Tall Trees and Tiny Acorns
THE LANGSTAFFS OF TEESDALE AND WEARDALE
BY
GEORGE BLUNDELL LONGSTAFF
Transcribed
by
CAROLE A.M. JOHNSON
COPYRIGHT 2001
All Rights Reserved
PART 8
75 The Quaker Contractor of Auckland
Probably this last refers to one John Langstaffe of Whitley, co. York, whose name occurs in the Quaker Register and who is mentioned in the Stockton Minute Book, 13th 8 mo. 1702, It may possibly however, be Whitley, County Northumberland.
"The Remains of Denis Granville D.D."[ Surtees Society Publications, vol. Xlvii.] Contains an interesting calendar of the cases in the Court of the Archdeacon of Durham, from which the following extracts are taken. [pp. 213-215]:-
Auckland, St. Andrew
Johannem Vincent et uxorem ejus, Gulielmum Trotter, Johannem Langstaf, Gulielmum Spenceley, dyer, Anthonium Hodgshon,et Emanuelem Grise, for keeping their children unbaptised:- Ex' 12th Oct. 1673.
Anthonium Hodgshon, Emanuelem Grise, Johannem Langstaffe, Gulielmum Downes, Gulielmum Spenceley, dyer, Johannem Trotter, Johannem Paverell, Anthonium Harrison, Thoman Anderson, Gulielmum Trotter, Johannem Dodshon, Elizabetham Shaw, for non payment of an assessment of a repaire of the church:- Ex' 13th Sept.1674
Johannem Langstaffe et uxorem ejus, Anthonium Hodgshon et uxorem, Zacharium Moorfoot, Johannem Trotter et uxorem ejus, Gulielmum Trotter, Henricum Trotter, Georgium Wilson et uxorem, Sarah Kirkby, Sarah Robinson, Margaretum Teasdaile,Carolum Watson et Jacobum Watson.
Quakers:- Decret' Ex'. [?1677]
Auckland St. Helen.
Thomem Langstaffe [and ten others] for not paying their Easter reckonings: xijth October 1673, Ex'.
Gulielmum Langstaffe, jun.[and three others, two of them noted in the margin as"Pauperes absoluti" ] for not paying their Easter reckonings: xxiij April 1676. Ex'.
Darlington
Elizabetham Langstaffe [and two others], for not paying Church, cess:- 18th Sept. 1674, Ex'.
Staindrop
Georgius Dixson et uxorem Papists* [lower down] _Quakers, for not coming to Church, 18th Sept 74.
* Mr J Ord informs me that in those days Roman Catholics occasionally passed as Quakers, to avoid certain disabilities, but in this case there is probably an error in the original calendar.
76 The Quaker Contractor of Auckland
Gabrielum Wilson et Georgium Dizson, guardianos, pro non comparendo* 18th Jan. 1673
Witton - Le - Weare
Georgium Dizson et uxorem, anabaptists. Anno. 1678
Fines for meetings at Stockton and Norton for Richard Watson's Preaching:- 9th November,Distresses were made on John Langstaffe with two others £31 10s.
Besse vol. I., p. 179.
Anno. 1678
For a meeting at Jane Vickers',in Raby, were taken from George Dickson, Henry Grainger, William Grainger,William Pickering, Jane Vickers and Catherine Temple, Goods to the value of £20 5s.
Anno. 1680
Jane Dickson a Constable of Market Audland became an informer.
Anno. 1681
In this year the Officers of Reeby and Stainthorp, by Warrants for twelve Fines, for Absence from the National Worship, took:-
From Henry Dickson, Jane Vickers, George Grainger and seven others , goods worth £6 12s. 10d.
Anno. 1682
The Sums taken this year for Meetings and Absence from the National Worship amounted to £409 7s. 3d.
Under the heading "Anno. 1682" Besse speaking of "the lawless Acts of hungry Informers about this Time," says:-
Two of them, Dickson and Rickerby, came to the house of Jane Vickers at Raby, where some of her Friends were eating: She asked the Informers to eat with them, some Honey and Butter: They did eat and drink and talked very familiarly, but went away and gave Information of a Conventical at her House, where they had only seen Persons eating and drinking what themselves partook of: For this the hospitable Woman was fined £15 and had her Cattle and Sheep taken away to the value of £20.
* I take it these were Churchwardens who did not attend the Visitation
77 The Quaker Contractor of Auckland
The following extracts do not refer to the Langstaffs we have been dealing with, though reference to some of them may be found in the York Quaker Register:-
Co. Lincoln Anno. 1686
At Quarter sessions at Spalding on the 14th of the month called January Isaac Langstaff with others was committed to Prison upon Presentments for Absence from their Parish Church
Besse vol. I p. 358.
Swaledale, North Riding, York. Anno. 1670
Anne Langstaff, meeting, Fined £1
do do do June 12th Fined £2
do do do June 19th Fined £2
1670-1 Anne Langstaff fined 10s.
James Langstaff fined 10s.
Yorkshire. On the 18th November the said Mayor [William Rooke] with two Aldermen and the Town Clerk [Thomas Leigh] came again to the Meeting at Leeds and committed fifty Persons to Prison in the Moot Hall, there, where they were kept, Men and Women together in one Room, without Fire, in extreme cold Weather, four Days and four Nights, and then were sent Prisoners to York Castle without being suffered to shift their Clothes:
Their names were ..... Daniel Langstaff, ..... Sarah Langstaff, who were all kept Prisoners above nine Weeks and then conveyed to the Quarter Sessions at Leeds, where they were fined, and Warrants were granted for Distress; by which were taken:-
From John Wailes and John Langstaff, Goods worth £6 9s. 0d.......
The " first name" John is clearly a misprint for Daniel. Only 10 out of the fifty were fined, the total of fines only reaching £14 16s. 6d., so either these to were the chief offenders or the most substantial men.
The Register tells us that, Daniel, son of Joseph, was a "Broad clothier" of Holbeck, near Leeds. Moreover he is described in the indictment as Daniel Langstaff nuper de eadem [parochil sc. Leeds] clothier ....... Trementes, Anglice Quakers
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Yorkshire. 1614, 31st. Fifth Month.
Were committed by the Mayor and Aldermen of Leeds to York Castle on third Conviction for Meeting with Intent, to proceed against them upon Act for Banishment; .......
David Langstaff, ........
The following are taken from a parchment roll in the custody of the Clerk of the Peace, Durham, dated 34th Car. 11 [1682], endorsed Dissenters indicted for not repairing Church:-
Raby, among others.
Henry Granger nuper de Raby, yeoman.
Elizabeth Granger nuper de ead. spinster.
William Pickering nuper de ead. et ux: ejus.
Georgius Dizon nuper de ead. yeo. et ux: ejus.
Abigail Dizon nuper de ead. Spinster.
We have seen that the house of Dickson was divided against itself, and that one of its members was an informer [and a mean one], it is also notable that while John Langstaffe was resisting the constituted authorities, William Langstaffe decared himself on the side of Law and Order. In the Calendar of State Papers we get a glimpse of the way in which the troublous times affected society.
1666. May 2. Letter from W.H.[aglet to Chris. Sanderson], endorsed, "Intelligence from Durham" William Langstaffe boasts much of his intimacy with Justice Robinson, and says the justice is as favourable to fanatics as he dares be, and blames Sanderson for putting the laws into execution against friends. He says Robinson is sure to join any plot for deliverence, as he offered his best horse against the cavaliers, when in 1648, Sir Marmaduke Langdale came in with Duke Hamilton; he would be dangerous in rebellion, but loves the pot and pipe to well for a soldier; he never disturbs the Quakers Assemblies in his division.
1666. Aug. 24th. W. H. To Mr. Phillipson
Wm. Langstaff says that Judge Turner will get Justice Robinson to put into the commission of peace in Durham again; they are troubled lest he should be turned out in Yorkshire, for the Quakers meet frequently in his division, and he never molests them, whatever he may say when amongst other justices. Pretended to Langstaff that their friends were at work, on which he offered him a good broad sword.
79 The Quaker Contractor of Auckland
Was this William Langstafe of the St. Helen's Auckland Parish Registers, who married 12th November 1626, Dorothea Wilson, or his son, William Langstafe, mason, who married firstly, Barbary Howe 20th July 1736 and secondly 2nd, February 1665, Alice Dunn, and who failed to pay his Easter reckonings in 1676 or was it the William Langstaffe who witnessed two contracts as above mentioned? [P.56].
Dr. Raine comments thus upon the above sited contacts:-
Thus John Langstaffe, the "demolisher"of the Chapel and Castle under Haslerigg, and the Quaker setting the law at defiance in 1662, becomes, two years afterwards, employed by the Bishop to demolish the newly built house of Haslerigg himself, in the construction of which he had, no doubt, been engaged. Had the Bishop converted him by dint of argument, or the promise of a job.
John afterwards became brewer of the Bishops ale, for which he was paid after the rate of 3s. per brewing. Auckland Castle, p. 104.
The suggested comparison to the Vicar of Bray does not seem to me to be a right or fair view of the case. John was a man of energy, and very properly as the father of the family had an eye to business; indeed, as a builder he was above all politics, "ecclesiastical as well as civil." Moreover, have we not seen that he tried to advance the interests of his employer by mining speculation? Whatever else he may have been, John was no hypocrite; the Minute Books shew him to have been an active and prominent member of the Society of Friends, from 1671 [the first entry in the book] till a few months before his death in 1694; and that he did not hide his light under a bushel is proved by his recurrent troubles with the magistrates, from 1660 to 1678, long after the Bishop's death.
Bishop Cosin, is known to have been a tolerant and light hearted man. Could he tell us why it was, that in 1665, but a short year after Contract No. 4 was signed, and before it can have been completed, Joseph Avery of Bishop Auckland, yeoman, was transported to Barbados for seven years, for that "he on 11th June at Bishop Auckland, in the Mansion House of John Langstaff was present with other persons being Quakers," and again in October of the next year, the unfortunate Edward Lamerson, Anthony Hodgson and Emanuel
80 The Quaker Contactor of Auckland.
Grice suffered a like sentence, "for assembling at the house of John Langstaffe for purposes of their religion," while their equally heterodox host was left in peaceful possession of the said Mansion House with its four comfortable hearths? Are we to suppose that he made himself so useful to his patron, the princely prelate of the palatinate, that the latter used his almost all powerful influence to avert the severer penalty?
From his correspondence it is evident that Cosin placed much confidence in Langstaffe and it is probably fair to infer from one circumstance that he was the best local builder. Whereas in 1662 and 1663 three contracts for work to be don at Durham Castle were given to Messrs. John Richardson, James Olevant[alias Olilphant,Olliphant,Olephant], and Christopher Wilkinson, we learn from my Lord's correspondence that in 1670 and 1671, John Langstaffe was employed upon the additions to the Library at Durham, which was so near to the Bishop's heart, and this in spite of the fact that Langstaffe was an Auckland man. As regards the last sentence of Dr. Raines [quoted on p. 79] there is no doubt that Bishop Cosin's accounts speak distinctly of John Langstaffe the brewer, but I believe this to have been a quite different man to John Langstaffe the freemason.
The Parish Register tells us that in 1645, Dec. 16th, a John Langstaffe was married at Bishop Auckland to one Jeronime Grice, but although we have seen that Emanuel Grice was much associated with the subject of this Chapter, I feel pretty sure that we must look further.
The Minute Books make no mention of John's wife, but the Quaker Register records the birth of Thomas, son of John and Jane Langstaffe of Aukland, 20th 3mo. 1655, We know from his will, that she predeceased her husband.
The very long list of Langstaff marriages in Appendix 1. Contains but three matches between a John Langstaff and a Jane. Of these the first took place in 1578, the third in 1815. The remaining one from the register of St. Andrews, Auckland, is as follows:-
1645 Aug. 12 John Langstaffe = Jane Dixon
There is practically no doubt that this Jane Dixon was the eldest of the four daughter's and coheiresses of Peter Dixon by his wife
81 The Quaker Contractor of Auckland
Elizabeth Bee. From the Parish Register of St. Andrew Auckland, we glean:-
1619 July 10 Peter Dixon = Elizabeth Bee.
1621 Sept. 2 Jaine Dickson filiaPeter Dickson of Auckland christened.
1624 Oct.10 Barbarie Dickson filia Peter Dickson of Auckland christened.
1625 Mar. 5 Gertred, daughter of Peter Dixon of Auckland christened. Sureties: Mr. William Langstaffe, godfather, Mrs. Gertred Wream, Mrs. Mary Blakiston, Mr. George Courtpennie.
1627 Oct. 7 Elizabeth daughter of Peter Dixon christened.
1628 Aug. 3 Roger son of Roger Heavisyd christened. Godfathers: Mr Roger Lilburne, Mr. William Dickson. Godmother: Margaret Langstaffe.
1630 May 9 Elizabeth daughter of Peter Dixon of Bishop Auckland, christened.
1642 July 22 John Whitford = Barbarie Dixon.
1655 Jan. 19 Peter Dickson of North Auckland buried.
The Halmote Book tells us that:-
An admittance was passed in Bondgate in Auckland on October 14th 1657, of Jane the wife of John Langstaffe, Barbery the wife of John Whitfield, Gertrude the wife of Michael Stobbert,* and Elizabeth the wife of Martin Simpson, daughters and coheiresses of Peter Dixon deceased, who took of the Lord, one parcel of land lying on the west end of the village of Bondgate, in Auckland, near the common gate there, containing in length 14 yards and in breadth 14 yards, which the said Peter, their late father had in his right, to have to the said Jane Langstaff, Barbary Whitfield, Gertrude Stobbert, and Elizabeth Simpson, and their equals in right, and they were admitted tenants. The first mention of any Peter Dickson in the St. Andrew, Auckland Register, is the record of his marriage given above. It is possible that he may be identical with one or other of the following:
1590 Feb. 28 Peter, son of Robert Dixon was baptised. [Hamsterley Register]
1618 Feb. 29 Administration of the goods of Robert Dixon, late of Raby in the Parish of Staindrop, granted to Peter Dixon, son of the deceased, * Mr. Richley says that between 1648 - 72, Michael Sobart of Bishop Auckland, issued tokens bearing the kings head.
82 The Quaker Contractor of Auckland
Isabella Dixon widow of the deceased, consenting to his proving the same to the use of himself, his mother and his brother William. [ Durham Act Book.]
1623, February 28. Administration of the goods of Francis Dixon, widow, late of Killerby in the parish of Heighington , granted to Peter and Robert, son's of the deceased, and to John Clark, uncle of the deceased.
[A previous administration , 1623, Sept. 13, proves that the father William Dixon had recently died, leaving a posthumous child, Robert.] [Durham Act Book.]
1634, December 14. Thomas Dickson son of Peter Dixon of Bishopley was baptised. [Stanhope Register.]
{This Thomas if brother to the four women mentioned in the Copyhold Admittance must have died before 1657.]
1686, September 25. John Dixon of Harupp, [Harehope, parish of Wolsingham] by his will bequeathed £30 to his brother Peter Dixon's children equally.
As to the sureties at the christening on 5th March 1624, the Wrenn's of Binchester and the Blakistons were local families of some distinction. Mrs Gertred Wrenn, was the daughter of John Thornhaugh, of Fenton Notts. And the wife of Sir Charles Wrenn of Binchester in the Parish of St. Andrew Auckland, Knight who died about 1618. Her eldest son, Lynley Wrenn of Binchester, who died in 1655, married Peregrina, daughter of Raphe Fetherstonhaugh of Stanhope, who was the heroine of the story, told above, [p.48]. Mrs. Mary Blakiston, was perhaps, Mary, daughter of Martyn Halliman of Lumley and wife of Ralph Blakeston of Seaton, who was living in 1615. Mrs Roger Lilburne, was probably of the " Lilburnes of Thickley in Bishopricke."
[Foster's Durham Visitation Pedigrees.]
Mr. William Langstaffe may have been the individual appearing in the Parish Register, while Roger Heavisyd's godmother, may have been his sister or perhaps his wife.
1588 December 25 William, son of William Langstafe christened.
1590 February 24 Margaret daughter of William Langstaff christened.
1610 June 2 William Langstaffe = Margrett Parmetun.
1633 September 2 William Langstaffe of Bishop Auckland buried [St. Andrew's]
83 The Quaker Contractor of Auckland
It is worth noting, that William Langstafe, mason, of St. Helen Auckland, christened a daughter, Gathara or Gathard; this may point to a relationship with Mrs. Stobbert.
1665-6 Mar.18, Gathara [?Garthard] daughter of William Langstaffe baptised.
She would appear to have died unmarried at an advanced age:-
1748 Jan. 28 Gertrude Longstaff of West Auckland buried [St. Helen's] A William Dixon is thrice mentioned in the same register, viz. :-
1571 April 22 One of Willam Dicksonn's called Margratt christened.
1575 April 4 John, son of William Dickson, christened.
1628 Nov. 23 Robert, son of Mr. William Dixonof Auckland, christened. Godmother: Mrs. Dixon of Ramshawe. [St. Andrew's]
But this last William was probably William Dixon of Ramshaw [son and heir of George Dixon of the same] who married at St. Helen's, 1st. January 1627-8, Ann Bowser, his third wife. Mrs Dixon would be the grandmother, who was living in 1631.*
In the absence of any other evidence I have assumed that the infant baptism of the turbulent Quaker, is thus given in the St. Andrew's Register:-
1622 Aug. 18 John filius Thomas Langstaff de Auckland.
1625 Jan. 29 Jane dau. Thomas Langstaff of Auckland
But one marriage seems applicable and that is in the same register:-
1619 Oct. 28 Thomas Langstaff = Dorytie Applebie [St. Andrew's] On Page 12 of this book it will be found that in 1620, Robert Hall of East Brandon, co. Durham, mason, and Christopher Langstaff of West Auckland in the same county, were bondsmen for Thomas Langstaff of Bishop Auckland, mason, Considering that trades were in those days hereditary__ the trade of mason not least so __ it seems in See Pedigrees of Dixon of Ramshaw in the possession of Mr C.G.Dixon Johnson
84 The Quaker Contractor of Auckland
the highest degree probable that the prisoner Thomas was the Father of John. Again, there were Langstaffe masons in the adjoining parish of St. Helen's Auckland (of which west Auckland forms a part). Moreover the are some quite isolated Langstaffe entries in the Register of Witton-le-Wear which seem to tack on to the earlier entries at St. Helen's. Two of these are the baptisms of the brother's Thomas and Christopher. I venture to suggest that Christopher settled at St. Helen's and became security for his brother Thomas, who had settled at BishopAuckland.*
This is of course merely conjectural, and is only given for what it is worth; but if the conjecture be well founded it would prove the writer to be akin to the Quaker, either by direct decent or through his uncle, William -
In an MS. list of the small quit rents for the township of Bondgate in Bishop Auckland, due to the Bishop in 1679, we find:-
John Langstaffe 5s 8d.
Thomas Langstaff 4s 0d.
Emanuel Grice 13s 0d
The total amount of the township is but £23 17s 81/2d in 90 entries, only 15 of which exceed John Langstaff's amount.
The original pollbook containing the names of the Freeholders, who voted at the undermentioned Elections, tell us something of their politics:-
County Election 21st June 1673
Jno. Langstaffe of Coundon For Vaine and Tempest
Thomas Langstaff of Bishop Auckland For Vaine and Tempest
* In the Staindrop Register is an isolated entry which seems to relate to a son of Thomas, named after his uncle, Christopher:-
1672, June 4 Christopher, son of Thomas Langstaffe of Bishop Auckland. John Langstaffe and Emanuel Grice both had pews in the parish church (as also Richard Lilburne) in 1650. I.e. Four years before Anne Audlands preaching. [See p.53]
In the possession of John Bowes Esq., of Streatham Castle. Note that some are marked as refusing to take the oath, but not so George Dixon of Raby.
85 The Quaker Contractor of Auckland
County Election 24 February 30 Car. 11., 1677-8
Tho. Langstaffe of Auckland For Eden and Tempest.
Tho. Langstaffe of Auckland For Eden and Tempest.
Tho. Langstaffe For Eden and Tempest.
Geo. Dixon of Raby For Vane.
Mr. Thomas Dixon of Whitworth For Eden and Vane.
County Election 25 August 1679
Thomas Langstaffe of Bishop Auckland For Vane and Bows.
William Langstaffe* of Cockfield For Fetherstonhalgh and Bowes.
County Election 21 February 1680
Tho. Langstaffe of Bishop Auckland For Fetherstonhalgh and Bowes.
Bothwell Langstaffe of Norton For Bowes.
Thos Langstaffe of Auckland For Bowes.
William Langstaffe of Auckland For Fetherstonhalgh and Bowes.
William Langstaffe of Cockfield For Fetherstonhalgh and Bowes.
Mr. John Proud of Bishop Auckland, has kindly permitted the writer to peruse the title deeds of his Coundon estate, these include four indentures, dated respectively 24th, 25th 26th and 27th of February 1690-1 between Thomas Paise [son of Theophilus Paise, then deceased, and brother of Robert Paise, also deceased], of Gateshead, co. Durham, Gentleman, and Thomas Langstaffe of Bishop Auckland,, co. Durham, freemason, by which the latter purchased for the sum of £320 the freehold of several closes of land, amounting in all to 48 acres. The purchase included all "mynes and quarries." These lands which bore the names of Crawley, Wheelaw, The Moore, Brimeyside and Coundon Meadows, (in the common townfields of Coundon), adjoined the Bishop's Park. One of the meadow's purchased is descibed as lying "on the east side of the copyhold messuage, now belonging to the said Thomas Langstaffe in Coundon."
There is practically no doubt that the purchaser was the son of John Langstaffe the Quaker, who was born 20th. 3rd. Mo.1655, and who married in March 1678-9, Margaret Lowther.
* 1651, February 22 William, son of Richard Langstaffe, baptised. [Cockfield Register]
86 The Quaker Contractor of Auckland
The witnesses to the conveyance were Edw. Tonge, John Tong, Michael Stobart and Sam Wall.
It will be remembered that Gertred Dixon, a sister in law of John Langstaffe married a Michael Stobbert.
Mr. James J. Dodds, "History of Spennymoor"[1897], states [p.36]: "In 1677, the small freeholders in the neighbourhood of Whitworth discussed with Sir Robert Shafto the expediency of dividing up the moor according to the extent of their estates adjoining. The matter was referred to the consideration of Ralph Salvin,* gentleman, Anthony Salvin,* gentleman, and Thomas Langstaffe, Quaker, and their award was confirmed in the Chancery of the County."
A certified copy of the order in Chancery exists at Durham; according to it the third arbitrator was "John Langstaffe, (Q.) of Westerton." The certified copy is in every way, to be preferred. John, the father, was then 55, and a well known man, but his son, Thomas was but 22.
It is probable that John was made third arbitrator in the professional capacity of Surveyor. The arbitrators, as was proper, did not receive any allotment, but twelve acres were assigned to one Richard Hopper, who would appear to be identical with "Richard Hopper of Whitworth, co. Durham, yeoman," who with one "John Hopper of Coundon co. Durham, yeoman," is mentioned in Mr Proud's Coundon deeds, anno. 1651.
Spennymoor is within two miles of Merrington, Westerton, and Middlestone, and within three miles of Coundon. Whitworth lies a little to the north west of Spennymoor.
Unfortunately the Copyhold Rolls do not give as much information as might have been expected.
Manor of Bondgate in Auckland
1659 April 26
Ralph Colepetts, gentleman, surrendered to John Langstaffe and John Walton, a small tenement near the Coundon gate. * Sons of Jerrard Salveyn, of Croxdale, co. Durham, who died 1663, by his second wife, Mary, daughter of Bryan Bellarres of Murton.
87 The Quaker Contractor of Auckland.
1675, 25. May, 27 Car. 11.,
John Langstaffe (who survived John Walton), and John Langstaffe, junior. surrendered the same to James Bailes, gent., and Peregrina, his wife..
1621, 12. October, 19 Jac.1.,
Brian Wright surrendered to Thomas Langstaffe, a tenement late in the occupation of Widow Brown.
On the same day, Wright surrendered to Langstaffe, the pasturage for two beasts in a place called Moore Close, otherwise, Wigton Walls, then in the occupation of the said Thomas Langstaffe, together with the house, usually occupied therewith.
1622, 16. October, 20 Jac. 1.,
John Gainforth and Agnes his wife, surrendered to Thomas Langstaf and Margaret his wife, one house and garden, extending to the Bank Top, late in the occupation of the Widow Brown. [ It is not quite clear whether this was the same tenement as that surrendered 12 Oct. 1621]
1653, 18. October,
Township of Coundon, Thomas Langstaffe and Margaret his wife.
Surrendered to James Wilson, as trustees, one house with garth, late in the occupation of Widow Brown. [ clearly the last named parcel ].
Wilson then surrendered the same to the use of the said Thomas Langstaffe and Margaret his wife during their lives, with the remainder to George Langstaff
1673, 1. September, 21. Car. 11.,
George Langstaffe surrendered to Thomas Langstaffe, one house and one garden, late in the occupation of Widow Brown, deceased.
1637, 23. April, 13. Car. 1.,
Immanuel Grice surrendered to Thomas Langstaff, four acres and three roods of pasture land, parcel of a close, called Moore Close.
1646, 22. November, 22. Car. 1.,
Jane Langstaffe wife of Thomas Langstaffe, widow and relict of Anthony Stevenson, deceased, was admitted to three pieces of land, containing one acre and two roods, in the right of her late husband.
1670, September, 1,
Jane late wife of Thomas Langstaffe and widow of Anthony Stevenson deceased, was admitted to the same three pieces of land.
1663, 20. May, 15 Car. 11.,
Anthony Comyn [Cumin or perhaps Cunningham] surrendered to George Langstaffe one part of a house and the garth belonging to the same, containing 26 yards by 8 yards or thereabouts.
1668, 16. October, 20 Car. 11.,
Licence granted to George Langstaffe to demise last named tenement for four years to Stephen Willey.
1669, 15. October, 21. Car. 11.,
Stephen Willey surrendered last named to George, Langstaffe.
1673, 1. September, 25. Car. 11.,
George Langstaffe surrendered same to Thomas Langstaffe and Anna is wife.
88 The Quaker Contractor of Auckland
1689, 20. September, William and Mary. 1.,
Surrender from Thomas Langstaffe and Anna his wife to Samuel Wall, gent., of a messuage with three tofts or crofts and one little house with garden. [See witnesses to deed. P. 85]
1691, 18 May, 3 William and Mary.
Surrender from William Sandforth Esq., by Samuel Wall, gent., his attorney, to Thomas Langstaffe, Gentleman, of premises in Coundon, viz.; three orchards with garden at the back; also three acres of arable land in three separate closes, one in the North Field, one in the Sneithy Side and the third adjoining Howle Letch in the South Field; also pasturing for four beasts in Coundon ox pasture; also pasturing for two beasts in Coundon Moor; also pasturing for two beasts in Foggy Vill; also an acre of meadow, late in the tenure of Ralph Walker.
1703, 20, December, 2. Anne.
Admittance of John Langstaff brother and heir of Thomas Langstaff, deceased, to last mentioned premises.
1698, 23. September, 10. William. 111.
Surrender from John Fawell to George Langstaff of moiety of a house and north part of an orchard, with a little garden at the back, in the occupation of the said George Langstaff. On the next day, Langstaff surrendered the same premises to Thomas Moore on a mortgage for £11.
There were as we know from the Poll Lists, [p.85] at least two Thomas Langstaffes in Auckland, a fact amply confirmed by the St. Andrew's Register as well as by the Durham Wills of 1693 and 1705. This makes the identification of the above copyholder's difficult, but their can be little doubt that Thomas Langstaffe, Gentleman, to whom the Coundon property was surrendered, 18, May, 1691, is identical with Thomas Langstaffe, Freemason, who purchased 48 acres of land at the same place in the same year. It is also pretty clear, that he was the younger son of the Quaker Contractor born 20th, of the 3rd. Mo. 1655, who married 3rd March 1678 -9, Margaret Lowther. If this be so, the John Langstaff, admitted 20. December, 1703, was another son of the Quaker Contractor, mentioned in his will and possibly a progenitor of the writer. [See Pedigree No. 1 also Chapter 7 ., p. 96].
John Langstaffe (as also Thomas and Bethwel) is sometimes described as a mason, sometimes as a free mason. The latter term is generally held to mean " free of the craft or mystery of the masons,' i.e. one who has served the proper apprenticeship, according to the
89 The Quaker Contractor of Auckland
rules of the trade. The term "rough mason" or "ruff mason" also occurs in the old Durham Records. This I take to be synonymous with "waller," one who only executes rough masonry or rubble, and it may be that a "free-mason" was one who worked in "free-stone," i.e. A stone capable of being finely wrought. The contracts prove that John was a craftsman of the latter sort, but like many a builder of today he was also a contractor and his own architect.
According to the Quaker Register, John Langstaffe of Middlestone, died 26th, May 1694, his will appears to be sufficiently interesting, to be set out in full.
The 10th. of the 3rd. month 1694.
The Last Will and Testament
Of John Langstaffe of Middleton, in ye County of Durham, Mason. Imp. my soule body and spirit which God haith given me with which I have served and worshipped God with all poweres and abilities that is in me I truly give up unto God againe and my body by my children and friends in the truth to be buried by the body of my deceased wife in owne burying place at Bpp. Auckland. R., as to my temporall estate I have in the worle I give and bequeath in maner and form followinge: first that all my debts and funeral charges be pd and discharged, secondly I give and bequeth to Elizabeth the daughter of Amos Langstaff deceased, twentie shillings a yeare till she come to the age of twelve yeares to help to bring her up with all, and after she comes to the age of twenty and four yeares if she soe longe live to be pd to her by my executor the sum of twelve pounds in full of all portion or legasie by me to her bequeathed, thirdly the like sumes and in the like maner to be paid I give unto Ann the second Daughter of Amos Langstaffe, fourthly the like sumes and the like maner to be paid I give unto Katheran the third daughter of Amos Langstaffe, all of them giving p'sonal discharges for the same at the receiving of it being full twenty four yeares of age. It. I give and bequeth to John Langstaff the sone of Bothowell Langstaff the sum of twenty five shillings p' yeare or otherwise necessary apparrell found by my executor during his Apprenticeshippe and after the said John come to the age of twenty and foure yeares to be pd by my executor ten pounds p' yeare for six yeares and alsoe all my wearinge apparrell whatsoever and alsoe the house in Middrige after the death of his mother, Ann Langstaffe, the said John giving p'sonal discharges for trhe same from time to time. It. I appointe and set forth unto Ann Langstaffe the wife of Bothowell Langstaffe provided shee accept it in full of all pretended right to a farme or any p' of it sould in Norton, the sum of fortie shilings p'yeare during her naturall life also the house in Mederish duringe her life naturall
90 The Quaker Contractor of Auckland,
which said fortie shillings p' yeare and the house in Miderish she is to have only and alone upon the acceptance of these aforesaid conditions, otherwise it shall and may be lawfull for my executor to detaine it for his owne proper use and benefit notwithstanding what is written before. Alsoe all my wife's wearinge apparell lininge and wollinge I geve and bequeath unto her the sd Ann Langstaffe.
It. I give and bequeth to my sone John Langstaffe and alsoe to my sone Thomas Langstaffe each a five shillings peice of gould and to each of my son John's children as a token of my love one Edward shillinge and to son John's wife and alsoe to son Thomas his wife each an Edward shillinge as legasies of my love. Lastly all my lands and tenement whatsoever with all my goods wheth reall or p'sonall in Merington, Midelston, or Westerton or in bils bonds or obligations or what way soever for the payment of whath other sumes I am ingaidged for my sd sone Abell Langstaffe of Middleton in the county of Durham, yeoman, I give and beqeath to my sd sonne Abell Lagstaffe, whom I appointe and ordaine as my just and lawful executor of this my last Will and Testament, sealed and signed in the presence of
[ Signed in a bold clear hand ]
Witnesses: JOHN LANGSTAFFE
ANTHO + BAINES
ROBERT TODD
An inv'ry all y' goods, chattells rights and credits of John Langstaffe, late of Middleston, appraised by whose names are underwritten this 25th day of Jan. Anno D'ni, 1695.
Imprs. His purse and Apparrell, £2 10s, A Horse £2 4.10 0 Item, 1 bedd and bedding £2. A Cabbord three chairs, three stools 3 0 0
" 3 chests, 2 tables and some books 2 0 0
" severall working tools belonging to the Mason's
trade and
for measuring ground. 1 0 0
" some small pieces of pewter and other little parcells of household stuff and lumber 10 0
" lands holden by lease for yeares of y' R.Worpp, ye Dean and Chapter of Durham, valued at £200.0.0 " a crop of corne £10. 0. 0
___________
£221.0.0
___________
Signed John Rederfocte + his mark
Elisebeth Miers + hir mark
Marry Lawsone + hir mark
Robert Todd.
91 The Quaker Contractor of Auckland
The marriages of the two John Langstaffes in 1645 [see p. 80] are followed in the Register by a number of baptisms:-
1646 April 5 George ye sonne of John Langstaffe of Bp Auckland.
1646 Sep. 17 John sonne of John Langstaffe of Bp Auckland.
1647 Sep. 2 Joan dau of John Langstaffe of Bp Auckland.
1649 Sep. 19 William son of John Langstaffe of Bp Auckland.
1649 Nov. 11 John son of John Langstaffe of Bp Auckland.
1658 Aug. 7 Thomas sonne of John Langstaffe of North Auckland.
1680 Apr. 10 Jeremiah son of John Langstaffe of Bp.Auckland.
1683 Apr. 12 Thomas son of John Langstaffe of Bp Auckland
St. Andrews.
The last two and other's that follow cannot have been issue of the marriages in question and are more likely to be grandchildren. The date would make it seem probable that George was the son of Jane rather than Jeronime, and we know that the Quaker had a grandson of the name to which his land descended. There is nothing to guide us as to the parentage of the other children, but some entries in the Register of Burials may be noted:-
1649 Aug. 7 Elisabeth dau of John Langstaffe of Bp Auckland.
1651 Oct. 17 A childe of John Langstaffe of Auckland.
1663 Sep. 27 Filius abortivus et prodigiosus Johannes Langstaffe de Auckland
It will be remembered that John was converted in 1654. The Durham Quaker Register to which we know he was to some extent responsible, contains but two allusions to him and his family:-
Birth 1655 3rd. mo. 20 Thomas son of John and Jane Langstaffe of Aukland.
Burial 1694 5th. mo. 26 John Langstaffe of Middleton.
We have seen that in 1673 he was in trouble with the Archdeacon of Durham, "for keeping his children unbaptised." The imperfection of the Quaker Registers at this period, and the loss of the first Minute Book of Raby Meeting, greatly increase the difficulty of tracing out his
92 The Quaker Contractor of Auckland
Family. The births of his sons, Abel, Amos and Bothwell [or Bethel] do not appear to have been recorded, at all, nor the marriage of Amos. We know from the Minute Books of Raby (Raby, 5. 9. 1678, Darlington, 8.2. 1679, etc.,)
That Bethel or Bothwell Langstaffe married Ann Hudson of Norton according with the rites of the Church, also that Thomas Langstaffe offended the Friends in the same way.
( Raby, 5. 6. 1679)
There is no doubt that the following marriage bonds relate to these persons, though the actual marriages have not turned up:-
1678 - 9 Mar. 7 Thomas Langstaff of Bishop Auckland, yeoman = Margaret Lowther, spinster.
1678 - 9 Mar. 11 Bothewell Langstaffe of Windlestone, Freemason, = Ann Hudson, spinster.
Abell was certainly married at St. Andrew's:-
1684 -5 Mar. 24 Abell Langstaffe = Catherine Morley, both of this parish.
The time and place of the younger John's marriage is open to much doubt.
In St. Helen's Auckland, we find:-
1684 July 22 John Langstaffe = Anne Newby
John, supposing him to have been older than Thomas, would have been about thirty at the time of this marriage. There is not much doubt that the writer is descended from a younger son of this marriage, but the bridegroom may have been a son of John Langstaffe the Quaker or he may have been the son of William Langstaffe, mason, of St. Helen's, Auckland, by his first wife Barbary Howe, viz.:-
1660 Oct. 21 John son of William Langstaffe baptised. [St. Helen's]
Their father, it may be remembered, gave to each of his sons, John and Thomas a five shilling piece in gold, and to each of their wives Bethel Langstaffe is mentioned as a life in a lease of property at Norton, dated 11 Sep. 1698
93 The Quaker Contractor of Auckland
and their children, an Edward shilling (a coin already 140 years old) "as a token of my love."
Were they better off than their brothers or were they slighted in consequence of "disorderly" marriages? The following entries in the Sedgefield Register, almost certainly relate to the contractor's grandchildren:-
1687 - 8 Feb. 28 Elizabeth dau. of Ambrose [?Amos] and Elizabeth Langstaffe of Fishburn baptised.
1689 - 90 Feb. 11 Anna dau. Of Amos Langstaffe of Fishburne baptised. The administration of the goods of Amos Langstaff, 1693 and of Ann Langstaff 1722 and of George 1754, will be found in Appendix 11.
From these materials, Pedigree No. 1 has been constructed.
Pedigree No. 2 has been drawn up from St. Helen's Register, confirmed in parts by the Halmote Books.
It may be noted that Bishop Auckland or North Auckland, is in the extensive ancient parish of St. Andrew, Auckland, in which are also situated, South Church, Coundon, Westerton, Middlestone, Windlestone, Middridge,Thickley, Binchester and Shildon. Merrington is the adjoining parish to the east, and Heighington (in which parish is Shackerton and Shackleton Hill) adjoins to the south. On the south west, lies St. Helen, Auckland, comprising West Auckland, Evenwood, Lutterington, and Brusselton.
Some later entries in the St. Andrew, Auckland Parish Register may possibly relate to the same family:-
1723 Jan. 23 Anne daughter of Thomas Langstaffe of Coundon, baptised.
1737 June 10 Richard son of Thomas Langstaffe of Middridge, baptised.
1740 Jan. 9 Margaret daughter of Thomas of Middridge, baptised.
1741 Oct. 12 Margaret daughter of Thomas of Middridge buried.
1743-4 Feb. 3 Eleanor Langstaffe of Windlestone buried.
1744 June 20 Mary daughter of Thomas Langstaffe of Middridge babtized.
1747 Nov. 15 Frances daughter of Thomas Langstaffe of Middridge baptised.
1768 June 5 Thomas son of John Langstaffe of Middridge baptised.
1770 Jan 14 John son of John Langstaffe of Middridge baptised.
94 The Quaker Contractor of Auckland
There is a curious entry in the "Ecclesiastical Proceedings of Richard Barnes, Bishop of Durham" which may possibly relate to an ancestor of the Quaker, but more likely to another family of Auckland Langstaffs:- 1578 - 9, Mar. 8 St. Andrew, Awkeland, The office of judge against John Langestraughe, John Blacket and Richard Dobyson. They talked in the Church in Service time and refused to pay xijd apiece.
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Extracts from the York Quaker Register kept at Devonshire House Births
Name Date Parents Abode
Year Month Day
Joh. Langstaffe 1671 9 10 John and Alse Whitby Meeting
Amos Langstaffe 1673 8 23 John and Alse Whitby Meeting
Sarah Langstaffe 1675 7 8 John and Alse Whitby Meeting
Moses Langstaf 1675 4 13 John and Elizabeth Leeds
Jane Langstaffe 1677 9 14 John and Alse Whitby Meeting
Anne Langstaffe 1683 7 30 Daniel Holbeck
Joseph Langstaffe 1685 3 8 Daniel Holbeck
Daniel Langstaffe 1687 4 11 Daniel Holbeck
Deborah Langstaffe 1683 5 14 John an Elizabeth Swaledale
Sarah Langstaffe 1710 11 6 John and Elizabeth Holbeck
John Langstaffe 1712 8 5 Joseph and Elizabeth Burnitorphe*
Joseph Langstaffe 1713 9 16 Joseph and Elizabeth Leeds
Martha Langstaffe 1716 7 19 Joseph and Elizabeth Holbeck
* Query- Berlingthorpe 95 The Quaker Contractor of Auckland
Marriages
Name Parents Abode Name Date Married
James Langstaffe, James Langstaffe Healey in Eliz.
Father Swaledale Robinson 1667. 12. 2 _
Anne Langstaffe Eliz. Langstaffe Healey in Thomas Pen-
Mother Swaledale nington of Leeds 1678. 10. 3 _
Daniel Langstaffe Sarah Croft 1682. 10. 21
of Holbeck __ of Carleton
Joseph Langstaff Daniel Langstaffe, Holbeck, Eliz. Post of Snaw - 1709. 1. 8 _
Broad Clothier, (Father ) [deceased of Holbeck] den in Otley
Sarah Langstaffe Joseph (Father) Holbeck Joseph Smith 1736. 8. 6 Leeds Clothier of Holbeck
Martha Langstaffe Joseph (Father) Holbec John Lister 1741. 9. 4 Meadow Lane, Leeds.
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Burials Name Date Parents Abode
James Langstaffe 1674. 10. 11 Son of John Hunslett.
Gam'' Langstaf 1674. 10. 11 Son of John Holdbeck
Amos Langstaffe 1676. 2. 12 Son of John & Alice Whitby Meeting John Langstaffe 1680. 7. 7 ------- Brighouse*
Sarah Langstaffe 1689. 9. 16 Wife of Daniel Holbecke
Eliz. Langstaffe 1695. 10. 16 Wife of James Helah
James Langstaffe 1697. 4. 23 Son of James & Elizabeth Helah
Sarah Langstaffe 1690. 3. 16 Daughter of Daniel Holbeck
Eliz. Langstaffe 1705. 12. 4 Widow, wife of James Healah
Daniel Langstaffe 1703. 3. 2 ------- Knaresborough
Sarah Langstaffe 1707. 1. 12 ------- ------
John Langstaffe 1712-13. 11. 12 Son of Joseph and Eliz. Burnitoph, nr. Leeds
Alice Langstaffe 1710. 7. 1 Wife of John Whitby Meeting
John Langstaffe 1741. 11. 4 ------- -------
Eliz. Langstaffe 1740. 3. 12 Wife of Joseph Holbeck
Eliz. Langstaffe 1741. 3. 12 Wife of Joseph Holbeck
For references to several of the above persons see pp.55, 75, 77, 78;
Also York Wills in Appendix, dated, 1664, 1740, 1750, 1755 and 1763;
also Richmondshire Administration 1697 and Will 1786 and the Pedigree
of Langstaffe of Leeds. * Near Halifax
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