Home of the Ormerod family the house was standing at the time of  the Loom Riots of 1826

one eye witness who was at the time of the riots fitting a new pane of glass into  one of the front windows of Fern Hill House described how when they mob passed Fernhill House they spotted the brother in law of Mr Ormerod, James Whittaker J.P., of Broadclough Hall. he it is said  observing the rioters,  from the terrace overlooking the road as they passed from Waterbarn to Bacup. As soon as the ringleaders saw Mr Whittaker they halted and began to hoot and shout abuse.

In 1866 the house was put up for sale when George Ormerod died, a list of goods for sale was advertised in the Bacup Times. The following is just a selection. Breakfast Room: Very superior bookcase 8ft 6in wide by 7ft 10in high with four glazed doors and drawers, shelving and folding doors underneath. Mahogany whatnot, excellent reclining chair with spring seat in morocco easy rocking chair in hair. Hall and Landing: Mahogany hat stand, wheel barometer and lamps, lobby oilcloth and mats. Nos 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 Bed Rooms: embrace eight massive mahogany four post and other bed steads, with draperies and good feather and flock beds and bedding. Two superior wardrobes, seven very capital chests of mahogany Drawers, mahogany night commodes, mahogany bed steps, set of painted washstands and dressing tables. The house was bought by James Munn son of Robert Munn he lived there with his wife Mary Elizabeth and five daughters Ellen, Margaret, Jane, Minnie, and Edith. A household of eight servants saw to the families needs consisting of a two Nurse, Kitchen maid, Housemaid, Cook, Laundress, Childs Laundress and a Groom. The house was Sold to James Munn son of Robert Munn  he lived there with his wife Mary Elizabeth  and five daughters Ellen, Margaret, Jane, Minnie, Edith.

 

A household of eight servants saw to the families needs consisting of   a  two Nurse, Kitchen maid, Housemaid, Cook, Laundress, Childs Laundress and a Groom.

 

In 1871 the house was put up for sale following the death of James at Lytham Regatta.  By 1896 the house was the home of William Mitchell J.P one time M.P for Burnley by 1914 he had died and his wife loaned the house for use as a military hospital until the end of the war in 1919.  The next owner was A.R.Disley,  who went on to sell the house in 1927.

 

 

 

 

 

Described in the sale documents

Beautifully situated Mansion house and Estate overlooking Stacksteads near Bacup substantially stone built and comprises entrance hall, back entrance hall and side entrance, dinning room, drawing room, breakfast room, 7 bedrooms, 2 dressing rooms, bathroom and water closet, nursery, store and housemaids closet. Domestics offices comprising Lavatory and water closet, servants hall, kitchen, pantries, closets. larder and wine, ale and larder cellars. Outbuildings comprising a six stalled stable, shippon with tying for six cows, cowman's room, saddle room, granary, large coach house. Large walled in garden containing choice and healthy young fruit fruit trees.

 

In 1881 the house seems to being refurbished as there is a contractor by the name of Taylor in residence. In 1901 Fernhill was occupied by William Mitchell J.P. pictured below at the outbreak of the Great War in 1914 it was suggested that  Fern Hill would be suitable for a Military Hospital.

 

During a meeting of the Bacup Hospital Charities Committee on August 15 1914 it was suggested by Mr J.H.Lord ( Treasurer ) that Bacup might follow the lead of some other towns in offering a suitable place to the Military Authorities for use as a hospital for the treatment of the sick and wounded in the war. He said

 

" He understood that the ambulance services were offering help with sheets and beds and he thought that they as a Hospital Charities Association might suggest to the corporation the availability of possibly offering Stubylee Hall".

 

After some further discussion however the matter was dropped. Fourteen days later however the matter of a  Rest Station or Convalescent home was brought once again to the attention of the local officials of the Nursing Division when a Mrs Tweedale organizing secretary of the Red Cross Association for Lancashire visited the Ambulance drill hall at Bacup.  Mrs Tweedale felt that Bacup was a ideal place for the setting of a Convalescent Home where the injured soldiers could recuperate and take advantage of the bracing air. The only thing left of the old Fernhill House and it's grounds  is the gate house which was built in 1899. Fernhill  housing estate now stands on the land. By 1930 the house had been demolished and the housing estate built on the land.