Now! Then! Thomas Hardwick announces the sale by auction at the Star and Garter of the Kirkstall Brewery, following the death in bankruptcy of Thomas Walker

28 April 1843: Thomas Hardwick announces the sale by auction at the Star and Garter of the Kirkstall Brewery, following the death in bankruptcy of Thomas Walker

Glorious present, glorious past: Turner’s image twenty years before of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal sets off Ephraim Elsworth’s maltings(?), the Ellers/Ellars, Ellers Bridge, and Kirkstall Lock against the ruins of Kirkstall Abbey (Turner 1981).

Leeds Mercury. 1843/05/13. Sale by Mr. Hardwick. Leeds. Get it:

Excerpt

All that extensive and valuable brewery; with engine and boiler houses, stables, sheds, granaries, and other suitable erections; with an excellent steam engine of four horses power; mash tubs, coolers, working squares, vats, and all useful and necessary fixtures, lately in the occupation of Thomas Walker. Also, all that stable and coach-house adjoining to the last-described premises, and now in the occupation of Mr Simeon Musgrave. Also, all that extensive malt kiln, with the drying kilns, cisterns, and other appurtenances, together with the stable, shed, and cooper’s shop. Also, all that commodious dwelling house, with the counting house adjoining to the brewery, which premises were late in the occupation of Thomas Walker. Also, all those eight cottages, near to the last-mentioned premises, and now in the occupations of George Keetlewell and others. The premises are situated on the south side of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, and adjoining the bridge which crosses the canal, and the old turnpike road leading from Leeds to Bradford. The brewery and malt kiln are well adapted for carrying on an extensive business. 24 quarters of malt may be mashed at one brewing, and the liquor may all be cooled at the same time. There are nine working squares, which average about 20 barrels each, of 36 gallons to the barrel; and seven vats, which will hold about 60 barrels each. The malt kiln contains 4 cisterns, in each of which can be steeped 18 quarters every four days. There is a never-failing and abundant supply of the purest spring water. The premises are leasehold for a term of 300 years, very few of which are now expired.

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To facilitate reading, the spelling and punctuation of elderly excerpts have generally been modernised, and distracting excision scars concealed. My selections, translations, and editions are copyright.

Abbreviations

Comment

It sounds like Thomas Walker was declared bankrupt in March 1843 and was dead before April was out, but I know neither when he died nor how. Further sales of ric-à-brac and equipment followed in November. Here‘s Historic England’s listing for the Kirkstall Brewery. A summary of its history.

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Original

SALE BY MR. HARDWICK.
Important BREWERY & ESTATE, KIRKSTALL, near LEEDS, (Duty Free,)
By Mr. THOS. HARDWICK,
At the Star and Garter Inn, Kirkstall, near Leeds, on THURSDAY, the Eighteenth Day of May next, at Six o’Clock in the Evening, (by Order of the Assignees of the Estate and Effects of Thomas Walker, a Bankrupt, in one or more Lots, as may be agreed upon at the Time of Sale, and subject to such Conditions as will be then and there produced and read, (unless previously disposed of by Private Contract, of which due Notice will be given,)
ΑLL that extensive and valuable BREWERY, situate at Kirkstall aforesaid, called the KIRKSTALL BREWERY; with Engine and Boiler Houses, Stables, Sheds, Granaries, and other suitable Erections; with an excellent Steam Engine of Four Horses power; Mash Tubs, Coolers, Working Squares, Vats, and all useful and necessary Fixtures, lately in the Occupation of the said Thomas Walker; and also, all that Stable and Coach-House adjoining to the last-described Premises, and now in the Occupation of Mr. Simeon Musgrave.
Also, all that extensive MALT-KILN, with the Drying Kilns, Cisterns, and other Appurtenances to the same belonging; together with the Stable, Shed, and Cooper’s Shop adjoining thereto.
Also, all that commodious MESSUAGE or DWELLING-HOUSE, with the Counting-House adjoining to the said Brewery, which said Premises were late in the Occupation of the said Thomas Walker.
And also, all those Eight COTTAGES or DWELLING HOUSES, situate near to the said last-mentioned Premises, and now in the respective Occupations of Geo. Keetlewell and others.
The above-mentioned Premises are situated at Kirkstall aforesaid, on the South Side of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, and adjoining the Bridge which crosses the said Canal, and the old Turnpike Road leading from Leeds to Bradford.
The Premises are substantially built, and in good repair. The Brewery and Malt Kiln are well adapted for carrying on an extensive Business. Twenty-four Quarters of Malt may be mashed at one Brewing, and the Liquor may all be cooled at the same time. There are nine Working Squares, which average about 20 Barrels each, of 36 Gallons to the Barrel; and seven Vats, which will hold about 60 Barrels each.
The Malt Kiln contains Four Cisterns, in each of which can be steeped 18 Quarters every four days.
There is a never-failing and abundant Supply of the purest Spring Water, which is a most valuable acquisition. The Premises are Leasehold for a term of 300 years, very few of which are now expired.
The respective Tenants will shew the Premises; and to treat by Private Contract, and for further Particulars, apply to MR. R. H. SAGAR, Solicitor, Kirkstall, and MR. BLACKBURN, Solicitor, Leeds.
28th April, 1843.

461 words.