H MADAM

By kind permission of Peter Brears 1963

Springfield House also known as ‘Madam Hall’ or ‘Cat Hall’, was situated in Lingwell Gate Lane,
top side of the entrance to the 41 industrial estate,
Springfield House was built by Capt. Ralph Hanson, of the 19th Regiment of foot, in the late 18th century. Captain Hanson fought at the battle of plassey, and his sword used at the battle was later found in a well, and sent back to Outwood.
A tomb on the south wall of the tower of Wakefield Cathedral records the death of Capt. Hanson on the 16th of November, 1815, aged 76 years, also the death of his wife, Martha (nee Proctor of Thorpe Hall) on the 22nd of December, 1791. They had one child, a daughter, Katherine, born in the year 1785. Katherine living at Sprinfield, and Benjamin at Lofthouse Hall, It was now that Katherine took to keeping cats, the number of which varied from 27 to 57 each cat having its own bed, meat plate, and name. Her favourite cat was 'Graybones' who occupied a miniature bed (with bolster, matress, curtains etc.) in the front room. On Graybones death he was stuffed and placed in a glass case on the breakfast-room table. 'Madam Dealtry', as Katherine was known, often wept over the figure of her beloved cat.
Another favourite cat was ‘Red Tom’, a large cat who's colour was 'Betwixt’ yellow and red'. He had the habit of jumping onto the servant's shoulders and folding his feet around their necks, remaing there for some time. At milking time he would wait at the cow-house door for his saucer of milk.
On the death of one of the cats a grave was dug in the Cat's Cemetery at the front of the house. The deceased was carried before a procession of servants to receive a 'decent burial'. Although no tomb-stones were placed over the cat's graves the cemetery was surrounded by a green fence.
'William', 'Billy’ and The under gardener' were the names of Madam Dealty's donkey. He wore a cap of patent leather and silver, when visitors called, Madam would ask her guests if they knew her 'under-gardener' when they said they did not, she would open the dining room door and in would walk 'Billy' to accept a biscuit or a slice of bread.
On Madam's death on the 15th of February, 1851, the sum of £350 was left for the upkeep of her remaining cats, under the care of a lady called Mary Land of Lofthouse Gate who looked after the cats for seven years. Before Madam's death the same lady received seven shillings per week plus food for tending the cats at Springfield House.
Madam was proud to be the last of the Gascoign and Proctor families of Thorpe Hall. After her husbands death she assumed the name and arms of Proctor.
After Madam's death the house passed into the Ridsdales and the Gledhills hands. The house itself is of brick the facade being cement rendered and rising a storey higher than the roof, giving a false impression of size. From the front, a passage leads to a corridor running the length of the house, and emerging into the stable yard. From this corridor lead the doors to the kitchen, house-keeper's room, breakfast room, the two main reception rooms, and the cellar. The cellar is nearly unique in this area as it retains the zinc vats in which the meat was salted down in brine for preservation.
Long, low vaulted passages lead from one cellar to another, one of these passages was accesible from the hall, another from the garden.
The stair to the first floor is from the hall near the front door. This leads to a corridor above that on the ground floor. From this passage leads down to the principle bedroom.
Round the stable yard are grouped the stables, the coach-house, and a barn, behind which was a cottage.
Unfortunately the house is now demolished and only a footpath remains.