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 9
The Langstaffs of Butterknowle
96 Chapter 7
The Parish Register of St. Helen, Auckland tells us that "George Longstaff, senior, of Butterknowle," was buried on 31 March 1769.
The nearest tombstone to the Church door,on the right hand side, as you enter, bears this inscription:-
To the Memory of ELIZABETH
the wife of GEORGE LANGSTAFF of Butterknowle
who died Feb. 19 1763 Aged 74 years
Also GEORGE her husbd who died March 30 1769 aged 69 years
And of ANN his second wife
who died April 10 1822 aged 87 years.
This George Langstaff (for so he signed his name) was the Great Grandfather of the writer, but family tradition has preserved neither the place and date of his birth, nor any particulars as to his first marriage. His tombstone describes him as being 69 at the time of his death, and the St. Helen's Register contains this entry:-
1700 July 28 George sonne of John Longstaffe of West Auckland, baptised.
Not only does this fulfil the requirements of the case, but it is the only one suitable that extensive searches have brought to light. His Will affords a scrap of confirmatory evidence of some value in that he therein mentions "my sister Catherine Oyston." The St. Helen Parish Register records the following facts which clearly refer to the same person:-
1694 Sep. 13 Catherine daughter of John Langstaff baptised.
1726 Jun. 16 Joseph Oyston and Catherine Langstaff of West Auckland married.
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It is then pretty safe to assume that George Langstaff (whom we may conveniently designate, George 1 of Butterknowle) was the son of John Langstaffe of West Auckland.*
In the long list of Langstaff marriages printed in Appendix. 1, there is but one that satisfactorily fulfils the required conditions for that of the parents of George 1., viz. :-
1684 July 22 John Langstaff = Anne Newby. [St. Helen, Auckland.]
But in addition to the fact that no other marriage of a John Langstaff of suitable date has come to light, there is some slight independent evidence pointing to the above as the record sought for.
Three years before his death (i.e. 19 April 1766) George 1. settled 111/2 acres of land upon Thomas Newby of Barningham, co. York, Gentleman, on trust for his son, George Langstaff 11. Also three years later 1769 (20 Feb. 1769) he surrendered 51 additional acres to the same Thomas Newby, on like trust. Further, Mark Newby of Barningham, son of the said Thomas Newby, was executor under the Will of George Langstaff 111. Of Butterknowle (proved 11 May 1792). These facts at least point to great intimacy between the two families.
Less weight is to be attached to the following:- George Dixon Longstaff (the writer's father) who was himself at the school of the Rev.George Newby son of the above named Mark Newby, said that the latter was a school master, and that his half uncle John Greenwell went to his school" because of some relationship existing between the Newbys and either the Longstaffs or the Greenwells."
These Barningham Newbys admittedly came from West Auckland The above named Thomas Newby was married there; the record is curiously abbreviated, thus:-
1744 June 25 Thomas Newby and Pots from Barningham.
[ St. Helen, Auckland. ]
__________________________________________________________________
* He must have been a younger son, probably the youngest, for the following baptisms in addition to those of Catherine and George occur in the St. Helen's Register:-
1685 Sept. 8 William son of John Langstaffe
1686 Feb. 12 John son of John Langstaffe
1687 Oct. 2 Thomas son of John Langstaffe
1690 Nov. 2 Henry son of John Langstaffe
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By the favour of Mr. George Newby, Solicitor, of Stockton, I have perused the marriage settlement dated 12 June 1744 between Thomas Newby of Barningham, co. York, yeoman, and Anne Potts of Barningham aforesaid, spinster.
The properties dealt with were certain closes of land, with a newly erected house thereon, at Barningham, lately purchased by Thomas Newby. Also a house and a parcel of land at Low Bitchburne, in the manor of West Auckland, which one William Newby had six years previously,(Halmote 12 June 1738) mortgaged to Thomas Newby. William Newby was a party to the deed of settlement.
It is probable that William was the Father of Thomas, by his wife Ann Heighley* (married at St. Helen's, 21 Oct. 1697), and brother of Anne, who married John Langstaff, being the younger son of Thomas Newbie by his wife Margery Colpitts of Haughton. (Banns proclaimed at St. Helen's 15, 22, 29, Oct. 1654 ).
If these conjectures be correct, the younger Thomas Newby baptised at St. Helen's 9 Feb. 1700, and therefore of the same age as George Langstaff 1., was his first cousin.
There were several families of Newby at West Auckland, all apparently related.
The name was variously spelt, Nube, Nuby, Nubye, Newbey, Newbe, Newbee, Newbi, Newbie, Newby, Newbye, and Newbey. [See Pedigree No. 6].
It is to be admitted that John Langstaff was the father and Anne Newby the mother of George Langstaff 1. The next question is, who were his early progenitors? Two lines of descent seem possible: John may have been a younger son of John Langstaffe the Quaker Contractor of Middlestone, or he may have been a younger son of William Langstaff, mason of West Auckland. The probability of the two lines is about equal; one -- the latter -- supposes that the young John married and settled in his native village, the other -- the former -- that he moved from Bishop Auckland to the adjoining parish. The principles of heredity incline me to believe that the superior energy and ability
* The Durham Marriage Bond, 2 October 1693, describes the parties as "William Newby of West Auckland, mason, and Ann Heighley of St. Helen's, spinster."
Williams trade is perhaps not without significance.
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of George 1. and his descendants, which enabled them to raise themselves in the world, as well as the strong independent religious views of his son Thomas and grandson, George Dixon Longstaff, were derived from the sturdy Quaker stone mason, who moreover, in his Will, mentions his son John, as having a wife and children.
The absence of entries in the Quaker Registers prove that old John's descendants left the society, while the minutes prove that two at least, of his sons, were married according to the rites of the church.
The apparently strange silence of family tradition is easier to understand when it is borne in mind that George 1. died when his son Thomas was not seven months old, and that his son Thomas died twenty years before the writer, his grandson, first saw the light. The few traditions that do survive were treasured up by George's second wife through her fifty years of widowhood, and told to the writer's father in the early years of the century.
Thus it was related that he began life as a stonemason, and in that capacity built Brusselton Folly, a tower erected in the last century by a Mr. Carr of St Helen's * on the high land between the village and Shildon, upwards of 700 feet above sea level, and from the top of which it is alleged that both eastern and western oceans can be seen.
Both the pedigrees represent him as the grandson of a mason. It may well be that the Brusselton contract proved a profitable one, and laid the foundations of his fortune.
He was a man of unusual strength, so that it was said that he could walk round the room carrying a man on each outstretched arm.
George was a bold rider with the Earl of Darlington's foxhounds, indeed so hard did he ride that his lordship once gave as a reason for buying a new hunter: "I will beat that beggar Langstaff." It was through his acquaintance with the Earl (grandfather of the first Duke of Cleveland) that he got one of his lordship's farms, for his son in law
* No information is forthcoming as to the building of this tower; but the "History of the Family of Carr" (London, 1894) says (vol.ii., p. 197) that William Carr, who died in 1742, built onto the Old Hall, the modern wing, in the solid style of the day, and also speaks of the taste displayed on the gardens and grounds,so that it seems probable that he built the summer house in question.
The date, about 1830 falls in with the tradition, and the workmanship is said to be good and similar that of the additions to St. Helen's Hall
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John Wade---- a great thing, since by the custom of the estate there was practically fixity of tenure. He got more than this by his riding, for it was on the hunting field that he found his second wife.
Of his first wife we only know that her Christian name was Elizabeth, and that she died,
19 February 1763, she was 74 and consequently eleven years older than her husband. This is not remarkable, for George cannot have been much over 20 when he married, and very young bridegrooms are almost as easily ensnared by women older than themselves as old men are by young girls.
By his first wife he would appear to have had the following four children:-
1720 -21 Mar. 21 John son of George Longstaff of West Auckland, baptised and buried, [?premature].
1722 Aug. 29 George son of George Longstaff of West Auckland, baptised.
1723 Dec. 5 John son of George Longstaff of West Auckland, baptised.
1724 Apr. 19 John son of George Longstaff of West Auckland, buried.
1725 Aug. 29 Hannah daughter of George Longstaff of West Auckland, baptised.
1732 May 10 Elizabeth daughter of George Longstaff of West Auckland, baptised.
1732 May 10 Elizabeth daughter of George Longstaff of West Auckland, buried.
George 1., in his Will, mentions his son George and his daughter Hannah, then the wife of John Wade of Headlam. "The Edge" I have not been able to identify.
In 1755 he was Churchwarden of Hamsterley.
1757. Apr. 6, Mem:- that a new pew was erected in Hamsterley Church, by Geo. Langstaff the elder for him and his heirs and assigns, being the west pew on the north side in the west end of the sd church, near the font and the 1st vacancy: with consent of Thomas Lamb, minister, Wm. Blackett, clerk, John Hodgson, Thos, Chapman, and Chris Jackson. [ Hamsterley Register ]
In 1760, he purchased from one Wallace, a small tenement in Hamsterley called "Cabin House."
The Court Roll, 8 May 1772, recites the purchase by him, of twelve acres of land in Lynesack and Softley, but gives no date.
On 28 February 1760 he purchased of John Atkinson fifty one acres of copyhold land in the manor of North Bedburn (Parish of
101 The Langstaffs of Butterknowle
Hamsterley), which had been set out to the said Atkinson on the division of Hamsterley Common.
In 1761 his name appears on the roll of freeholders entitled to vote for Knights of the Shire by virtue of his freehold house in the township of Lynesack and Softley.
1763 Feb. 20 Elizabeth wife of George Longstaffe of Butterknowle, buried. [ St. Helen's Auckland ]
This is the first mention of Butterknowle, a name which appears to have been applied not only to a house and a colliery, but to a tract of land in the parish of Hamsterley, on the north bank of the Gaunless, over against Cockfield Fell.
On 17 March 1766, by Deed Poll "George Longstaff of Stubb-Gill on Butterknowle in the Chapelry of Hamsterley, viewer and undertaker * of collieries and coalmines," he gave to his son George Longstaff of Butterknowle (George 11) the new built house on Butterknowle in which his said son lived, together with six acres of land, being part of the allotment to Ralph Heron on the division of Hamsterley Common which the father (George 1) had bought.
19 April 1766, Geo. Langstaff of Stubb-Gill, in Hamsterley, yeoman,surrendered to Thomas Newby of Barningham, co. York, on trust, 11a. 2r. 12p., forming part of Raley Fell, allotted to Elizabeth Donald, and sold by her to him (George 1).
30 November 1766, On the division of Etherley and West Auckland Moors or Commons
Three acres and one rood were allotted to Geo. Langstaff according to his estate in certain land in the township of Lynesack an Softley leased from the Bishop.
The Court Roll, 18 Mar. 1797 refers to dealings with certain land at Stubb-Gill allotted to Mary Amory at the division of Hamsterley Moor in 1760 ,and sold by her to Geo. Langstaff 1
A lease from the Bishop to George Langstaff of Stubb-Gill, dated 7 February 1769, relates to six acres and one rood of land, called Daygill, otherwise Fletcher Hill. [See p.7]
* "Viewer" is equivalent to "manager," but the term has of late years fallen out of use. "Undertaker" seems to be the equivalent to "contractor," but it may possibly mean the same as the Cornish word, "adventurer."
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The documents here quoted deal in all with upwards of 94 acres, though they probably give an incomplete account of George's estate. They clearly point to a man prospering ( in only a small way, it is true), and investing his profits in successive purchases of land, some freehold, but mostly copyhold. George was a farmer but his most paying crop was beneath the surface.
He opened the Butterknowle colliery, famous for the coking power of its coals. A colliery in his days was a very small affair, employing perhaps a score of men with a horse or two to work the "gin" which slowly wound up the buckets containing coal or water. I do not know in what year the colliery was opened, but George1. died twelve years before George Stevenson was born.
The Butterknowle colliery is now a large concern, with a daily output probably exceeding all that Langstaff won in the whole year's workings.
George seems to have realised the possibility of a great development in the coal trade, since he urged his son and grandson, "Whatever you may do lads, stick to the colliery." Sound advice indeed, but they, after the manner of young men, deemed themselves wiser than their father, and liking sport better than work, wished to be country gentlemen in however small a way, so shortly after the old man's death they sold the colliery, with all it's possibilities of future wealth.
The Hamsterley Parish Registers contain the following pieces of information:-
1764 June 4 - George Langstaffe and Anne Morgan, both of this parish,were married in this Church by banns, with the consent of parents this 4 day of June.
[Banns were published May 20, May 22, June 3,]
1765 Jan. 4 - Ann daughter of George and Ann Longstaff, y' elder of Butterknowle baptised. 1766 Dec. 29 - Mary the daughter of George and Ann Longstaff y' elder of Butterknowle baptised.
1766 Dec. 29 - George son of George and Isobel Longstaff y' younger of Butterknowle baptised.
1766 Dec. 29 - George son of George Longstaff and Elizabeth y' elder of Butterknowle Baptized.
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Ann Morgan was clever, good looking, a good rider and a woman of wonderful courage.
She met George in the hunting-field.
Once her husband came home in despair, saying that he was a ruined man, the shaft of Butterknowle Colliery having fallen in. "Nay George" she said to him, "Go to Sanderson of Toft Hill and ask him to lend you a thousand pounds." He did so, and the colliery was got to work again.
For many years after her husbands death, she lived in the house known as "Old Butterknowle." It was a somewhat lonely house at the top of the steep bank of the Gaunless, with a cheerless view over the fell, and every night, the last thing before going to bed, she fired a pistol outside the door!
When over 80 years of age she once startled the family party at Hamsterley by walking over from Bishop Auckland, some six miles of very rough road, and after spending the day with them, walked back home at night.
She survived her husband more than half a century, and died at Bishop Auckland 10 April 1822, aged, according to tombstone and family Bibles, 87, but according to the Parish Register, only 83. She was buried in her husband's grave at St. Helen's.
1822 April 12 Ann, widow of Geo. Longstaff of Butterknowle, from Bpp. Auckland, ret. 83, Buried. [St. Helen, Auckland.]
All efforts to trace back the family of Ann Morgan have so far failed. * Her husband was 64 when they married, but she appears to have been but 29, a difference of 35 years. A Sarah Morgan was one of the witnesses to the old man's will.
An old prayer book, in possession of the writer, which seems to have belonged to Ann, contains, in addition to particulars as to the births of her children and grandchildren, and a note of the deaths of
* She was possibly the daughter of Richard Morgan of Great Aycliffe, Nr. Heighington, who in his will, dated 23, Aug. 1762 and proved the same year, mentions his wife, Ann, his sons, George and John, and his daughter Ann, then a spinster. The Aycliffe Parish Register contains the following entry:-
1733 Aug. 8 Richard s of Richard Morgan baptised.
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Catherine Oyston, of George Langstaff 11. and of George 111., the following notes as to Morgans:-
Sarah Morgin, died Jan. 24th, 1774.
Mary Morgin, died November 18th, 1780 .
Mary Morgan, died February 20th, 1804.
Hannah Morgan, dead April 11, 1815. (?)
Richard Morgan, dead November 27, 1817.
The Hamsterley Register contains the following particulars:-
1767 Jan. 28 Richard Morgin (so he signed)= Ann Naisby, both of this parish. Witnesses:-
Jane Morgin,Hannah Morgan,Henry Longstaff* and others.
1767 May 10 James Parson (Parton, Patson or Patton) = Eleanor Langstaff. Witnesses:-
Wm. Gibbon, Sarah Morgan, Geo. Longstaff.
Richard Morgan, or "Uncle Dickie" as the boy called him, a brother of Ann Morgan, was living at Cockfield in the early years of the present century, when the writer's father, George Dixon Longstaff was a boy Elizabeth Longstaff of Shildon, wife of George V1., mentions in her pocket book, dated 1830, a George Morgan. On the 19th of December of the same year, she notes, "Nanny Morgan 64" which implies she was born 19th December 1766.
On 19 June 1786 there were granted to two of his creditors, the administration of the goods of Thomas Morgan, late of the chapelry of Hamsterley, merchant, deceased.
* Henry, the grandson of George 1. was then but 12 years old. But Henry Langstaffe who was baptised at St. Helen's 2 Nov. 1690, and who was married in Durham Cathedral, 1 Aug. 1713 to Elizabeth Sidgwick of Staindrop, and would appear to have been an elder brother of George 1. was then 77. This Henry was a copyholder in West Auckland jure uroris. *Formally called Elizabeth Sidgwick, spinster,(which said Elizabeth Longstaff is the daughter and heir of Chrisopher Sidgwick deceased. Again, William Langstaff, presumably the eldest brother of George 1. who was baptised at St. Helen's 8 Sept. 1685, married 17 Nov. 1714, Mary Young and appears to have had a son, Henry, who was baptised at St. Helen's, 23, Oct. 1723 and was consequently 44 at the time of Richard Morgans Wedding.
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The triple baptism at Hamsterley, on 29 December 1766, was a grand family function; it is indeed questionable, whether the like ever occurred before or ever will again.
Mary was the daughter of George 1., by his second wife Ann Morgan. The second baptism was that of George 1V., son of George 111., by his wife Isabel Gibbon The third baptism appears to be that of George, son of George 11., by his second wife, Elizabeth Kilburn.
If this be so, we have a daughter, a grandson, and a great grandson baptised in the same church on the same day. There is no doubt whatever about the first two; the third cannot have lived long, as no further mention of him is made.
To return to the Hamsterley Registers:-
1769 Jan. 5 Thomas son of George and Ann Langstaff, the elder, of Butterknowle, baptised
This the youngest child of George 1. And his only son by the second marriage, was the grandfather of the writer, and it is thus another result of this late marriage of George 1. with Ann Morgan, that the writer aged 49 in the year of 1898, is but the great-grandson of a man born in 1700, so that very nearly two centuries are covered by four generations. In the great majority of families it will be found that there are two more generations in this period, and as an actual fact in the case of the descendants of the first marriage of George 1. There are seven generations corresponding to four generations in the collateral line.
George 1.'s will is printed in full, partly because it is the oldest authentic family document, and one that throws much light upon this complexity of marriages and innumerable issue, partly as giving an interesting link between the wills of William Langstaffe of 1627 and John Langstaffe of 1694, with their quaint phraseology, and the prosaic and comparatively terse documents of today.
THE WILL OF GEORGE LANGSTAFF 1. OF BUTTERKNOWLE
Proved at Durham 17 April 1769
In the name of God, Amen, I George Longstaffe of Butterknowle, in the Chappelry of Hamsterly and County of Durham, yeoman, do make this my Last Will and Testament in the manner following (that is to say) I will that all my
106 The Langstaffs of Butterknowle
Just Debts Legacies and Funeral Expenses be duly paid by my Trustees and Executors hereinafter mentioned out of my Real and Personal Estates within twelve months after my decease. And Also I give devise and bequeath into John Wade of Headlam in the County of Durham my Son in Law and my Grandson George Langstaffe of Butterknowle in the said County all and every my Freehold Copyhold and Leasehold Messuages Lands Tenements Hereditaments and Premises with their and every of their Rights Members and Appurtenances lying and being in the Counties of York and Durham and Also All my Personal Estate of what Nature or Kind so ever the same may be To Hold to themselves their Heirs Sequalls or Right Executors Administrators and assigns According to the Several Natures and Tenures thereof, To the Several Uses Upon the Trusts and to for the Intents and purposes following (that is to say) As for and Concerning my Copyhold Estates Upon Trust, To permit and Suffer my Son George Langstaffe to take and receive twenty pounds lawful English Money Yearly and every Year during in the Term of his Natural Life out of the Rents Issues and Profitts thereof and after his Death to permit and Suffer the Right Heirs of my said Son George Langstaffe and their Heirs to receive and take the same for ever And in case my Copyhold Estates shall not produce Twenty pounds a year my said Trustees and Executors are to make the same up Yearly Twenty Pounds out of my Freehold and personal Estates until each time as the said Copyhold Estates shall be of the Yearly Value of Twenty Pounds of which Time my Will and Mind is That my said Son George Langstaffe shall hold and enjoy the same for the Term of his Natural Life and after his Death descend to the right Heirs of his Body and their Heirs Sequalls in right and Assigns for Ever And Also permit and suffer nine Children of my said Son George Langstaffe (to whit) Elizabeth, William, Hannah, Henry,Catherine, Thomas, Michael, Ann, and Richard to have and receive Tenn pounds each out of myReal and personal Estates within Twelve Months next after my Decease, and in case any of the said nine Children of my Son George (Legatees above named) shall happen to Dye before his or her Legacy shall become due and be paid the said Legacy or Legacies of such Dying shall be equally divided among the surviving Children of my said Son George that are Named as Lagatees above And Also permit and suffer Hannah the wife of John Wade of Headlam in the County of Durham and one of my Trustees and Executors and nine of her Children (to whit) Anne, Hannah, George, John, Mary, Robert, William, Henry, and Catherine, to have take and receive Ten Pounds each out of my Real and personal Estates within Twelve Months next after my Decease, and in Case the said Hannah Wade the Mother or any of her said Nine Children (Legatees above named) shall happen to Dye before his or her said Legacy shall become due to be Paid the said Legacy or Legacies of such Dying shall shall be equally divided
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among the Surviving Children of the said Hannah the Mother that are named as Legatees above. And Also permit and suffer my Sister Catherine Oyston to have take and receive within Tenn Days after my Decease one guinea of lawful English Money out of my Real and Personal Estate. And Also permit and suffer my Grandson John Longstaffeto have take and enjoy to him his Heirs and Assigns for Ever Twelve Square Yards in any part of My Freehold Estate where he shall or may at any Time think most Convenient and fix upon and Fence off.
And Also permit and suffer my Grandson George Longstaffe one of my Trustees and Executors and his Heirs and Assigns for Ever to have and enjoy the Two Rooms he now lives in and the Freehold Close lying on the South thereof between Two and Three acres And whereas I have by a Note under my Hand obliged myself to pay to Elizabeth Gibbon Daughter of William Gibbon of Low Whams? In the Chappelry of Hamsterly and County of Durham One Hundred and Twenty Pounds upon her arriving at the age of Twenty One Years with Interest for the Same from the Fourteenth Day of September 1767 after the Rate of Four Pounds by the Hundred by the Year, My Will and Mind is that my said Trustees and Executors shall and do pay the said Elizabeth Gibbon the said One Hundred and Twenty Pounds and all Interest Due for the same within Twelve Months next after my Decease and take up the said note And my Will and Mind is that the said Trustees and Executors shall Permitt and Suffer my Dearly Beloved Wife and my Son George Langstaffe to have hold and enjoy all Butterknowle Colliery during the Terme of this present Demise in partnership and Share and Share alike they employing my Grandson George Longstaffe in his father's Present Place and Paying him the Same Wages that his Father now receives. And after Payment of all my Debts Legacies and Funeral Expenses (for which I think no Money will be wanted to be raised) My Will and Mind is that my said Trustees and Executors shall permit and suffer my Dearly Beloved Wife Ann to have take and receive (For and During the Time that she shall continue my Widdow) All the Rents Issues and Profitts of All and Singular my Real and Personal Estates not herein before otherwise disposed of or bequeathed for the Term of her Natural Life and from and after her Intermarriage or Death which shall first happen then to permit my Son and Two Daughters by my said Wife Anne or such of them as shall be then living to have take and receive the Rents Issues and Profitts of all and singular my Real and Personal Estates for and During the Terms of their Natural Lives Share and Share Alike and for and During the life of the longest liver of them and then Permitt and Suffer the Lawful Heirs of the Bodies of my said Son and Daughters the Same to return to my Right Heirs and their Heirs and Assigns for Ever And in Case any disputes or differences shall arise
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among my Legatees touching the payment of these Legacies or their Share of my Estates My will is that the same without Suit or Trouble be determined by my Executors and in Case they cannot agree then by such Third person as my Executors shall for that Purpose Nominate and Appoint whose Order Award and Agreement therein shall be final to all Intents and Purposes And I hereby Constitute and Appoint my Son in Law John Wade of Headlam and My Grandson George Longstaffe Executors of this my Last Will and Testament hereby revoking and making Void All former and other Wills by me at anytime heretofor made.
I hereby Publish and Declare this as and for my Last Will and Testament. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto Sett my Hand and Seal this Twenty First Day of February in the Ninth Year of our Sovereign Lord King George the Third and Year of our Lord 1769.
GEORGE LANGSTAFF LS
Signed Sealed Published and Declared in the Presence of us( who Attested the same by subscribing our Names as Witnesses at the Instance and The Presence of the Testator) the Words "Arriving at the Age of Twenty One Years" in the Twenty ninth Line being first interlined William Gibbon, William Chapman, Sarah Morgan, James Surtees.
Two Pedigrees (No. 3 and No. 4 ) shew the issue of the two marriages.
With this will (and those of George 11., George 111., and Isabella widow of the last named ---- all in Appendix 11. ) should be read the following very remarkable extract from the Copyhold Rolls in which for clearness sake, I have distinguished the several George's by numbers.
SOUTH BEDBURN, MANOR OF WOLSINGHAM
SURRENDER FROM GEO. LONGSTAFF TO PERCIVAL HINDMARSH
Dated 30 Nov. 1798
Came Percival Hindmarsh of Morley Town head in the County of Durham Yeoman and took of the Lord fifty one acres of land be the same more or less with the appurtenances thereunto belonging boundering upon lands belonging to John Atkinson which were allotted unto him upon the division of Hamsterley common in respect of his freehold lands on or towards the east, part of Shipley Fell on or towards the West, Wolsingham Common on or towards the North, and lands allotted upon the said division to the Dean of Durham on or towards the south, which said 51 acres were allotted to the said John Atkinson upon a
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Division of the moors and commons within the Chapelry of Hamsterley in the County of Durham and by him surrendered to the use of George Langstaff [1.]late of Butterknowle in the same County Yeoman deceased In which George Langstaff [1V.] of Shildon in the County of Durham Gentleman eldest son and Heir of George Langstaff [111.]late of Butterknowle and in the same County Gentleman deceased who was the eldest son and Heir of George Langstaff [11.] late of the same place Yeoman deceased who was the eldest son and Heir of George Langstaff [1.]late of the same place Yeoman also deceased and was also a devisee named in his Last Will and Testament --- John Wade of Headlam in the said County who hath survived the said George [111.] the grandson and which said John Wade and George Langstaff [111.] the grandson were devisees Trustees and Executors named in and by the said Last Will and Testament of the said George [1.] the great grandfather--- Mark Newby of Barningham in the County of York Gentleman only son and Heir of Thomas Newby late of the same place Gentleman deceased and which said Mark Newby and the said George Langstaff [1V.] of Shildon the great grandson were devisees Trustees and Executors and which same George Langstaff [1V] is also Residuary devisee named in and appointed by the last Will and Testament of the said George Langstaff [111.] the grandson of Isabella Langstaff of Butterknowle aforesaid Widow and Relict of the last named George Langstaff [111.] and also a devisee named in his said Will. To hold etc. etc.
Pedigree No. 111. Gives issue of the first marriage. It is constructed from the wills of the first three George's and from the Copyhold Rolls, the dates being derived principally from Paris Registers, but partly from family documents; it therefore rests on very firm foundations.
Some particulars as to the issue of Catherine Oyston are set out in Pedigree No. 2
From the Copyhold Rolls we learn the following facts:-
MANOR OF EVENWOOD AND WEST AUCKLAND
1762 July 20 Surrender to George Langstaff from Catherine Oyston, who survived her late husband Joseph, of the north part of a messuage called Collyer House, with twenty yards of land in Lynesack on the back of the said messuage and parcel of a garden on the back.
A mortgage for securing £40 and interest.
1780 [8 ?], October 11. Admittance of Geo. Langstaff [111.] Of Butterknowl, Gent. Son and Heir of Geo. Langstaff [11.], late of the same place, Gent. Deceased.
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to a messuage called Collier House and two acres of land at Raley Fell, which had be set out to Catherine Oysten in respect of her freehold lands.
The following day Geo. Langstaff [111.] had these premises surrendered to him subject to the payment by John Oysten of £80 of which sum £40 had been advanced by George Langstaff's grandfather.
1809, April 10, George Langstaff [1V ] late of Butterknowle, but then of Shildon, Gent. surrendered Collyer House to Joseph Bennett of West Auckland, Tailor for £100.
[ Presumably, John Oysten was son to Catherine, baptised at St. Helen's 30 June 1735. ]
George [11.] the eldest surviving son, married twice, the first time when about 21, Elizabeth Sidgwick of St. Helen's; secondly, when 40 , Elizabeth Kilburn of Hamsterley. His first wife Elizabeth Sidgwick of St. Helen's was probably baptised there, 6 April 1724, "daughter of John Sidgwick of Morley." There were many of the name there, so that George's wife would not appear to have been a relative of his aunt, Elizabeth Sedgwick, wife of Henry Longstaffe who was of the Staindrop stock.
As regards his second wife, Elizabeth Kilburn of Hamsterley, I can only say, the name Kilburn, or Kilbourne appears frequently in the Court Rolls of the adjoining parish of Witton-le- Wear.
His sister Hannah who married John Wade had 10 children:-
Anne Wade.
Hannah Wade, born circa 1748; married Robert Marley, (uncle of the Thomas Marley who married Sarah Langstaff of Shildon), and had issue. She died 19 June 1820, aged 72.
This John Sidgwick married at St. Helen's, in 1713, Ellen Parton of Swapefoot ; in 1713 and 1714 he was described as of Swapefoot. He died 23 January 1726-7 aged 47 (stone in Churchyard) and was buried at St. Helen's on 27 January, then described, "of Gordon." (Morley, Swapefoot, and Gordon are close together.) His wife died 30 August 1773 aged 93 years. The will of his son, John Sidgwick of Lands, was proved at Durham 1778.
Note that in 1762, Geo Langstaff was a witness at the marriage at St. Helen's of William Parton to Judith Mo???
111 The Langstaffs of Butterknowle
George Wade. John Wade, born circa 1754; married at Hamsterley about 1812, Ann Langstaff, sister of George [1V.]., his first cousin once removed, who was about 20 years his junior. He died 29, September and was buried at Gainford, 3 October 1828, age 74. His will is dated 21, July of that year.
Mary Wade.
Robert Wade, born circa, 1758; died 1836 aged 78.
William Wade, born 1762; died 1808 aged 46.
Henry Wade.
Catherine Wade, born 1763; died 1820 aged 67.
To the above, all mentioned in the will of George [1.]., the Gainford Register adds:-
1765, Oct. 8 A child of John Wade of Headlam, buried.
George [11.] had eight children by his first wife and six by his second.
His eldest son George [111.] Married at about the age of 20, Isabel Gibbon of Hamsterley by whom he had three sons and two daughters. It is practically certain that Isabel and Elizabeth Gibbon were sisters, and that "uncle William Gibbon" whose death in 1792 is recorded in the pocket book of Elizabeth, wife of George [V1.]., was one of their brothers, all three being children of Mathew Gibbon of Low Wham, near Butterknowle, by his wife, Elizabeth Tinkler. [See PEDIGREE OF GIBBON]
His second son John married Elizabeth Gibbon a younger sister of his brother George's wife, and settled at Greenhead in the parish of Witton-le-Wear, where he appears to have been a butcher. [Halmotes; 10 June 1773, 7 Sept. 1782, and 22 Feb. 1791], it would appear that for some reason his grandfather had a grudge against him, since he is not treated in his will with his brothers and sisters, but is mentioned separately in the following curious proviso, viz. : to have, take, and enjoy to him, His Heirs and Assigns for Ever, Twelve square yards in any part of my freehold Estates, where he shall or may at any Time think most Convenient to fix upon and Fence off. No house, no Cottage even, could be
112 The Langstaffs of Butterknowle
built upon a piece of ground measuring 12 ft by 9 ft. It might be conceivably used for sinking a well, while it would be more liberal provision for a grave than Harold offered to the huge Hardrada. The writers father remembered him as a man of seventy, and said that when he was at school at Witton-le-Wear, John had a son George living there, with whose two daughters Jane and Elizabeth, he had great schoolboy flirtations, especially with Jane, who (so he said) made love to him! His descendants are so numerous as to require a separate sheet. PEDIGREE No .5
The fourth son Henry lived at Staindrop. George Dixon Longstaff said that he was spoken of, as 6 ft. 2" in height and twenty four stones in weight, also that he died at Barbados on board a man of war. Now in a MS. Volume at Durham, relating to the putting in force in that county of "an Act for raising a certain number of men in the several counties in England for the service of his Majesty's Navy," we find under Darlington Ward :-
NAMES OF MEN: Henry Longstaff------PARISH OR PLACE: Winston -----
WHERE THEY BELONG :Staindrop ------AGE :37 ---- BOUND SUM-----£38
PAID TO himself £12.13s.4d.
He was enrolled at Durham, 2nd May 1795.
113 The Langstaffs of Butterknowle
Henry had four children:-
George Walker Langstaff, baptised at Staindrop 24 May 1779, mentioned in the Copyhold Roll for 24 November 1806 as eldest son and heir, and described as of East Cowton, in the County of York, publican.
Thomas Langstaff, baptised at Staindrop 4 October 1780.
Henry Langstaff, baptised at Staindrop 18 June 1782.
(?Excentric Harry," living 1835-40 or ? Buried at Staindrop 19 May 1785)
Francis Langstaff, baptised at Staindrop 31 May 1784. [ A gravestone at Hamsterley records the death of the "wife of Francis Langstaff, 13 March 1867 aged 86.]
As regards the issue of George [11.] By Elizabeth Kilburn, the only information not given in Pedigree No. 3 is as follows:-
Thomas the eldest son of the second marriage, was known to the writers father as "Maister Tommy," he then lived at Shildon and was manager of Coppy Crooks Colliery.
He is said to have been a clever mathematician. He was subject to fits of depression, in one of which he cut his throat with a razor at the house of his sister Mrs Clark, with whom he lived.
Michael was described in 1794, as of Greenhead, and in 1806, of West Auckland. His daughter, Elizabeth was baptised at Witton-le-Wear, 24 August 1794; His son Thomas by his marriage with his first cousin Mary Henderson, had five children:-
George William Longstaff
Thomas Longstaff
Ann Longstaff, died 2 January 1844, aged 17, buried at St. Helen's. M. I.
Mary Longstaff, died 31 January 1838 , aged 9, buried at St. Helen's. M.I.
Ann Mary Longstaff died 21 March 1846, aged 18 months buried at St. Helen's. M.I.
Michaels son John who is said to have been immensely stout
114 The Langstaffs of Butterknowle
Left a son, George, whose daughter Hannah Longstaff, was buried at St. Helens 8 February 1873, aged 1 year and nine months. M.I.
It would appear to have been a descendant of Michael, who recently claimed the old tombstone at St. Helen's and desired to polish of the inscriptions commemorating his ancestors, with a view to substituting others! This proceeding was most properly stopped by the incumbent, to whom the descendants of George[1.] are greatly indebted.
Ann by her marriage with John Henderson, had issue eleven children:-
John Langstaff Henderson, baptised at Hamsterley, 22 May 1791, who married and had issue:-
John Henderson who was born 29 January 1813, was living in 1881.
Elizabeth Henderson died in infancy.
Ann Henderson
William Henderson
John Henderson
Thomas Henderson
Mary Henderson, married at St. Helen's 26 April 1824, Thomas Longstaff, [son of Michael] of West Auckland, her cousin.
Elizabeth Henderson
Catherine Henderson.
Michael Henderson.
Richard Henderson.
Richard by his marriage with Elizabeth Maddison, had issue:-
George Langstaff, baptised at Hamsterley, 5 August 1793, buried there 17 October 1794. Joseph Langstaff, baptised at Hamsterley, 28 October 1794.
George Langstaff, baptised at Hamsterley, 27 December 1795.
Lastly, Catherine by her marriage with James Clark had issue:-
James Clark.
Thomas Clark.
John Clark.
115 The Langstaffs of Butterknowle
Edward Clark.
Robert Clark.
William Clark.
Joseph Clark.
Mercy Clark.
It was by a strange fatality that five of her sons were killed upon different railways George Langstaff [111.] Had three sons and two daughters. His eldest son George [1V] married Elizabeth, daughter of George Dixon, coal owner of Cockfield, by his wife Sarah Raylton. [See Pedigrees of Dixon and Raylton.] He thus came into possession of certain coalfields at Shildon. He was one of the original shareholders in the Stockton and Darlington Railway, and was a pioneer in the application of steam power to coal mining. He was a great sportsman. He had but one child, a daughter Sarah, who married Thomas Marley, a substantial farmer and landowner. During his lifetime, he settled upon his daughter, the estates which he inherited under the will of George [1.], and by this settlement, lands which had for four generations belonged to Longstaffs passed to the family of Marley. [See Pedigree of Marley].
George [1V.] And his wife were both buried at Shildon. M.I.
The second son Mathew, married Elizabeth,
[Entry by Carole Johnson, "This is an error, Elizabeth was married to George [1V.], it was her sister Sarah who was married to Mathew, which George Blundell Longstaff tells us, a little later in this book"]
the elder sister of his brother George's wife, then widow of John Greenwell. The sole issue of this marriage, were two daughters. Speaking of the younger of these, Isabella, wife of Joseph Bowman, her daughter, Mrs. Pinkney of Middleton in Teesdale, told the writer: "I was always proud of my mother; she was one of the best women, I have ever known. Mathew was not a Langstaff name; he was probably called after his maternal grandfather Mathew Gibbon.
Thomas the third son, was described by the writers father "as a wild, strong, handsome, ne'er-do-weel" He was a farmer ,but afterwards a gamekeeper to Anthony Maynard of Halsey near Northallerton. He was fond of his dog and gun, and it is said
116 The Langstaffs of Butterknowle
that he varied game keeping with poaching. He lived with the Wades and died with them, many years ago.
Ann the youngest child, married John Wade, her first cousin once removed (being the son of her great-aunt Hannah). They had three children:-
Elizabeth Wade, born 10 November 1810 ; died 13 June 1886; married her first cousin, Henry Wade, who died 30 September 1868 aged 53. In 1881 she was living at Bishop Auckland with her son. Issue:-
Henry George, born 5 August, born 5 August 1845; died 5 May 1883.
John, born 19 February 1847; died 29 November 1888. Left a widow, but no issue.
Robert, died 11 August 1873 aged 25.
William Edward, born 16 April 1853; died 16 February 1858.
The parents and three children were all buried at South Church [M.I.]
Another son, Charles, born about 1850, was living with his mother , s.p; in 1898.
Hannah Wade, born 22 May 1812; married ........ Storey; died before 1881, s.p.
John Wade, born 1 March 1814; living at Headlam House in 1881; died 17 August 1890, s.p. Will dated 6 December 1889; proved 3 September 1890. Gross value £352 13s 7d. (he had real estate) Executrix, his widow, Ann Elizabeth, who was living in 1898 at 4, Bentinck Crescent Newcastle upon Tyne.