28. Enclosure Acts

There have been two Acts of Parliament for the enclosing of the Common Lands in Sutton. The first Act was in 1734, and of this no particulars are available.

The second Act was in 1815, and the commons enclosed were in Aden. Nearly a thousand acres were enclosed. These were divided in the usual way amongst the claimants.

There does not seem to have been any strong objection to the enclosure by any party. The only trouble seems to have been "Robert Townley Parker Esquire who is, or claims to be Lord of the Manor, or reputed Lord of the Manor of Sutton, aforesaid, and as such is or claims to be, exclusively entitled to the said Moors, Common and Wastes and the Mines and Minerals therein". A provision was inserted in the Act to enable him to bring his claim before three Calendar months of the passing of the Act. He did this, and at York proved his claim. It was agreed that one acre of land, to be known as Lord's Acre should be awarded to him. This land is next to the moor between Stake Hill Road and Wainman's Pinnacle.

The enclosure was a lengthy proceeding and it was not until March 11th1824, almost ten years after the passing of the Act, that the final award was deposited in the Register Office at Wakefield. On February 29th of the year the deed was "Published and proclaimed in the Parish Church at Kildwick by me, John Crosley, Parish Clerk".