The Burton family of Dent and Sedbergh

N158. MARY FOSTER born BURTON

Mary Burton was born at Sedbergh on the 12^th February 1753.¹

She knew Robert Foster by October 1780, when they visited James Birket and Dodshon Foster.²

On the 1^st March 1784, at Brigflats meeting house, near Sedbergh, she married [N23] Robert Foster, whose housekeeper she had been. Their children, all born at Hebblethwaite Hall, were: Myles Birket (1785–1861), Dodshon (1786–1790), James (1787–1861), John (1788–1818), Elizabeth (1788–1857), [N22] Mary (1790–1846), a stillborn child, Jane (1794–1797), Isabel (1796–1799), and Sarah (1797–1869).³

In the spring of 1799, returning with her husband on horseback from Kendal Quarterly Meeting, she was exposed to wet, and took a severe cold which terminated in consumption.⁴ She died at about five in the morning of the 9^th November 1799, in the presence of her family.⁵

She was buried at Brigflatts on the 12^th. A great many friends and neighbours assembled at the house to attend the funeral and to assist in carrying the remains. Brigflats was 3˝ miles from Hebblethwaite, but even at that distance it was the custom of the neighbourhood to place the coffin on a bier, and for the men who attended the funeral to carry it on their shoulders. Robert Foster with his son Myles beside him on the same horse rode next the coffin, followed by his sister Elizabeth, his daughters Elizabeth and Mary and William Jepson of Lancaster in a post chaise, and some of the friends from a distance on horseback. They were met at Brigflatts by several relations and friends from Kendal, who returned with the family to Hebblethwaite to dinner.⁶

Mary Burton was the daughter of [N159] James and [N163] Mary Burton.⁷

1 Joseph Foster (1871) A Pedigree of the Forsters and Fosters of the North of England; TNA: RG 6/731, /1143

2 Myles B. Foster (1860): MS Memoir of Robert Foster

3 Foster (1871); Joseph Foster (1862) The Fosters of Cold Hesledon; Robert Spence Watson in John William Steel (1899) A Historical Sketch of the Society of Friends 'in Scorn called Quakers' in Newcastle & Gateshead 1653–1898. London & Newcastle, Headley Bros. : 113; Madge, Mrs B.H. 'Notes on the Diary Kept by Robert Foster, at Hebblethwaite Hall'; RG 6/1081; Foster (1860)

4 Mrs B.H. Madge 'Notes on the Diary Kept by Robert Foster, at Hebblethwaite Hall'

5 Foster (1871); Steel (1899): 116; Foster (1860); RG 6/731, /1143

6 Foster (1860); RG 6/731, /1143

7 Robert Spence Watson in Steel (1899): 111; RG 6/1081

N159. JAMES BURTON

James Burton was born at Dent on the 16^th December 1705.¹

He married, first, Sarah Wilson (1708/9 – 1746/7, d. of James and Sarah Wilson, of Grayrigg, Westmorland) on the 14^th December 1731, at Stramongate Friends' meeting house, Kendal, Westmorland. Their children were: William (1732–1746/7), James (1734–1734), James (? – 1737), John (? – 1737), John (1739/40–1743), James (1742/3–1744), and Sarah (1745/6–1745/6). A yeoman, he lived in 1732 at Stonehouse, Dent, Yorkshire, and later—from 1746 to 1780—at The Hill, Sedbergh, Yorkshire.²

James Burton married, secondly, [N163] Mary Atkinson on the 27^th April 1749, at Brigflatts. Their children were: Isabel (1750–1789), James (1751–1756), [N158] Mary (1753–1799), and John (1756–1796), all born at Sedbergh.³

He died on the 29^th June 1780 at The Hill, Sedbergh, and was buried on the 1^st July at Brigflatts, at which time he was described as a husbandman. He made his will on the 21^st January 1778; described as a yeoman, of Hill in Soolbank near Sedbergh, in addition to his wife, he left Ł60 to each of his daughters, bequeathing his estates at Stonehouse, Skow and Broadgarths, all in Kirthwaite in Dent, to his only surviving son, John Burton. The will was proved at Richmond on the 26^th September 1780, on the affirmation of his son John, sole executor.³

James Burton was the son of [N160] William and [N162] Isabel Burton.⁴

1–2 Brian Davey: Thistlethwaite CD; TNA: RG 6/155, /1081, /1246, /1282, /1543, /1547

3 Robert Spence Watson in John William Steel (1899) A Historical Sketch of the Society of Friends 'in Scorn called Quakers' in Newcastle & Gateshead 1653–1898. London & Newcastle, Headley Bros.: 111; Brian Davey: Thistlethwaite CD, with an abstract of the will; RG 6/1235

4 RG 6/1081, /1246, /1547

N160. WILLIAM BURTON

William Burton of Dent married [N162] Isabel Thistlethwaite on the 4^th October 1704, at Leeyet, Dent, Yorkshire. Their children were: [N159] James (1705–1780), and William (1707–1845). A "yeaman" of Warescale in Kirthwaite, Dent, he made his will on 19 July 1706. He died very soon afterwards, his body being buried at Dent on 24 July that year.¹

Under the terms of his will he left Ł50 to his wife Isabell, as well as "one milk cow and the third part of his household stuff except one cupboard in the upper end of his dwelling of firehouse att y^e stone house and one great meal or mault chist in that house and 2 great arks or chests in the house where he dwells at Warescale", as well as Ł100 to any child or children if she were pregnant at his death; he left his apparel to his brother James, 40/- each to four of his nephews and nieces, his freehold estates and leases to Will. Thistlethwaite of Harbergill and Tho. Mason of Borronhead, Dent, in trust for his son James for his education; the same two to be executors. He also left 10/- to Christo. Burton of Shoalboard; to James Mason (if his son James died a minor without issue and his wife had no other children), "son of his sister Ellin Bousfield of Garsdale, his estate of Skow in Kirthwaite in the tenancy of "one William Burton late of Hollow Mill in Kirthwaite"; and to his brother James Burton of Stonehouse and his sister Eliz. Burton as tenants in common his estate at Stonehouse in Kirthwt., formerly belonging to his father James Burton. Witnesses were Will. Burton, Will Thistlethwaite, and Christo. Burton. The inventory was appraised at Ł206. 2. 6., less debts of Ł150.

William Burton was a child of [N161] James Burton.³

1 TNA: RG 6/1246, /1547; W.G. Collingwood (1929) 'A Book of old Quaker Wills', Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian Society; there are three William Burtons baptised in Dent, of the right age, all born to a James Burton, but there appear to be at least two James Burtons named there as fathers (FamilySearch)

2 Collingwood (1929)

3 RG 6/1246, /1547; Collingwood (1929)

N161. JAMES BURTON

James Burton had five known children: [N160] William (? – 1706), Jane (? – 1708), Eliz. (? – after 1706), Ellin (1663 – after 1706), and James (? – after 1706).¹

1 W.G. Collingwood (1929) 'A Book of old Quaker Wills', Transactions of the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian Society

N162. ISABEL BURTON born THISTLETHWAITE

Isabel Thistlethwaite was christened on the 27^th October 1682 at Dent, Yorkshire. She was mentioned as a beneficiary in the will of her father [K17] Richard Thistlethwaite on the 19^th November 1686. In 1703 she was a Quaker Minister.¹

Of Dent, she married, first, [N160] William Burton on the 4^th October 1704, at Leeyeat Friends' meeting house, Dent. Their children were: [N159] James (1705–1780), and William (1707 – ?).²

She married, secondly, Richard Burton on the 3^rd December 1712, at Leeyet. Their children were: John (1713–1790), Richard (1715–1751), Margaret (1718–1813), and Ann (1720 – ?).³

A Public Friend, she died on the 25^th October 1753, and was buried on the 27^th, Dent monthly meeting.⁴

Isabel Thistlethwaite was the daughter of [K27] Richard and [K31] Margaret Thistlethwaite.⁵

1 Brian Davey: Thistlethwaite CD

2 TNA: RG 6/1246, /1547

3 RG 6/1281

4 RG 6/1246, /1547

5 Thistlethwaite CD; NB this has been called into question.

N163. MARY BURTON born ATKINSON

Mary Atkinson was born about 1725, and married [N159] James Burton at Brigflatts, Sedbergh, Yorkshire, on the 27^th April 1749. Their children were: Isabel (1750–1789), James (1751–1756), [N158] Mary (1753–1799), and John (1756–1796), all born at Sedbergh.¹

She died at Brigflatts on the 18^th March 1802.²

Mary Atkinson was the daughter of [N164] John and [N171] Mary Atkinson.³

1 LaDonna Young gedcom 1732273 www.ancestry.co.uk; Robert Spence Watson in John William Steel (1899) A Historical Sketch of the Society of Friends in Scorn called Quakers in Newcastle & Gateshead 1653–1898. London & Newcastle, Headley Bros.: 111; Brian Davey: Thistlethwaite CD; TNA: RG 6/1235

2 RG 6/1081; LaDonna Young gedcom 1732273 www.ancestry.co.uk

3 RG 6/1013

N164. JOHN ATKINSON

John Atkinson was born on 12 May 1694, in the catchment area of Sedbergh Monthly Meeting.¹

Of Stockton, he married [N171] Mary Cockfield on 14 July 1723, at Norton. Their children were: Ruth (cal 1722–1781), Elizabeth (cal 1724 – 1801), John (1724–1808), [N163] Mary (c. 1725 – 1802), Margery (1725/6–1806), Nicholas (1728–1786), Sarah (1730 – ?), Joseph (1732– 1790), Edward (1735–1774), and Thomas (1737–1782).²

In 1764 he was still of Stockton.³

Late of Corn Close, but now of Mathews in South Lordland in Dent, he made his will on the 12^th December 1777, leaving his son and daughter Thomas and Ruth Atkinson Ł10 each, and his daughters Elizabeth Thistlethwaite and Mary Burton Ł5 each, the the remainder of his personal estate and his real estate of Corn Close left to his eldest son John. Of Leniker in Dent, he died on 26 May 1779, and his body was buried at Brigflatts on the 29^th. Following the taking of an inventory on the 18^th June 1779, which valued his personal estate at Ł17/3/2, the will was proved on the 23^rd.⁴

John Atkinson was the son of [N165] John and [N169] Sarah Atkinson.⁵

1 TNA: RG 6/1013, /1075, /1082, /1246, /1285

2 RG 6/229, /761, /1075, /1013, /1082; Edward H. Milligan (2007) Biographical Dictionary of British Quakers in Commerce and Industry, York; LaDonna Young gedcom 1732273 www.ancestry.co.uk; Annual Monitor

3 digest of London & Middlesex Quaker Marriages: index

4 Information and will transcript from Brian Davey; RG 6/1075, /1082

5 RG 6/1013, /1075, /1082, /1246, /1285

N165. JOHN ATKINSON

John Atkinson was born at Sedbergh, Yorkshire on 11 August 1660.¹

Of Frostraw, Sedbergh, he married [N169] Sarah Pinder on 6 May 1686, at Brigflatts Friends' meeting house. Their children were: Edward (1689/90–1727/8), Joseph (1692–1738), and [N164] John (1694–1779).²

From 1694 until his death he lived at Side, in Frostraw. His body was buried on 13 May 1728, the event being recorded by Sedbergh Monthly Meeting.³

John Atkinson was the eldest child of [N166] Edward and [N167] Mellery Atkinson.⁴

1 TNA: RG 6/1246, /1285

2 RG 6/105, /1010, /1013, /1246, /1285

3 RG 6/1247, /1285

4 RG 6/1246

N166. EDWARD ATKINSON

Edward Atkinson of the Side in Frostray, Sedbergh, Yorkshire, married [N167] Mellery Mason on 1 May 1659, near Sedbergh. Their children were: [N165] John (1660–1728), Thomas (1661/2–1692), James (1663/4 – ?), and Samuel (1669 – ?).¹

Of Side in 1686 and 1688/9, his body was buried at Brigflatts on 14 March 1688/9.²

1 TNA: RG 6/1246, /1285

2 RG 6/1246

N167. MELLERY ATKINSON born MASON

Mellery Mason married [N166] Edward Atkinson on 1 May 1659, near Sedbergh, Yorkshire. Their children were: [N165] John (1660–1728), Thomas (1661/2–1692), James (1663/4 – ?), and Samuel (1669 – ?).¹

As Mellera Atkinson, her burial on 25 December 1679 was recorded by Sedbergh Monthly Meeting.²

Mellery Mason was daughter to [N168] Thomas Mason.³

1 TNA: RG 6/1246, /1285

2 RG 6/1246

3 RG 6/1285

N168. THOMAS MASON

Thomas Mason was of Kirthelt (?) in Dent in 1659.¹

1 TNA: RG 6/1285

N169. SARAH ATKINSON born PINDER

Sarah Pinder was born on 25 September 1653, at Ravenstonedale, Westmorland.¹

Of the Warth, Ravenstonedale, she married [N165] John Atkinson on 6 May 1686, at Brigflatts Friends' meeting house.²

Of Frostraw, their children were: Edward (1689/90–1727/8), Joseph (1692–1738), and [N164] John (1694–1779).³

Her burial on 22 February 1713/4 was recorded by Sedbergh Monthly Meeting.⁴

Sarah Pinder was the younger daughter of [N170] John Pinder.⁵

1 TNA: RG 6/1246

2 RG 6/1246, /1285

3 RG 6/105, 1010, /1246, /1285

4 RG 6/1246, /1285

5 RG 6/125

N170. JOHN PINDER

On 8 June 1636, the date of an incomplete bond at the Cumbria Archive Centre, John Pinder was a yeoman, of Ravinstondaill.¹

He is known to have had two children: Mary (1651 – after 1687) and [N169] Sarah (1653–1713/4), both b. in Ravenstonedale, Westmorland; Mary's was the first birth recorded by Ravenstonedale meeting.²

He was apparently one of the first to be convinced at Ravenstonedale, following a visit there by George Fox, Edward Howgill, and others in the summer of 1652. Shortly afterwards James Nayler, on a visit there, held a large meeting at Pinder's house.³

1 Cumbria Archive Centre WD MG 5/1

2 TNA: RG 6/1246; Ravenstonedale Quaker births

3 History Archive: Quakers and Ravenstonedale. Hardly mentioned now

N171. MARY ATKINSON born COCKFIELD

Mary Cockfield was born at Norton on 8 December 1703.¹

She married [N164] John Atkinson at Norton, on 14 July 1723. Their children were: Ruth (cal 1722–1781), Elizabeth (cal 1724 – 1801), John (1724–1808), [N163] Mary (c. 1725 – 1802), Margery (1725/6–1806), Nicholas (1728–1786), Sarah (1730 – ?), Joseph (1732– 1790), Edward (1735–1774), and Thomas (1737–1782).²

She died in 1764, her body being buried at Brigflatts on 25 May that year.³

Mary Cockfield and her twin sister were the youngest children of [N172] Nicholas and [N175] Margery Cockfield.⁴

1 TNA: RG 6/1013

2 RG 6/229, /761, /1075, /1013, /1082; Edward H. Milligan (2007) Biographical Dictionary of British Quakers in Commerce and Industry, York; LaDonna Young gedcom 1732273, www.ancestry.co.uk

3 RG 6/1246, /1285

4 RG 6/1013, /1074

N172. NICHOLAS COCKFIELD

Nicholas Cockfield was baptised at Denton, Durham, on 24 May 1657.¹

He married [N175] Margery Ward at Norton, on 2 June 1681. Their children were: William (1683–?), Elizabeth (1684–1684), Zechariah (1685/6 – after 1716), Joshua (1687/8–1719), Caleb (1689–1717), Thomas (1691 – ?), Alice (1692/3–1770), Nicholas (1694–1696), George (1695/6–1735), Elizabeth (1697 – after 1727), Nicholas (1699 – after 1750), Heron (1700 – after 1734), George (1702–1735), Martha (1703 – ?), and [N171] Mary (1703–1764). All births were registered at Norton.²

From 1681 to at least 1719 he lived at Stockton, where he was a merchant.³

He was named in a number of Stockton surrenders, 1694–1719. Nicholas and Margery Cockfield of Stockton were named in a surrender of 3 January 1699.⁴

He made his will on 23 February 1741/2:⁵

In the name of God amen I Mi Nicholas Cockfield of Stockton upon Tease in the County of Durham Merchant do make publish and declare this my last Will and Testament as followeth (that is to Say) I give and bequeath unto my Grandaughter Elizabeth Robinson my Cedar Chest, Napkin Press and three Chairs, To my Grand Son Joseph Robinson my Silver Watch, And I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Alice Robinson All that my farm in Stockton aforesaid held by & under a Lease heretofore made thereof to me by William [Sockburn?] deceased and all the rest and residue of my Estate and Effects whatsoever She paying thereout my Just debts & funerall Expences And I make Constitute and appoint my said Daughter Alice Robinson Sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament in witness whereof I the said Nicholas Cockfield have hereunto Set my hand and Seal the Twenty third day of February in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Forthy One

[marked and sealed]

[Witnesses: Esther Watson, Benjamin Luckanby, Tho^s. Raisbeck]

His will was proved at Durham in 1747.⁶

Nicholas Cockfield was the son of [N173] Nicholas and [N174] Mabell Cockfield.⁷

1 TNA: RG 6/1362

2 RG 6/1013, /1474; digest of Durham Quaker births: index

3 RG 6/1474; A2A

4 Durham Bishopric Halmote Court records, DHC2/G5/130 and others

5 & 6 Durham Probate Records, DPRI/1/1747/C5

7 RG 6/1362

N173. NICHOLAS COCKFIELD

Nicholas Cockfield married [N174] Maybell Lambert at Staindrop, Durham, on 14 October 1647. Their only known children were [N172] Nicholas and George (1661 – before 1696), both bapt. Denton, Durham.¹

1 "England Marriages, 1538–1973," database, FamilySearch: 10 December 2014, Nicholas Cockfeild and Maybell Lambert, 14 Oct 1647, citing Staindrop, Durham, reference FHL microfilm 91,111; TNA: RG 6/1362, /1474

N174. MAYBELL COCKFIELD born LAMBERT

Maybell Lambert married [N173] Nicholas Cockfield at Staindrop, Durham, on 14 October 1647. Their only known children were [N172] Nicholas and George (1661 – before 1696), both bapt. Denton, Durham.¹

N175. MARGERY COCKFIELD born WARD

Margery Ward of Stockton married [N172] Nicholas Cockfield at Norton, on 2 June 1681.¹

Their children were: William (1683–?), Elizabeth (1684–1684), Zechariah (1685/6 – after 1716), Joshua (1687/8–1719), Caleb (1689–1717), Thomas (1691 – ?), Alice (1692/3–1770), Nicholas (1694–1696), George (1695/6–1735), Elizabeth (1697 – after 1727), Nicholas (1699 – after 1750), Heron (1700 – after 1734), George (1702–1735), Martha (1703 – ?), and [N171] Mary (1703–1764). All births were registered at Norton, her residence till at least 1719 being at Stockton.²

Nicholas and Margery Cockfield of Stockton were named in a surrender of 3 January 1699.³

Margery Ward was the only known child of [N176] Thomas Ward.⁴

1 TNA: RG 6/1013, /1362, /1474; digest of Durham Quaker births: index

2 RG 6/1474

3 Durham Bishopric Halmote Court records, DHC2/G5/130

4 The Topographer & Genealogist

N176. THOMAS WARD

Thomas Ward devised a burgage before 1744 in moieties between his daughter Margery Cockfield, and William Ward his brother.¹

1 The Topographer & Genealogist

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