Notes : Michael married a woman from the Saddleworth area which explains how he came to live there. Unable to find a definite christening for Michael Hirst in Scammonden area. In 1841 he is living in Oakenhill and is identified as an 82 year old farmer. He is living with his wive Peggy and children Betty, Mary and Samuel as well as a child named Alice who is probably their grandchild Alice Ann. In 1851 his wife is a widow still living at Oakenhill and is identified as a farmer's wife responsible for 128 acres. His death certificate identifies him as 84 years old and a farmer. He died of natural decay at Oakenhill in Friarmere. His son, Samuel Hirst of Oakenhill, was present at his death. Bishop's transcripts indicates he was buried on 29th May but this must be a mistake as the person buried next in the BT indicates 12 May, so I believe the clerk must have written down the wrong month. They would not have waited over a month to bury him. Michael is buried at Friarmere along with his wife and several children. He seems to have spent his married life in Oakenhill above the Castleshaw Valley. Copy of marriage certificate indicates he is from the St. Peter's, Huddersfield parish and that Peggy is from the parish of Saddleworth. Oakenhill appears on a map at the tiome of construction of the reservoirs in the Castleshaw Valley, Saddleworth. Oakenhill was pulled down when the reservoirs were built in the late 19th century.
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