The Holmes was built between the years 1844 and 1849 the Shepherd family  lived in the area of Broadclough and the Holmes for many generations, George Shepherd  was the second son of Mr James Shepherd  born in 1833 his brother Abraham having been born about 1838 and a sister Mary born in 1844 the eldest son  James being born in 1831 His father at the time of his birth was a farmer at Old Meadows.

 

Schooled at Mr Wm Whittakers school at Old Meadows, when twelve years of age  he left school and went to work as a weaver at Broadclough Mill for Mr John Lord. Working until half past seven at night he then went of a evening to the Mechanics Institution for evening classes. In time  George was promoted to the position of loom-jobber. His father went into partnership with his uncle Mr George Shepherd Senior, of Shepherds Tent as a cotton manufacturer at Blackthorn Mill.

 

James the eldest son had no children  whilst George married Alice Brierley in 1854 and they had four daughters Mary, Sarah, Alice and Annie and son James another son George died within his first year, James died in 1919.

 

Abraham married Ann Lord in 1860 after just a year Ann died and he married Sarah Ann Armstead they had five children, James, Rhoda and Clara, Bertha and Edith

 

The business was very successful and in 1861 the first Holmes Mill was built being extended in 1864.

 

Mr Shepherd retired in 1868 and his  sons took over his place in the business then in 1875 Mr George Shepherd retired. George became head of the firm and many more extensions were added to the Holmes Mills.  He served on the Local board from 1871 to 1875  being chairman of the sewerage committee.  In 1882 when the borough  was incorporated George was elected a councillor of the  Broadclough ward. For the following twenty years he occupied almost every position on the council.