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Home > Family History > Leeds Area > Harewood > The Notices > Pages 41 to 50
"The Notices of the Stables Family"
by William Stables (1794-1862)
| Page 41 | From Leeds, I returned
through Harewood to see Mr. Stables, he being very weak and near his end. He was wishful that I should tarry with him until he died. I told him that my wife wished to come. He said, "She can do me no good." This was on the Monday, and she purposed to see him on the Wednesday. I told him of her intention, but said he, "I shall be dead by Wednesday," and he was. Before we parted, he observed, "I have been as active as many man, but it has all been in sin," A person present said, "We are all sinners." "Do not," said he, "tell me of all," meaning that he was worse than any other. I then asked him if he could forgive the offense I had committed. He answered,"I CAN." "You think so," said I. He replied, "I now see myself to be the worst of all." I knelt down and prayed with him, in which he joined heartily. He afterwards pressed me to stay with him, that I could scarcely get away. When I was gone out of the room, he asked the servant, "Where is Richard?" She said, "He is in the kitchen." "Tell him," said he, "to come and pray with me again, or to read to me the lamentation of a sinner; nothing else can do me any good." I therefore went in and prayed with him once more, and then took my leave of him. I was much affected at parting with him, but am in hope that I shall meet him again, to part no more forever." He had a long illness, and part of the time his daughter, Mrs. Burdsall, was in attendance on him, When near his death, one day as she was seated near his bedside, he commenced a conversation of experimental religion, asking her if she knew anything of this conver-sion, and if she was born again, etc. She had with her, her daughter Mary, a fine sharp little girl. Of her he was very fond. One day she came skipping into his parlous, having got a white petticoat on, on which he said to her, "Thou's very proud." --(Aunt Birdsall). In the Harewood churchyard is an altar tombstone with the following inscription, copied by me July 3, 1821i "Here lies the body of Jane, the wife of William Stables, of Stanke. She departed this life ye 14th of Jany. 1747, in the 28th year of her age. Here lies the body of Mary, the second wife of William Stables of Stanke. She departed this life September the third, 1759, aged 32 years. Also the body of the above named William Stables, who departed this life the 13th of June, 1787, aged 79 years. NOTE A. ---- They procured a license for the house as a place of worship for Protestant Dissenters, which I have in my possession. Some" time after, John Stables fell into temptation. He had a lad 16 or 17 years old, son of Anthony Shearwin - - lived with him as servant. They disagreed about something and the lad rebelled against his master. It is said they fought, but he beat the lad sadly - it was said improperly; and for this he discontinued as a member of the society, and remained out about a year. At the same time the meetings were taken from the house to the Low Hall, and at least some of the meetings were continued there until the family left the farm about 1841. |
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| Page 42 | The descendants of William and
Mary Stables of Stanke were: FIRST: ELIZABETH, born Doer. 9th, 1752. When she was a little girl she had a very severe attack of fever. by which she was brought so low, that all hope of her recovery fled away. For a considerable time (I believe about 14 days) the fever was so high as to cause constant delirium. While laid in cradle in this distressing state, she bit the end of one of her forefingers. It was immediately put on again, and well secured with bandages, but was ever after very crooked and stiff. The fever also left her very dull of hearing, which affliction lasted as long as life. As she had the misfortune to lose her mother ere she was seven years of age, she was trained up under the immediate and principal direction of her widowed father, who, indeed, was probably ism assisted in this duty, in its earlier stages by her aunt Anne Procter, who, being herself a widow, resided sometimes, at least, with her brother at Sandygate. Elizabeth seems to have inherited in a considerable degree her father's natural temper. She had good sense, but was warm and hasty, and as she was the eldest of the children, she was early a kind of mistress in the house, and frequently assumed a more authoritive tone, expression, and manner, than was agreeable to her brothers and sister. She seems, however, not to have been ignorant of the responsibility of her situation, and the importance of setting before the other children a good example. Accordingly, she went very regularly with her father to church, and used regularly to pray in secret, and thus most probably served God according to the light she had: and many times she would tell the Lord in this private way, by her bedside, of her cares and fears and especially would tell the Lord what a wild thoughtless sister she had, while, perhaps, at the same time her sister was laid in bed laughing at her simplicity. - - (Aunt Burdsall) When her two brothers and sister joined the Methodist Society, she stuck by the Church, and her distressed father, and was then (as he said) the only comfort he had left. She quite agreed with him in opposing the spread of the Methodist heresy, and advised him not to let her sister Mary have any money, "for the Methodists would get it." When, however, her brothers and sister had left them, she began to see that there must be something more in religion than she had yet found, and that the Methodist religion, which had produced so great a change in her giddy sister, must be the religion of the Bible. In this way she reasoned, until her sins were brought to remembrance; she was no longer that good Christian she had been accustomed to consider herself. She felt her need of a Saviour. She was humbled, joined the Methodist Society, and about two years after them became as Methodistic as any of them, much to the affliction of her true church father. After the death of her father, she still resided at Sandygate, with her brother William, at least for upwards of two years. But I understand they did not agree very well. He was the master, but during her father's lifetime she had been accustomed to have things pretty much her own way, and it was not now so easy to submit to her younger brother, hence little dissentions arose, sometimes, indeed, it was about very little things - once even about making a cake. Father going so far as to tell her, he could to better than she did. They had |
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| Page 43 | a very unpleasant dispute about
something not long after their father's death. She seemed bent on leaving him, but she had her sister's little girl, Mary Burdsdale, with them, and she could not tell what to do with her. She, however, packed up her bundle of clothes, and taking it with her little niece, she trudged off to Arthington, a village about three miles off, where lived an uncle (I believe) of hers, or rather a brother of her father's first wife, a Mr. Moiser, with whose family they were intimate and occasionally visited. To them, therefore, she bent her way, and after remaining with them four or five days, or a week, she began to cool down a little, her high affront began to wear off, and at length she returned again to her brother. When my father was about to be married, she was very much incensed and instead of making things as agreeable as she could, made them very unpleasant. She would not go to the wedding, and when he was gone, she gathered all she had together and procuring some conveyance for her goods and herself, left the place in the hands of the servants, and went to reside with her sister Burdsall at York, With them she continued to reside a year or two in single blessed- ness, and then entered into the holy estate of matrimony with a Mr. Hawkins of York, a butter and bacon factor, a very respectable man, a member of the Methodist Society, and a class leader therein. For two or three years after her marriage, she did not show any signs of having any family. This very much distressed her (it was said) on account of 1200 pounds payable after her death to her descendants (as the sum principal of the annuity she had for life), whereas, if she left no issue, it was to be divided in a way pointed out between her brothers and sister, without her having any control of its disposal. Therefore, children she much desired, for them she longed, -wept and prayed, but (the event showed; the thing which she did displeased the Lord. He granted her a child, but he chastened her sorely thereby, Soon after her confinement, her milk became troublesome it never came to flow properly fever ensued, and she became delirious. Nobody could do anything with her byher sister, and as she had a small family of her own, it was very inconvenient for her to leave home. Under such circumstances, it was thought best to remove Aunt Hawkins to Aunt Burdsall's residence. Accordingly, three weeks after her confinement, she was taken thither, and continued to reside with her, until death put a period to her sufferings, a,space of twelve or fifteen weeks. I am not aware that during the whole of this time she had any lucid intervals, reason was obscured. Sometimes she wept and was quite harmless; at other times she was very unmanageable, and was obliged to submit only to the discipline of the strait jacket. I have no doubt, the Lord looking on her afflicted state, said, it is enough, and signed her release Jan. 10, 1795, aged 42 years. Soon after her confinement the little boy was put out to nurse near Walingate Bar. The Lord, however, saw good to take the infant also, and he departed this life the day after his mother. It was brought in its coffin to Uncle Burdsdall's, and it was then |
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| Page 44 | taken out, and put into the
coffin with his mother, being laid in her arms In this position they were interred in the yard of St. Lawrence's Church, Walmgate, York, After a number of years (and a second marriage) Mr. Hawkins also departed this life, and was buried by the side of his wife, Elizabeth, my aunt. - - (Aunt Burdsall). a The descendants of William and Mary Stables of Stanke were: SECOND: JOHN, born at Stank April 12th, 1755. Like his other children, his father gave him a good education, but where and in what way, I have not been informed. When he was about 22 years of age, he was savingly converted to God, and joined the Methodist Society, soon after which he began to pray with his father's family, though he would not bow down with them himself. In the spring of the following year, I believe 1777, he, along with his brother and youngest sister came to reside at Kirkby-Overblow. John and William did not, however, very well agree. Their natural tempers were considerably different and their views on many subjects did not coincide; and as John was the eldest, he took the principal part of the ordering department and acted the master; and as his temper was cool, so he was very firm and perservering in pursuing his objects. William, however, thought that as he was equal partner and joint occupier, that he ought to be more consulted than he was, and on this score they disagreed, and ultimately parted, after remaining united at the farm from one to two years, William returning to his father at Sandygate. After they had got to their new residence, they immediately erected an alter to the living God, and around that altar morning and evening they assembled to tell their cares and fears and wants to Him that heareth prayer. Soon after they joined themselves to Richard Burdsall's Methodist class at Kearby; that they considered nearer for them than Harewood, to which they went to meet in class, a while at their first coming. Besides it kept them more out of the circle of their poor old distressed father. After a while, however, they began to have occasional meetings in their own house. (Note A, page 41), and as there was a family come to the Low Hall, who were their nearest neighbours, James and Frances Ridsdale, a little before them, who were both Methodists, so that after the lapse of a year or two, they formed a class at Kirkby, consisting of the two families, and Joseph Shearwin, a farmer who had removed from Kearby to live in the village. After this they had regular class and prayer meetings, and they occasionally prevailed on the itinerant preachers in the Leeds Circuit, who then preached at Pannal on the Sunday evenings, to come by them on the Monday, and preach to them at noon. After sometime they obtained a regular supply of local preachers on the Sunday, perhaps once a fortnight. This they continued by having their preaching at five o'clock in the afternoon, so that the local preacher that was at Pannal at two o'clock came to Kirkby by five, and after again preaching, had usually to ride to Leeds, where most of them resided. Among those who used to come at that |
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| Page 45 | time were John Ripley, Watson
Wild, Mr. Richie of Otley, and Phillip Hardcastle, who afterwards went out to travel; and they often had a plain, simple old man, called Joseph Bradley, who was by trade a rat- catcher. As in those days the circuits were very extensive, and the regular ministers but few, so the assistance they could have from the circuit preachers was but slender, and if meetings were held, they must conduct them generally themselves. John Stables and James Ridsdale were the principal public characters, and in order to benefit their neighbours at the public prayer meetings, they took in their turn the principal labour. This plan continued for a great number of years, even down to the death of them both. Their usual way was to commence with singing and prayer; Afterwards he that began, read a chapter out of the Scriptures, and expounded thereon, according to the light and ability they had, and afterwards the other gave out a few verses of a hymn and prayed. It will easily be perceived, that to frequently engage in such exercises before the same hearers, must necessarily require them to acquaint themselves well with the Bible, and the general subjects of Divinity, and so it proved with each of them, that by the frequent engaging in such expounding labours, they became apt and expert at the work, and prepared for a wider field of action; and in process of time, were each placed on the plan as local preachers. Both continued to labour in the Word and Doctrine, until dust returned to dust. After his sister Mary had continued with him for about three years, she abruptly left him, and entered on the married state with Richard Burdsall, and then, for about eighteen years he had to endure all the K inconvenience of hired housekeepers. When he was about 43 years of age he became enamoured with a young woman in the neighbourhood. Her name was Mary Myers. She was niece and housekeeper to William Beek (Beck?) of Walton Head. He was a rather large farmer, and besides carried on a considerable trade in butter. He used regularly to take my uncle's butter, by going with which to the house himself, he became acquainted and attached to Mary. One cannot suppose that she was the deliberate choice of his sober judgment, but his affections becoming entangled and his passions stirred, he was ultimately brought to make her his wife. Though the union was in several respects a very unwise and foolish one, (((there was so much difference in their ages, that she looked more like his child than his partner, he being about 43 and she 19 years of age. She had been trained, too, in quite a different sphere to him. He had been used to entertain, cultivate and act on ideas more suitable to a state of servitude, than that of a mistress,There was an amazing disparagement in their property; while he was possessed of landed estates worth more than ten thousand pounds, she had for her portion, an aged grey Scotch Galloway, a side saddle and bridle, a buffet or corner cupboard for china, etc., altogether worth about t5 pounds))), yet, notwithstanding these difficulties, they were married Augst. , 1798. |
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| Page 46 | Report says that she was
a neat, tidy, good looking woman; that her temper and manners were rather soft, and on the whole agreeable, and that was a person of tolerably good natural sense; but from her narrow education, and contracted sphere of motion, her ideas were rather low, and her ability altogether unequal to the place she was thus called to occupy. Nevertheless, they lived together on the whole as comfor- tably as could be expected on account of their disparity, and his having nearly all his life been accustomed to reign over his family and concerns with single and undisputed sway. About nine months after their marriage, July 1799, she presented him with a daughter which was baptized_, by the mane of Hannah. In 1789 he purchased an estate in the township of Pannal, (Admission at Forest Court of John Stables 1st July, 1789. In 1780 he built the two cottage houses in the middle of the village of Kirkby, which cost him 143/14/0 - Note at bottom of page),called Falwith, originally, most probably, Foulwath, from its joining on the Leeds and Harrogate turnpike road, where it crosses the Rivulet or Beck called Crimple, over which math there is now, however, a good stone bridge. The estate consisted of a little over 60 acres of rather hilly and uneven land bounded in a long zig- zag line on the south by the Crimple, from which was drawn water to work an old corn mill on the premises. This he afterwards entirely removed, and built a comparitively large one, which cost him 1000 pounds, and was on a new site considerably nearer the house. It belonged to Sir John Coghill, Bart., of Dublin, who had Robt. Stockdale, Esqr., a solicitor of Knaresbrough as his agent, of whom my uncle bought it {I think) for 2800 pounds. Uncle had heard that it was on sale, also that Mr. Stockdale was in great want of 500 pounds immediately in order to take up with him to London, for some special business. He took with him to view the land and try to treat for it, his cousin Brian Procter. They had a very hard bargain, and seemed likely not to agree for it, when after offering 2800, five hundred of which he would pay down in five days, the remainder on obtaining possession. They were about to retire. They had had this conversation about the business in Mr. Stockdale's office at Knaresbro. My Uncle went out, and stood on the steps outside. Brian turned into the office again to reason with Mr. S. alone, talked to him warily, talked as if here were Mr. S.'s friend, thought it worth what he asked, but he could not get his relation any further' he would be sure of his money at the proper time; would get him the 500 pounds in a few days, so that he thought he had better let him have it; and ultimately, his necessities for having some money immediately being very urgent, he yielded and took the price offered. The deeds are dated 24 June 1789, and the estate was let for some |
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| Page 47 | years to the old tenant; but he
afterwards took it into his own hands, keeping a Hind on it, and he also afterwards built a second house for a miller to occupy. This was not finished long before his death. The new mill was built about 1801, and as my uncle had not much skill at mechanics, he took for his guide and instructor, William Burrows of Scott Hall Mills, near Leeds, who had there a mill, on the same principles as he recommended to my uncle. Having the offer of a flat of land from Matthew Saver of Meanewood, near Leeds ---it lay within his Kirkby estate and is known as Sur - Average, and near two acres in the present (1855) Land Heads -•-there was about 11 acres of it, which he bought for 660 pounds, that is 60 pounds per acre, deeds dated 13 May, 1791,----about the same time he make an exchange with the proprietor of the low Hall Estate, giving to them a part of his Bull Croft, and the right to a carriage road up the walk, and in exchange they gave to him their right to a road up the Summergate and a lane across the top of our Summergate cow close and both carr Nobbs Closes. These exchanges, however, produced some unpleasantness towards him and James Ridsdale, as some said that the road across our fields was a road to other lands besides James Ridsdale's fields, None of them, however thought proper to bring the business to any legal issue, and quiet possession has long since settled any doubts on the business. In 1801 there was other two fields on sale, adjoining his Fulwith estate. They contained 11 a., 2 r., 14 p.,, It was knows as Jackson's Land, and adjoined on the Leeds and Harrowgate road at the top of Almford Bank. I believe it was to be sold by auction, and my uncle wished his cousin Brian Procter to buy it for him as his friend. He, accordingly, bought the property, but himself having some fields also laying contigious to it, he refused to let my uncle have his bargain, unless he would give him twenty pounds for buying it. Some of their friends thought it was not very honourable and respectable conduct, but my uncle submitted to it and paid him his demand. Cost 510 pounds, Deeds dated 6 April 1801, His Fulwith estate and mill he occupied up to his death, along with his Kirkby one, where he continued to reside. He generally rode to Foulwith every day, which, with his business at home, found him plenty of employment. But he was a man of business, constantly about it, looking after this, that or the other person or thing, but without putting his hand to almost anything himself. Indeed, my father says, that he was never fond of working himself, and especially towards the later part of his life, he employed many work-people and managed and improved his estates with great diligence and ability. |
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| Page 48 | Early in 1805 my uncle
fell onto a very feeble state of health. I never heard that he had much pain, but great languor and weakness, which continued to increase on him, until God signed his release Septr. 25, 1805, being then upwards of 50 years of age. During his long and tedious illness, I could never learn that he would have the assistance of any regular medical man. I believe he did consult a Mrs. Wright, a celebrated water, castor of addle near Leeds, but with this exception I believe he was his own doctor. Indeed he had very little confidence in medicine generally, as he was fully convinced that "Afflictions spring not out of the dust,* and that He that inflicts can as easily remove the suffering, to that he felt very careless about secondary causes. His state of mind, in prospect of Eternity, I understand was remarkably peaceful. He had not much joy, but in full assurance of acceptance, he calmly and confidently east his whole self on the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, on him alone depending, with all the simplicity of a little child, for Grace here, and Glory hereafter. In his person he was about the middle size, rather small bones, quite straight and active, and towards the later part of his life, rather fleshy and portly. His temper was remarkable for placidity and mildness. His understanding and penetration was very quick, and his mind altogether a vigorous and strong one. I have heard Aunt Burdsall say that when they were young people together, she used to think that John had as much sense as all the rest put together. He was very easy of access, and being of an affable and cheerful disposition, he was generally an acceptable companion. He had always something to say to any who fell in his way, but was considerably removed from that chit-chat, which is so common among great talkers. On the contrary, his conversation was seasoned with grace. Few people came into his company without receiving a word of advice, instruction, or reproof, and his endeavoring to turn their attention to the care of their souls and the things of eternity. He was quite remarkable for the simplicity and plainness of his manners and dress. He was neither a fop, nor a clown; indeed he might carry his homeliness of appearance a little to an extreme. He was no sloven, but his clothes were both coarse and few, so that after his death, when his personal property was valued to my father, his whole wardrobe was put down at 5 pounds, 5 shillings, which my father thought was much more than it was worth. By some persons he was accounted a covetous and niggardly man; perhaps most so by those who only very partially knew him. Indeed, his personal expenses were very small. Always abstemious and self denying, he did not indulge in eating and drinking, when traveling, at markets &c, as many do. Perhaps he carried this to an extreme. His cousin Brian Procter used to tell him that for 5 pounds a year in little things of that sort, he might obtain the character of being a gentleman. He, however, in these, as in every other part of his business, thought for himself, and by his sturdy perseverance showed that he was superior to the laugh or sneers or frowns of those who thought |
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| Page 49 | differently from him. I am not
certain, however, that what was called by some his niggardliness, arose from any natural or innate love of money, but from a conscientious design not to waste his Lord's good, but to be able to pay everyman his own. For what with the purchases he had made of land, the improvements he had made in it, the buildings of the new mill and the millers house, at his death he had a considerable amount of borrowed money. He was, however, on all hands allowed to be a benefactor to the poor... Not, indeed, by his bestowing large alms on the worthless and indolent, but by giving employment to the frugal and industrious. a greater number of whom earned their bread under him, than any other man in the neigh- borhood. Finding his later end approaching, he (Aug. 30, 1805) endeavoured to set his house in order, and made his will. He might have had one previously made, but if so, he made a new one, by which, with the exception of 100 pounds to his brother, 100 pounds to Miss Bears of Follifoot (his two executors) and 100 pounds to his sister Burdsall, he bequeathed the whole of his property to his daughter, then between six and seven years of age, and on her demise under twenty one years of age, and without leaving issue (which took place), to his brother. subject to legacies of 500 pounds, to his nephews and nieces. when they attained twenty one years of age. Hannah, the only child of John and Mary Stables of Kirkby-Overblow, was born July 1799. A few months after her birth, on her mother's illness becoming dangerous and alarming, she was put out to nurse with the family of Major England, Blacksmith and farmer of North Rigton. They were very decent and respectable in their sphere, and appeared very suitable for such an undertaking. With them she continued for two or three years, until she could run about herself, when he brought her home to him where she remained until his death. Sometime previous to her father's decease, she began to attend the village school, then taught by Ralph Snowball, the girls being instructed in needlework &c. by his wife. There she continued, along with some of her cousins, until July 1809. Being then more than ten years of age, she went to Miss Weight's Ladies' Boarding School at Boston Spa, near Wetherby. With her, and her successor, Miss Saul. she remained three years, until June 1812, Her average cost at that school was about 45 pounds per annum, and with her clothes made her expenses about 60 pounds per annum. She remained with her cousins at Kirkby, and visiting among her other relatives until April 1613, when taking up her residence with Miss Bears, at Follifoot, she entered as a day scholar with Mr. Green= wood of Folly- foot, who, at that time had a very large and flourishing school. There she continued to attend until Xmas of the same year, when after the holidays, in Jany. 1814, she went to Miss Fryer's school (Miss Bears paid for fitting her up with suitable clothing &c 38 pounds 17 shillings and entrance at the school 2/2/0. |
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| Page 50 | The Miss Fryer's school at
Quebec, Leeds, was conducted by two sisters, and was rather a fashionable school of considerable repute. It was not by any means my father's choice, but was selected by Miss Bears, the other guardian of Cousin Hannah, on the advice of, and for the sake of peace my father yielded; and with them she remained twelve months (vacations excepted) All the vacation in Jany. 1815 she was only in a poor state of health, and a little time previous to the time for the school commencing, her disease began to assume a definite form. A substance began to form on her side, near the hip bone, and continued to enlarge until it was about the size of an ordinary hen's egg, which with her general debility, prevented her return to school. The later part of the vacation she spent with Miss Bears in Follifoot and there she first began to complain of being unwell; and as she then was much nearer the family medical atten-dant**(Mr. Thomas Simpson of Knaresbro) but since become M.D. of York) she there remained until her decease. Towards the later end of March her disorder and the substance on her side had so increased, that Mr. Simpson became seriously apprehensive of danger, and wished to have the advice and assistance of some other surgeon. My father, being then at Linnington, was written to and requested to come over immediately. But not coming so soon as expected, on the 28th of March I set off early in the morning, intending to go to Linnington to consult him on the business, or to induce him to come over. When I had made my bait at York, and my horse was being brought out for me to pursue my journey, my brother John come up, having my mother behind him, they being on their way to Kirkby or Follifoot. Brother returned to Linnington and I rode before mother to Follifoot, where she remained with Miss Bears as the principal nurse of Cousin Hannah, until she rested from her suffering. On Mother's arrival at Follofoot, it was agreed, at the suggestion of Mr. Simpson, to call in the assistance of a Mr. Atkinson, a very eminent surgeon at York (he came five times and had eight guineas each visit).On examining the patient, Mr. A. was of the same opinion as Mr. S. that it was proper to perform an operation on the abscess as the lump on her side had now shown itself to be, which after being cut discharged near a quart of thick matter. After a while it began to gather and fill again, and was again cut two or three times,. Ultimately it became a running wound, discharging a large quantity of very offensive matter, and in the end run her down to the grave. Cousin Hannah was not a religious character, and in the early part of her affliction, continued in a very trifling and careless spirit; but as the disorder grew on her, she became more serious, and evidently began to feel that she needed something that she had not, to enable her to die in peace. |
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