Boardman

John Boardman doesn't appear in the 1841 census but not much later he must have arrived in Great Harwood, married and started a family. The 1851 census only shows the family as living in the "Village".

BOARDMAN John Head Marr 31 Farmer of 20 Acres Lancs Oswaldtwistle
BOARDMAN Margaret Wife Marr 29 Lancs Gt Harwood
BOARDMAN Thomas Son 7 Scholar Lancs Gt Harwood
BOARDMAN William Henry Son 5 Scholar Lancs Gt Harwood
BOARDMAN James Son 3 Scholar Lancs Gt Harwood

In 1861 the family's address is 10 Curate St. and is probably the same house, John wasn't the only farmer who didn't live on his land, and by this time there were also two daughters, a house servant, a boarder and his father-in-law in the house. It was a little less crowded in 1871, the two older sons had left and there was no live-in servant.

By 1881 the youngest son, James, is head of the household.

BOARDMAN James Head Marr 33 Gt Harwood, Lancashire, England Farmer Employing 2 Labourers
BOARDMAN Mary Wife Marr 31 F Gt Harwood, Lancashire, England
BOARDMAN Albert Son 5 Gt Harwood, Lancashire, England
BOARDMAN Emma Daur 3 Gt Harwood, Lancashire, England
BOARDMAN Milton Son 1 Gt Harwood, Lancashire, England
BOARDMAN John Father 65 Widower Church, Lancashire, England Employed On The Farm
BOARDMAN Ann Sister 24 Unmarr Gt Harwood, Lancashire, England Employed At Home
BOARDMAN Clara Sister 20 Unmarr Gt Harwood, Lancashire, England Housekeeper

At 13 James had been a weaver, at 23 a cotton sizer, now he had a wife, a young family and two sisters to support and was employing his dad, probably in a supervisory "we didn't do it that way in my time" role, on the farm but he was also manager of St. Lawrence Mill. He then leased, with partners, Wellington Mill at the bottom of Queen St from 1882 until 1899 when with J. W. Baron he took over Deveron Mill. As Boardman and Baron Ltd. they went on to build and run Palatine Mill and Waverledge Mill but in 1903 the Boardmans were still living in Curate St. though they did later move to Northlands.