New Gawber Hall documents received in Barnsley Archives

Researchers can now find out more about the story and history of Gawber Hall, which was situated to the west of Barnsley, following the donation of a collection of title deeds relating to the property, the earliest of which dates from 1730. 

Gawber Hall dated back to medieval times and was built next to the ancient track known as the Gray Stee which was used for pack horses. The Hall was a large farmhouse with farm buildings and some cottages. Between 1735 and 1821, there was a glassmaking cone nearby, and many of the glassmakers lived at Gawber Hall and in its accompanying cottages. It was a prominent landmark in the area. However, the Hall began to be demolished in the late 1930s because of subsidence arising from mining the famous Barnsley seam beneath the house. 

These title deeds add to our understanding of the Hall’s history and nicely complement a series of photographs we have of the building and its demolition. They will also be used in a history project that we are involved in with the children of Gawber Primary School. They have been tasked with helping to name 25 new roads about to be built in the area.