​Griffiths Joseph, Croft, Near Warrington, Lancashire -
Was born at Nantwich, Cheshire on December 1st, 1823, and after mastering the first four rules of arithmetic, the art of writing and reading, was sent to learn the bricklaying trade at the age of eleven years, starting with sixpence per day wages.
 
At the age of fourteen his attention was directed to the temperance
question by hearing two lectures at Nantwich, delivered by John Hockings,
the Birmingham blacksmith, and he determined to become a teetotaler.
He met with opposition and persecution, but held on his way, and
in 1844 removed to Manchester, where he had to fight against the
then prevailing habits and customs of the trade, fines and footings,
and eventually overcame all obstacles, and attained the position of
foreman.

He married a lady of like mind, and under all circumstances, they brought up their children without the use of intoxicating liquors.
 
About 1852 the family joined the Upper
Jackson Street (now Chapman Street), Manchester, Temperance
Society and Band of Hope, then newly formed, Mr. Griffiths
taking the position of choirmaster, and subsequently the son as
organist, this connection lasting for about twenty years, and helpful
to other societies and organizations.
 
In January, 1875, the family removed to Orford House, Croft, near Warrington, where they engaged in farming on teetotal principles, and triumphed over
prejudices and customs. They attached themselves to the Inde-
pendent Methodist Church, (Twiss Green) Culcheth, and took the
same positions, Mr. Griffiths as choirmaster, his son Horatio as
organist, and have laboured with success for over eighteen years.
 
Instead of being the only teetotal farmers in the district, there are
now several within four miles of Orford House. Mr. and Mrs.
Griffiths have seen fifty-one years of wedded life on teetotal
principles. Their sons, HORATIO, born November 3rd, 1852,
and JOSEPH W., born January 2nd, 1857, are life abstainers,
and their four grandchildren, whose united ages make up eighty six
years, with several others under sixteen years of age, are all life
abstainers. 

LOT 18.- A FREEHOLD COTTAGE, and LAND,
No. 63 Fowley Common, Culcheth, in the occupation of J. Ashton, containing 6,867 square yards.
Gross yearly rent £13.

​LOT 19.- ALL THAT FREEHOLD RESIDENCE, known as
CULCHETH HALL,
Containing 3 large Entertaining Rooms, Large Reception Hall, Butler’s Pantry, Wine Cellar, Servants’ Hall, Beer Cellar, Office, Store Room and Larder on Ground Floor,
Nine Bedrooms, Dressing Room, Bathroom and Lavatory and W.C. on First Floor and Four Servants’ Bedrooms on Second Floor.
Coach House and Saddle Room and Stabling for Five Horses, together with the greenhouses, Frames, Fruit Trees etc.
Together with the Avenue, Lodge, Outbuildings, Gardens, Lawns and 3 fields adjoining, containing altogether 32a. 1r. 25p. statute measure.
 
LOT 20.- A FREEHOLD COTTAGE and GARDEN, known as
High Lodge, Common-lane, Culcheth, in the occupation of T. H. Kilminster, containing 1,200 square yards.
Gross yearly rent £5.
A Right of Way to Culcheth Hall is reserved over this Lot.
 
LOT 21.- A FREEHOLD FARM. HOUSE, BUILDINGS and LAND, known as
Twiss Green Farm, situate off Twins Green-lane, Culcheth,
in the occupation of R. Mason, containing 17a. 1r. 38p. statute measure.
Let at a yearly rent of £32 10s.
 
LOT 22.- A FREEHOLD FARM, HOUSE, BUILDINGS and LAND, known as
Lime Tree Farm, Twiss Green, Culcheth, in the occupation of Samuel Southern,
containing 23a. 1r. 39p. statute measure.
Let at an apportioned yearly rent of £45.
 
LOT 23.- A FREEHOLD COTTAGE and GARDEN,
situate off Twiss Green-lane, Culcheth, adjoining Lime Tree Farm, in the occupation of A. Sykes, containing 454 square yards.
Gross yearly rent £4.
 
LOT 24.- A FREEHOLD FARM, HOUSE, LAND and BUILDINGS,
known as School-lane Farm, Culcheth, in the occupation of
Joseph Barrow, containing altogether 51a. 0r. 27p. statute measure.
Yearly rent £85 10s.
 
LOT 25.- A FREEHOLD FARM, HOUSE, LAND and BUILDINGS,
known as Collier's Tenement, Leigh, In the occupation of
Thomas Belshaw, containing altogether 23a. 2r. 3p. statute measure.
Yearly rent £50.
​
LOT 26.- A FREEHOLD FARM, HOUSE, BUILDINGS and LAND,
No. 3 Glazier's-lane, Culcheth, in the occupation of
B. Weir, containing 40a. 1r. 14p. statute measure.
Yearly rent £71.
This farm has a considerable frontage to the highway.
 
LOT 27.- A FREEHOLD FARM,
at Heath-lane, Croft, in the occupation of J. Thompson.
Containing 39a. statute measure, and let at a
yearly rent of £70.
 
LOT 28.- NINE WELL-SECURED FREEHOLD GROUND RENTS,
amounting in the aggregate to £22 11s. 10d. per annum and secured by Nine several Indentures of Lease each for the residue of a term of 999 years, granted between the years 1870 and 1909.
 
The vendor does not own the mines and minerals under Lots 5 and 26.

The mines and minerals under all the other Lots (except Lot 27) are excepted from the sale with full powers of working and getting the same.
 
A plan showing the Lots, and particulars and conditions of sale, containing the exception of mines and minerals can be inspected at the offices of-
 
Messrs. TRAVERS & GALE, Church-street, Leigh
and
Messrs. GIBBONS, ARKLE & DARBISHIRE Solicitors,
13 Union-court, Castle-street, Liverpool.