In 1825, the Broadbent family went to America in search of gold and a new life. It was not the first time the Broadbent family had up routed. In the early 1620’s the Broadbent family did the same thing and up routed and left Scammonden, Golcar, and Slaithwaite Moor for America. From that time of the 1620’s some Broadbent’s did stay and settle throughout America, taking the name of Bradforth, Broadhead and Bradbury from that period of the 1620’s to the early 20th century. In total, some 10 generations of the Broadbent family have visited various parts of America. The last John Broadbent born in 1923, visiting New York in 1948, Kenneth Broadbent born in 1927, also visiting New York in 1948 & 1952, and his father Eric Broadbent also was visiting New York in 1921 & 1948. Perhaps Robert Broadbent will visit the big apple some day! With most of the Broadbent family leaving for America in 1825 what happened to the family homes? Well, most were sold on to other local people and a few were rented out. The most important hamlet seemed to be Launds, perhaps to the Broadbent family the longevity of the family living at Launds for so many centuries and not completely selling up, if things did not work out in America, not making a fortune prospecting, they could always return! One Broadbent, a Samuel Broadbent born in 1799 stayed locally and changed from been a weaver and farmer to a rent collector!. From 1825, a rental system was set up for four cottages housing families for a small yearly rent, or known as a ‘Pepper Corn Rent’. In modern terms a gesture payment rather than making any profit, which in my eyes was unusual for the Broadbent family. Perhaps the Broadbent’s were diverted with bigger pieces of nugget across the pond, rather than small fry pence! The rentals started in 1825 and ran until the 1940’s. The tabs below are a few years of rents.

1825 to 1828 Part Rentals
1850 Part Rentals
1880 Part Rentals
1890 Rentals - Transcribed in 1927
1900 to 1927 Rentals - Transcribed in 1927