The Grainger family of Raby and Staindrop

Joseph Grainger = Elizabeth Coates

     |         other children

Rachel Grainger = Joshua Watson

      |         other children

Margaret Watson = George Binns

      |         other children

Lucy Binns = William Pollard

      |         other children

Francis Edward Pollard = Mary Spence Watson

L26. RACHEL WATSON born GRAINGER

Rachel Grainger was born on the 14th February 1748/9, as recorded by Darlington meeting. in 1759 she was left £20 in the will of her aunt Hannah Baker.1

She married [L2] Joshua Watson on the 27th February 1770, at the Friends' meeting house in Raby. Their children were: Joseph (1770–1839), Grainger (1772–1838), William (1773–1858), Elizabeth (1775–1853), Hannah (1777–1783),  Sarah (1780–1837), Henry (1782–1867), Hannah (1784–1785), [L1] Margaret (1786–1836), and Rachel (1788–1845); all were born at Staindrop. From 1796 to 1823 she is known to have lived at Staindrop. She witnessed her daughter's marriage there in 1798. In early 1823 she was living with her husband and daughter Sarah next door to the Staindrop drapery managed by David Binns; he found them "very kind neighbours", who "deeply sympathized" with him in his difficulties, at the onset saying "I wonder thou does not run away". Binns considered Rachel and Sarah as among the "very worthy" members of Staindrop meeting.2

 

Rachel Grainger was a Friend of very strong religious convictions, and so far as her limited opportunities allowed she manifested them unflinchingly. It is related of her that, in protest and testimony against the wholly unauthorised keeping of the so-called Holy-days of the Papal and State churches, she invariably made a practice of keeping her spinning wheel in active operation—inside or outside her doorway, as weather permitted—on such occasions.3

Of Staindrop, she died on the 11th May 1826, and her body was buried at Staindrop on the 16th. Rachel and Joshua were born next-door neighbours, and had lived together nearly 58 years in the same house.4

In September 1826 a notice in the Durham County Advertiser advised of the prospective sale by auction of a 20-acre estate called Grainger Barn, in the township of Wackerfield, parish of Staindrop. Joshua Watson of Staindrop was given as one of the two contacts for further particulars. Given the name of the estate and the proximity of the sale to his wife's death, it seems possible that this had been an estate she had inherited.5

Rachel Grainger was the daughter of [L27] Joseph and [L38] Elizabeth Grainger.6


1 TNA: RG 6/778, /1549; will of Hannah Baker

2 RG 6/527, /626, /1012, /1157; Ms Pedigree in Watson box, Society of Genealogists' library document collection; ms memoirs of David Binns

3 Henry Ecroyd Smith (1878) Annals of Smith of Cantley, Balby, and Doncaster, County York; privately printed

4 RG 6/778; digest of Durham Quaker burials: index; Durham County Advertiser, 1826-05-20

5 Durham County Advertiser, 1826-09-09

6 RG 6/778, /1549; J.J. Green: History of the Coates Family. 1906 (Friends' House library, TS)


L27. JOSEPH GRAINGER

Joseph Grainger was born at Raby, Durham, on the 9th February 1718/9.1

He married [L38] Elizabeth Coates, after the 3rd April 1744. Their children were: Caleb (1746–1748) and [L26] Rachel (1748/9–1826).2

He was a merchant, of Raby in Staindrop, in 1747. He was of Raby in 1748/9, 1757 (when he was appointed 'supervisor' of the will of his brother-in-law James Baker) and 1758; in 1759 he was left £20 in the will of his sister Hannah Baker, for whom he was sole executor. He was described in 1770 as having been a merchant of Staindrop.3

He died at Raby on the 8th March 1763. Of Staindrop, his will was proved in the Prerogative Court of York in the same month.4

Joseph Grainger was the son of [L28] Caleb and [L37] Sarah Grainger.5

   

 

1 TNA: RG 6/1549

2 RG 6/1549; J.J. Green (1906) History of the Coates Family (Friends' House library, TS)

3 RG 6/1012, /1549; Durham Probate bonds, DPRI/3/1747/A, image 108; Durham wills; will of Hannah Baker

4 RG 6/1012, /1549; Prerogative & Exchequer Courts Of York Probate Index

5 RG 6/1549


L28. CALEB GRAINGER

Caleb Grainger was born at Dalton near Croft, Yorkshire, on the 6th May 1696.1

He married [L37] Sarah ______. Their children were [L27] Joseph (1718/9–1763), Hannah (1721–1721), Hannah (1722–1760), Isabell (1721–1721), Rachel (1725–1749), Isabell (1726/7–1726/7), and Caleb (1731–1731/2).2

In 1738, 1739, and 1741 he was described as a merchant at Raby and Staindrop.3

A merchant of Staindrop, Durham, he died on the 9th June 1747. Four days later his wife, together with [L27] Joseph Grainger and John Flintoft, signed a probate bond in the sum of £500, with Sarah as administratrix.4

Caleb Grainger was fourth child, and second son, of [L29] Henry and [L32] Isabel Grainger.4

 

1 TNA: RG 6/1540

2 RG 6/1549

3 Newcastle Courant, 1738-04-01; Newcastle Courant, 1739-02-16; Newcastle Courant, 1741-03-14

4 RG 6/1549; Durham Probate bonds, DPRI/3/1747/A, image 108

5 RG 6/1540


L29. HENRY GRAINGER

Henry Grainger was born at Raby, Durham, on the 29th April 1662.1

Of Raby, he married [L32] Isabel Dixon on the 4th May 1690, at the house of Jane Vicars. Their children were: George (1691/2–1692), Henry (1692/3–1718/9), Hannah (1695/6–1695/6), Caleb (1696 – before 1747), Rebeckah (1698–1718), George (1705–1753), and Abigaill (1707/8–1711/2); for the last two births the couple's place of residence was given as Deagill or Deagill Way.2

Raby meeting recorded that Henry died on the 3rd October 1732.3

Henry Grainger was the fourth child and eldest son of [L30] Henry and [L31] Ellinor Grainger.4

 

1 TNA: RG 6/1549

2 RG 6/1540

3–4 RG 6/1549

 


L30. HENRY GRAINGER

Henry Grainger was born about 1627.1

He married [L31] Ellinor Temple on the 7th January 1648/9, at Staindrop, after which time he lived at Raby, Durham. Their children were: Ann (1654 – ?), Elizabeth (1656–1726), Ellinor (1662–1699), [L29] Henry (1662–1732), Caleb (1664–1736/7), and George (1667–1718).2

In 1678 he was distrained for attending a meeting at Jane Vickers's house in Raby. In 1682, a yeoman of Raby, he was one of five dissenters indicted for not repairing the church.2A That year "Henry Granger had Goods Taken from him worth 9s and at another Time value 9s } –.18.–." "Henry Granger had Taken from him again a Heifer and a Steer worth £3.00.–." "[ . . . ] These 2 last were fined for Martin Nicolson wittingly, and willingly suffering a meeting in his House, whereas he was then close prisoner [ . . . ]."3

In 1683 "Henry Granger of Raby had Taken from him 3 Brass Kittles, 5 Brass pans, a Brass Candlestick, 2 Brass Ladles, a pewter Dish, a pewter Candlestick, with some other Pewter, worth in all £2.10.–."4

And in 1684 for meeting &c, "Henry Granger of Raby farmer, had Taken from him [ . . . ] Goods worth £1.10.–."5

Of Raby, he was buried there on 23 July 1713. His will was proved in the Prerogative Court of York on 31 October that year.6

 

1 TNA: RG 6/1549

2 RG 6/1549; minutes of Raby MM at homepage.ntlworld.com/carole.johnson40/CJappendix3.htm; digests of Durham Quaker births and burials: indexes; Staindrop parish register transcript

3 homepage.ntlworld.com/carole.johnson40/CJlongstaff8.htm

4-5 Great Book of Sufferings, Vol. 3 pt 1

6 RG 6/1549; Prerogative & Exchequer Courts Of York Probate Index

 


L31. ELLINOR GRAINGER born TEMPLE

Ellinor Temple married [L30] Henry Grainger on the 7th January 1648/9, at Staindrop, after which time she lived at Raby, Durham.1

Their children were: Ann (1654 – ?), Elizabeth (1656–1726), Ellinor (1662–1699), [L29] Henry (1662–1732), Caleb (1664–1736/7), and George (1667–1718).2

She died at Raby on the 27th April 1705.3

 

1 TNA: RG 6/1549

2 RG 6/1381, /1549; minutes of Raby MM at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/carole.johnson40/CJappendix3.htm; Staindrop parish register transcript

3 RG 6/1549

 


L32. ISABEL GRAINGER born DIXON

Isabel Dixon was born at Raby on the 21st November 1669.1

Of Raby, she married [L29] Henry Grainger on the 4th May 1690, at the house of Jane Vicars. Their children were: George (1691/2–1692), Henry (1692/3–1718/9), Hannah (1695/6–1695/6), Caleb (1696 – before 1747), Rebeckah (1698–1718), George (1705–1753), and Abigaill (1707/8–1711/2); for the last two births the couple's place of residence was given as Dragill or Dragill Way.2

She died at Raby on the 17th October 1718.3

Isabel Dixon was the second child, and second daughter, of [L33] George and [L36] Barbary Dixon.

 

1 TNA: RG 6/1381, /1549

2 RG 6/1540

3 RG 6/1381, /1549

 


L33. GEORGE DIXON

George Dixon was born in mid 1636, and baptised at Staindrop on the 31st July that year. He joined the Society of Friends at its rise, was imprisoned in 1662, and several times fined.1

A yeoman of Old Raby, he was a Quaker by convincement, an early follower of George Fox. "George Dixon, 3rd of the month called August 1662, Henry Grainger, Chris. Pickering, Francis Temple, and Geo. Dixon, yeoman, John Atkinson, mason, of Stanedrop, and James White of Piercebridge, were taken by soldiers from a meeting at Henry Draper’s house, near Headlam near Gainford, and committed by a Justice to Durham gaol for nine weeks, and indited and were fined £10 each, for which distresses were made on their goods to the amount of £37:3:4."2

He married [L36] Barbary ____. Their children were: Abigail (1666/7–1723), [L32] Isabel (1669–1718), George (1671/2–1752), and Ralph (1673–1755).3

In 1678, George was again arrested, this time at Jane Vickers' house in Raby, when a further fine of £20 5s was imposed. In 1681, he was fined £6.4

He voted for Vane as a freeholder, at the county election of 1678.5

He died at Raby on the 9th January 1707/8.6

George Dixon was the elder child and elder son of [L34] Ralph and [L35] Susanna Dixon.7

 

1 "England Births and Christenings, 1538–1975", database, FamilySearch: 21 March 2020, George Dixon, 1636; pedigree of Dixon of Raby and Cockfield

2 Augusta Richardson's Reminiscences, citing Besse's Sufferings

3 pedigree of Dixon of Raby and Cockfield; TNA: RG 6/1381, /1549

4 www.pennyghael.org.uk/Dixon.pdf

5 pedigree of Dixon of Raby and Cockfield

6 pedigree of Dixon of Raby and Cockfield; RG 6/1549

7 pedigree of Dixon of Raby and Cockfield

 


L34. RALPH DIXON

Ralph Dixon of Raby married [L35] Susanna ____. They had two known children: [L33] George (1636–1707) and Ralfe (1638 – before 1678).1

His body was buried at Staindrop on the 1st January 1650/1.2

 

1–2 pedigree of Dixon of Raby and Cockfield; "England Births and Christenings, 1538–1975," index, FamilySearch: accessed 2015-06-11, Ralph Dickson, 13 Mar 1614, citing HAMSTERLEY BY BISHOP AUCKLAND, DURHAM, reference FHL microfilm 91,094, has the baptism of a Ralph Dickson, son of John Dickson, on 13 March 1614, at Hamsterley

 


L35. SUSANNA DIXON born ____

Susanna ____ married [L34] Ralph Dixon. They had two known children: [L33] George (1636–1707) and Ralfe (1638 – before 1678).1

Her body was buried at Staindrop on the 24th October 1668.2

 

1–2 pedigree of Dixon of Raby and Cockfield

 


L36. BARBARY DIXON born ____

Barbary ____ was born around 1637.1

She married [L33] George Dixon. Their children were: Abigail (1666/7–1723), [L32] Isabel (1669–1718), George (1671/2–1752), and Ralph (1673–1755).2

She died on the 23rd April 1709.3

 

1–3 pedigree of Dixon of Raby and Cockfield

 


L37. SARAH GRAINGER born ____

Sarah ____ was born about 1691. She married [L28] Caleb Grainger. Their children were [L27] Joseph (1718/9–1763), Hannah (1721–1721), Hannah (1722–1760), Isabell (1721–1721), Rachel (1725–1749), Isabell (1726/7–1726/7), and Caleb (1731–1731/2).—she was of Raby at the times of their births.1

Of Staindrop, on the 13th June 1747 she signed a probate bond as administratrix of her late husband's estate.2

She made her will on the 21st January 1750/1:3

 

Be it hereby remembered, that I Sarah Grainger of Staindorp in the County of Durham Widow, while in a tolerable State of Health, and of perfect Mind and Memory through Divine Mercy, Do make and publish this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following, that is to day, I charge all my Estate as well Real as Personal with the payment of two hundred pounds to my Son Joseph Grainger or to his Executors: I also give my said son Joseph Grainger my six Silver Spoons marked with the Letters R.G. in confidence he will, as in his Discretion he may see meet, bestow them on his Daughter Rachel in Token of the Respect born her both by me and her late Aunt my Daughter Rachel Grainger. I devise my House in Staindorp in the which I now dwell with all and every of it's Appurtenances in this wise following, Namely to my Daughter Hannah Baker wife of James Baker, and to my said Son in law James Baker during the Term of their natural Lives and the Life of the longer liver of them, and from and after their Decease to the Issue of my said Daughter and their Heirs share and share alike forever; But if it so fall out in the Course of Providence that my said Daughter Hannah survives her present Husband, then and in such Case, I totally revoke my said former devise, and Devise the said House in Staindorp with all and every of it's Appurtenances to my said Daughter Hannah Baker and her Heirs forever. And as to the Rest of my personal Estate, Bonds, Cash, Household Goods, Merchants Goods and Wares in my Shop I dispose thereof as here follows, Namely, the Interest of all and singular thereof, or the Interest of the Value of all and singular thereof upon an equal estumation to be made, I bequeath yearly and every year to my said Daughter Hannah and to my said Son in law James Baker during their joint Lives, and in Case it falls out, as is aforesaid, that my said Daughter survives her said Husband, then I bequeath the whole of my said Personal Estate (but charged with the Legacies to my Son Joseph Grainger as is above specified) to my said Daughter Hannah and in such Case constitute her and my said Son Joseph Granger joint Executors of this my Last Will and Testament; But and if contrarywise the Divine Providence shall so direct it, that her said Husband survives her and that she leaves Issue of her Body, I bequeath my said Personal Estate, but still charged as is before declared and specified, and also the Interest thereof from and after the Death of my said Daughter Hannah to the said Issue of my said Daughter Hannah share and share alike, to be paid to them severally on the Day of their several Marriages, or as they severally arrive at their respective Ages of one-and-twenty years; And for want of such Issue upon the above Contingency, or in case of such Issue dying one and all before their several Marriages or Attainment to the Age of one and twenty Years, then and in such Case, but not otherwise, after the Death of my said Daughter I charge all my Personal Estate with the payment of three Hundred Pounds, over and besides the aforenamed Legacy of two Hundred pounds, to my said Son Joseph Grainger. I also hereby confirm the verbal Gift I made to my Son in law James Baker of the one full half part of my Shop Goods and Merchants Goods upon his Intermarriage with my said Daughter Hannah.

And as to the Residue of all my said Merchants Goods and Wares, and of my Personal Estate whether Household Goods, Money or what else not already above disposed of, I bequeath the same equally betwixt my said Son Joseph Grainger and My said Son in law James Baker, and constitute the said Joseph Grainger and James Baker joint Executors of this my Last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I the said Sarah Grainger have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this Twentieth Day of the Eleventh Month commonly called January and in the year of our Lord 1750.

[signed and sealed by Sarah Grainger; witnesses Joshua Nelson, James Eales, Rose Teasdale]

Sarah Grainger died at Staindrop on the 6th August 1756. Her will was proved at Durham in 1757.4

 

1 TNA: RG 6/1549

2 Durham Probate bonds, DPRI/3/1747/A, image 108

3 Durham Original Wills, DPRI/1/1757/G4

4 RG 6/1549; Durham Original Wills, DPRI/1/1757/G4


Suggestions for further research

The birth/baptism and parentage details for [L30] Henry Grainger need to be established.

Following that, I suggest the priority would be locating the marriage of [L28] Caleb Grainger, which would enable researching his wife's line.


 


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