from The New Yorkshire Gazetteer by Stephen Reynolds Clarke, 1828
We specialise in the history of Hutton Rudby and the surrounding area, including the market towns of Stokesley and Yarm. Those of you who have never visited this beautiful part of North Yorkshire will find in "Local Links" details of the website of a prominent local photographer, fully searchable by place-name.
We hope you find this website useful and interesting - if you do, please consider making a donation to the work of the Teesside Hospice as a mark of your appreciation. Details can be found on their website, under "Local Links".
Remarkable, but still True:
the story of the Revd R J Barlow and Hutton Rudby in the time of the cholera
by Alice Barrigan
published by Westgate Publishing 2007
Paperback, 290 pages, ISBN 9781905544066
‘Remarkable, but still True’ is the fascinating story of Robert Joseph Barlow, an Irish clergyman who was vicar of Hutton Rudby from 1831 until his death in 1878.
Mr Barlow is remembered above all for his tireless care and support of his parishioners in the cholera of 1832. For the first time, the true and remarkable story of his life is revealed—and also for the first time the full story of the cholera epidemic is told, overturning several cherished legends that have grown up over the years.
This book, being of especial interest to family historians, is now available to read under the Books section of this website
Articles
includes:
an account of the competition held to choose a design for the War Memorial near Ypres to the 50th (Northumbrian) Division
the history of George Young Blair of Stockton and the building of Drumrauch Hall, Hutton Rudby
the fascinating story of the Mormon emigration from the hamlet of Faceby in 1855
the 1823 Baines' Directory entries for Hutton Rudby, Sexhow, Skutterskelfe, Middleton-on-Leven, East Rounton and Stokesley
information relating to errors in the 19th century parish registers of All Saints', Hutton Rudby
a list compiled by the Revd R J Barlow of Hutton Rudby of the tithe arrears of Myshall, County Carlow, Ireland. He calculated that these remained due to his late brother-in-law, the Revd Hector Francis Vaughan, who died in 1834.
an account of the Stokesley Paper War of 1822-4, a battle of pamphlets between the Methodist businessman Thomas Mease and the bookseller Robert Armstrong, a freethinker who was an agent for the radical publisher Richard Carlile. Armstrong spoke up for the republicans of Stokesley and had links with the republicans of Stockton on Tees.
an account of the decision to change Guisborough Market Days in the early 19th century
the family tree of the Whitby artist George Weatherill, as recorded by his son Richard
details of a Deed dated 1784 made between Mrs Lydia Metcalfe, formerly Lydia Loughead, and Thomas Waldy, both of Yarm
for those searching for Catholic ancestors in the area, a transcription of the Baptismal Register of St Mary's Catholic Church in Crathorne for the years 177 to 1839, together with explanatory notes
in the Great Ouseburn category - an account of Branwell Brontë's "honest and kindly friend", Dr John Crosby. It contains a description of mid-19th century life in Great Ouseburn with new information (published here for the first time) on Dr Crosby, whose rôle in the aftermath of Branwell Brontë's dismissal has been much debated.
Thomas Atkinson's account of a whaling voyage to Greenland in 1774 in the 'Hope' of Whitby
biographical note on Thomas Atkinson, surgeon. He was born in Kirkleatham, where his father was Master of the Turner Hospital. After his whaling voyage he joined the Hudson's Bay Company. His brother William became a Fellow of Christ's College, Cambridge; his sister Jane married Captain Thomas Galilee of Whitby and Rotherhithe.
Two new articles in the Hutton Rudby section. Particularly interesting to those researching their families in late 19th century Hutton Rudby: an account of Sunday School, Church Choir and Confirmations in the parish, with a list of those confirmed in 1893; and an article based on the Parish Magazines of the 1890s, with details of village activities - including names of Sunday School prizewinners etc
a description of the Vassal Singers in the village of Nunthorpe in the early 20th century, by the late Kay Hill
an account of the Whitby Literary Wars 1825 to 1833 - the monthly magazines called the Repository, the Panorama and the Magazine - and their contributors, including James Myers, John Buchannan and the Chartist, John Watkins. With appearances by John Walker Ord, Ebenezer Elliott (the Corn Law Rhymer) and the poet James Montgomery, who wrote the well-loved carol, Angels from the Realms of Glory
a discussion of family anecdotes about George Stanger, one of the Faceby Mormons who left North Yorkshire for Utah in 1855
Walks & Tours
includes:
a history walk around Hutton Rudby
an account of the people commemorated in the plaques and monuments of All Saints', Hutton Rudby
Books
includes:
a history of some of the houses of Hutton Rudby
New!
Chapters 1 to 24 of Remarkable, but still True
Chapter 1: Hutton Rudby: a North Riding township
Hutton Rudby and the parish of Rudby-in-Cleveland – agriculture – the linen industry – John Wesley’s visit in 1755 – William Clowes and Primitive Methodism in the village – smuggling – Sexhow, Skutterskelfe and Middleton on Leven
Chapter 2: Linen Weaving & the Paper Mill
From flax to bleaching – linen manufacturers in the village – the paper mill beside the river Leven
Chapter 3: The Village & its Vestry
Local government – the church and churchwardens – Catholic families in the village – Mr Barlow’s predecessors, Jeremiah Grice and Robert Shepherd
Chapter 4: The Nobility
Isabella Ingram and General George Cary – Lady Amherst, widow of Jeffery 1st Lord Amherst – Lucius Bentinck Cary, 10th Viscount Falkland – Amelia, daughter of King William IV
Chapter 5: The Brighams & the Harkers
George Brigham, land agent of Rudby, & his friend John Harker, solicitor of Stokesley – the “busy and active life” of Georgian Stokesley – William Powell, eccentric solicitor of the town – Court of Chancery case between the Brighams and the Harkers – the sad downfall of the Brigham family – the death of the Revd Richard Shepherd, vicar of Rudby-in-Cleveland – the death of Lady Amherst
Chapter 6: Suspicions of Murder
The disappearance of weaver William Huntley – his friend Robert Goldsborough is suspected of murder
Chapter 7: Robert Barlow & his family
Mr Barlow’s family and childhood in Georgian Dublin – his mother related to the Lord Chancellor of Ireland, ‘Black Jack’ Fitzgibbon, 1st Earl of Clare – his family’s years of struggle – their fortunes saved when his brother James becomes the heir of Michael Hoy, merchant of St Petersburg and Hampshire landowner – Robert enters the church and marries Marianne, daughter of Joseph Webb of Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin
Chapter 8: The Living of Rudby-in-Cleveland
The patronage of the living – James Barlow Hoy buys the advowson from Edward Thomas Copley for his brother Robert – the value of the living
Chapter 9: Mr Barlow & his Neighbourhood
Mr Barlow rents Linden Grove from Dr George Merryweather of Whitby – description of the church – local landowners – the Revd Ralph Grenside of Crathorne, the Revd Joseph Ibbetson of Great Ayton, the Revd Isaac Benson of Acklam – Mr Barlow’s connection with James Stanger, cartwright of Faceby, and his wife Isabella Thompson
Chapter 10: Mr Barlow’s first year in Hutton Rudby
Lord Falkland builds Skutterskelfe Hall (now called Rudby Hall) – Nonconformity in the village – improvements to the church – John Wilson Barlow, solicitor in Dublin, marries Georgina Theodosia Borough, daughter of Sir Richard Borough and Anna Maria Lake – James Barlow Hoy enters politics and marries Marian D’Oyley Bird, daughter of Shearman Bird the younger of the East India Company and his wife Louisa Cotes Blenkinsop
Chapter 11: 1832 The year of the Cholera
The cholera pandemic arrives in Britain in August 1831 – it reaches the Bay Horse area of Hutton Rudby in October 1832 - Mr Barlow, the visiting doctors, and the press
Chapter 12: The Aftermath of the Cholera
Later legends about the cholera – Thomas Harker sets up as a doctor in Hutton Rudby – his battle with the Select Vestry
Chapter 13: Agitation, Ambition & Education
Problems with the church rate – political agitation in Stokesley – Stephen Coulson of Redcar accuses Thomas Mease of fomenting riots when the Hon William Duncombe attempts to address the voters of Stokesley – Mease accuses Duncombe and Sir William Foulis of chicanery – the problem of Tithes – Mr Barlow builds a school
Chapter 14: Deaths, Changes & Recession: 1837 to 1842
Death of William IV and its effect on Lord Falkland – the death of George Brigham – general depression in trade – the Mease brothers set up business in Hutton Rudby – Mr Barlow’s erratic keeping of the parish registers – James Barlow Hoy, MP for Southampton, decides not to contest the 1837 election – Louisa Barlow Hoy is born in Naples in 1838 – James Barlow Hoy and wife Marion adopt Elencho Marie Pera – the Revd Hector Francis Vaughan, husband of Nanny Barlow, dies in County Carlow – death of John Wilson Barlow in Dublin in 1837, leaving a son John James Barlow – James Barlow Hoy takes up residence at Thornhill Park, near Southampton, and provides a home for his mother, sister Nanny and her son Hector Barlow Vaughan – the sisters Mary Sophia and Isabella also leave Dublin, to join Robert and his wife in Hutton Rudby
Chapter 15: A Skeleton is Discovered
A skeleton is discovered by a workman in 1841 – it is assumed to be that of the missing William Huntley – Robert Goldsborough is arrested in Barnsley – Thomas Grundy is arrested as accessory after the fact – he commits suicide in York Castle Gaol – Robert Goldsborough is found not guilty
Chapter 16: Melancholy Intelligence: the death of James Barlow Hoy
George Markham Tweddell launches the ‘Stokesley News & Cleveland Reporter’ in 1842 – Robert Barlow decides to build a parsonage house – James Barlow Hoy & the Corn Law question – his summer residence at the Medina Hermitage – his accidental death in the Pyrenees – his Will, his debts – his connection with the Sewell family of the Isle of Wight – financial disaster for Robert and his sisters – Marion D’Oyley Bird, widow of James Barlow Hoy, marries Captain Richard Meredith
Chapter 17: 1844 to 1851: Changing Times
Problems with the school building – Lord Falkland becomes Governor of Bombay – John Walker Ord’s ‘History’ and the engraving alleged to be of the birthplace of Captain James Cook – the death of Mrs Maria Tasburgh and the end of 500 years of Catholic landowners at Crathorne – the railway age begins – Captain Richard Meredith dies and Marion D’Oyley Bird marries the Catholic writer, John Richard Digby Beste
Chapter 18: The early 1850s
Robert Barlow’s disputes with neighbours – the Ecclesiastical Census – contrast between replies from Revd Joseph Ibbetson of Great Ayton and Revd Charles Cator of Stokesley with those from Robert Barlow – Wesleyan and Primitive Methodism in the village – the Mormons of Faceby – death of Robert Barlow’s wife Marianne – financial worries and the Myshall Tithe Arrears – Marian D’Oyley Bird, her husband John Richard Digby Beste and their children go to America – Louisa Barlow Hoy’s contribution to her stepfather’s book on their travels
Chapter 19: ‘The Queen, the Head of the Church’
Robert Barlow at 50 – his grievances – he publishes a pamphlet critical of the Anglican Church
Chapter 20: “A very queer chap”
Robert Barlow’s nephew Hector Barlow Vaughan sails with his regiment for India following the Mutiny – improvements in neighbouring towns and villages – Robert Barlow’s duties as a clergyman – Barlow seen through others’ eyes – death of Lady Falkland – the fine marquetry of the pulpit is discovered under layers of paint – Robert Barlow’s chaotic finances
Chapter 21: “My intense exertions”
Robert Barlow’s notebooks – his activities and interests – his answers to Archbishop’s Visitations – death of his sister Nanny Vaughan – he engages as a curate the Revd George Sanger, vicar of Carlton
Chapter 22: ‘Remarkable, but still True’
Robert Barlow writes a book
Chapter 23: “The old Vicar of Rudby has gone to his well-earned rest”
Death of Robert Barlow’s sisters Mary Sophia and Isabella – parish activities and lay involvement – the Revd George Sanger rebuilds Carlton church – Robert Barlow makes his Will – his unauthorised use of trust funds – his death – the curious matter of the two contrasting obituaries
Chapter 24: Epilogue
The new church at Carlton is destroyed by fire and parishioners accuse the vicar of arson – the Middlesbrough-born novelist E W Hornung is inspired to write ‘Peccavi’ – the last of the Faceby Mormons leave for Utah – Hector Barlow Vaughan and his family, his Will and death – Marian and John Richard Digby Beste settle in Italy – Louisa Barlow Hoy marries the Marquis Guadagno Guadagni and has children – Elencho Marie Pera becomes Mrs Ellen Mary Evans and lives in Tonbridge – death of Marian in Italy – Guitto Guadagno inherits his grandmother’s Tuscan villa and her father’s property in Essex – death of Lord Falkland in Montpellier
Please feel free to browse!
- Site design and creation by Duncan Barrigan (contact).
