Guy Brighouse wrote in 1987:
John Holbrook, in his will of 1889, left £200 each to his nephews Henry, John, William, Peter, sons of his late brother, also Townend Cottage (pictured below) (Sawpit Lane/ West Road) to Emma Elson and M.A. Elson and to Fanny Barton, 5 cottages, no’s 30,32,34,36 and 38 Moor St – area 1 acre 13 poles. (Mr Holmes, builder, now occupies all this area – the cottages converted to workshops). Fanny Barton was the Great Grandmother to the present “young” Billy, I think he is the 4th generation “Billy Barton” to occupy the Butchers shop on the corner of Sitwell Street/Chapel Street (The Hollow). J Holbrook also left a parcel of land on Dale Rd (Spondon Common/Spondon Moor) 1 acre 1 rood 30 poles then in the occupation of Thomas Elson (later “Snelson” ) Barton – (no relation of Mr B Barton, above). In July 1932 this land was bought by Mr Dolman, who built the 5 bungalows and 4 houses, 29/41 Dale Rd.
The Holbrooks were a very old Spondon family of farmers. In mid 1400 Johanne Spondune repaired the roofs of Dale Abbey Church and Chapel.