Mickletown Road
Mickletown Road, looking south, 1993.
Smirthwaite House, front view, 1980s.
New frontage which was added in the 19th century. The oldest part of the house
and tyhe rear entrance is off Main Street. The front drive enters from Mickletown
Road. A large brick-built house standing in its own grounds, it was so named
because ofthe Smirthwaite family, the first occupants, who lived there for
many years. Smirthwaites were farmers or farming gentry, mentioned in 17th
and 18th century records. The house is shown on the 1786 map and is also mentioned
in the Leeds Intelligence of 1831 as being one of the Lord's (Lord Mexboro's)
oldest tenants, and as a farmer.
Front of house faces due south and has a central doorway into a hall, with
reception rooms each side of the hall. There is a long wing to the rear (now
a separate house, though linked to the front) and has outbuildings and a former
stable block. For many years it was occupied by local doctors, Dr. Robert
Smirthwaite Wigin and his brother.
