The land of the Ferrands

One street 10
Standing almost on the spot where I took my January 1st blip is this stone set into the wall.
Here
As you can see it states that the land from here to Bingley (now Ireland Bridge) belongs to Benjamin Ferrand - strange really as if you look into the history, Benjamin Ferrand died in 1699 and this is clearly dated 1715!

Several places in Harden reflect the ownership of the Ferrand family, for example Ferrands Park and they also owned the St Ives Estate and mansion ( formerly Harden Grange).

Five generations after Benjamin, in the 19th century, William Busfeild Ferrand had the mansion extended and gave it it's current name. He was MP for Knaresborough and Devonport at different times and was a campaigner for reforms to the poor law and supported the 10 hour factory bill through parliament. He was also deputy Lieutenant of the West Riding and a magistrate for 50 years. There is a monument to him next to Lady Blantyre'sRock in the estate and more can be read about him and the other Ferrands here. Friends of St Ives