Hebden Family Genealogy
Family Trees and data for Hebden, Hebdon, Hebdin,
Hibden, Hepton, Ebden. Ebdon and Webden,
Collectively known as The Hebden Clan
Odds n’ Ends:
The Village of Hebden, North Yorkshire
based on the OS 6” to 1 mile map, surveyed in 1892 and revised in 1907
Odds n’ Ends:
The origin of the name of “Hebden” is mentioned in the
introduction to this website. The description of a location
“in a valley where Rosehips grow” certainly fits in one
respect - a deep valley carrying Hebden Beck to join the
the River Wharfe at Burnsall about a mile to the south.
Originally, the site of Hebden was the location at a
suitable place to ford the beck, on the route from Pateley
Bridge to Grassington, though the approach to the ford
itself was steep from either side; difficult for driving
sheep, cattle or people and almost impossible for carts
and coaches. In winter the stream often flooded, and the
road was churned up into a muddy mess on both sides.
Eventually the need for a bridge became essential and a
wooden bridge was built across the beck. It didn’t last long
and after being washed away, plans were made for a
stone bridge strong enough to withstand the local
conditions. The bridge was built early in the 1630’s and
was rebuilt in 1757 after a flood which washed away the
earlier stone structure. This bridge still exists and is
known as “The Old Bridge”, shown just north of the
present bridge carrying the B6265.
Its successor was completed in 1758 and became
(next column)
part of a turnpike road through the village. This bridge was
taken down and replaced by the present bridge known as
the “County Bridge” in 1827.
Hebden Hall, near the bottom edge of this map, is
relatively modern, (about 1750?) and built on the site
(though not the foundations ) of the original Manor House,
-a much older structure. Certainly the road makes a sharp
deviation as it passes the building,
Of interest are the remains of the lead mining industry
in the area, and the map (centre, right) shows the entrance
to one of the levels; - shafts which followed the seams of
lead-bearing ore. The business was very profitable, but
eventually the veins of lead-bearing rock became more
difficult to mine in sufficent quantities to be profitable.
Mining ceased in 1888.
The end of mining activity generated a desire to remodel
the village, and new housing was erected on Main Street,
with a Post Office and shop, and a new school bulding on
the other side of the road.
The village had changed considerably by the time this
edition of 6” to 1 mile map was published by the Ordnance
Survey in 1892.
The Pioneers
HMS Fidelity
Sad End of Mary Hebden
Joseph Hebden’s Story
Hebden Village
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Green Terrace on Main Street
(Right) which included a Post
Office, was built in the early
1870’s, one of many changes
which took place in the village
between 1850 and 1870, paid
for by royalties from Lead
Mining and Land Taxes.
The ancient North/South
route through the village was
downgraded and renamed
“Back Lane”. The former track
along the west bank of Hebden
Beck was vastly improved and
became “Main Street”.
reversing the previous
arrangement. (see map).
A mains water was supply was
also laid in the village, which
dramatically reduced deaths
from Cholera and Typhoid.
