Elizabeth Beecroft

[2] Her father, John Skirrow (d. 1776), was a tanner, and her mother had a business selling butter; she was the only daughter of William Walsh of Skipton, a tallow chandler and soap boiler.

[9] While George managed the farm and mill, Betty took care of the account books and the trade of the forge, buying and selling materials such as scrap metal, and employing workers.

[13] In 1785, John Butler had a house for him built at the forge and took over the general management from Betty, who was pleased with this arrangement as she felt burdened by John's management style, but after nine months he asked Betty to return to the account books because of her shrewdness for business.

[10][13] She continued to work in this capacity until 1805, despite her dislike of the Butler brothers who often treated her and George with disdain.

[4] She published a notice in the Leeds Mercury on 4 May 1793, refuting the accusations and requesting information on the people who were spreading the false rumours, with a reward of 10 guineas.

Mr Robert Wood, a minister, said of her 'She was neither free from defects nor destitute of eccentricities but her industry, economy, firmness of mind and inviolable attachment to the Scriptures, for which she was most proverbial, will doubtless live for ever in the remembrance of her family and friends'.

[16] In her memoirs, Betty recounts several of her family and friend's spiritual experiences with preachers in Leeds, including Dr James Scott.