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Esther Watson was born at Ryding in Allendale on the 16th January 1786.1This page was last updated on 2009-06-11.
Esther Watson was born at Ryding in Allendale on the 16th January 1786.1
Described as of Riding, near Allendale Town, she married [M4] Joshua Watson on the 27th August 1806, at Allendale. They had three children: [M3] Joseph (1807), William Wigham (1809), and Joshua (1811), all being born in St John's parish, Newcastle.2
She was one of two Newcastle women representatives appointed to attend Women’s Monthly Meeting in October 1806, November 1808 (with Deborah Richardson), January 1809, November 1809 (with Deborah Richardson), February and October 1810, January 1811 (with Deborah Richardson), January 1812, January, September, and October 1813, and January and February 1814. On the 30th January 1828 she was appointed an overseer by Newcastle Monthly Meeting. She was present at Monthly Meeting in February 1835, and in February 1836 signed the Monthly Meeting testimony to Thomas Richardson.2A
In 1836, described as of Bensham, she witnessed the birth of her grandson William Joshua Watson. In March 1837 and February 1838 she attended Monthly Meeting at Sunderland. In November 1839 she was one of five signatories to a letter re the reinstatement of Hannah Richardson, and in December 1840 she signed the Monthly Meeting testimony to Margaret Bragg.2B
In 1841 she lived with her family at Bensham. She was appointed a representative of Newcastle Preparative Meeting to Monthly Meeting in Sunderland in July 1843. She represented Newcastle at Monthly Meeting of Ministers & Elders in September and December 1845, and in March, June and December 1846. In June 1847 she was one of six who visited Mary Chambers re her application for membership. In January 1848 she signed the Monthly Meeting testimony to Rachel Wigham.3
In 1851 the census recorded her living with her family at Bensham Grove, Gateshead. In 1855 she contributed 5/- to the Highland Destitution Fund.3A
In April 1858 she was the tenant of 22 Cumberland Row, her tenancy to last at least until November 1860; her landlord was Phillip Holmes Staunton, the Rent from November 1858 being £28 p.a. The 1861 census recorded her as a house proprietor, with her family at 22 Cumberland Row, St John, Westgate, Newcastle.4
An Elder of her meeting, she was described by her grandson Robert Spence Watson as "a gentle, loving woman, of a quiet and retiring disposition, but calm and wise in counsel, much beloved by all who knew her, and she exercised a powerful restraining influence upon her somewhat impetuous and impulsive husband."5
She died on Sunday the 8th June 1862, at 22 Cumberland Row, Westgate, Newcastle, after several months of senile gangrene of foot - a long and painful illness, which she bore with great patience and resignation. She was buried on the 12 that Westgate Hill cemetery; the funeral was attended by a large circle of relatives and friends, by whom she was much beloved; a very solemn meeting was held.6
Esther Watson was the second child and second daughter of [M10] Joseph and [M13] Rachel Watson .7
1 PRO RG 6/304, HO 107/2492 f140 p58 and RG 9/3812 f19 p35 [Allendale]
2 The Newcastle Courant, 1806-08-30, issue 6777; Dictionary of Quaker Biography (Friends' House Library, typescript); RG 6/355, /628; minutes of Newcastle Monthly Meeting, TWAS MF 167
2A Minutes of Newcastle Preparative Meeting (Women’s) 1761–1815, TWAS MF 194; minutes of Newcastle Women’s Monthly Meeting 1803–814, TWAS MF 182; minutes of Newcastle Monthly Meeting, TWAS MF 169
2B RG 6/1149; minutes of Newcastle Preparative Meeting (Women’s) 1834–1878, TWAS MF 194; minutes of Newcastle Monthly Meeting, TWAS MF 169
3 HO 107/296/9 f34 p15; minutes of Newcastle Preparative Meeting (Women’s) 1834–1878, TWAS MF 194; minutes of Newcastle Monthly Meeting of Ministers & Elders, TWAS MF 180; minutes of Newcastle Monthly Meeting, TWAS MF 169
3A HO 107/2492 f140 p58; The Friend
4 documents donated to Tyne & Wear Archives Service 2005; RG 9/3812 f19 p35
5 RSW, in John William Steel: A Historical Sketch of the Society of Friends 'in Scorn called Quakers' in Newcastle & Gateshead 1653-1898. London & Newcastle, Headley Bros. 1899: 68; 1863 Annual Monitor
6 death certificate; DQB; Gateshead Observer 1862-06-14; death/burial digest; The Friend 1862-07-01 p. 184
7 DQB
Joseph Watson was born on the 21st December 1753.1
In 1776, described as of Riding, he was appointed one of five trustees for the meeting house and graveyard at Winnowshill meeting, Northumberland.1A
He married [M13] Rachel Wigham on the 3rd July 1782, at Conwood, at which date he lived at the Riding, near Allendale, Northumberland. Their children, all born in Northumberland (all but Hannah definitely born at Ryding, Allendale), were: Hannah (1784), [M9] Esther (1786), William (1788), Rachel (1790), and Joseph (1792). Described as a carpenter of Riding, in 1803 he witnessed the marriage of Robert Hudspeth and Sarah Wigham, at Allendale. The Riding was also his recorded residence from 1806 to 1812.2
White’s 1827 Directory lists a Joseph Watson, farmer, of Warburton Place, Gateshead. This may have been him, but in 1832 he is still described as of Allendale. A yeoman, he died of old age on the 15th July 1840, at Holly Hill, Heworth, Gateshead, Durham.3
Joseph Watson was the youngest child of [M11] Joseph and [M12] Esther Watson.4
1 PRO RG 6/1155, /1271
1A www.gravetext.co.uk/Quaker_Burials/Quaker_Burials_at_Winnows_Hill.pdf#search=%22%22joseph%20watson%22%20newcastle%22 [accessed 2006-09-24]
2 Dictionary of Quaker Biography (Friends' House Library, typescript); RG 6/188, /334, /355, /1155
3 White’s History, Directory & Gazetteer of Durham and Northumberland; death certificate; DQB; 1834 Annual Monitor (entry for granddaughter Rachel Watson)
4 DQB
Joseph Watson was born on the 28th September 1720.1
In 1730 he was left £12 in the will of his grandfather Robert Rutter.1A
He married [M12] Esther Moor on the 14th September 1745, at Alston. Until at least 1753 they lived at Huntwell, where Joseph was a shopkeeper. They had three children: Joshua (1746), Jacob (1748), and [M10] Joseph (1753).2
By 1782 he lived at the Ryding, Allendale, Northumberland; in this year he witnessed his son's marriage, at Conwood.3
He died at home at the Riding on the 14th April 1794, and was buried at Wooley burnfoot on the 16th. His will was proved on the 1st May 1794, by his son Joseph.4
Joseph Watson was the thirteenth child and fifth son of [L4] Joshua and [L10] Ann Watson .5
1 PRO RG 6/312; Percy Corder: The Life of Robert Spence Watson. London: Headley, 1914; Dictionary of Quaker Biography (Friends' House Library, typescript); Corder (1914) says July, presumably a mistake in interpreting 'seventh month'.
1A Robert Rutter's will, transcript by John Wintrip
2 Corder (1914); Ms Pedigree in Watson box, Society of Genealogists' library document collection; RG 6/1271 [of Huntwell 1748]
3 RG 6/355
4 RG 6/312; Corder (1914)
5 Corder (1914)
Esther Moor was born on 21 February 1718/9.1
She married [M11] Joseph Watson on the 14th November 1745, at Alston. They lived at Huntwell until at least 1753, and had three children: Joshua (1746), Jacob (1748), and [M10] Joseph (1753).2
She died at home at the Riding, on the 15th June 1789, and was buried at the Meeting House on the 17th.3
Esther Moor was the fifth child and second daughter of [M12A] Jacob and [M12D] Deborah Moor.4
1 PRO RG 6/312, /1271; Percy Corder: The Life of Robert Spence Watson. London: Headley, 1914
2 Corder (1914); RG 6/1271
3 RG 6/312; Corder (1914)
4 RG 6/1271
Jacob Moore was born in August 1667.1
He married [M12D] Deborah ____, and lived at Wellgill in Aldstonemoor until at least 1718/9 (possibly until 1745).Their children were: John (1696/7), Isaack (1698/9), Joshua (1701), Margaret (1703/4), Deborah (1705), and [M12] Esther (1718/9).2
Jacob Moore was the seventh child and fourth son of [M12B] John and [M12C] Margaret Moore.3
1–3 PRO RG 6/1271
John Moore married [M12C] Margaret ____. Their children were: Margrat (1651), Wm (1653), Ann (1656), Joseph (1659/60), Isaack (1661), (R)achell (1664), [M12A] Jacob (1667), Deborah (1670). All were born at their home at Welgill. He lived at Wellgill, Cumberland, from 1651 to at least 1667.1
1 PRO RG 6/1271
Margaret ____ married [M12B] John Moore. Their children were: Margrat (1651), Wm (1653), Ann (1656), Joseph (1659/60), Isaack (1661), (R)achell (1664), [M12A] Jacob (1667), Deborah (1670). All were born at their home at Welgill.1
1 PRO RG 6/1271
Deborah ____ married [M12A] Jacob Moor. Their children were: John (1696/7), Isaack (1698/9), Joshua (1701), Margaret (1703/4), Deborah (1705), and [M12] Esther (1718/9). She lived at Wellgill in Aldstonemoor throughout this period.1
1 PRO RG 6/1271
Rachel Wigham was born on the 12th June 1763, in Allendale.1
She married [M10] Joseph Watson on the 3rd July 1782, at Cornwood, Northumberland. Their children, all born in Northumberland (all but Hannah definitely born at Ryding, Allendale), were: Hannah (1784), [M9] Esther (1786), William (1788), Rachel (1790), and Joseph (1792).2
She was called to the ministry about her 24th year. "Altho her Words were few, yet being savoury often administered Grace to those that heard. In private Life she was very exemplary", and she was a loving wife and affectionate mother.3
She was privileged with the nursing care of her valuable mother, who took up her residence in their family, and with whom she travelled as companion, in one of her last journeys, in the exercise of her ministry.4
She died on the 20th June 1794, after a short illness, and was buried on the 23rd on the east side of the Friends' burying ground at Wooleyburnfoot.5
Rachel Wigham was the youngest child of [M14] William and [M27] Rachel Wigham .6
1 PRO RG 6/312; entry in digests of Society of Friends; Dictionary of Quaker Biography (Friends' House Library, typescript)
2 RG 6/334, /355; DQB
3 DQB
4 George Richardson (1848) Some Account of the Rise of the Society of Friends in Cornwood in Northumberland, especially in connexion with the family of Cuthbert Wigham. London: Charles Gilpin, pp. 36-7
5 RG 6/312; DQB
6 Richardson (1848), op. cit.
William Wigham married [M27] Rachel Teasdale on the 20th February 1746.They had seven children: Hannah (1747), [P3] John (1749), James (1751), Thomas (1753), William (1756), Cuthbert (1759), and [M13] Rachel (1763), all of whose births were registered by Cumberland & Northumberland Quarterly Meeting.1
Described by his son as ‘a very industrious man’, he was not sufficiently aware of the danger to which his son was exposed when he put him to work with the servants.1A
Burnhouse, Hargill House, and Coldshield - the main Wigham farming properties - had all been bequeathed to him, but he predeceased his father, dying at home at Hargill House, Coanwood, on the 16th April 1777; he was buried on the 20th.2
William Wigham was the eldest child of [M15] Cuthbert and [M24] Elizabeth Wigham .3
1 Dictionary of Quaker Biography (Friends' House Library, typescript); George Richardson: Some Account of the Rise of the Society of Friends in Cornwood in Northumberland, especially in connexion with the family of Cuthbert Wigham. London: Charles Gilpin 1848
1A John Wigham (1842) Memoirs of the Life, Gospel Labours and Religious Experience of John Wigham. London: Harvey and Darton; p. 3,
2 PRO RG 6/312; L.C. Coombes: 'Wigham of Coanwood.' Overprint from Archaeologia Aeliana, 4th ser. vol. xliv, 1966; DQB
3 Coombes (1966)
Cuthbert Wigham was born about 1704. He was still a minor when his father died. Though educated in profession with the Church of England, he appears to have known little of the influence of religion; but took pleasure in loose and unprofitable company, delighting in vain sports, &c.1
He married [M24] Elizabeth Dixon on the 19th October 1722, by licence, at Hexham parish church. They had five children: Thomas, Mabel (1729), John (1733), [M14] William , and James (1739); John's birth was recorded by Yorkshire QM, James's by Cumberland & Northumberland QM.2
There is every likelihood that the Wighams made full use of their position as landowners, although there is only one record of a lease and that in 1727 when Cuthbert granted a lease for 21 years for coal mining to Richard Harrison and Charles Errington of Corbyates in Alston Moor for £14 per annum and one third of the profits. . . . That Cuthbert Wigham did engage in mining on his own account is revealed in a brief note which states "the shaft ye had ye Dick [dyke] in it cost me with cutting the dike and sinking ye shaft £2 12s. 4d. Drowned out in this pitt." Probably this was for local use and the lease of mines to a large consumer such as the London Lead Co. would be much more profitable. All these facts suggest, for the most part indirectly, that coal mining played some part in the Wigham fortunes, but a closer connection cannot be shown and it would be unwise to draw definite conclusions.3
He was convinced about 1734, as a result of experiencing temporary blindness as he returned from a card party. A visit to the area by Benjamin Holmes was probably also instrumental in his convincement. It is related of him, that about 1734, one day as he was walking, having continued his habit of wearing a sword, it accidentally caught his heel; whereupon he hastily uttered one of those profane expressions, which had been his familiar practice; but for which he felt deep compunction; especially on overhearing one of his servants, who was near, exultingly exclaim, "Our master is no Quaker yet." In 1735 he settled a meeting in his own home, Bournhouse, Coanwood, Northumberland. About a year after his convincement he became a minister. "His ministry was not with enticing words of Man's Wisdom, but in the power, and demonstration of the spirit, often had to magnify that power that had redeemed his Soul out of the horrible pit . . .." In 1753, with John Pattinson, he journeyed on foot to several towns and villages where there were no Friends, and held meetings there. He also visited meetings in Cumberland, Durham, parts of Yorkshire, Westmorland, and Scotland on various occasions, and attended Yearly Meeting at Edinburgh. He was especially helpful to young convinced Friends.4
He was a man of considerable influence, as he owned a large estate, with manorial privileges over 2000 acres. He was frequently referred to as 'Lord Wigham'. He put forward some of his sons in business, but they proved unworthy of his confidence, wasting much of his property, and caused him much grief. Others of them, however, were of a different disposition.5
In his zealous desire that his household should be an example of that simplicity of apparel which Quakerism enjoined, he spoke to one of his servants of the vanity of indulging in the use of gaudy attire, in ribbons, &c. She quickly turned upon him, by proposing that he should relinquish the unnecessary use of tobacco, and she the practice of wearing ribbons; to which, with true self-denial, he consented.6
For reasons unknown, in the summer of 1758 he sold his lordship of the manor of East Coanwood, to one William Ord. In a letter dated 11th August 1758 Cuthbert Wigham wrote to William Gibson, his lawyer, asking him to see that "all things were done justly" when he sold "the tenants and royalets and his share of part of the common", stipulating that (1) William Ord was to have no land or common but what fell to his share for being lord of the manor, (2) that Ord pay compensation upon all lands when mining took place, two men "to set ye damage" as had been the custom, and (3) a parcel of land called Hargill Rigg, part of which was pasture when purchased but now enclosed about 40 years, should remain out of purchase, being his son William's freehold. This is now the site of Hargill House, which is still occupied by a Wigham today, in direct descent. The sale of the manorial rights of Coanwood occurred exactly a century after their purchase by Cuthbert Wigham's grandfather, but with the farms of Burnhouse, Coldshield, the Mill, Woodhouse and Hargill House in the possession of the family they were still substantial farmers. The loss of manorial rights meant also the loss of mineral rights and this loss may have been financially considerable.7
In 1760 he gave a piece of ground 30 yards square, on which to build a meeting house, and form a burial ground, and generously contributed towards the building, which cost £104.8
He appears to have been as a burning and shining light; and it is probable that his savoury example, in life and conversation, as well as his ministerial and other labours, were blessed to many. It appears that he sometimes found it his duty to convey to his neighbours his religious concern for their welfare in writing. On one of these occasions, he attempted to reason with himself against it; considering that he frequently saw the individual in question; and that he had opportunities to express his feeling toward him personally. But, keeping under his mental exercise, he at length wrote a letter, which, happening to fall into the hands of the wife of the individual to whom it was addressed, she had the curiosity to open it: the consequence was, that she became convinced of the rectitude of those religious principles, which, in the time of her ignorance, she had despised and condemned.9
On a lighter note, the following anecdote is told of him: When that courteous, kindly, but bashful gentleman, William Beaumont, shook hands with Cuthbert Wigham at Quarterly Meeting, he said, hospitably, - "Cuthbert, wilt thou come up at three o'clock and pick a bone with me?" "Na, na, Willum," was the reply, "if I wait till three o'clock I mun hae something better than a bone to pick."10
Though, through age and bodily infirmities, his natural faculties became much impaired, yet his mind appeared to be redeemed out of all evil, having the hope set before him in the gospel, as an anchor to his soul; being brought to the innocency of a little child. And, though perfectly sensible of his approaching dissolution, he was enabled to look forward to it with cheerfulness: ‘I will wait in patience till my change come; oh, it is a fine thing to be ready.’ Indeed the patience and resignation which appeared depicted in his countenance, evidently denoted the calmness and serenity of his mind. He died on the 9th February 1780, and was buried on the 12th in the Friends' burial ground, Coanwood.11
Cuthbert Wigham was the eldest child of [M16] William and [M21] Mabel Wigham .12
1 Dictionary of Quaker Biography (Friends' House Library, typescript); George Richardson: Some Account of the Rise of the Society of Friends in Cornwood in Northumberland, especially in connexion with the family of Cuthbert Wigham. London: Charles Gilpin 1848: 1; L.C. Coombes: 'Wigham of Coanwood.' Overprint from Archaeologia Aeliana, 4th ser. vol. xliv, 1966; Piety Promoted
2 DQB; Coombes (1966)
3 Coombes (1966)
4 DQB; Richardson (1848): 2; Piety Promoted
5 Richardson (1848): 3-4; Coombes (1966); DQB; Richardson (1848) gives acreage as over 2800
6 Richardson (1848): 3-4
7 Coombes (1966); Richardson (1848); PRO RG 6/1271 [1759 of Bournhouse, Coanwood]
8 DQB; Coombes (1966)
9 Richardson (1848): 8 & 40
10 Robert Spence Watson in John William Steel: A Historical Sketch of the Society of Friends 'in Scorn called Quakers' in Newcastle & Gateshead 1653-1898. London & Newcastle, Headley Bros. 1899: 131
11 Richardson (1848):44; DQB; Piety Promoted
12 DQB; Coombes (1966)
William Wigham married [M21] Mabel Hutchinson. Their children were: [M15] Cuthbert (1704), Ester, Rebecca, William, and Hannah.1
He was lord of the manor of East Coanwood. In 1700 the tenement of Townhead was surrendered to him by his brother Cuthbert. He made his will in 1708/9 and 1715.2
He died in 1715, and was buried at Haltwhistle on the 6th September. The inventory of his property showed him to have been in possession of 11 kine, 2 calves, 1 bull, 2 heifers, 2 pigs, 4 steers, 112 sheep, and 2 horses; he had nearly four times as many sheep as his predecessors. His crop of hay and corn was valued at £40. Individual legacies totalled £170. The total value of the inventory was £144.18.6d. It appears that William had seen years of increasing though modest wealth.3
William Wigham was the second son of [M17] Mathew and [M20] ____ Wigham .4
1 Dictionary of Quaker Biography (Friends' House Library, typescript); L.C. Coombes: 'Wigham of Coanwood.' Overprint from Archaeologia Aeliana, 4th ser. vol. xliv, 1966
2 Coombes (1966)
3 Coombes (1966); DQB
4 Coombes (1966)
Mathew Wigham was in 1673 High Constable of the West Division of Tindale Ward. One of the duties which fell to him was the collection of the proportion of his division of a tax of over £1,000,000 authorised by Parliament, in six quarterly payments, payable to Mr. Patrick Crow of Ashington. A surviving court roll of 1676 describes Mathew Wigham as Lord of East Coanwood. He sold Nine Dargs in 1684.1
Mathew Wigham married [M20] ____ ____. Their children were: Cuthbert, [M16] William , Anne, Alice, Mathew, Thomas, Mary and Jane.2
In his will dated 6th May 1702 he left his son Mathew twenty pounds and his grey gelding, his son Thomas sixty pounds, his daughter Mary thirty pounds, and his daughter Jane Reay five pounds; all the remainder of his property passed to his son [M16] William. He was buried at Haltwhistle on the 8th May 1702; the burial register describes him as "Lord Wigham of Cornwood Roe". His will was proved at Durham. The inventory of his farm stock showed him to have possessed 9 kine, 5 calves, 1 bull, 4 heifers, 1 pig, 6 steers, 31 sheep, and 1 horse; there is no information on crops.3
Mathew Wigham was the son of [M18] Cuthbert and [M19] ____ Wigham .4
1-4 L.C. Coombes: 'Wigham of Coanwood.' Overprint from Archaeologia Aeliana, 4th ser. vol. xliv, 1966
Cuthbert Wigham married [M19] ____ ____. Their children were [M17] Mathew and Alice.1
In 1634 he was a weaver of Nine Dargs, Allendale. He purchased Burnhouse in Coanwood in 1640, from Christopher Hornesby, for £100, with customary rent of 13/4 payable to Albany Featherstonhaugh as lord of the manor of East and West Coanwood.2
On the 13th December 1658 Nicholas Byerly gave bond of £424 to Cuthbert Wigham that he would keep the conditions of an indenture of bargain and sale, made between Nicholas Byerly, Albany Featherstonhaugh, & Thomas Selby, on the one part and Cuthbert Wigham & John Ridley of Hardriding on the other. There is no indication of the nature of this sale but a document dated 20th April 1659 is a declaration that the sale of the manors East and West Coanwood, with 14 tenements of 500 acres, comprising 100 acres of arable, 100 acres of meadow and 300 acres of furze, heath and common pasture, by Albany Featherstonhaugh, Nicholas Byerly and Thomas Selby to Cuthbert Wigham for £300 had been recorded by the Court of Common Bench at Westminster. Probably only East Coanwood was actually involved.3
He made his will in 1673, the year he died. The inventory shows farm stock of 10 kine, 1 bull, 9 quies, 5 stotts, 28 sheep, and 2 horses; there is no information on crops. He bequeathed 10/- between Henry and Hugh Shield; £6 yearly to his wife "if she cannot other waies agree with my son Mathew Wigham", and 35/- to his daughter Alice, which in fact she owed to him, together with 40/- "in Mr. John Blenkinsop's hands". The total value of the inventory was £60 3s. 4d. (which included £21 3s. 4d. in cash owing to him).4
1-4 L.C. Coombes: 'Wigham of Coanwood.' Overprint from Archaeologia Aeliana, 4th ser. vol. xliv, 1966
____ ____ married [M18] Cuthbert Wigham. Their children were [M17] Mathew and Alice.1
She was alive in 1673, when she was named in her husband's will.2
1-2 L.C. Coombes: 'Wigham of Coanwood.' Overprint from Archaeologia Aeliana, 4th ser. vol. xliv, 1966
____ ____ married [M17] Mathew Wigham. Their children were: Cuthbert, [M16] William , Anne, Alice, Mathew, Thomas, Mary and Jane.1
1 L.C. Coombes: 'Wigham of Coanwood.' Overprint from Archaeologia Aeliana, 4th ser. vol. xliv, 1966
Mabel Hutchinson married [M16] William Wigham. Their children were: [M15] Cuthbert (1704), Ester, Rebecca, William, and Hannah.1
She made her will on the 22nd May 1716, appointing her brother Robert Hutchinson and her brother-in-law Mathew Wigham "to give their assistance and to help to Right and to see my children suffer no wrong."2
She died at Burnhouse, Coanwood, and was buried at Haltwhistle on the 3rd June 1716. Her will was proved at Durham. Her inventory includes bedding and three bedsteads valued at £3, followed by the pewter and brass at £2 10s. 0d. Two other bedsteads existed, but apparently without bedding. Other items included sheets and table linen, two iron pots and a yeatling, a wooden vessel, two spinning wheels and a stock of wool, eight chairs, two tables and frames, a cupboard, a dresser table and a presser.3
Mabel Hutchinson was the daughter of [M22] ____ and [M23] ____ Hutchinson .4
1 Dictionary of Quaker Biography (Friends' House Library, typescript); L.C. Coombes: 'Wigham of Coanwood.' Overprint from Archaeologia Aeliana, 4th ser. vol. xliv, 1966
2-4 Coombes (1966)
____ Hutchinson married [M23] ____ ____ .1
1 L.C. Coombes: 'Wigham of Coanwood.' Overprint from Archaeologia Aeliana, 4th ser. vol. xliv, 1966
____ ____ married [M22] ____ Hutchinson . Their children were [M21] Mabel and Mathew.1
1 L.C. Coombes: 'Wigham of Coanwood.' Overprint from Archaeologia Aeliana, 4th ser. vol. xliv, 1966
Elizabeth Dixon was baptised on the 8th November 1699, at Knaresdale.1
She married [M15] Cuthbert Wigham , by licence, on the 19th October 1722, at Hexham parish church. They had five children: Thomas, Mabel (1729), John (1733), [M14] William , and James (1739); John's birth was recorded by Yorkshire QM, James's by Cumberland & Northumberland QM.2
She died on the 29th July 1759, and was buried on the 2nd August in Burnhouse graveyard.3
Elizabeth Dixon was the daughter of [M25] Thomas and [M26] Elinor Dixon .4
1 L.C. Coombes: 'Wigham of Coanwood.' Overprint from Archaeologia Aeliana, 4th ser. vol. xliv, 1966
2 Dictionary of Quaker Biography (Friends' House Library, typescript), Coombes (1966)
3 Coombes (1966); DQB; PRO RG 6/1271
4 Coombes (1966)
Thomas Dixon of Far House, Knarsdale, married [M26] Elinor ____ and was alive in 1699.1
1 Dictionary of Quaker Biography (Friends' House Library, typescript); John Hall Shield: Genealogical Notes on the Families of Hall, Featherston, Wigham, Ostle, Watson &c.; L.C. Coombes: 'Wigham of Coanwood.' Overprint
from Archaeologia Aeliana, 4th ser. vol. xliv, 1966
Elinor ____ of Far House, Knarsdale, married [M25] Thomas Dixon , and was alive in 1699.1
1 Dictionary of Quaker Biography (Friends' House Library, typescript); John Hall Shield: Genealogical Notes on the Families of Hall, Featherston, Wigham, Ostle, Watson &c.; L.C. Coombes: 'Wigham of Coanwood.' Overprint
from Archaeologia Aeliana, 4th ser. vol. xliv, 1966
Rachel Teasdale was born around 1722 in Alston in Cumberland.1
She was drawn to a religious life when very young and by the grace of God was protected as she grew up from the snares and temptations of the world.2
She married [M14] William Wigham on the 20th February 1746. They had seven children: Hannah (1747), [P3] John (1749), James (1751), Thomas (1753), William (1756), Cuthbert (1759), and [M13] Rachel (1763), all of whose births were registered by Cumberland & Northumberland Quarterly Meeting. In the training up of her children, she was very vigilant; her mind being attentive to the voice of pure wisdom, she was enabled to guide her household with admirable discretion.3
Soon after her marriage she appeared in the ministry and became an able minister, in which capacity she continued about 65 years. Her service was very great in the monthly meeting to which she belonged; and she was several times drawn forth in Gospel love, to visit the meetings of Friends in divers counties of England and Wales, and also in Scotland and Ireland, in all which services it was believed her labours of love tended to the edification of Friends, and her own peace. She was a sharp reprover of such as took undue liberties, but cherished every appearance of good with the utmost candour. She was an affectionate wife, a tender and circumspect mother, a sincere friend and good neighbour; sympathizing with the afflicted and charitable to the poor, of every denomination; she also cherished the most tender regard for the animal creation.4
After her husband's death in 1777 she continued to live at Hargillhouse, Haltwhistle, Northumberland, at least until 1782, in which year she witnessed her dauther's wedding at Conwood. Some time thereafter she moved to Allendale, to live with Joseph and Rachel Watson; she spent the rest of her days there. After Rachel's early death, in 1794, she became the active counsellor, and care-taker, over her late daughter's rising offspring, greatly to their benefit. She was very useful in her new meeting, and often appeared in lively testimony.5
Apparently she was notable for smoking a pipe.6
In her old age she became weak, and lost her sight; she was confined to the house nearly six years, and for a considerable time to her bed. She bore these infirmities patiently, and meetings often took place in her room.7
Around September 1808 she was visited at Allendale by her son John, who described her as ‘confined to bed a considerable time, in great bodily affliction, and quite blind,—but sweetly alive in spirit.’ In April 1810 she was visited by William Forster, who found her ‘now in an enfeebled state.’7A
For about three years before her decease, her intellectual faculties were much impaired, and she was reduced to a very helpless state, having only short intervals of perfect consciousness, but without appearing to have much pain. Of Riding in Allendale, she died there quietly on the 6th April 1813. Her body was buried on the 9th, at Wooleyburnfoot in Allendale.8
Rachel Teasdale was the daughter of [M28] John and [M29] Jennet Teasdale .9
1 PRO RG 6/385, /465
2 Dictionary of Quaker Biography (Friends' House Library, typescript)
3 Dictionary of Quaker Biography; George Richardson: Some Account of the Rise of the Society of Friends in Cornwood in Northumberland, especially in connexion with the family of Cuthbert Wigham. London: Charles Gilpin 1848
4 DQB; Richardson (1848)
5 RG 6/355; DQB; Richardson (1848); David Sands: Journal of the Life and Gospel Labours. London: Charles Gilpin, 1848
6 Friends' Quarterly Examiner 28:194
7 Richardson (1848); DQB
7A John Wigham (1842) Memoirs of the Life, Gospel Labours and Religious Experience of John Wigham. London: Harvey and Darton, p. 96; Earlham College download
8 Richardson (1848); DQB; RG 6/385, /465
9 John Hall Shield: Genealogical Notes on the Families of Hall, Featherston, Wigham, Ostle, Watson &c.
John Teasdale married [M29] Jennet Reay on the 28th October 1718, at Limestonebree. Their children were [M27] Rachel, and apparently others.1
In 1722 he lived in Alston, Cumberland.2
Some of his advice on religious matters and right living is reported by his daughter Rachel, in Richardson's Rise of the Society of Friends in Cornwood.3
He endured much pain in the last three weeks of his life.4
1 John Hall Shield: Genealogical Notes on the Families of Hall, Featherston, Wigham, Ostle, Watson &c.; PRO RG 6/1271; George Richardson (1848) Some Account of the Rise of the Society of Friends in Cornwood in Northumberland, especially in connexion with the family of Cuthbert Wigham. London: Charles Gilpin; International Genealogical Index, 1988 edn has the baptism of a John Teasdall, son of Thomas Teasdall, at Ousby on the 25th January 1679.
2 Dictionary of Quaker Biography (Friends' House Library, typescript); RG 6/1271
3-4 Richardson (1848)
Jennet Reay married [M28] John Teasdale on the 28th October 1718, at Limestonebree. Their children were [M27] Rachel, and apparently others.1
In 1722 she lived in Alston, Cumberland.2
Some of her religious advice and sayings to her children are recorded in Richardson's work, cited above.3
She survived her husband about a year, dying, after five days' illness, of a disorder sharp in its attack, and which, with the effects of old age, impaired her memory.4
1 John Hall Shield: Genealogical Notes on the Families of Hall, Featherston, Wigham, Ostle, Watson &c.; PRO RG 6/1271; George Richardson (1848) Some Account of the Rise of the Society of Friends in Cornwood in Northumberland, especially in connexion with the family of Cuthbert Wigham. London: Charles Gilpin; International Genealogical Index, 1988 edn has the baptism of Jennett Rea, daughter of John Rea, on the 24th July 1698, at St Nicholas, Whitehaven.
2 Dictionary of Quaker Biography (Friends' House Library, typescript); RG 6/1271
3-4 Richardson (1848)
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