Contents:
| Biography |
Frederick William Cronhelm was born in Exeter, the eldest son of William George Otto Cronhelm.
He was baptised at Exeter Cathedral [28th May 1787].
The family moved to Halifax in 1797.
He wrote Double Entry by Single; a new method of book-keeping [1818].
He was Chairman of the Sowerby Bridge Local Board [15th April 1858-15th April 1860] / Editor of the Halifax Guardian [from 1834] / an accountant [1841] / mill manager and accountant for Sir Henry Edwards / managing clerk in woollen mill [1861]
Since he was authorised to provide financial assistance for Sir Henry's political agent in Beverley, he was mentioned in the corruption trial of 1870.
On 14th September 1811, he married (1) Elizabeth Wigney.
Elizabeth was the daughter of John Wigney
Children:
Elizabeth died in 1846.
In September 1848, he married (2) Mary Jane Thwaite.
Mary Jane was the daughter of Isaac Thwaite
Children:
The family lived at Crow Wood Mansion [1841, 1861].
About a fortnight before his death, he had celebrated his 84th birthday at Bolton Woods, where he caught a cold by sitting on the damp ground. This resulted in the illness which led to his death.
He died at Crow Wood [2nd June 1871].
Probate records show that he left effects valued at under £8,000. The will was proved by Sir Henry Edwards of Pye Nest, the sole surviving executor.
In 1881, his widow Mary Jane and daughter Mary Jane were at 14 Pavilion Square, Scarborough, where his widow died the following year.
Members of the family were buried at Holy Trinity Church, Halifax
| Some of his works |
He was said to be
a gentleman of considerable literary ability
and was described as
the sweetest of Calder bards
He published several works of prose and poetry, and contributed to several journals. His work included:
He was one of the subscribers to John Horner's book Buildings in the Town & Parish of Halifax [1835].
| The Closing of Old Brigg Chapel |
In 1821, he wrote the following poem about the closing of Old Brigg Chapel, Sowerby Bridge
There is a spot in Calderdale, beneath the Norland Wood, Where years ago, by an ancient tree, a lowly chapel stood. It is a green and sheltered nook, just where the rivers meet The Calder and the Ribourne stream, by lofty Werla's feet
| To My Daughter Catherine |
A poem written in 1840 on the death of his 12-year-ld daughter, Catherine
The Halifax Weekly Courier of 1914, quoted from another poem, entitled A Wreath for Catherine's Grave [1842], which described the Old Brigg Chapel, Sowerby BridgeBy the Church of the Holy Trinity, My Catherine has her rest In the quiet and secluded grave, On her dear brother's breast. They lie in a green and flowery nook, Fast by the holy wall The whispering west wind knows the spot, And there soft star beams fall. It is railed apart from the green churchyard, That no ungentle tread May press upon the sacred turf, Where sleep the blessed dead. On the Sabbath day, and at holy tide, Sweet anthems linger there; And the Miserere's solemn chant Lies softer on the air. A pew in the church is near that grave, Beneath the gallery screen, The living there are by their dead With but the wall between. On the Sabbath-day and at holy-tide, The severed links draw near; Beside them their fond mother prays, And kneel their brothers dear. Flowers of the prime, and fresh green leaves, On every Sabbath-day, The tokens of undying love, On that dear grave they lay. O let me there beside them rest Within the anthem's sound; For the waft of unseen angel wings, Is o'er that holy ground.
There is a spot in Calderdale
beneath the Norland wood
Where years ago, by an ancient tree,
a lowly chapel stood;
It is a green and sheltered nook
just where the rivers meet,
The Calder and the Ribourne stream,
by Lofty Werla's feet
That chapel is gone with its belfry tower -
They have taken the altar and cross
From the living stream their fathers chose
to their own dear sluggish fosse;
Nor mouldering stone, nor legend dim,
beguiles the pilgrim there;
But over its place, like a mourner, droops
that tall Acacia fair.
| The Hebble |
In his 1847 book, Rivers & Streams of Halifax, he wrote
Know ye the dell, where, neath the Druid stones, The frightful Hebble hurries past, and moans; The forest glen where Hebden's rapids gleam; The crags and shaws, that crest the Turvin stream?
See William Dearden, Halifax Church Institute and Star Seer
Page Ref: MMC507
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