Introduction

5/10/2011 125 Comments

Introduction

Hi to everyone, and thanks for reading our village history website.

Please use the 'comment' button below to ask specific questions regarding family history reseach topics.

Other researchers will be able to then see each others comments and questions, and therefore connect and share information.

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125 Comments

Stephen Allinson

5/12/2011 07:01:09 pm

I am trying to find information on my Gt. Gt. Gt. Gt. Grandad Thomas Allinson who was a tailor & lived at Holly Cottage in Grafton from about 1796 to 1851. Also his tailor sons William & Christopher. If anyone can help please get in touch.

Steve Foster

8/29/2016 05:42:56 am

Hi, I am researching my family and I have a Gt Gt Gt Grandad called Thomas Allinson born 1796 who had a son called Christopher 1818-1898. Christopher married Elizabeth and had 7 children, including Frank who I am particularly researching. Have you further information to share?
Happy to share email address

MARGARET HARRISON

8/29/2016 06:27:45 am

My Allison family comes from Bagby, Yorkshire where Robert married
Elizabeth Fall and his sister Margaret married John Barber, both in 1777 at
Bagby.
Robert and Elizabeth migrated to Chicago and the N seemed to have been
added into their name sometime later making ALLINSON OR SOMETIMES ALLISON
I cannot find Christopher in this family, but if you think we are looking
at the same family I am happy to exchange info.

carol myers link

8/29/2016 07:35:08 am

Hi
I am away from home for a couple of days but think I have a connection to the Allison family through the Horner family. I will check and let you know when I have access to my files.

[email protected]

9/4/2016 03:29:06 am

Hi, I have some link to the Allinson family through my Horner line.
Charles Horner married Ruth Dickinson 1780 in Martin cum Grafton. I have information on their children but I am not certain about the eldest Mary born 1780 who married Thomas Allinson in Marton. Several researchers have told me she was a niece of Charles and not his daughter. I have not yet found any evidence of her parentage. I do know that she lived with Charles and Ruth but not yet seen any birth or baptism evidence. Mary died 1853. I have some notes of her being born in Bedale or Catterick but no evidence. The only possible children I have of Mary and Ruth are James, Ellen, Benjamin and Ann
Regards
Carol

Helen Gwyddanes

2/8/2012 12:12:55 am

I am trying to find more information about my Pick ancestors who lived in Marton cum Grafton. (I think Marton Cottage). My great great grandmother Elizabeth Pick married a Thomas Houfe of Allerton in 1857. Her father was William Pick and I think her mother was Hannah Pick. I have copies of the relevant census entries but haven't got anything further back. Any more information would be very much appreciated.

peter sutton link

11/8/2012 03:16:44 am

Helen
There are 15 Pick burials in the village graveyard between 1651 and 1883. Sadly, none have a memorial stone so the only information we have is from the Parish register.
Margaret d 1651; Alice d 1678; Margery d 1698 wife of Edward; Isabella d 1698 daughter of Edward; widow Pick d 1699; Isabel d 1725; Edward d 1727; Christopher d 1728; Francis d 1728; Thomas d 1731; John d 1835 age 6; Mary d 1842 age 11; John d 1867 age 31; Francis d 1876 age 73; Jane d 1883 age 82.

The survey of 1800 lists no Picks in Marton. In 1841 William Pick is a tenant in Grassgills farm and in 1910 Mr Pick is a tenant in Marton Cottage Farm (the next farm to Grassgills) In bo

louise Gudgeon

11/21/2014 06:47:32 pm

My ancestor Elizabeth Gudgeon was a servant for Thomas and Elizabeth Pick at Marton Cottage in 1891

margaret harrison link

2/10/2015 07:54:28 pm

Hello Helen I have quite a lot of info on this family and also of the Brighams of Cogden hall. Please contact me if you are interested.
[email protected]

sally-anne Cook

9/29/2015 10:40:38 am

I have just attended the funeral of a man called Tommy Gudgeon.
He lived in Marton

Frank Swift

2/21/2012 10:33:48 am

I am searching for any information regarding Emma Naomi Dawson born 28 Feb 1786 in Ashton Keynes, Wiltshire, England She married George Swift my second great grandfather at Southstoke, Monkton Combe, Somerset on 28th November 1814, witnessed by Richard Pollard and Catherine Levington (parents not named).
frank swift
[email protected]

Birth

Frank Swift

4/1/2014 11:17:29 am

Still hoping someone will come forth with George & Naomi's parents and any other relations. George said he was from Wiltshire.
Frank Swift

Frank

9/12/2018 12:28:18 am

Was accidentally unsubscribed. Still looking for Swift information.

Frank Swift

9/12/2018 12:31:52 am

Anyone tracking George & Naomi?

Alan Horner link

3/2/2012 03:55:54 am

Charles Horner 1754-1831, Ruth Dickinson 1760-1823, they were married at Marton Parish Church 28 Aug 1780, lived and died in Marton. They had a son Charles horner 1781-1851, Mary Woodward 1786-1862, they were married at Marton Parish Church 20 Dec 1804, lived and died in Marton. They had a daughter Agnes Horner 1806, my G-G-G-Grandmother. she had a child William ouy of wedlock. I have 2 christening dates for william both in Marton 6 June 1830, 5 aug 1832. She married a John Grayston 1805 in Marton on 28 Mar 1830. She later married a John Naden in Knarseborough, where she died in 1872. William was christened Horner and lived with Charles and Mary. My Question if anyone can help, is, what happened to John Grayston ?. Please notify me on [email protected], thanking everyone in advance.

Louise Masters

4/6/2012 11:59:12 am

Thank you for a fabulous site. It is very interesting.

Your photos of Nineveh and the information was lovely to see. My GGGGG Grandfather was Matthew Taylor and GGGG Grandfather was John Campey. I spent a lovely afternoon yesterday reading the whole site. Thank you for all your work.

I live in Australia (so a visit to you would take a little planning), so I really appreciate all the detail on the site. John Campey and Ann Taylor's son John Taylor Campey moved with his wife and family to Australia in 1852.

Would it be possible to be in contact with anyone who may have some more information about these families or the situations in which they lived and worked in Marton cum Grafton.
Regards Louise

peter sutton link

10/30/2012 10:00:05 pm

Louise
I did some research into John Campey and the Taylors in 2008 and shared it with Chris and Bronwyn Wilkinson, who also live in Australia. Are you part of the same family and are you already aware of the research? If not, I am happy to share it with you.
Peter Sutton

Louise Masters

1/16/2013 06:20:32 pm

Peter
Thank you for your reply.
I have not come across Chris and Bronwyn yet and I haven't seen that research. I am very interested and I would love to see anything you are happy to share.
Sorry about the delay in my reply - have been away.
Louise

Louise Masters

1/16/2013 06:20:43 pm

Louise Masters

1/16/2013 06:21:04 pm

Catherine Berg

7/20/2014 09:19:57 pm

Louise Masters - hello from Melbourne - please be in touch as I am a descendant of this couple John Campey and Ann Taylor and may have access to some more information . Please let me know where you are located also and send me an email contact. Looking forward to hearing from you too. Cathernie Berg.

Tracy May

4/8/2012 04:20:20 am

My grandfather George May was born in the Shoulder Of Mutton on 26th June 1912, his parents were Arthur Charles May born 1st April 1873 and Edith Hawkridge born 1st April1886, I dont know if they were married in the Village. I have been told that this pub was in the May family for many years but we dont have anyother information. If anyone has any information they can share about the May family in Marton or Grafton please let me know.
Thank you, Tracy

Oliver Hawkridge

4/25/2012 06:03:38 am

Before Arthur and Edith had the pub it was owned in 1891 by George Armytage Bowler and Elizabeth Bowler and in 1901 by Elizabeth Bowler who was widowed in 1896. Elizabeth was Edith's step mother from her second marriage which was to Christopher Hawkridge. Edith lived with George and Elizabeth when they had the Shoulder of Mutton. My Great Grandfather was Elizabeth's son Herbert Bowler who later changed his name to Hawkridge.

peter sutton link

10/30/2012 10:24:56 pm

Oliver
I have been researching the men who appear on marton cum grafton war memorial, all from ww1. They include James Hawkridge who died on the western front in May 1917. I have a photograph of him from his grandaughter but if you have any other information on him I would be interested.
As a matter of interest I have Edith listed as a sister of James (1880) and Annie (1882), whose parents were Christopher Hawkridge and Elizabeth Dunn nee Johnson. Christopher died Oct/dec 1883 and Edith was born apr/jun 1883. Elizabeth then married George Armitage Bowler.
Peter Sutton

Oliver Hawkridge

1/29/2013 12:55:13 am

Hi Peter.
Thank you for your reply I hadn't seen it before now. I was aware of all the people you mention although have never found a record of George A Bowler and Elizabeth Hawkridge marrying. i don't have any further info. on James Hawkridge at the moment but would be really grateful if you could e mail me a copy of the picture and share any info. on this family with me please. My e mail is [email protected]

Oliver Hawkridge

1/29/2013 12:55:25 am

Oliver Hawkridge

1/29/2013 12:55:35 am

Oliver Hawkridge

1/29/2013 12:55:40 am

sally-anne Cook

9/29/2015 10:38:24 am

Hello Tracy,
My family owned the Shoulder of Mutton from 1984 to 1999.
I have been to a funeral of the oldest villager Tommy Gudgeon today. He would have been able to tell you every thing about the village....I will try and see if his son Knows anything.
I am not sure but he once gave me a list of publicans that owned
the Shoulder. Please contact me [email protected].

Graham Thompson link

7/23/2012 12:17:25 pm

John Hallaway, an agricultural laborer born 1796 whose entry in the 1851 census records that he came from this village.

Any information on this family name would be most welcome, and thanks for an interesting web site!

Liz Christmas

8/28/2012 12:23:14 am

I have an ancestor whose married name was Elizabeth Tufnell and who was born in Marton Cum Grafton about 1781 and died 19 March 1863. Her daughter's name on her marriage record (to a Peter Wright) was Eliza Tufnell Brown. However, elsewhere she is referred to as Eliza Tufnell (no Brown). I would like to know her mother Elizabeth Tufnell's maiden name and who her parents were. Also, what the full name of her husband surnamed Tufnell is, and who his parents were.

Rob Hampson

10/29/2012 10:49:10 pm

I am trying to trace the maiden names of Jane (born 1809-15 and married to John Buchanan from Scotland around 1840-5) and her sister Elizabeth (born around 1820-26 and married to John Clay from Littlethorpe) who are both shown on various census returns as being born in Grafton, Yorkshire. They also had a nephew called Andrew Watt born in Scotland around 1832-7 but I am unsure if this was there maiden name. Any help would be appreciated.

Peter (moderator)

10/30/2012 08:24:42 am

Hello
Tony Hunt has passed to me your enquiry about the maiden names of Jane and Elizabeth. While I have records of who lived where in Marton in 1800 and 1841, I have no such information on Grafton. However a quick search on Ancestry marriages reveals a John Buchanan marrying Jane Calvert in Q3 of 1842 in Knaresborough and a John Clay marrying Elizabeth Calvert in Q4 of 1846 also in Knaresborough (the local town not far from the village). Burials in our village graveyard show a list of 10 Calverts between 1802 and 1882. The family is not on my Marton list so almost certainly lived in Grafton. There is a Jane and John Calvert who both died in 1854 aged 78 and 75 who may possibly have been the parents of Jane and Elizabeth. Six of the burials are aged between 0 and 19 and may all have been children of John and Jane and siblings of Jane and Elizabeth. I appreciate this is speculation and you may have ruled it out. If not, a look at the marriage certificates should throw more light on your search.
Peter Sutton

Rob Hampson

10/30/2012 10:24:44 pm

Many thanks Peter for your quick and very helpful response. I will now obtain the relevant marriage certificates as it looks 99% certain to be the link I was looking for to confirm my trail for John Buchanan. Ironically I had identified the possible marriage to Jane Calvert a few years ago and dismissed it ( I can't remember why) but I only recently unearthed a link to Elizabeth Clay and her children (John and Louisa) who were staying with Jane in London on the 1871 census. Your website is very interesting and has been very useful. I look forward to looking in on Marton and Grafton the next time I am in Yorkshire. Thanks again.

Claire Fairhurst

11/6/2012 09:21:45 pm

Hi i am researching my family tree and understand that my ansestors the Horner family were quite big in the village i am looking for any information big or small and also any photographs anyone may have. Thank you in anticipation.
Claire

terry spence

1/2/2017 03:56:50 pm

i have a picture of Douglas horner at marton school from 1929 can e-mail a copy to you if you want it they were friends of my parents

Jackie Slogan

11/16/2012 10:14:04 am

I am trying to put together a family tree from my dad's side. His great-grandmother was born about 1848 or 1849, named Isabelle or Isabella Calvert. Her father''s name was John Calvert and mother's name was Ann Chowler. She married Walker Mason then had a daughter named Margaret. Can anyone help me? Thank you .
Jackie

peter sutton link

11/16/2012 04:22:11 pm

Jackie
You will have seen my reply to Rob Hampson on 31 Oct. Two of the ten Calverts buried in Marton cum Grafton graveyard are a John (died 1866 age 54) and Ann (died 1866 age 51). A baby buried in 1846 is named William Chowler Calvert. It is certainly possible that Jane and Ann are Isabel's parents and William was her brother.
I hope this will give you some leads.
Peter Sutton

terry spence

1/2/2017 03:51:38 pm

i knew the horners at marton-cum-grafton she lived in the hilltop houses and her son i believe his name was kevin horner moved to knaresborough i know where the house was he moved to but dont know if he still is there mrs horner was very good friends with my mother

jean stockton

11/19/2012 11:26:51 pm

I am trying to find out about Grafton Lodge Farm. My husband's great great grandfather John Greensit is shown as living there in the 1871 Census. I have discovered that he was a schoolteacher and lived on Village Street, but by the age of 60 he had moved to the farm. I think the family were methodists, as Evelina, my husband's great grandmother was married at the Methodist Chapel in Grafton in 1877, her father was shown as a schoolteacher on the marriage certificate..It seems strange for a schoolteacher and his family to move into a farm. There's no occupation given on the census, but it does say schoolteacher and not retired schoolteacher on the marriage certificate. Can you help.

Peter Sutton link

11/20/2012 01:17:17 am

Jean
The 1871 census on Findmypast has been wrongly transcribed. Properties in our two villages of Grafton and Marton were allocated a number by the enumerator but very few were named. In 1871 Grafton Lodge Farm was named against number 2 and occupied by the Tatesons and two servants. Number 3 onwards are other unnamed properties in Grafton, John living in property numbered 4.
My research suggests John lived at the end of Grafton village, not far from Grafton Lodge Farm, in Well House or Springfield (there is an old photograph on the village website) in which he ran the school. A Victorian directory of 1838 lists him as schoolmaster in Marton and the 1841 Tithe map shows him living in one of a row of 8 cottages next to Marton Parochial School which was on the village green. However, the 1841 census lists him living in Grafton - so a bit of a mystery. The 1851 census shows him in Marton teaching in the school with Mary Horner, the wife of a village bricklayer. By 1861 John is in Grafton where he remains till his death.
Both John and his wife Elizabeth are buried in our village graveyard and have a marked grave. Elizabeth died in 1884 aged 70 and John in 1887 aged 73. There are two other Greensitts in the graveyard , buried next to John and Elizabeth and I assume are related. Catherine died in 1929 and is the wife of James Lewis Greensitt and James died in 1940.
I hope some of this is helpful.
Peter Sutton

Alah Norner

1/12/2013 06:54:04 am

Peter in your reply to Jean Stockton you mention a Mary Horner married to a bricklayer. I think they could be my 4th great grandparents, any information on Charles and Mary Horner would be appreciated. As you can see I left a comment 02/03/2012. Would love to hear from you, Alan

JEAN STOCKTON

11/20/2012 05:12:15 am

Thanks for replying so promptly. I should have realised that translations from censuses often get things wrong. Evalina my husband's great grandmother and John Greensit's daughter is shown as Caroline in the 1861 census translation. If John Greensit was a schoolteacer would he have been involved in the new school which opened in 1861 or was the parochial school something different? Regards Jean Stockton.

peter sutton link

11/20/2012 06:32:47 pm

Jean
The Parochial school together with the eight cottages where John was living in 1841 were demolished after the new school opened in 1861. I assume all the children from Marton and Grafton will have attended the new school. I have found no records of teachers at the new school other than census returns and Victorian directories. These show who was living in the school house attached to the school - William Dacre 1861 through 1867; Edward Godsall 1871; Richard Emmerson and family 1875 through 1889. The school appears to have had a head master with a female assistant who was sometimes related to the head. So I do not know where John Greensitt taught after 1861.
Peter

claire fairhurst

1/26/2013 03:16:12 am

I am looking for any information or photographs about the Horner family that lived in the village. Any information small or big would be appreciated. Thank you

claire fairhurst

1/26/2013 03:17:14 am

would anyone have any information about the Horner family please

Alan Horner

9/19/2014 05:50:16 am

Hi Claire, as you can see I'm a Horner. My family start was in Marton, I will gladly share any information that I have. Contact me on [email protected]. cousin Al

sally-anne Cook

9/29/2015 10:51:19 am

Hello,

I lived at the Shoulder of Mutton in Grafton..I am sure there was a Horner that lived next door they were builders.
My email [email protected]

Lisa Banks

2/4/2017 09:52:44 am

Hi Alan,
I'm hoping to find any information on the Horner family. Are you related to Thomas Horner? born 1875 in Great Ouseburn, Yorkshire West, my great great grandfather. I believe he married a Mary Dent? Any information you have on the Horners would be welcomed.
Thank you,

Lisa Banks

Alan Horner link

9/19/2014 06:00:40 am

Hi Claire, see my comments on this site, 03/02/2012. Alan

Ben Spink

8/20/2013 08:12:39 pm

I'm trying to find any info about my grt grandfather x4 Henry Spink who was born in Marton Cum Grafton in 1781. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Ben

Sam Kendal

8/28/2013 06:19:41 am

Hi Ben
Henry Spink, born 1780s in Marton Cum Grafton is the gggg grandfather of my wife. I have a record of a Henry Spink christened 1786 in Farnham which lies about three miles to the West of Marton. Could this be the same Henry Spink? An Ann Spink, a widow and the right age for his wife, appears in the 1951 census for Marton as living at Nineveh. Nineveh is mid way between Marton and Farnham.
My tree is available on Ancestry. Send me your
email address and I will send you an invite to view. Is your tree on the web? We are due to visit Yorkshire in the next couple of weeks with a view to following the Spink trail.
Sam

peter sutton link

8/28/2013 05:56:35 pm

Hi Sam and Ben
Thought you might be interested in some of my village history research. There are 11 Spink burials in our graveyard. The earliest is 1657, Elizabeth, soon after the records begin in 1649. The others are Helen 1666, Isabella Spinke 1668, Anne 1673, Mary Spinke 1675, Richard 1680, Ursula 1681, Martha 1683, Henry 1815 age 0, Henry 1850 age 80, Ann 1862 age 79. Henry and Ann I suspect are the two relatives you refer to and seem to be the last of the line in the village.
The 1672 Hearth Tax list has Richard Spinke paying tax on 1 hearth but in 1678 he appears on a list, signed by the vicar, stating that he should be exempt from paying the tax because does not own enough possessions.
On the issue of the 1851 census, very few properties in our villages were named. Nineveh was an exception. In that year the enumerator appears to have started at Nineveh which he indicates as property 1, He then calls at property 2 occupied by the Greensitts, then property 3 occupied by Ann Spink. Unfortunately in 1851 the enumerator appears not have gone round the villages in any logical way, but bobs around. However John Greensitt was the village schoolmaster and the school was on the village green in Marton, built in 1751 with 8 cottages attached. John lived in one of these cottages and it is possible that Ann Spink lived next door.
Hope this may be of some help
Peter Sutton

sam kendal

8/31/2013 01:07:35 am

Hi Peter
Thank you for your very helpful response.
I had already downloaded the burials and the hearth tax information.
I think the gap in Spink burials, (1683 to 1850) points to the theory that Henry Spink may not have been born in Marton Cum Grafton. His children certainly were. I need to do some further work on the Spinks in Farnham. I think Farnham had its own church.
Baines's Directory and Gazetteer Directory of 1822 for Marton Cum Grafton identifies a Henry Spink as a victualler in The Brown Cow. According to the photograph gallery on your site, the Brown Cow may have been renamed as the Bay Horse at a later date.
I tracked down and plotted Nineveh. However, your local knowledge correctly suggests that my assumption that Ann Spink lived either there or nearby, was misplaced.
We are looking forward to visiting Yorkshire and England and plan to be in Marton Cum Grafton on either 14th or 15th September. I would be very grateful for any further snippets in the interim.
Once again, many thanks.
Sam

sam kendal

8/31/2013 01:07:47 am

Sam Kendal

9/10/2013 09:54:30 pm

Hi Peter.
If our journey goes well, we hope to be in Marton for lunch on Saturday 14 Sept.
Maybe we could meet up.
Sam
Email: [email protected]

Isabel May Hayes

2/27/2014 05:19:48 am

Happy to find you. Hope you can help. I am working on a Family Tree. My husband's mother was Gladys May Spencer, born April 08, 1908. Her mother was Emma Spence from Marton Cum Grafton born to Thomas and Sara Spence in the same area. Gladys's father was John Henry Ardoloph Spencer from Ilkley. Do you have any record of any of these people? I'd really appreciate any information. Thank you. Isabel

peter sutton link

2/28/2014 10:25:05 pm

Hi Isabel
The 1910 Land Survey shows Thomas Spence and Sara living in Reas Cottage in Marton. He owned the cottage which is still there, next to the village school. His son Arthur with wife is also living there. Two other Spence families are living in Marton (probably sons of Thomas) in cottages next door to one another and owned by Tom Taylor living next door at Ivy Farm. There is also a Spence family living in the Post Office in Grafton. The 1911 census indicates that Thomas and Sara had 11 children although one had died by 1911.
Emma Spence appears to have been born in 1866, the second of the 11 children. The 1871 census lists the family between Marton Cottage Farm and Moor farm so they may well have been living in a farm cottage on one of those farms. Thomas is listed as a farm worker. By 1881 when Emma was 15 she is working as a servant for the Websters on Nineveh farm on the edge of the village. By 1891 she is living in Ilkley with her mother law and her family which includes her husband.
Thomas age 88 and Sarah age 90 are both buried in our graveyard together with an Elizabeth Spence of Marton age 87 when she died in 1931 and a William Spence age 91 when he was buried in 1931. William was buried from the local workhouse. Earlier burials include an Andrew Spence in 1869 age 77, Jane Spence in 1882 age 76 and two babies, Maria in 1849 and Ada in 1886.
I hope some of this is of use to you. Please get in touch if you have further questions.
Peter Sutton

Andrew spence

7/8/2014 10:50:35 am

Isabel your husband is probably a distant relative of mine, Emma Spence's father was Thomas Spence, her Grandfather was Andrew Spence who was born around 1790 however I'm stuck at that point as the records stop, I've been told we may have originated in Scotland but that was unproven.
I lived In Marton from birth until I was 12 and still miss the place even now though it is unrecognisable from what it was when I was younger

peter sutton link

7/9/2014 02:21:41 am

Hi Andrew
The Andrew Spence buried in the graveyard in Marton may be Thomas' father. He was born in 1794 in Helperby. He was married to Jane from Scotton

terry spence

1/2/2017 04:18:18 pm

Hi isabel we may be related i am from the spence family in marton-cum-grafton and i dont recall there been 2 spence familys there

Andrew Spence

5/30/2020 12:41:06 pm

Hi Isabel,

Would you happen to live in Canada?

Carol Myers

3/23/2014 12:00:10 am

Hi,
I have been researching the Horner line of my family for several years and am still unable to find a birth for Charles Horner. He married Ruth Dickinson in 1780 in Marton cum Grafton and they spent their lives there. From other information I understood that Charles was born c1754 but I have searched several parish registers without any success. Does anyone who may be researching this family have any thoughts about where and when Charles was baptised. I would be grateful for any advice.
Many thanks
Carol Myers

peter sutton link

3/31/2014 02:19:11 am

Carol
A few of the family trees on Ancestry which include Charles Horner suggest Bedale as his place of birth in 1754. If you haven't looked already it might be worth a try.
Peter

carolmyers

3/31/2014 05:55:11 pm

Hi Peter
Many thanks for your reply. I know there many Charles Horner researchers looking for Charles and all have 1754 but no-one has found any baptism including Bedale. I have searched many records without success so far. I appreciate your help so thanks again.
Regards
Carol

sally-anne

9/29/2015 10:56:41 am

Horner's lived or still live next door to the Shoulder of Mutton (now a house) in Grafton.

carol myers

9/30/2015 02:27:55 am

Hello Sally-ann
Thanks for this information about the Horner family. My husband knew the Shoulder of Mutton but didn't know it is now a house
Regards
Carol

Terry Spence

1/2/2017 05:05:08 pm

if they did live next to the shoulder of mutton in grafton that must have been before the 1950`s because i used to visit edith horner with my mother as they were very good friends and then she lived in no7 hilltop cottages near to the punch bowl inn lovely lady she used to make rugs and taught me how to do that she had a son and a daughter kevin horner and elizabeth horner i dont know what happened to elizabeth but kevin moved to knaresborough i used to know what house he moved to as i visited him a few times that was a long time ago now though must be over 40 years

Alan Horner

4/28/2014 07:32:21 am

Stephen Allinson,
A Thomas Allinson B.1776, in Morton on Swale. D. 9 Feb 1851. in Grafton. Married my 4 G Aunt Mary Horner B.1780 in Aldborough D. 1853. Grafton. Marriage took place !8 Jan 1808 in Marton. They had 8 children. William 1811, Ellen 1813, Benjamen 1815, Christopher 1818, Ann 1820, George 1824, Elixabeth 1826, Richard 1828. [email protected]. Sorry for the delay, not on this site very often, maybe I should be. Hope I helped. Al

Catherine Berg

7/20/2014 09:16:22 pm

Hello from Melbourne Australia. I am a descendant of John Campey and Ann Taylor via my Great Grandmother Martha Campey who married Alfred Turner. My maternal granmother was child 15 of this couple to survive here in Australia.Any information about them would assist in putting a better timeline and story together. Looking forward to hearing from you soon.Catherine Berg.

peter sutton link

7/21/2014 01:21:13 am

Hi Catherine (and Louise)
My interest in the history of marton cum grafton encouraged me to look into John Campey whose name appears on a gravestone in our graveyard alongside four members of the Taylor family. A couple, also from Australia, asked to me research further and I still have that information if you are interested. I can be reached on [email protected]

Louise Masters

9/11/2018 09:02:32 pm

Hi Peter
I was very happy to see your message to Catherine and me.
I have been looking at this site again to send the link to newly located family in California, also descendants of the Campeys.
Your post is from so long ago and I missed it; would you still be interested in sharing what your research found? I would be very interested to read it. I will also email you at the address given above.
Regards
Louise Masters

john trower

9/24/2014 04:53:40 pm

i have been handed a photo of a silver cup named the anne forth memorial trophy won by a gentleman called harry, could you tell me what detail is still available on this trophy

Herman Leuty Stayman

9/25/2014 05:29:21 am

I am a descendent of John L. Leuty born 1808 in Marton cum Grafton and possibly the son of a John Leuty b: 1775 in Halifax.

John Leuty b:1775 may have married an Elizabeth in 1807 i Marton cum Grafton.

John L. b:1808 possibly married a Mary S. Anderson prior to departing England for the U.S. in 1829. Mary may died prior to his departure.

Would appreciate any info on either John and/or their spouses.
Can be reached at email: [email protected]

Thanks for any assistance.

Alan Horner

12/31/2014 05:22:36 am

Anyone doing the family tree, I have a marriage certificate for a George William Bilton & Eleanor Florence Horner dated 1956. George is from Nun Monkton Grange & Eleanor from Grebe Farm Hessay ?. If anyone interested I would gladly mail it to them. You can notify me on my email. [email protected].

claire

1/27/2015 11:20:58 pm

Hello Alan I too am researching the Horner family tree would you be able to email the marriage certificate you refer to. I would be very grateful. many thanks Claire email is [email protected]

Roger Addison

1/7/2015 07:23:06 pm

Does anybody have any history on Nineveh? I remember the farm in the early 70's as my grandfather was the tenant there. I believe he had been there at least in the 1950's. I also believe that it was a coach house previously?

peter sutton link

1/7/2015 10:59:49 pm

Hi Roger
The only named house in our burial records is Nineveh. It first appears against Robert Thompson who died there in 1714 (Nineve). Between 1724 and 1761 the Shaw family is living there and farm is first named with the final "h" in 1759. Isabel Silverside died there in 1766 followed by John in 1777.
Matthew Taylor and his family are listed living there on the 1800 map of the village and I think he moved there in 1778. It was Matthew who opened the alehouse on the farm presumably to serve travellers on the Great North Road. In the early 1800s it is known as the "Lettered Board". Matthew employed John Campey from Tadcaster who was an ale draper (a maker and seller of ale). He married one of Matthew's daughters (Ann I think) The Taylors moved to Peach Tree Farm in the centre of the village sometime around 1800 and the Websters took over at Nineveh and kept the alehouse going. The Brewster Records of 1824 and 1827 named George Webster holding the licence for the Lettered Board. His son Thomas is farming there in 1841 but he died in 1844 aged only 33. In the 1851 census John Dawson and his wife are running the farm but Thomas Webster's son, also Thomas, is listed as son-in-law although not married! I understand that son-in-law could also mean step son. John Dawson had married Thomas Webster's widow Jane. By 1861 young Thomas Webster is farming at Nineveh and John Dawson has moved back to his other farm in Grafton. Thomas was still farming at Nineveh in 1893.
I assume all these farmers were tenants in Nineveh. The farm was part of the Marton Estate owned by the Thompsons of Kirby Hall in Little Ouseburn. The Estate was sold off in parts after WW1.
Hope this is of some help or interest.
Peter Sutton

Paul Webster

12/31/2017 07:19:47 am

Hello Roger & Peter, it was my GGGG grandfather George & 3 Thomas's that farmed at Nineveh in the early part of the 1800's. After 4 generations, I was told that they were told to quit for poaching phesants. I believed the landlord at that time was a college in Cambridge??! The Webster's then farmed at Knaresborough, Dunsforth & now my side of the family have been back in the village, at Grafton Lodge, for the last 60 years. Strangely at the farm I believe John Dawson moved back to with his wife, the widow of Thomas Webster!
Although there is a question as to wether we should be called Dewes, not Webster, after a birth out of wedlock!

Mrs Marion J Wilford

10/20/2024 07:45:41 am

Hiya Peter Sutton - also Roger Addison and Paul Webster also mentioned here! Wondered if you are still picking up enquries from this website about Nineveh Farm? Reason for asking - I'm researching my family tree on my Dad's side (he was Thomas Robert Webster). I believe our family were once tenant farmers at Nineveh Farm, Marton cum Grafton between c. 1820-1915? But know nothing much more than that at the moment. I'm intrigued to know if there's any history anywhere about the farm, if it's still a working farm and any info on former/current residents - anything really that would help fill in the picture with more detail! I was born in 1961, at which time my Grandfather (Harry Webster) and my Dad, Tom, were tenant farmers at Butterhills Farm, Knaresborough (just outside Ferrensby) – now the site of Knaresborough Golf Course. Any info you may have would be welcomed! Many thanks, Marion Wilford (nee Webster).

Louise Masters

10/20/2024 09:04:25 pm

Hello Marion. Peter Sutton and this site has been excellent and so interesting with information about my Taylor / Campey family and the area. The Taylor / Campey family eventually moved to Australia. If you are not in the M-C-G area, you may still be able to see Nineveh on Google maps. You can "walk" along the Great North Road / old A1 / A168 which is alongside the property. The hedge along the side of the house next to the old road has grown and so Google maps photos from a few years ago allows you to see the house more easily. However, I have just checked, and Google maps (May 2024) has driven in along the very old road close to the house and you can see the house with the outer buildings and the old stone fence clearly - beautiful!!! Here is the link to that map:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9o6BhbdogQ1iB3HD6
A very clear match to the old photos on this website of Ninevah Farmhouse c1912
Details given on Google says it is currently T M Lumley. Farming (Livestock) in Knaresborough.
Hope this is helpful. Regards
Louise

Carol Bolton Peak

10/24/2024 07:42:55 pm

Greetings to those following this thread about Nineveh Farm. I am from California, USA. Some of my ancestors lived in the parish of Marton-cum-Grafton. John Silversides and his wife Isabel are my 6th great-grandparents. They were from Nun Monkton and apparently began living at Nineveh Farm beginning perhaps in the early 1740s. Isabel was “of Nineveh” at the time of her death in 1766. Her son, John Silversides the younger, was “of Nineveh” when he died in 1777, age 44. This John was married to Ann Bailey and they lived at Nineveh during the years that their children were baptized (1769-1776). The elder John Silversides lived until 1799 and his burial record indicates that he was “of Arkendale” at that time, age 88. I descend from John and Isabel’s daughter Isabella Silversides (1746-1817) who married Matthew Curtis (1743-1840). Over the years I have learned much about my various ancestors who lived in this beautiful part of Yorkshire. I’ve enjoyed reading the details that have been provided here about Nineveh Farm. Best to all, Carol Peak (nee Bolton)

claire

1/27/2015 11:18:56 pm

hello I am looking for any information or copies of photographs of the Horner family. I am putting together my family tree for my mothers 70th birthday and so any information or help would be gratefully appreciated.

David Woodward

1/29/2015 12:23:53 pm

Hello,
I have been looking recently into my Family Tree, and has traced back my Ancestors, who headed down to the Shipley are towards the end of the 18th century to th eMarton cum Grafton / Ouseburn area.

My Great, great Grandfather is John Woodward, who is showing as having been born in Marton Cum Grafton in 1818, and who was a Blacksmith. he had ( I think) brothers Jesse, Joseph, and Thomas. he married Hannah Watkinson, presumably in June 1840, and subsequently is hwoing as having lived in Topcliffe in 1851, then up to Marton le Moor (which I think is up near Dishforth in 1857)

I think they may have moved aorund a little, as their son, my great Grandfather Arthur, is showing as born in Marton Le Moor, while th eeldest, George was born in Little Ouseburn

I fid references to a few Woodwards, but towars eth beginning o fthe 18th century, it is harder to make links between any of them ..Examples are Jospeh Woodward, born in 1789/91, Blacksmith in Little Ouseburn,

Two (hopefully sererate) of Mary Woodwards in Little Ouseburn born around 1784/86, married to Charles Horner (in 1804) , and John Dawson (1807)

Does anyone have any other info on Woodwards in the area?

peter sutton link

1/30/2015 06:55:03 am

Hi David
There are four Woodward burials in Marton graveyard. Two have a memorial stone: Mary Woodward of Marton died 14 January 1832 age 73 and Jesse Woodward husband to Mary died 26 November 1833 age 83. The other two burials are Ann Woodward 27 May 1827 age 40 and David Woodward 18 March 1832 age 19.
In 1800 Jesse Woodward owned a cottage in Marton which was demolished around 1900. Interestingly, he wasn't living in it - it was tenanted by Mar. Haughton.
Hope this is of some interest.
Peter Sutton

David Woodward

2/1/2015 10:36:31 pm

Hi Peter,
That helps, It's possible that Ann was Ann Kay, Joseph's wife, and David the 2nd son, born 1813.

In digging, it looks like they could have been Methodists, with a least one son, John, christened in Ripon, but the rest in Marton.

Anthony Walter Smith link

2/20/2015 05:40:52 pm

John and Hannah Woodward are My Great Great Grandparents,they also had a son Tom of Marton Le More, Tom married Margaret Ann Gleadow.They mirgrated to Australia in 1877 on board Samuell Plimsol and Settled in Liverpool NSW.

Anthony Walter Smith link

3/17/2015 03:25:02 pm

David Woodward

3/31/2015 07:01:25 am

Hi Anthony,

Apologies for the earlier spelling, it was done in haste on my phone.

I think I found the details of Tom who went to Australia, but didn't really get to his living descendants, so Hello!

I live out in Jakarta at the moment, but get to Australia sometimes. If I get to NSW again, it would be nice to swing by and say hello. Do you have any information back up last John and Hannah?

Phil Johnson

3/31/2015 04:03:40 am

Hello, Have just started researching the Hawkridge family in the Marton cum Grafton area and picked up on the Christopher Hawkridge b 1835 at Dunforth. I have him as initially being married to Mary (nee Poulter) from about 1860 to 1877. In Jan 1880 he married Elizabeth Dunn (nee Johnson) and acquired two step-children Sarah Elizabeth Dunn and John William Dunn. At the moment I only have James as being the only child of Elizabeth and Christopher; listed as dying as a POW in WW1. Is this correct and presumably did Christopher and Elizabeth live in Grafton?

Oliver Hawkridge

10/28/2015 03:05:51 am

Hi Phil, I have just seen this post. I have a lot of research on this family as I am Elizabeth Johnson/Dunn/Hawkridge's gt gt grandson. I have never found a record of marriage for George Bowler and Elizabeth Hawkridge but she seemed to change her name to Bowler (probably not wanting to live in sin!). Please e mail me [email protected] and I can share info. with you.

sally

11/1/2015 01:36:23 am

There were a Hawkridge family around Grafton.
I am sure there was a Chris Hawkridge he used to come in the Shoulder of Mutton between 1984 -1998 he was well known with the local farmers.There is still the Webster family (farmers) in Grafton Mike Webster would know him.

Peter Sutton link

4/1/2015 02:17:18 am

Phil, I have researched the men on the village war memorial which include James Hawkridge. James' father Christopher was born in 1834 either in Marton or in High Dunsworth (probably Upper Dunsforth). Christopher married Mary Poulter from Allerton Mauleverer in 1857, they had six children and lived in Great Ribston with Walshford. Mary died in 1877.
James' mother Elizabeth (Johnson) was born in Hopperton in 1848. She married John Dunn in 1872 in Knaresborough where they were both working. They had two children Sarah born in Knaresborough in 1873 and John born in Mirfield, Leeds in 1976. Husband John died in 1878.
Christopher and Elizabeth married in Leeds in 1880. They had three children, James (1880), Annie (1882) and Edith (1883) born after Christopher died in late 1882. Elizabeth was widowed for the second time with two children and a third on the way, her 2 children from John Dunn and six step children from Christopher's first marriage.
The link to Grafton does not come until Elizabeth married George Armitage Bowler who runs the Shoulder of Mutton pub in the village. George has a son Herbert from his first marriage (Herbert later changes his name to Hawkridge for reasons unknown) George died in 1896 and Elizabeth continues to run the pub until it is taken over by her daughter Edith (Dunn) who had married Charles May in 1906.
James married Janet Holmes from Knaresborough in 1909 and lived in Starbeck where he worked as a horseman for a hay dealer. They had five children Mildred (1910), George (1911), James (1913) Leslie (1914) and Frank (1916). James was conscripted in mid 1916 and joined the West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own) He died in the battle of Arras on 5th May 1917 aged 37 and is buried in Douai British Cemetery, Cuincy, Nord in north-eastern France. He died the day he was wounded so was not a PoW. (Sadly his sons James and George died in WW2 and James is buried not far from his father in St Omer) Douai was in German hands until October 1918 so James must have been buried elsewhere and moved to Douai when the war ended. James has grandchildren who still live in the Harrogate area.
I hope this helps.

Phil Johnson

4/2/2015 04:53:46 am

Hi Peter, Thanks for all that information on the Hawkridge family; you can only glean so much from census records and there's enough transcript errors to send one 'up the garden path'. Mind trying to decypher Victorian manuscript must be very trying. On another note, are there any gravestones or markers relevant to the family? Much appreciated, Phil P.S. web site is great

peter sutton link

4/2/2015 07:46:03 pm

Hi Phil, There are no Hawkridge burials in the village graveyard. A Hawkridge family never lived in the village. James' mother Elizabeth (Johnson/Dunn/Hawkridge/Bowler) is buried there. She died in 1931. Her gravestone says "In loving memory of mother E Bowler." George Armytage Bowler is also in the graveyard but has no headstone.

Oliver Hawkridge

10/28/2015 03:24:11 am

Hi Peter. I have done a lot of research on this part of my family tree (it is very complicated!!) but never found a marriage between George Bowler and Elizabeth Hawkridge, have you found anything to confirm this as my opinion is that Elizabeth changed her name on the census' and was just known as Bowler.
I believe Herbert Bowler/Hawkridge was actually Elizabeth's son although I am open to persuasion! I have never found a birth or baptism record for Herbert yet his marriage certificate has a Richard Hawkridge as his father but I can't find any suitable Richard Hawkridge's who this could be! Elizabeth's sister was living in the Howden area around 1887 so that could place Elizabeth there at the time of Herbert's birth as it says Howden was his birthplace on the census. George was also from this area but had been living in Sunderland so he could have moved back to his home area and be the father. When moving to Grafton I believe they were all known as Bowler to appear a legitimate family and to have a standing in society. Herbert then had to change back to Hawkridge, his birth name, in order to marry and join the army in 1914. I believe he invented a Richard Hawkridge as his father so as to appear he wasn't born out of wedlock. All very confusing and mainly based on educated guess work at the moment!

peter sutton link

10/31/2015 09:53:47 am

Hi Oliver
I couldn't find any information on a marriage between George Armitage Bowler and Elizabeth Johnson/Dunn/Hawkridge. I am sure you are correct in your assumption that her name change was for respectability purposes.
Although I hadn't researched it, I assumed Herbert was the son of an earlier marriage of George. There are 2 in the records, one in 1857 and another in 1883 both in Sunderland and both list a George Armatage Bowler - there can't be many with that name!
The link with Howden is interesting. When Elizabeth's second Husband Christopher Hawkridge died one of their sons, James, was sent to live with Thomas Poulter, the brother of Mary Poulter, Christopher's first wife. They lived in Eastrington near Howden. None of the other children appear to be there on the 1891 census. George Armitage Bowler was Baptised in Eastrington in 1826 so I assume his parents John and Charlotte were living there. It must be a tiny place so if Elizabeth and her sister were also residents there must be connections between the families.
While if might be frustrating, at least your family has a very interesting history! Best of luck with the search.
Peter

Anthony Smith link

4/1/2015 04:05:34 pm

Carol Myers

4/15/2015 11:44:52 pm

Hi
Can you please re-subscribe me to the genealogy mailing list. I unsubscribed when I was away from home for a few months. I am researching the Horner family in Martin.
Many thanks
Carol Myers

Ann Dear

12/9/2015 03:18:03 pm

Researching Hawkridge family. Have quite a bit of the details above, but it has been very interesting to read some of the information here.

Yvonne Pattison

2/19/2016 10:58:55 am

Trying to find the parents names of Mary Burnam b 1806 in Marton-cum-Grafton. Father could be Francis Burnam, Mother could be Mary (need maiden name). She married John Frankland in the village in 1825 and died in 1847.

peter sutton link

2/20/2016 03:34:49 am

Hi Yvonne
The 1841 census lists John Frankland living in Marton with his wife Mary (nee Burnan) and 5 children. They are living in Orchard Cottage on Church Lane (which is still there) and John is a pig jobber. This census also lists Francis Burnan living in Grafton with his wife Elizabeth. They are almost certainly the parents of Mary as the have living with them on the day of the census a Charles Frankland age 8 who I assume is their grandson and son of Mary and John.
The old graveyard contains 10 Burnan(m) burials between 1791 and 1857. Francis was the last to be buried in 1857 age 76 in an unmarked grave but his wife appears not to have been buried in the village. John and Mary Frankland have a marked grave with the headstone showing the grave also contains the burial of John's second wife Ann. Mary died in 1847 age 41, John in 1876 aged 70 and Ann in 1875 age 72
The other burials might be of interest :
Mary Burnam 1813 age 75
Elizabeth Burnam 1814 age 7weeks
Elizabeth Burnam 1820 age 1
Richard Burnam 1826 age 53
Mary Burnan 1738 daughter of John
Richard Burnan 1791 age 60 farmer
Mary Burnan 1792 daughter of Richard age 22
James Burnan 1799 age 22
Elizabeth Burnan 1810 daughter of Francis age 1
Elizabeth Burnan 1812 wife of John age 39
The burial register also lists Jane (1746) and Richard Burnand (1771)
Hope some of this is helpful
Peter Sutton

Alan Horner

3/31/2016 07:50:30 am

Hi Peter,
I have found the Will & Probate of Jesse Woodward died 1833 buried in Marton. It indicates that he had 3 daughters, Mary married Charles Horner, Ellen married Thomas Dickinson, a third miss Woodward married George Howe. Any info on the Woodwards would help, I see a reply by e-mail is available, that would be appreciated, regards Alan

Anthony Smith link

9/10/2016 10:29:17 pm

Andrew Spence

1/2/2017 11:08:42 am

I am trying to trace the family of Tom Kirby who lived at Town House Farm I believe.
He died in the Somme as far as I know

Melinda Webster

7/23/2019 02:37:55 am

George Webster is my GGGG grandfather and I recently found his grave at Marton cum Grafton. His son Robert 1800 -1847 was a farmer at Sandholme, Pickhill. I’m wondering if anyone knows how long they were there. I’m thinking Paul Webster may know more. I live in Australia and loved visiting your cemetery and finding the graves of several family members last month

Paul Webster

7/25/2019 05:09:56 pm

Hi Melinda, George is also my GGGG grandfather, I was wondering where Robert was from, so thanks for the information about Pickhill, but I’m afraid I’ve little information about Robert’s side of the family apart from some information about his inheritance through George’s will. I see he inherited George’s cottage and parcels of land around the village of M-c-G amounting to around 7 acres. Thomas got the public house that George owned and rented out! I believe there was also 2 daughters, Elizabeth & Dorothy.

Melinda Webster

8/3/2019 02:33:27 am

Thank you so much for your prompt response, Paul. It was lovely to visit McG a few weeks ago and next time I'd like to meet up with you. I'm guessing that Thomas was your GGG grandfather and Robert's brother. It wonderful that there are still Websters farming in the area. My email is [email protected]

DAVID BROWN

6/11/2020 12:03:36 pm

Two of my grandparents lived in Marton in 1901.
Walter Brown lived at Holm Tree Farm and Amy Gordon lived with Thomas Marston, also a farmer,somewhere near the Punch Bowl.
I would appreciate very much any relevant information that anyone might have about this couple.

David Apew

9/3/2020 08:57:12 am

Looking for information on the Apew family but in particular
Mary Sedgwick born 23.10.1802-2.9.1886 father George Sedgwick born 1756 married to Sarah Swale in 1791
Very keen on finding out about her son John Apew born 1842

Chris Blewett

1/3/2021 12:22:40 pm

Hello,I have reached back to Johannes Smith marrying Elizabetha Pretious in 1695 at Marton. They were living at a place called Walton- is this somewhere that anyone has heard of?
Lovely to find a local site like this

Angelina C link

1/11/2021 05:23:56 am

Lovely bloog you have here

Steve Randall

1/24/2021 06:50:41 am

Hi, I am well into my family history and have a reaction named Thomas HAWKSWELL.
The 1891 census shows him as grandson to Francis Hawkswell, aged 50 a farm labourer at Marton cum grafton.
Francis is on the same page as Christopher Spencley at the punch bowl inn.
The army record from ww1 shows his home as possibly Ouseburn.
He served as a driver in the Royal artillery and survived the war.
He also found time to become the 2nd husband of my great grandma.
My problem is finding him again after 1891 and 1915.
Are there any Hawkswell's left in Marton cum grafton?
Any hints- info would be gratefully received, with promise of his total history for your own annals once completed.
In anticipation Steve R

Mike North

4/30/2021 10:11:40 am

NORTH family
My 2nd Gt Grandfather George North was christened in Marton on 13 May 1821 and I believe his father was William, a farmer, but I am unable to go any further. Has anyone come across this family in their research travels?
Grateful for any information. Mike

Lindsay Carlin

5/12/2021 05:56:56 am

I'm just trying to find out if anyone would have any information on the Birkhill family from Marton cum grafton,, Annie Birkhill was at school there in 1929,, whom we believe to be parent of my mum. If any information,, would be grateful to hear. Lindsay

Dennis Schlagheck

10/10/2021 12:40:39 pm

I'm searching for any information about the Noble and Bickerdike families from Marton. Mark Noble Sr., his wife, daughter Mary and two sons, Mark Jr. and John, emigrated to America c. 1830, as did George Bickerdike. They settled in what became the city of Chicago. The Nobles built a house that still stands, the oldest in Chicago. George Bickerdike was married to Mary Noble there in 1833. The Bickerdikes returned to England in the 1860s and lived in Knaresborough.
Any information about the lives and work of these families will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Catherine Green

5/29/2022 04:21:42 am

I have information on the Noble side- I am a descendent of Mark Noble Sr's brother Richard - so have some information about their father Lawrence who was a butcher in Marton and is buried there. Lawrence's father was called Robert and so was his grandfather who was minister to Danby from 1660 to 1700.

Judy Sirvio

11/6/2023 04:40:28 pm

Can you tell me more about Mark Noble or his relatives? Is there any family story about the reason Mark and his family left England to settle in the US? Any information would be appreciated.

Carol Bolton Peak

6/17/2023 02:42:02 pm

Dennis -- My ancestor, Joseph Curtis (b.1781 Marton-cum-Grafton d.1863 Linton-on-Ouse), also immigrated to the Chicago area. John Noble and George Bickerdike are mentioned in the second newspaper article below:
An excerpt from a newspaper article (1897) obtained from the Des Plaines Historical Society near Chicago, IL: In May, 1831, . . . Joseph Curtis sailed from Hull with 5 children, Hannah, Joseph, Robert, Elanor [sic] and Eliza, leaving behind the 3 oldest living children: Isabella who married, lived and died in England, and Matthew Linton and Mary who shortly joined the others in America. The family crossed the Atlantic to New York whence they proceeded via the Hudson River, Erie Canal and Great Lakes to Detroit. Here the children tarried till the father could go by team to Chicago, locate a claim [,] which covered part of what is now Irving Park, build a log house and return for them. In the summer of 1832 the Indian war drove the family into Fort Dearborn for protection, and here the son Joseph, a lad 14 years old, took a rifle and served as guard with the men. In 1833, when the family resumed farming, finding the above-mentioned claim too wet for cultivation, they removed 6 miles farther from the city to a claim 3 miles above Niles, then called Dutchman's Point. At this time Chicago was but a village of about 200 settlers, mostly traders; and nothing but wilds of forest and prairie existed on what is now known as the North Side and the West Side. In 1841 the father sold his claim, went to England on business, but did not live to return. The same year Joseph [the son] bought a claim for $1.25 per acre, 17 miles from the center of the city, on what was then called the Higgins Road, 8 miles west from the present town of Jefferson. In 1842, John Marshall, who had married Mary Curtis, located beside Joseph Curtis and the year following Robert Curtis joined them. [The name of the newspaper is not known.]

From an obituary/news article in the Sunday Chronicle, Chicago, 27 July 1897 regarding Joseph's son, Joseph Curtis: "... In 1831 his father sailed from Hull with 5 children, crossing the ocean to New York, whence they proceeded by the usual route in those days west to Detroit. Here the family tarried till the father could go on horseback in company with John Noble and George Bickerdike to Chicago, locate a claim, build a log house and return for them. One "forty" of the claim he then purchased was part of what is Irving Park now.

Alan Precious

11/2/2021 09:11:09 am

Hello,

I'm researching my family ancestry (Precious / Pretious / Precyous) and I have found a connection to Marton cum Grafton concerning Bryan Precyous (probably related to Elizabeth Pretious mention in previous correspondence) purchasing the manor of Marton from Richard Aldbrugh Esq in 1570 and the only reference I have is YAS (Yorkshire Archaeology Society) 2 plus another record of a house and land in Marton by ? Precious, Wilstropp and his wife Ellen from Richard Aldbrugh in possibly 1610.

I have searched the Society's web site and the Leeds University Special Collections archive without success. Hence this appeal to see if one can help me.

In addition I do have an archive copy of Deed of Purchase of the manor but unfortunately it is in 16th century legal Latin.

Kathryn Marsh

7/5/2024 03:34:19 pm

Hi, I'm also researching the Precious family from the Boroughbridge area. The furthest back I've got proved is Thomas Pretious baptised in Staveley i08/5/1617 whose father was also Thomas. Any traceable connection?

Margaret Allis

4/22/2022 11:28:53 pm

I am writing a memoir/ short story about my father's evacuation to Marton cum Grafton in 1939 He tells a story about Basil Dean and Ducky Swann and a very strict teacher called Mrs Rhind who taught at the school for thirty years and also the national guard's at the quarry. He's 94 now so all a long time ago. Anyone know about these people I mentioned?

Vanessa S.

3/6/2023 11:07:14 am

I am travelling to Yorkshire (from Canada) in a few days, and will spend one day in Marton-cum-Grafton. Charles Horner and Ruth Dickinson are my 5G grandparents. I have looked through the comments here, and it seems that there are quite a few people who have researched and are related to the Horners. I am wondering if anyone here knows where Charles and Ruth lived, exactly or approximately, in town. I would love to see the site -- even if the structure is no longer standing. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

Janet Patrick

4/4/2024 11:57:41 am

I am researching the Kay family. Does anyone know of Robert Kay and Hannah Long around 1790

Fred Fair

12/4/2024 09:21:37 am

I know that my family came from Martin Cum Grafton. John Dawson, my grandfather, sold up to farm in South Africa in about the 1920s.

I, along with my precursors, have been given the middle name Dixon which I believe is linked with the village too.

I don’t know much about the Dixon element of my name or that much about the Dawsons. I would be interested if someone can fill a few gaps in my knowledge! I have seen a good spread of Dawsons and Dixons in tombstone transcriptions.

I visited your lovely village on the early 90s as a student.

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