Mexborough and Swinton Times, November 16, 1928
A Builder of Modern Wath – Mr Henry Hallatt
One of the pioneers of the building of modern Wath, Mr Henry Hallett, of Linden Villa, West Melton, died last ‘Thursday at the age of 71. He had been in business as a builder and bricklayer for almost 50 years at West Melton.
The son of a Barlow (Derbyshire) farmer, he was one of a family of eleven: At the age of 18 he was apprenticed as a joiner to the late Mr. John Wade. A few years later he entered into partnership with his brother, Mr. William Hallett, and the firm of W. & H. Hallett, commenced building houses.
On announcing their intention of building eleven small cottages they were told they were embarking upon a ” wild-cat ” scheme, and they were asked who were to be the tenants. The brothers were long-sighted and knew that Wath must develop with the opening of Manvers Main mine, which at that time was being sunk. Mr. William Hallatt arrived in Wath on the day of the sod-cutting ceremony at Manvers, June 28th, 1869. The houses were quickly tenanted and they proceeded with the erection of others.
The partnership lasted twenty years, and nearly a thousand houses were built. On the dissolution of the partnership Mr. Henry Hallett acquired the West Melton Brick and Fireclay Company’s property and continued in the building business on his own account. In March this year he retired owing to ill-health.
Although Mr. Hallett did not enter very much into public life, he always had the public welfare at heart. In his younger days he was interested in music, being a capable violinist and carrying on a music depot at Wath.
He was an indefatigable worker on behalf of Christ Church, Brampton, holding the office of Vicar’s Warden for eighteen years.
He leaves a widow, three sons and four daughters.
Thera was a large attendance at the funeral at Brampton Church on Monday afternoon. The cortege was met by the Vicar, the Rev. C. L. Suggitt, and the choir who sang ” He shall feed His flock ” as it entered the church