Gearstones Timeline
From as early as 1661 through to the 2nd of June 1972, when the Lodge was purchased by the people of Mirfield and the Gearstones charity was formed.
1600s
1661
Myles Taylor recorded as been born at Gearstones
1700s
1700
1700 – Francis (I) is born.
1715
Francis Whaley (II) Born – son of Francis Whaley (I) and unknown mother (Elizabeth Whaley?).
Apr 18, 1734
Elizabeth Whaley wife of Francis Whaley (I) died (buried in Horton-in-Ribblesdale).
Apr 10, 1735
Francis (I) may have married for second time? Alice Burton in Ingleton.
Jun 24, 1736
Alice Whaley bp Ingleton, possibly daughter of Alice (Burton) Whaley.
Apr 21, 1748
Francis (II) married in Clapham, Yorkshire to Ellen Lupton, the daughter of Johannes Lupton of Clapham.
Dec 23, 1750
Francis Whaley (II) is listed as being “of Gearstones” in the record of his son’s baptism (Francis Whaley III).
Nov 1, 1755
Francis (I) as widower married widow Agnes Tailforth in Ingleton[witness to marriage was Francis(I)’s other son William Whaley, mentioned in Francis (I) will].
Mar 21, 1761
Francis Whaleys (II) son John Whaley is baptised in Horton-in-Ribblesdale.
1770s?
Ingleborough Estate bought by Farrer family.
Jun 5, 1774
The will of Francis Whaley (I) is recorded in Ingleton.
Oct 10, 1780
Will of Francis Whaley (I) proved.
Jun, 1792
John Byng & Mr Blakey stay at ‘a public house called Grierstones’
1800s
Feb 24, 1801
Ellen Whaley (wife of Francis(II)) dies age 74.
Dec 7, 1801
Francis Whaley (II) died (Aged 86 running both farm and inn) buried at St. Leonard’s, Chapel le Dale.
Jun 26, 1802
John (brother of Francis(III) marries Ann Lodge in Ingleton.
1804
Francis Whaley (III) will is written mentioning John Whaley (Brother) who married Ann Lodge.
Jan 18, 1805
Francis Whaley (III) dies aged 55. Leaves Gearstones to John Whaley [Father of Francis Whaley (IV)] in his will.
Nov 23, 1805
Francis Whaley (IV) was baptised “of Nether Gearstones”.
<1830
Francis Whaley (IV) marries Mary Leake.
1831
John Whaley Dies aged 74. Buried in Chapel le Dale.
1843
Thistlethwaite is a resident at Gearstones.
1851
Francis Whaley (IV) – Shown as living Nether Gearstones.
Widow Ann (Lodge) Whaley (Mother of Francis Whaley (IV)) recorded as living at “Nether Gearstones Cottage”.
1851-1853
An OS Map of the Gearstones Area (image below) shows Gearstones Inn (site of current lodge and neighbours), Upper Gearstones (building at opposite side of the road to farm) and Gearstones – the farm.
1853 Map of Area
Image produced from the www.old-maps.co.uk service with permission of Landmark Information Group Ltd. and Ordnance Survey.
1853
Geologist, John Phillips stayed at the Gearstones Inn.
1854
Widow Ann (Lodge) Whaley died circa 1854.
1858
Ann (daughter of Francis Whaley (IV)?) marries John Yates.
1861?
Francis (1) Yates is recorded as landlord of the Inn.
1862
Isabella Yates dies – wife of Francis (1) Yates.
1869
First surveying party from the Midland Railway Company stay at Gearstones (Inn?).
1871
Census lists two properties at Gearstones – a farm of 128 acres known as Higher Gearstones and the Gearstones Inn.
Francis (IV) and his wife Mary living there along with their two sons William and Thomas – Higher Gearstones (Farm).
Francis (1) Yates is recorded as landlord of the Inn.
Jan 17, 1873
Francis Whaley(IV) dies aged 66 leaving behind a number of sons and daughters including possibly another Francis Whaley who appears on the 1851 census.
1873
George Young puts some “Nobel’s patent safety powder dynamite” on the kitchen fire.
1876
Settle to Carlise Railway completed.
1881
Francis (1) Yates dies.
1891
William Metcalfe is recorded as running both Inn and farm.
May 29, 1892
Mary (Leake) Whaley dies aged 90. As usual buried St. Leonard’s Chapel le Dale.
1900s
1911
Gearstones closes as an Inn (still part of Ingleborough estate).
1943
Old Inn/Lodge? became shooting lodge, after the farming activity at it came to an end. Cattle sold off by Sidney James Farrer.
2nd of June 1972
Lodge Purchased by the People of Mirfield and the new Gearstones charity is formed.