Radcliffe baronets

Radcliffe was a highly ambitious man and became a magistrate for the West Riding and developed a reputation for heavy-handed justice. In February 1812, he began a prolonged campaign to bring the Luddite disturbances to the attention of the government.[3] After an attack on William Cartwright's Mill in Rawfolds and the murder of wool textile manufacturer William Horsfall by Luddites in April 1812, he began a vendetta against all concerned and set up an extensive system of spies and informers to infiltrate workers' meetings, and offered rewards for information that might help convict his suspects.[4][5][6] Many suspects were interrogated by Radcliffe at Milnsbridge House, in a room that came to be known as the 'sweat room'.[3] As a result of his campaign, he had three men, George Mellor, Thomas Smith and William Thorpe, sent to York Castle for trial in January 1813, taking a place on the jury himself and condemning them as guilty.[6] The 3 were hanged a two days later and Radcliffe was a spectator at their execution at the New Drop at York.[2]

In September 1813, Radcliffe was made a Baronet for his public service in bringing the Luddites to justice.[3] On the 18th September 1813, Lord Sidmouth wrote to Radcliffe to congratulate him:

I have the honour of communicating to you the gracious intention of H.R.H. the Prince Regent, 'forthwith to confer upon you the dignity of a Baronet of the United Kingdom.

It is with great satisfaction that I convey to you such a testimony of the opinion entertained by H.R. Highness of that loyal, zealous, and intrepid conduct which you have invariably displayed at a period when the West Riding of the County of York presented a disgraceful scene of outrage and plunder; and by which, in the discharge of your duty as a magistrate; you contributed most materially to re-establish in that quarter, tranquility and obedience to the laws, and to restore security to the lives and property of His Majesty's subjects.[7]

Radcliffe continued to live the life of a wealthy country gentleman, often spending time in his house at Clifton in Bristol. He died there in 1819, but was buried in the family tomb in Royton Chapel. Radcliffe's birth surname was commemorated long after in Pickford Street and Pickford Buildings in Royton, and the prize for Royton Athletic Sports day became known as ‘The Pickford Plate.’[8]

Radcliffe married firstly Katherine Percival on the 3rd March 1763. Their son William Percival Pickford died in infancy and Katherine died shortly after in 1765.[9] William had inherited Royton Hall in Royton Lancashire from his late grandfather Thomas Percival. On William's death, his father inherited the Royton Hall estate.[8] Radcliffe soon remarried Elizabeth Sunderland, who died in 1799. He married his third wife Elizabeth Creswick in 1807 and she long outlived him until 1855.[9]

Radcliffe had 8 children with Elizabeth Sunderland. His son, the Reverend Joseph Pickford, died before him, so his title passed to his grandson, Sir Joseph Radcliffe, 2nd Baronet. After his grandfather's death, the 2nd Baronet sold Milnsbridge House and moved the family to Rudding Park House.[6]

Radcliffe's daughter Frances was acquainted with Anne Lister of Shibden Hall. It is claimed that the ‘Pic’ and 'Frank' in the encrypted diaries of Anne Lister is Frances Pickford. In recent years, many of the diary entries have been transcribed by author Helena Whitbread. According to the diaries, Frances confessed to liaisons with women and flirted with Lister, who was some 12 years her junior. The two women formed a brief friendship, attending lectures together, shopping, and occasionally walking out. Lister described Frances as 'learned' and 'clever' which, she claimed, was more than could be said for many of her acquaintances.[10]