the next to inherited farnley hall was william james armitage (1819–1895) who was the third son of james armitage (1793–1872). he entered the family iron business succeeding his uncle and father as chairman and managing director. in 1860 he married emily nicholson eldest daughter of william nicholson of roundhay park. the couple had five sons and one daughter. when he died in 1895 his son robert armitage inherited the hall.