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Robert Munn was born at Holt Mill Waterfoot on February 22nd 1808 of Scottish decent his family had fled to England to during the civil wars. The family originally settled in Manchester his grandfather farming land once occupying what is todays Deansgate and surrounding areas. It is thought the friendship between the Lords of Broadclough and the Munns is what led to them settling in Rossendale.
In the year 1824 Robert entered into partnership with his younger brother John in the cotton trade at Old Clough Mill, Irwell Springs. In 1826 the firm of Robert and John Munn fell foul to the powerloom breakers who came to the valley from Chatterton to the source of the Irwell at Deerplay. In 1833 the firm built Stacksteads Mill better known by people today as what was once Bacup Shoe at Toll Bar in 1838 they purchased Irwell Mill and in 1844 built Edgeside Holme Mill at Newchurch.
Whilst John went off to look after the firms business in Manchester Robert who had built Heath Hill house between 1834-1838 stayed to look after the business here in the valley riding to and from the various establishments on horseback. Robert Munn qualified as a magistrate in 1847 and on the death of James Whittaker of Broadclough Hall he became chairman of the bench of justices for Rossendale.
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Robert married Miss Margaret Howorth sister of Mr John Howorth of Bacup, and they had a family of two sons and five daughters, Elizabeth, James, Emma Jane, Robert, Margaret, Mary, Sarah the last four shown in the picture to the right. Elizabeth married James Whittaker of Broadclough Hall. Mrs Munn dying in 1873.
At the time of the 1871 census Robert is living at Heath Hill with his wife and daughters and also shown at the time of the census is his daughter Elizabeth and her husband John Whittaker with their daughter Annette.
James the eldest son shown below owner of Fern Hill house was drowned in 1871 at the Lytham Regatta, two years later his mother died and six years later Robert in April of 1879 leaving a personal estate of £140.000
Robert
Whittaker Munn shown right takes over the house after the death of
his father marrying his wife Annie in 1873 he has three children,
Robert, Annie and Margaret.
Robert dies in in 1890 at the age of 46 his widow Annie and son and three daughters continue to live in the house along with the assistance of five servants. By 1901 Annie is living with one daughter Margaret Ashworth at Heath Hill.
In 1913 the house was taken over and lived in by Dr Falconer of Stacksteads son of the Vicar. In 1920 the land was purchased by Bacup Town Council for the building of house. In 1921 work began levelling the site in 1923 houses on Heath Hill estate were sold for £480.00 for house without parlour or £525.00 for house with parlour.
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