On This Day ... 31 May

1751     Gabriel Wren married Isabel Burnop at St Stephen's Church, Wolsingham, Co Durham, England. They were my 5 x great-grandparents.

1805     Morgan Morgan married Catherine Rees at the chapel of Eglwys Newydd, Llanfihangel-y-creuddyn, Cardiganshire, Wales. They were my 4 x great-grandparents.

1819     Thomas Pattison married Gabriel & Isabel Wren's granddaughter Ann Moor at Holy Trinity Church, Washington, Co Durham. This couple are my 3 x great-grandparents.

Amanuensis Monday - the will of John Owens 1817

John Newmark, who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog, has a weekly theme each Monday called Amanuensis Monday to encourage the posting of transcriptions of documents to preserve and publish their contents.


John Owens was the grandfather of David Powell, whose will I published a few weeks ago.



In the Name of God Amen. I John Owens of Dolelven in the Parish of Saint Harmon in the County of Radnor being sick and weak of Body but of perfect mind and Memory Thanks be given to God, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in Manner and Form following.


First I give and bequeath unto my son John Owens the sum of Twenty Five Pounds to be paid to him by my Executors hereinafter named within the Compass of One whole year after my Decease;


Also I give and bequeath unto my Son David Owens the sum of Five Pounds to be paid to him by my Executors within the Compass of One whole year after my decease.


Also I give and bequeath unto my son Abraham Owens the sum of five pounds to be paid to him by my Executors within the Compass of One whole year after my Decease.


Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elinor Rees the sum of five pounds to be paid to her by my Executors within the Compass of One whole year after my Decease.


Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Lewis the sum of five pounds to be paid to her by my Executors within the Compass of One whole year after my Decease.


Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Ann Owens the sum of Two hundred and seventy five pounds to be paid to her by my Executors within the Compass of three months after my Decease.


Also I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Ann Owens one fourth part of my household furniture or twenty pounds in lieu of them if she chooses and aslo her Sadle, bridle and whip.


Also I give and bequeath unto my beloved Wife Gwen Owens and my youngest son Richard Owens all the rest and residue of my Stock of Sheep, cattle and Chattles household goods implements of husbandry bills bonds and demands whatsoever to be divided between them share and share alike if either of them will require it at any time.


Also my Will is that if my Wife Gwen Owens will happen to marry Not then half of her share go between all my children to be equally divided between them share and share alike.


Also my will is that my wife Gwen Owens shall have the power in herself to hold all the Farms that I now hold for the time of the present lease if she will require it.


I do hereby constitute and appoint Gwen Owens my Wife and Richard Owens my youngest son to be joint executors fo this my last Will and Testament and do hereby utterly disallow and disannul all other former wills and testaments in Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty seventh day of March One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eleven.


Signed Sealed Published and declared by the Testator John Owens as his Last will and Testament in the presence of us the subscribers.


Richard Evans Rhayader and Evan Powell Park.


Probate 16 Sep 1817


Effects sworn under £800.

On This Day ... 30 May

1667     Richard Shepherd married Ann Sewell at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. They are my 8 x great-grandparents.

1813     William Henry Todner was born in North Biddick, Washington, Co Durham, England. He was the son of Ralph Todner and Mary Dand.

1962     David James Pugh died in hospital at Llandrindod Wells, Radnorshire, Wales. He was 80 years old, and was my great-grandfather.

On This Day ... 29 May

1748     George Flint married Isabel Todner in St Michael's Church, Felton, Northumberland, England.

1826     John Moor married Hannah Hume at St Hilda's Church, South Shields, Co Durham, England.

1834     Lancelot Hudson Halliday Davison was born in Sunderland, Co Durham, England. He was the son of Richard Davison and Mary Halliday.

On This Day ... 28 May

1797     Ann Yarrow was born in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of John Yarrow and Jane Horsley.

1849     Robert Kerss married Elizabeth Smith nee Giles at St Michael's Church, Bishopwearmouth, Co Durham.  Robert was my great-great-great grandfather.

1905     William Henry Darby died in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He was the son of William Henry Darby and Jessie Hephzibah Pugh and was only 28 days old.

Thomas Hughes 1812 - 1893 and Ann Morgan 1815 - 1904

Thomas Hughes was born in Llanfihangel parish, Cardiganshire, Wales in about 1812. He was the son of farmer William Hughes and his wife Anne Morgan.

Thomas married Ann Morgan at Eglwys Newydd chapel, Llanfihangel on 28 December 1838. At the time, Thomas was living at Abergwngu farm in Llanfihangel and was working as a carpenter.

His bride was the daughter of Morgan Morgan and Catherine Rees, born in Llanfihangel in 1814/15, and baptised at Eglwys Newydd on 28 January 1815. When she married, Ann was still living at Tynybryn farm, where she was born.

Shortly after their marriage the couple moved to Hill Gate, a house on the mountain road into Rhayader, a couple of miles from Abergwngu but in the county of Radnorshire and parish of Llansantfraid Cwmdauddwr. Their first four children were born at this house, while Thomas continued to work as a carpenter.

In the mid-1840s the couple moved again, to the parish of St Harmon where they began to farm at Upper Dolelfe. This farm is beside the main road between Rhayader and Llangurig, and they took advantage of its position to supplement their income by running an inn known as the Severn Arms.

The rest of the couple's children were all born at Upper Dolelfe. In total they had 12 children:

Ann 1839-??
Elizabeth 1841-??
Mary 1843-1856?
Catherine 1844-1933
Thomas 1846-1859
William 1848-1879
John 1850-1918
Harriet 1851-1930
Morgan 1853-1920
Hanna 1855-1856
Evan 1856-1927
Richard 1860-1950

The couple farmed at Upper Dolelfe until Thomas' death in 1893. At that point, under the terms of Thomas' will, their son John took over the farm in partnership with his mother until her death in 1904.

On This Day ... 27 May

1827     Jonathan Arkle married Ann Wren at St Mary's Church, Horton, Northumberland, England.

1862     Emma Lucy Read was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. She was the daughter of Silvester Read and Ann Terry.

1940     Captain Gerard Brian Chipchase Roberts of the Durham Light Infantry was killed in action, defending the retreat to Dunkirk, France. He was the 28 year old son of Gerard Chipchase Roberts (who was also killed in action in World War One), and Winifred Milbanke Hudson.

On This Day ... 26 May

1805     William Coulson was born in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. His parents were Robert Coulson and Barbara Smelt.

1879     William Edward Judson Edwards was born in Ontario Co, Ontario, Canada. He was the son of William Edwards and Jane Pugh.

Wordless Wednesday - Peggy

Probably taken in Hong Kong, soon after Peggy Hudson arrived in Hong Kong in late 1930.

On This Day ... 25 May

1720     William Todner married Jane Paxton at St Helen's Church, Longhorsley, Northumberland, England. They are my 5 x great-grandparents.

1815     Mary Eleanor Haddock was born in Sunderland, Co Durham, England. She was the daughter of William Haddock and Mary Hudson.

On This Day ... 24 May

1869     Martha Anne Pattison was born at Colliery Houses, Longframlington, Northumberland, England. She was the daughter of William Pattison and his wife Ann Brown, and was my great-grandmother.

1902     Margaret Lamb nee Gerrard died at home in Byker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, England. She was 57 years old, and was my great-great-grandmother.

1917     Serjeant Leslie Liddle of the North Staffordshire Regiment died at Arras, France, during World War One. He was 23 years old and died less than a month after his older brother Sidney.

Amanuensis Monday - the will of Hugh Pugh 1819

John Newmark, who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog, has a weekly theme each Monday called Amanuensis Monday to encourage the posting of transcriptions of documents to preserve and publish their contents.

Hugh Pugh was the grandfather of James Pugh.

This is the Last Will and Testament of me Hugh Pugh, Cwmderw in the parish of Llananno in the County of Radnor.

First I give and bequeath unto my son Hugh Pugh the sum of one pound and one shilling.

Also I give and bequeath unto my son Josiah Pugh the sum of one pound and one shilling.

Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Thomas the wife of John Thomas the sum of one pound and one shilling.

Also I give and bequeath unto my son Price Pugh the sum of twenty pounds.

Also I give and bequeath unto my son Stephen Pugh the sum of one pound and one shilling.

Also I give and bequeath unto my son David Pugh the sum of one pound and one shilling.

All the Legacys that I above menchoned to be paid by the Executors within Twelve month after my Decease and Lastly as to all Rest and Residue and Remainder of my personal Estate goods and Chattles of what kind or Nature & savours I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Elizabeth Pugh and my son Edward Pugh.

I hereby appoint joyntly executors of this if Elizabeth Pugh my wife does marrie agen she is not to have anney more than one Hundred pounds and Bed of this my Last Will and Testament hereby revocking all former wills by me.

In witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 12 day of November in the year of our Lord 1814.

Signed sealed published and delivered by the above named Hugh Pugh to be his last will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of the Testator…

James Evans
Stephen Pugh

Signed by the Mark of Hugh Pugh  X

Probate granted 6 Jan 1819.

Effects under £200.

On This Day ... 23 May

1819     George Liddle married Sophia Gates at St James' Church, Westminster, London, Middlesex, England.

1887     John Jeffrey married Margaret Weir at Prince Albert, Ontario, Canada.

On This Day ... 22 May

1868     John Lewis married Catherine Hughes at St Garmon's Church, St Harmon, Radnorshire, Wales.

1879     Christopher Thomas Pugh was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He was the son of Christopher Thomas Pugh and Mary Ann Bateman.

1887     Eliza Pugh, nee Lewis, died in Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada. She was 72 years old.

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - it's Wordle Time!

Randy Seaver has set a new challenge this week  -

Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to:

1)  Go to the Wordle site - www.wordle.net and create your own unique Wordle  - it's a word cloud.  You can use either a clump of text, enter your own words (say, surnames, or given names), use a blog page address, or something else.  Your choice!  Be creative with the fonts, colors, backgrounds, and layout.  

2)  Save it as an image (I used Print Screen, pasted it to a Word document, used the Windows snipping tool to edit it, and saved it to a file).  Tell us how you did it.

3)  Show us your handiwork!  Add the image to a blog post of your own or on a web page of your own.  Tell me in a comment here where it is.


Well, here's mine. I used the Wordle facility to enter the URL of my blog and it produced the following image, after I'd played around with fonts and colour schemes.

I saved the image by taking a screen shot and pasting it into Paint. I then cut out the image, and pasted it into a new file which I saved as a jpeg.


It looks like the Wordle search picks up on the latest posts - I don't think I've written about very many Davids but the last posting was about David and Mary Pugh and those words are prominent in the Wordle.

On This Day ... 21 May

1843     Thomas Allen was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.  He was the son of Thomas Allen and Ann Terry.

1844     Ralph Milbank Hudson married Elizabeth Robson at St Michael & All Angels Church, Bishopwearmouth, Co Durham, England.

1897     Josiah Pugh died in Pickering, Ontario, Canada. He was born in Radnorshire, Wales 71 years before.

David Pugh 1806-1877 and Mary Williams 1821-1901

David Pugh and Mary Williams married on 5 December 1856 at the Adullam Chapel, Llanbedr Painscastle, Radnorshire, Wales. David was 50 when he married, and Mary 30.

David was born in 1806 in Llandilo Graban, Radnorshire, where his family had lived for several generations. He was the middle child in a family of 15 siblings.  The family were farmers, and David followed  his father's occupation. In 1841 he was farming at Penwern farm in Llandilo, with his widowed father and a couple of brothers living with him - David is listed first on the census, implying that he is the farmer, and the others are working for him.

Mary Williams was born in 1821 in Llanbedr Painscastle, the parish adjacent to Llandilo Graban. She was the illegitimate daughter of Elizabeth Williams. A year or so after Mary's birth, Elizabeth married Thomas Jones, and Mary took his surname. In 1841 Mary was living with her step-father, mother and younger siblings at Lower Pengarth farm in Llanbedr. Lower Pengarth is only half a mile from Penwern, so it's likely that the couple knew each other by this time.

In 1851, 43 year old David Pugh was farming at Pengarth in Llanbedr (the census doesn't say if this is Upper or Lower Pengarth). Visiting Pengarth is a 4 year old Alfred Jones born in Llandeilo. Meanwhile, Mary was visiting a nearby farm, Cwmyrhenllyn, with her sister.

The couple married in 1856 and continued farming. They had two children together, Henry born in 1858 and Mary Ann born in 1860. By Mary Ann's birth they were living in Aberedw, close to Llandilo Graban. On the 1861 census, the family were living at Pengarreg farm, Aberedw, Radnorshire, and consisted of David and Mary together with three children:

Alfred Pugh, son, aged 19
James Pugh, son, aged 9
Mary Ann Pugh, daughter, aged 1

I think that Alfred is the same Alfred who was living with David in 1851. I haven't been able to find Henry anywhere in 1861.

At some point in the 1860s, the family moved north to Llanbadarnfynydd, Radnorshire, where David began to farm Tynddol farm. On the 1871 census, David and Mary were there with James, Henry and Mary Ann.

David died on 25 July 1877 at Tynddol farm. His body was taken to Llandilo Graban to be buried with his parents. In his will he left the farm business to his two sons James David Pugh and Henry Pugh, with the wish that they would farm it together. Alfred was left 19 guineas. This suggests that Alfred was Mary's child but not David's, while James was David's son and possibly also Mary's.

Mary lived at Tynddol until her death on 23 September 1901. Tynddol was farmed by their son Henry until his death in 1908, when it passed on to his children.

There's still a lot I don't know about this family, particularly about the sons.

On This Day ... 20 May

1775     Anthony Dodds married Rebecca Wren at St Stephen's Church, Wolsingham, Co Durham, England.

1819     Thomas Lane Lilley was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He was the son of Richard and Elizabeth Lilley

1832     Esther Hull was born in Sunderland, Co Durham. She was the daughter of Robert Hull and Jane Hudson.

On This Day ... 19 May

1796     Thomas Hudson was born in Sunderland, Co Durham, England. He was the son of Richard Hudson and Patience Todner and died just before his third birthday.

1846    John Tate married Eleanor Mossom, at St Cuthbert's Church, Darlington, Co Durham. Eleanor was the daughter of John Heighington and Eleanor Mossom nee Wilson.

1867     Isabella Lamb was born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, England. She was the daughter of John Lamb and Margaret Gerrard.

Wordless Wednesday - Norman and Phyllis Darby

Norman Darby and Phyllis Pugh, taken either before or shortly after their marriage in 1938.

On This Day ... 18 May

1715     John Burnop married Isabel Hall at St Stephen's Church, Wolsingham, Co Durham, England. They were my 6 x great-grandparents.

1758     George Moor married Barbara Armstrong at Lanercost Priory, Cumberland, England. They were my 5 x great grandparents.

1791     Ralph Johnson married Hannah Wren at St Stephen's Church, Wolsingham.

On This Day ... 17 May

1723     William Dunn married Mary Gallen at St Michael's Church, Felton, Northumberland, England. Both lived in Brinkburn at the time. They are my 5 x great-grandparents.

1772     Robert Marr married Hannah Wren at St Mungo's Church, Simonburn, Northumberland.

1908     Henry Pugh died at Tynddol Farm, Llanbadarn Fynydd, Radnorshire, Wales. He was 50 years old.

Amanuensis Monday - The will of Thomas Bowen 1853

John Newmark, who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog, has a weekly theme each Monday called Amanuensis Monday to encourage the posting of transcriptions of documents to preserve and publish their contents.



Thomas Bowen was the grand-father of Mary Ann Jones.


This is the last Will and Testament of me Thomas Bowen of the Dygwm in the Parish of Moughtrey in the county of Montgomery, farmer, by me duly made published and declared, this twelfth day of October One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty Two.


I give and bequeath to my son John Bowen the sum of Ten Pounds


I give unto my daughter Mary Jones the sum of Two Pounds and ten shillings


I give unto my daughter Martha Jones the sum of Five pounds.


I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Morris the sum of five pounds


The above legacies to be paid by my Executor at the expiration of twelve months after my decease.


All the residue and remainder of my property whatsoever or wheresoever after the payments of my just debts funeral expenses, testamentary expenses, and the legacies above named by my bequeathed.  I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Bowen and hereby nominate constitute and appoint my son Thomas Bowen sole Executor to this my last Will and Testament and Witness my hand the day and year above written.


Signed published and declared by the Testator as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in the presence of each other and at his request have subscribed our names as Witnesses


Richard Bywater, Eskergeiling Hall
Richard Bage, Ddole


Probate granted 14 Nov 1853.

On This Day ... 16 May

1804     James Wilkinson was born in Jarrow, Co Durham, England. He was the son of William Wilkinson and Jane Todner.

1854     Samuel Barkwell died in Sunderland, Co Durham, England. He was 28 years old.

1914     Christopher Thomas Pugh died at Oak Forest Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, USA. He was 71 years old.

On This Day ... 15 May

1815     Thomas Todner was born in Washington, Co Durham, England. He was the son of Ralph Todner and Mary Dand.

1828     William Thomas Hudson was born in Sunderland, Co Durham. He was the son of William Hudson and Mary Newton.

1853     Thomas Wren married Elizabeth Emerson at St Stephen's Church, Wolsingham, Co Durham.

On This Day ... 14 May

1792     Edward Lister married Rebecca Wren at St Stephen's Church, Wolsingham, Co Durham, England.

1852     David Powell married Jane Thomas at St Clement's Church, Rhayader, Radnorshire, Wales. They were my great-great-great grandparents.

1933     Catherine Lewis nee Hughes died in Radnorshire. She was the widow of John Lewis and was buried at Sychnant Presbyterian Chapel, St Harmon, Radnorshire.

On This Day ... 12 May

1777     Robert Wren married Isabel Lynn at St Stephen's Church, Wolsingham, Co Durham, England.

1900     Price Pugh died in Uxbridge Township, Ontario, Canada. He was born in Radnorshire, Wales and emigrated to Canada in his early twenties with his parents.

1903     John Henry Gregory was born in Darleydale, Derbyshire, England. He was the son of John Gregory and Martha Hannah Fearn.

James Pugh 1823-1901 and Mary Ann Jones 1834-1917

James Pugh was born in 1823 probably at St Harmon, Radnorshire, Wales, although I haven't found a birth record and he gave several different birthplaces on the census over the years. He was the thirteenth child of Josiah Kinsey Pugh and Sarah Price. He lived with his parents until their death in 1852, mostly at Cnych farm in Pantydwr, near St Harmon.

On 25 August 1854 James married Mary Ann Jones at All Saints Church, Mochdre, Montgomeryshire. Mary Ann was the second child of John Jones and Martha Bowen, and was born at Hendre Farm, Mochdre on 28 June 1834.

The couple worked as farmers, at a succession of rented farms, before setting at Tyllwyd Farm in Llanbadarnfynydd, Radnorshire. They had nine children together:

James 1855-??
John 1857-??
Pryce 1859-1926
Jonathan Josiah 1862-1877
Stephen 1864-1887
Mary Ann 1866-??
Sarah Jane 1869-??
Martha Agnes 1871-1951
William Carey 1873-1948

They moved to at Tyllwyd between 1873 and 1877 and remained there until James retired from farming in early 1901. He died soon afterwards, at the couple's new home in Stowe, Shropshire, England at the age of 78. Mary Ann lived on at the cottage until her death in 1917.

On This Day ... 13 May

1706     Thomas Bowater married Catherine Edwards in Dudley, Worcestershire, England.

1783     Robert Rowntry married Mary Hunter at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England

1865     John Hood married Mary Ann Curren at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool.

Wordless Wednesday - Peter's lovely raincoat

Photo taken on the balcony of the family apartment in Stanley, Hong Kong about 1939. This is my dad aged around 4 clearly relishing the rain.

On This Day ... 11 May

1825     William Dixon was born in Sunderland, Co Durham, England. He was the son of shipowner William Dixon and Jane Hudson.

1829     Gwenny Pugh, the daughter of Henry Pugh and Gwenllian Griffiths, died aged 18 in Llandilo Graban, Radnorshire, Wales.

On This Day ... 10 May

1784     Widower Gabriel Wren married Margaret Brown at St Michael and All Angels Church, Warden, Northumberland, England.

1896     Robert Pattison married Ruth Mossom at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England.

1910     Mary Myfanwy Gwenllian Pugh was born at Central Stores, Rhayader, Radnorshire, Wales. She was the first child of David James Pugh and Delilah Jane Hughes.

Amanuensis Monday - the estate papers of Maria Welthin Easton 1895

John Newmark, who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog, has a weekly theme each Monday called Amanuensis Monday to encourage the posting of transcriptions of documents to preserve and publish their contents.

Maria Welthin Hudson of Sunderland, Co Durham, England married Dr David Easton of Stranraer, Wigtownshire, Scotland and moved to Stranraer following the marriage. She died on 6th June 1895 and didn't leave a will. The following is a transcription of the inventory filed with probate authorities in Wigtown. The original document was downloaded from the Scotland's People website.

Mrs Maria Welthen Hudson or Easton
3 per cent duty of £91-13-7. Intestate. 9th November 1895

At Wigtown the ninth day of November, eighteen hundred and ninety five years the Inventory after engrossed of the Personal Estate of the deceased Mrs Maria Welthen Hudson or Easton was presented by Messrs Alexander Aitken Law Agent Church Street Stranraer for registration viz:-

Inventory of the Personal or Moveable Estate and Effects wheresoever situated of the late Mrs Maria Welthen Hudson or Easton, widow, residing at Windsor Terrace, Stranraer, who died at Sunderland, County of Durham, England on the sixth day of June 1895.

I Scotland
1. One sixth share of value of furniture at Windsor Terrace, Stranraer per valuation: 20-17-8
2. Proportion of rent due at deceased's death by Mr David Easton, Hanover Street, Stranraer for the period from 26th May 1895 to date of death falling under Executory 1-8-0
the deceased's sixth share thereof: 0-4-8

II England
3. Bond No 709D in favour of deceased by River Wear Commissioners dated 30th May 1888 £1000
interest to date of deceased's death £15-4-0 less tax 10/- £14-14-00
Total £1014-14-00

4. Bond No 976D in favour of deceased by River Wear Commissioners dated 28th September 1892 £700
interest to date of deceased's death £3-16-0 less tax 7/9 £11-5-0
Total £711-5-0

5. Bond No 1071D in favour of deceased by River Wear Commissioners dated 28th July 1894 £250
interest to date of deceased's death £3-16-0 less tax 2/5 £3-13-7
Total £253-13-7

6. Bond No 1099D in favour of deceased by River Wear Commissioners dated 30th May 1894 £200
interest to date of deceased's death £3-0-10 less tax 2/- £2-18-10
Total £202-18-10

7. £126 of North Eastern Railway Consols at £164 at date of death £206-12-10
Dividend due at date of death £2-16-8 tax 1/11 £2-14-19
Total £209-7-7

8 £120 Ordinary Capital Stock of the Sunderland and South Shields Water Company at £242 at date of death £290-8-0
Dividend due at date of death £6-19-10
Total £297-7-10

9 Thirteen £5 shares all paid in said Water Co at £242 at date of death £157-6-2

10 Four shares at £10 (£9 paid) in the Harrogate Hydropathic Company Limited at £17 at date of death £68-0-0
Dividend due at date of death £1-8-10
Total £69-8-10

11 Three Ordinary Shares at £10 (all paid) of the Eastern Telegraphic Company Limited at £16-6-3 at date of death £48-18-9
Dividend due at date of death £0-16-6
Total £49-15-3

12 Two Preference shares at £10 (all paid) of the said Telegraphic Company at £17-10-00 at date of death £35
Dividend due at date of death £0-5-9
Total £35-5-9

13 Fifteen Ordinary Shares at £5 (all paid) of John Crossley & Sons Limited at £9 at date of death £135-0-0
Dividend to date of death £1-17-6 tax 1/3 £1-16-3
Total £136-16-3

14 Fifteen preference shares at £5 (all paid) of said John Crossley and Sons Limited at £6-10/- each at date of death £97-10-0
Dividend to date of death £1-17-6 Tax 1/3 £1-16-3
total £99-6-3

15 The deceased's fifth share of the unrealised and undivided portion of the estate of the late Mr George W Hudson, Sunderland, estimated at £533.12

Total amount of personal estate in England and Scotland £3791-19-8

Signed: M.A. Easton, Alex Aitken JP

At Stranraer the fourth day of November Eighteen hundred and ninety five, in presence of Alexander Aitken Esquire one of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the County of Wigtown Appeared Mary Alice Easton residing at Windsor Terrace, Stranraer child of the deceased Mrs Maria Welthen Hudson or Easton after designed who being solemnly sworn and examined Deposes that the said Mrs Maria Welthen Hudson or Easton widow residing at Windsor Terrace Stranraer died at Sunderland County of Durham England upon the sixth day of June Eighteen hundred and ninety five domiciled in the County of Wigtown Scotland:

that the deponent is one of the Executors dative qua next of kin of the said deceased Mrs Maria Welthen Hudson or Easton decerned along with the deceased's children David Easton Druggists Assistant residing at eighty eight North Hanover Street Glasgow, Maria Louisa Easton, James Easton, clerk, and Thomas Henry Easton, clerk, all residing at Windsor Terrace Stranraer inform to Decree Dative by the Sheriff of Dumfries and Galloway dated at Wigtown the first day of October Eighteen hundred and ninety five:

that the Deponent has entered or is about to enter upon the possession and management of the deceased's estate as executor foresaid along with the said David EastonEaston, James Easton, and Thomas Henry Easton: that the deponent does not know of any testamentary settlement or writing relative to the disposal of the deceased's personal or moveable estate or effects or any part thereof.

that the foregoing inventory signed by the deponent and the said Justice of the Peace is a full and complete inventory of the personal or moveable estate and effects of the said deceased wheresoever situated and belonging or due to her beneficially at the time of her death in so far as the same has come to the deponent's knowledge;

that the amount of Estate Duty payable upon this inventory as particularly shown in the statement for estate duty and accounts annexed hereto is ninety one pounds thirteen shillings and seven pence sterling:

that confirmation of the personal or moveable estate in the United Kingdom is required in favour of the deponent and the said David Easton, Maria Louisa Easton, James Easton and Thomas Henry Easton:

All which is truth as the deponent shall answer to God.

Signed M A Easton; Alex Aitken JP.
Collated by W Routledge Comy Clerk Dep.

On This Day ... 9 May

1885     Josiah Pugh died in Abbeycwmhir, Radnorshire, Wales. He was 76 years old and was buried at Cefnpawl Baptist Chapel.

1915     Captain Robert Woodward of the South Wales Borderers was killed in action at Richebourg L'Avoue, Flanders. He was 38.

1990     My grandfather Norman James Darby died in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England. He was 78.

On This Day ... 8 May

1834     Thomas Read was born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He was the son of Silvester Read and Isabella Child. He died shortly before his ninth birthday.

1844     Catherine Read was born in Birmingham, on what would have been her brother's tenth birthday.

1876     Jane Powell nee Thomas died at Hendrew, Saint Harmon, Radnorshire, Wales. She was 51 years old.

1950     My great-grandmother (and Jane Thomas's grand-daughter) Delilah Jane Pugh, nee Hughes, died at Brookfield, Hay-on-Wye, Breconshire, Wales. She was 66 years old.

On This Day ... 7 May

1799     Thomas Hudson died in Sunderland, Co Durham, England. He was the son of Richard Hudson and Patience Todner and died a few days before his third birthday.

1836     Isabella Read was born in Deritend, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. She was the daughter of Silvester Read and Isabella Child.

1841     Hugh Pugh married his cousin Elizabeth Pugh at St Mary's Church, Abbeycwmhir, Radnorshire, Wales.

Harriet Bateman 1819-1886

Harriet Bateman was born around 1819 in the village of Darley Dale, Derbyshire, England. She was the illegitimate daughter of Sarah Bateman.

In her 20s, Harriet worked as a servant at Butts, Darley Dale, and while here she gave birth to two children. Both were baptised at St Helen's Church, Darley Dale, and no father is listed for either of them:

Mary Ann Bateman 1843-1928
John Bateman 1845-1917

On 1 May 1848, Harriet married John Solomon Gregory at St Helen's Church, Darley Dale. The couple lived the rest of their lives in Darley and had four children together:

Henry Gregory 1850-1902
Efsheby Gregory 1853-1939
Sarah Gregory 1857-??
Alfred Gregory 1859-1886

Census records show that John worked as a labourer until his old age.

Harriet died in the spring of 1886.

Further research needed: I need to order Harriet's death certificate, and also look for a baptism record. As an illegitimate child, it's likely that there was some investigation into the circumstances of her birth under Poor Law rules - I need to look to see if these records have survived.

On This Day ... 6 May

1792     Elizabeth Hood was born in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. Her parents were William Hood and Alice Shepherd.

1801     John Wren Jackson married Margaret Emerson at St Stephen's Church, Wolsingham, Co Durham.

1892     Edwin James White married Matilda Friday at Port Perry, Scucog Township, Ontario, Canada.

On This Day ... 5 May

1786     Joseph Hood was born in Hartlepool, Co Durham, England. He was the son of Thomas Hood and Mary Harrison, and only lived three years.

1838     Sylvester Read was born at Moors Road, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He was the son of Silvester Read and Isabella Child.

1866     Margaret Horsley gave birth to twins, Mary Elizabeth and Thomas Horsley at Wells Yard in Hartlepool.

1880     Elizabeth Straughan was born in Longframlington, Northumberland, England. She was the daughter of William Straughan and Hannah Pattison.

Wordless Wednesday - Family Portrait 1916

William Henry Darby, Canadian Expeditionary Force, with wife and family in England shortly before he was sent to France.

On This Day ... 4 May

1766     Ralph Watt married Mary Hastings at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England.

1789     John Wren married Ann Brown at St Michael and All Angels Church, Warden, Northumberland, England.

1799     Elizabeth Johnson was born at Penshaw, Co Durham. She was the daughter of John Johnson and Isabel Todner.

On This Day ... 3 May

1726     Thomas Wren married Ann Curry at Durham Cathedral, Durham, Co Durham, England.

1844     John Bowen married Jane Lewis at All Saints Church, Mochdre, Montgomeryshire, Wales.

1917     George Wilson Gray was killed in action in northern France. He was a private in the Machine Gun Corps, 93rd company and was 24 years old.

Amanuensis Monday - The will of Henry Pugh 1814

John Newmark, who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog, has a weekly theme each Monday called Amanuensis Monday to encourage the posting of transcriptions of documents to preserve and publish their contents.

Henry Pugh was the grandfather of David Pugh and great grandfather of Mary Ann Pugh.

Llandilo Graban, 28th May 1814
The Will of Henry Pugh
Proved by Thomas Pugh the Executor
Invy £48.9.0

I, Henry Pugh Senior of Wyeside in the Parish of Llandilo Graban in the County of Radnor & Diocese of St David’s do make constitute & ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner & form following, that is to say, I give devise & bequeath to my dear & loving Wife Ann Pugh the sum of five Pounds yearly & every year during the natural state of her life, in addition to the sum of Ten Pounds a year made to her by her son John's marriage settlement, the said sum of five pounds a year to be paid her quarterly by my Executor whom I shall hereafter name, I also give her my said wife all the furniture in the house where I now reside to be at her disposal & a sow & all the grain in the house & all the provisions in my house.  I give devise & bequeath to my son Henry Pugh the sum of Thirty Pounds to be paid him at the expiration of Six months after the decease of his mother.  I also give devise & bequeath to my to my said son Henry Pugh the sum of One Hundred Pounds but in trust only for my daughter Ann Pugh, to be paid to her by my said son Henry Pugh at her desire to assist her in bringing up her children.  The said sum of One Hundred Pounds to be paid into the hands of my son Henry Pugh in Trust & for the only use of my daughter Ann Pugh at the Expiration of six months after my decease.  I also give devise & bequeath to my daughter Mary Williams the sum of five pounds to be paid to her at the end of six months after the decease of her mother.  I also give devise & bequeath to my son Thomas Pugh all the furniture belonging to me in the Church House & all my living stock of every description not herefore bequeathed, him & his forever & I hereby nominate & appoint my said son Thomas Pugh to be whole and sole Executor of this my last Will & Testament revoking, disannulling & making void all former will or wills heretofore made by me do constitute and ordain this to be my last Will & Testament.  In Witness hereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal Ninth day of April one Thousand Eight Hundred & Fourteen.

Signed, sealed, published & retained by the undermentioned Henry Pugh for and as his last will and Testament in presence of Thomas Davies, Williams Clk.


A true and perfect inventory of all the Goods, Chattels and Effects of Henry Pugh late of the parish of Llandilo Graban deceased.
                                                                          £ s d
Wearing Apparel                                               3-0-0
Crop upon the land, a small field of wheat       6-0-0  
One cow and calf                                             7-0-0
One pony                                                         1-0-0
A small pig                                                       0-8-0  
A few sheep                                                   11-8-0
Household furniture                                     19-13-0
                                                                      48-9-0

Apprised by us whose names are here unto subscribed the 21st day of April 1814.

Thomas Pugh
John Davies

On This Day ... 2 May

1675     George Sewell married Kathrin Robinson at St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool, Co Durham, England.

1765     James Mitchell married Jane Dunn at St Mary the Virgin Church, Longframlington, Northumberland, England.

1787     Mary Horsley was born in Hartlepool. she was the daughter of Jonathan Horsley and Margaret Shepherd.

On This Day ... 1 May

1822     Edward Darby was born at Meriden St, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England. He was the son of Edward Darby and Ann Hobday.

1848     John Solomon Gregory married Harriet Bateman at St Helen's Church, Darleydale, Derbyshire, England. Harriet was my 4 x g grandmother.

1905     William Henry Darby was born at 87 Northwood St, Birmingham. He was the son of William Henry Darby and Jessie Pugh.

1917     Lance Corporal Sidney Herbert Liddle was killed in action in northern France, serving in the Royal Fusiliers. He was 25 years old.