Joshua BILTCLIFFE

Joshua Biltcliffe 1853 – 1937

 

 Photographic Business

 Joshua started work as a labourer in a steel works but later opened a photographic studio (hut!) in Thurlstone, West Riding of Yorkshire.

By 1889 when he was aged 36, Joshua moved the studio to Vernon Place which was at the rear of 6 Bridge Street, Penistone and stayed there until 1936 although the business became Joshua Biltcliffe & Sons in 1904. Joshua ran a general stores at the same address.

Interestingly, Biltcliffe Brothers (presumably Joshua’s sons John Thomas Biltcliffe and Fred Biltcliffe) advertised as photographers at the same premises from 1904 to 1922.

Around 1904 Joshua Biltcliffe & Sons opened up a studio in Skelmanthorpe, just a few miles away, and advertised under that name until 1937.

As well as having a portrait studio, Joshua and his sons photographed all of the local activities and produced many of their photos as postcards.

Joshua died in 1937.

 

 Census

 1861 – age 7 at Market Place, Penistone, West Riding of Yorkshire (scholar) with John Biltcliffe (father – cordwainer), Jemima Biltcliffe (mother), Edwin Biltcliffe (brother) and Alice Biltcliffe (sister)

1871 – age 17 at Penistone Street, Penistone, West Riding of Yorkshire (occupation – labourer at iron works) with John Biltcliffe (father – cordwainer), Jemima Biltcliffe (mother), Edwin Biltcliffe (brother) and Alice Biltcliffe (sister)

1881 – age 27 at Prospect Terrace, Thurlstone, West Riding of Yorkshire (occupation – steel works labourer) with Mary Hannah Biltcliffe (wife), Ernest Arthur BIltcliffe, John Thomas Biltcliffe and Henry Biltcliffe

1891 – age 37 at 6 Bridge Street, Penistone, West Riding of Yorkshire (occupation – photographer) with Mary Hannah Biltcliffe (wife), Ernest Arthur Biltcliffe, John Thomas Biltcliffe, Henry Biltcliffe and Frederick William Biltcliffe

1901 – age 47 at 6 Bridge Street, Penistone, West Riding of Yorkshire (occupation – photographer) with Mary Hannah Biltcliffe (wife), Ernest Arthur Biltcliffe, John Thomas Biltcliffe, Henry Biltcliffe and Frederick William Biltcliffe

 

Joshua Biltcliffe was born in 1853 in Penistone, West Riding of Yorkshire and was the son of John Biltcliffe, a cordwainer, and Jemima/Jenny Marsh. He had an older brother Edwin born in1850 and, later, a younger sister called Alice born in 1857. A cordwainer is somebody who makes shoes and other articles from fine soft leather.

In the 1861 census, Joshua is aged seven and was living at Market Place, Penistone, West Riding of Yorkshire with his father, mother and two siblings.

Ten years later in 1871 Joshua was no longer a scholar and, at the age of 17, was working as a labourer at the local iron works. He was still living at home but his family had moved to Penistone Street, Penistone.

On the 2nd December 1876 Joshua married Mary Hannah Wood who was a couple of years younger than him. The ceremony took place at the Netherfield Independent Church in Penistone.

In 1877, the following year, Ernest Arthur Biltcliffe was born at Penistone followed a year later by John Thomas Biltcliffe, also born at Penistone. John Thomas, J T as he was known, later became a photographer in the family firm.

In 1881, Henry Biltcliffe was born at Thurlstone and in the census of that year, at the age of 27, Joshua and Mary his wife and their three boys were living at Prospect Terrace in Thurlstone. He was described as a steel works labourer.

In 1882, their last child, Frederick William Biltcliffe, arrived. In due course, Frederick also became a photographer in the family firm.

 

The Biltcliffe boys, Fred, Ernest, Henry & J T, – about 1887

The Biltcliffe boys, Fred, Ernest, Henry & J T, – about 1887

 

Joshua’s mother died in 1884, six years before his father.

At some time prior to 1889, Joshua changed his life and opened his first photographic studio in a small hut at The Prospect in Thurlstone. He is seen below repairing the studio skylight.

 

Joshua Biltcliffe mending his skylight at 8 Bridge Street, Penistone

Joshua Biltcliffe mending his skylight at 8 Bridge Street, Penistone

 

By 1889 he had moved to the town of Penistone and opened a store at 6 Bridge Street. He moved his studio hut from Thurlstone on the back of a cart and attached it to the back of the store in what was known as Vernon Place (possibly also known as Vernon Terrace). A showroom, picture frame workshop and darkroom were also added.

 

Vernon Terrace (Vernon Place), Penistone taken in 1910

Vernon Terrace (Vernon Place), Penistone taken in 1910

 

Sheila Baker, Joshua’s great granddaughter says “I also came up with a reference to Vernon Terrace. It is the yard at the back of the row of houses in Bridge Street (where I used to play as I was born at no. 6 Bridge Street) but I don’t remember it being known as Vernon Terrace it was always Bridge Street to me. I vaguely remember my mum telling me that the picture above was where we used to live and now I have looked at it, they are all the outhouses at the back of Bridge Street. Amazing, I had forgotten about this.”

The main shop sold musical items such as gramophones, sheet music and violin strings as well as more general items such as hosiery and school uniforms.

In 1889 Joshua advertised in trade directories as a photographer and continued to advertise there in his sole name until 1904.

Joshua was also very involved in music and in the church. He took a very active part in the Netherfield Congregational Church and at one point was a Senior Deacon as well as singing in the choir – see below.

 

Joshua Biltcliffe with the Netherfield Congregational Choir in 1902

Joshua Biltcliffe with the Netherfield Congregational Choir in 1902

 

Joshua’s sons, John Thomas and Fred, must have both got their musicality from their father. John Thomas played the piano (was it the one shown in the picture of Joshua and Mary’s living room at 6 Bridge Street – see photo at the end of this biography?). Frederick was also musical and wrote music and songs which he had copyrighted.

Joshua also followed through his musical interest by publishing postcards which combined words and music with a photograph of the local area (see below). His son John Thomas Biltcliffe also continued to produce these charming and unusual postcards.

 

Postcard by Joshua Biltcliffe showing words, music and a photo of Penistone Viaduct

Postcard by Joshua Biltcliffe showing words, music and a photo of Penistone Viaduct

 

In 1890, Joshua lost his father, John, and the boys lost their grandfather. He died at the age of 70.

As Joshua’s boys grew up they must have become involved in the shop and two of them, John Thomas Biltcliffe and Fred Biltcliffe became particularly involved in the photography side of the business.

However, in the 1901 census the three older boys in their early 20s were shown as working for the railway company and Frederick aged 18, the youngest, was a carpet apprentice.

 

The Biltcliffe boys in about 1901

The Biltcliffe boys in about 1901

 

In 1904, Joshua changed the name of the business to J Biltcliffe & Sons and it continued in that style until 1936.

Also, by 1904, J T and Fred were advertising as photographers in the style of Biltcliffe Brothers working out of 6 Bridge Street so the brothers and their father were both advertising separate photographic businesses working at the same address; the Biltcliffe Brothers until 1922 and Joshua Biltcliffe & Sons until 1937.

Around 1904, a studio was opened at Skelmanthorpe by Biltcliffe & Sons. Skelmanthorpe is a large village eight miles to the north of Penistone and by 1926 Frederick was running the Skelmanthorpe studio in his own name. Meanwhile, J T took a more leading role in the Penistone studio.

A shop (not a studio) was also opened at nearby Denby Dale.

The business at 6 Bridge Street continued to flourish and, interestingly, there was a row of 6 houses to the left of the shop which, in later years, were purchased by J T Biltcliffe. There was an alley between the shop and the houses, affectionately known as Bump Hinchcliffes, which lead to a kind of bus depot.

 

Joshua Biltcliffe’s store at 6 Bridge Street, Penistone with celebrations at the end of WW1.  The family houses are to the left and the studio was at the rear of the shop

Joshua Biltcliffe’s store at 6 Bridge Street, Penistone with celebrations at the end of WW1. The family houses are to the left and the studio was at the rear of the shop

 

An interesting photograph, presumably by Joshua shows his wife Mary and other family members. He was obviously experimenting with flash powder to illuminate his photographs and actually marked his family photo as such – see below.

 

Photograph by Joshua Biltcliffe using Kodak Flash Powder

Photograph by Joshua Biltcliffe using Kodak Flash Powder

 

In 1918, Joshua and Mary became grandparents.  Their son J T and his wife presenting them with a grandson named Charles (Charlie).  He is shown below on his grandmother’s lap.

 

Mary Biltcliffe with her new grandson Charlie in 1918

Mary Biltcliffe with her new grandson Charlie in 1918

 

Joshua and J T recorded all of the local events such as gatherings, festivals and sports activities as well as weddings etc.  They left behind a wonderful social record of Penistone and district during the latter part of the 19th century and the first 40 years of the 20th century.  Many of the pictures were produced as postcards and many still exist today.  One particularly interesting postcard which must have been taken by J T actually captures Joshua right in front centre of the crowd immediately behind the bandsmen – see below.

 

A typical Biltcliffe postcard of a gathering – on this occasion with Joshua Biltcliffe right in the centre

A typical Biltcliffe postcard of a gathering – on this occasion with Joshua Biltcliffe right in the centre

 

Meanwhile, Henry Biltcliffe, although not a photographer, followed in his father’s footsteps as a shopkeeper, owning a confectioner’s shop at 15 Market Street, Penistone.

In 1925, Joshua and Mary very sadly lost their eldest son, Ernest.

In the 1927 Kelly’s Directory the business was listed as Joshua Biltcliffe & Son – photographers (not Joshua Biltcliffe & Sons). Also the advertising postcard shown below shows the same terminology. From the age of grandson Charlie who is in the photograph, it was taken about 1930.

 

J Biltcliffe & Son advertising postcard taken about 1930

J Biltcliffe & Son advertising postcard taken about 1930

 

Joshua was very much a family man and a photograph, taken in Joshua’s and Mary’s living room in 6 Bridge Street, Penistone, shows a private view of their life. It is interesting as it includes a piano which would have been a big part of their family life.

 

Joshua and Mary Biltcliffe in their latter days at home in Bridge Street, Penistone

Joshua and Mary Biltcliffe in their latter days at home in Bridge Street, Penistone

 

Joshua died on the 10th November 1937, at the age of 84, and J T carried on the business until 1964 when it eventually closed and the shop was demolished.

Joshua’s probate was granted to Mary his widow and John Thomas his son. He left net assets of £259.08 – see notice below.

 

Joshua Biltcliffe – notice of probate 1937

Joshua Biltcliffe – notice of probate 1937

 

Joshua’s church also printed a moving eulogy for him – see two pages below.

 

Nethercliffe Congregational Church magazine December 1937 - cover

Nethercliffe Congregational Church magazine December 1937 – cover

Nethercliffe Congregational Church magazine December 1937 – inside front cover

Nethercliffe Congregational Church magazine December 1937 – inside front cover

 

NOTE

Joshua Biltcliffe had a son who was a photographer – see John Thomas Biltcliffe

Joshua Biltcliffe had a son who was a photographer – see Frederick Biltcliffe

 

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Family

Father     John Biltcliffe born Penistone in 1820. Died 1890

Mother     Jemima/Jenny Marsh born Penistone 1821. Died 1884

 

Joshua Biltcliffe

Born         18 October 1853 in Penistone, West Yorkshire

Baptized

Married     2 December 1876 to Mary Hannah Wood (1855-1941) at Netherfield Independent Church, Penistone, West Riding of Yorkshire

Child 1     Ernest Arthur Biltcliffe born at Penistone 1877, died 1925

Child 2     John Thomas Biltcliffe born at Penistone 1878, died 1964

Child 3     Henry Biltcliffe born at Thurlstone 1881, died 1960

Child 4     Frederick William Biltcliffe born at Thurlstone 1882, died 1956

 

Died           10 November 1937, aged 84, in Penistone, West Riding of Yorkshire.

 

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Compiled by Ron Cosens © www.cartedevisite.co.uk

Sources

 

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Joshua Biltcliffe – Gallery

 

Below are examples of Joshua’s photography

Joshua Biltcliffe carte de visite photograph 1

Joshua Biltcliffe carte de visite photograph 1

Joshua Biltcliffe carte de visite photograph 1(verso)

Joshua Biltcliffe carte de visite photograph 1(verso)

Joshua Biltcliffe carte de visite photograph 2

Joshua Biltcliffe carte de visite photograph 2

Joshua Biltcliffe carte de visite photograph 2(verso)

Joshua Biltcliffe carte de visite photograph 2(verso)

Joshua Biltcliffe cabinet photograph 1

Joshua Biltcliffe cabinet photograph 1

Joshua Biltcliffe cabinet photograph 1(verso)

Joshua Biltcliffe cabinet photograph 1(verso)

J Biltcliffe & Sons carte de visite photograph 1

J Biltcliffe & Sons carte de visite photograph 1

J Biltcliffe & Sons carte de visite photograph 1(verso)

J Biltcliffe & Sons carte de visite photograph 1(verso)

Joshua Biltcliffe & Sons cabinet photograph 1

Joshua Biltcliffe & Sons cabinet photograph 1

Joshua Biltcliffe & Sons cabinet photograph 1(verso)

Joshua Biltcliffe & Sons cabinet photograph 1(verso)

Biltcliffe photographic postcard 1 _ Ladies Cricket (Pentoss)

Biltcliffe photographic postcard 1 _ Ladies Cricket (Pentoss)

Biltcliffe photographic postcard 1(verso) _ Ladies Cricket (Pentoss)

Biltcliffe photographic postcard 1(verso) _ Ladies Cricket (Pentoss)