here.

Birkendale's plots were given to the members in January 1848, and the society had been planned for a while before that, but the first notable event was when a soirée was held on the land the members had purchased from T Aldam. The land was over 9 acres in size and next to Upperthorpe. Each plot had an area of 1 rood (1/4 acre, 1/10 hectare), and roads were built 'to suit each plot'. The members were lent £70 to build a 'good substantial house' on their land, and paid back the value of the loan plus interest over 14 years. The name Birkendale was chosen by Mrs Laurance, of Shalesmoor, and 'the whole affair went off in a pleasing manner, and to the satisfaction of all present.' (Extracts from the Sheffield and Rotherham Independent, June 19, 1848)

In January 1849, Birkendale was put forward in a meeting in the Town Hall as an example of the benefits of a Freehold Land Society. The Chairman had visited Birkendale and had been delighted at what he saw, he felt it was a 'beautiful and healthy situation, and possessed many advantages.' He also thought 'it was a most desirable undertaking for steady, respectable working men to join in'.

The original members of the Birkendale Society were workers in the steel industry, with the inhabitants in 1851 making from everything from scissors to spring knives, with one cutlery manufacturer and one land surveyor. There were 14 families living in Birkendale, with an average of 6 in a family.

In 1856 the people were now mostly manufacturers, with a bookseller, a painter, a clerk and 2 grocers as well.

In 1862, 20 families lived on the street, still mostly manufacturers, with an ivory cutter and a mason.

In 1864, the number of families had increased by 7, with a large majority of manufacturers, a district rate collecter who was also hon. secretary to Steel Bank Bowling Green and a brewer. Many of the original families were still here, with Benjm. Shemeld, Joseph Morton and Henry Nowill still residents after 13 years.

In 1865, the year in which the original members finally paid off their houses, the number of families remained at 27.

In 1868, there were 28 families, with fewer manufacturers and two managers, Joseph Marsh and Henry G. Carr.

In 1871 there were 35 families, with on average five people per family, There were more plant owners, with Henry Platt employing 20 men and 4 boys. Henry Outram employing 30 men and 10 boys. Also Fredrick Percy Rawson employing 126 men, 16 females and 32 boys. Other people of note are William Glover Corley, who was a Secretary to a Limited Liability Co, in the Steel Trade.

In 1876, a sub-editor, music teacher, Rev. Rawson, a Catholic Apostolic, though not related to Fredrick Percy Rawson because Fredrick Percy was a Baptist. (Thanks to Mike Lucas) as well as a day school owner and a pawnbroker were some of the occupations of people living on the newly named streets - Birkendale, Birkendale View and Birkendale Road.

In 1879, several drapers and a harmonium manufacturer, Mr Joseph Walker Maudson were the more notable inhabitants, slowly fewer and fewer manufacturers inhabited the area, and were being replaced with far more varied occupations.

This is the end of our travel through the history of the Birkendale Freehold Land Society, to learn more about Freehold Land Societies and Sheffield in the 1800's, do a search for your required topic on the search engine below.

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