Two sixteenth century deeds link the Stead family to Holme in the Lordship of Tong.

152. April 13, 29 Henry VIII (1538). Grant by John Hawmond of Byrle to Robert Stede of Holme of two messuages and 13 acres and one rood of land in Holme in the tenure of William Grave and William Hesylgreve. Livery of seisen in the presence of John Lyster, John Sugden, Robert Roodes, Thomas Hollyns and Richard Scharpe. (Bertand Ogle, esq.)^[1]

153. May 31, 31 Henry VIII (1539). Release by Peter Mirfield of Tong esq., to Robert Stede of Holme of all right in one acre and three roods of land in Holme. (Signature and Seal cut away.) Witnesses, Robert Wodde, William Whithead, Richard Gudall. (Bertand Ogle, esq.)^[1]

The Stead line at Holme continued until the death of Robert Stead who died on 21 December 1825^[2] "in the 67th year of his age" and was buried at St. James Church on Christmas Day^[3]. His Will was dated 1st April 1825 and proved 17th November 1826 by his surviving son Robert^[4]. Robert was at Holme for a while but eventually moved to Bowling.

The properties shown above are today on Ned Lane, which is an extension of Holme Lane and would have been part of "Holme" where a number of the Steads lived for so long. Holme Farmhouse is a little further along Holme Lane.

They are on a sharp corner of the road, which winds round them almost like a giant letter S before going on to Tyersal. We can see the path from the lane leading to the front of the houses. The left building was divided into two cottages at the time the photograph for this postcard was taken in the first decade of the twentieth century. Each cottage had a four-light square mullion window on its first floor and the mullions appear to be stone rather than wood. The house on the left of the pair has what may also have been a four-light square mullion window on the ground floor, but one of its windows is blocked - possibly blind because of the Window Tax. Today's building has been extended on the left hand side and is now one property. It is Grade II listed.

The house on the right, with the sash windows, is of later date. The chimney stacks are of similar design; all four stacks were corniced and the pots had distinctive crowned tops at the time.

References:

^[1] "Yorkshire Deeds, Volume III", Yorkshire Archaeological Society, p.55. With thanks to Anne Hennessy.

^[2] "Blackburn Papers", Vol 102 p.46, Bradford Central Library.

^[3] Tong St. James' Registers published on microfiche from the Wakefield Archive.

^[4] Copy of Will of Robert Stead of Holm parish of Birstall, From the Borthwick Institute, University of York, Vol 174 Folio 413. Once more, with thanks to Anne.