History

Ulley Grange The Monks of Worksop owned the manor during the reign of Edward II (1307-1327). After the dissolution (1536) the passed to the Tempest family, and later to the Lockey's. Ulley Farm and Grange were the Darcy's, in 1545 in tenure of Wm. Stones.

Foljambe Family

The fortunes of the Foljambe family grew in the 15th century as a result of a series of successful marriages, partly achieved by obtaining grants of wardship and marriage, which brought to them further estates, chiefly in north-east Derbyshire and adjacent parts of Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire. This meant that by the end of the century the centre of their influence had moved eastwards from the Peak District to the Chesterfield area. Chesterfield was the second town in Derbyshire at this period, and the manor house at Walton, some three miles away, which was obtained by marriage, now became the family's chief seat. A detailed rental of all the estates of Henry Foljambe in c.1500 lists extensive properties in 23 places in Derbyshire (the great majority in Chesterfield and district), 7 in Yorkshire , and 5 in Nottinghamshire.

When the Foljambe's held the land during the reign of Elizabeth I (1558-1603), some lands were sold:

The 9th Eliz. Jasper Blythman, deputy of John Tamworth, Esq. receives 3 l. of Godfrey Foljambe, Esq. for license of compounding with Sir Henry Sidney, Knight of the Garter, for the moiety of the manor of Hutton Slaith, 100 messuages, two water- mills, four dove-cotes, 100 gardens, 100 orchards, 3,000 acres of land, 500 acres of meadow, 200 acres of pasture, 10O acres of wood, 3,000 acres of jamp and brear, and 10 l. rent in Hutton Slaith, Howton, Morthing, Brampton, Mexbrough, Laughton, Thornecroft, and Carrhouse.
The 25th Eliz. Godfrey Foljambe of Walton, Knight and Godfrey Foljambe, Esq. his son and heir, sell to Richard Townend(e) in Ulley lands there, the 20th of February.(1583)
The same year, he and his son Godfrey sell to George Lord of Tankersley, lands in Morthing (Morthen), the 20th February.

Extract:

Collectanea topographica et genealogica By Collectanea topographica et genealogica

The Darcy's and Foljambe's

Isabel Wray, the daughter of Sir Christopher Wray, first married Sir Godfrey Foljambe (born 1558),second to Sir William Bowes, and third, to John, Lord Darcy, of Aston (Baron Darcy 3rd(1579-1635))

Ulley in 1855

The Name

Ulley was referred to in Domesday Book as Ollei and Olleie Pages 21 b, 81 b - ley being a forest or clearing. In Ulley, Morcar had 1 manor of 2 carucates to the geld, and 2 brothers 2 carucates belonging to Aughton. These 4 carucates, 2 ploughs could plough. The Count of Mortain held these 4 carucates.
In Brampton en le Morthen Andor Morcar and Ulfkil had 3 manors, each having 2 carucates to the geld. These 6 carucates, 2 ploughs could plough. There was woodland pasture 2 furlongs long and 2 broad. The whole was 1 league long and a half broad; the Count of Mortain held these 6 carucates.
In Kirkbys Inquest it was referred to as Ullay, Ulley Pages 6, 9, 230
In 1242, it was referred to as 'Ulflay' - wolf wood.

Norman Times

In Norman Times, the townships of Ulley, or Brampton Ulley, and Brampton-en-le-Morthen were in the Parish of Treeton, later a small part was in the parish of Aston.

The Lords of the Manor of Treeton appointed his 'ecclesia persona' to serve, the different townships. Ulley was held by Ricardus de Bernak and later by Dominus Edmundus Wastenays.

Roman Road

Although having a Saxon name, Roman Roads have been discovered cutting through the heart of the village, as well as at Spa Farm, Treeton. Between Ulley and Treeton lies the main Rotherham highway, generally agreed by historians to be on the line of Rickneild Street, a Roman Road adopted by the Saxons.

In 1826 an urn was found on nearby Guilthwaite Common, containing hundreds of Roman coins. When the Commons were enclosed a number of finds were made: spurs, battle axes, and ring posts, for tethering horses. It has been suggested that this was a halting place where the mounts of the Roman Cavalry were rested.

Ulley Brook

A stream named Ulley Brook, which passes under Long Lane, the approach to Treeton , to a footbridge connecting Spa Farm with Guilthwaite Hill Farm was referred to in 1394 as 'the stream of Ulleya'. This was part of the parish boundary. From here it winds its way to Packman's Bridge.

Influential Families

Samuel Buck of Rotherham purchased the Manor of Ulley in 1721 from the Allerton family.

During the 17th and 18th centuries many influential farming families lived here. The Stone's, Poynton's, Scholey's and Potter's. An 18th century enclosure award map shows the Ulley Grange land to be allotted to Mr. Poynton. A mansion near the Royal Oak Public House, bears the inscription, John and Rebekah Clark, 1718. Read more »

Packman's Bridge

Ulley Brook winds its way from Guilthwaite to Packman's Bridge which is near the reservoir. In 1674 it carried the main London to Richmond highway, As the name implies, it has borne the heavily laden pack-mules, which was the transport of the day.

Ulley Reservoir

By the early 1860's it had become clear to the Board of Health that Rotherham's springs supply could not be relied upon to adequately provide for Rotherham's needs, and Parliamentary Powers were sought to create an impounding reservoir. In 1874 Ulley Reservoir was completed utilizing the flows of Ulley and Morthern Brooks and this supply, together with a small impoundment on Dalton Beck, was adequate to meet the needs for a further 20 years. Read More »