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Catalogue

Miscellaneous documents

Reference: D/X 1667 Catalogue Title: Miscellaneous documents Area: Catalogue Category: Other Records Description: Quaker records: 1. Backhouse Family

Covering Dates: 1805-1906

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Catalogue Description

These archives were offered at auction by Tennants of Leyburn, North Yorkshire, in the autumn of 2008. The collection had been split up by the auctioneers into lots and, as a consequence, Durham County Record Office was not able to secure the complete collection of papers offered for sale at that time. The collection was purchased in 5 lots on 29 September 2008 and in 3 lots on 10 December 2008, with the assistance of grant aid from the Friends of Durham County Record Office.

A further 30 lots were sold to other bidders on 29 September 2008, the most significant of which was described as railway ephemera, but which also contained correspondence. Most of the other lots included scrapbooks, photographs and histories of the families which constituted the Quaker network in the North of England. These items may have made it easier to establish the interconnection of the individuals represented in these papers.

By cataloguing the items in detail, knowledge of the inter-marriages of the Quaker families of the North of England was established, to explain the presence of this particular set of papers which had belonged to the Backhouse, Coates, Fell, Fox, Fryer, Hodgkin, Lloyd, Mounsey and Pease families.

The most significant papers are those belonging to Henry Pease (1807-1881), son of Edward Pease (1767-1858), as these include an album of letters received by Henry Pease from the eminent men of the 19th century [Ref: D/X 1667/8/129], 12 letters from John Bright (1811-1889) [ref: D/X 1667/8/134-145] and 47 letters from his father, Edward [ref: D/X 1667/8/182-229].

The latter letters include discussions of railway and wool business, a description of the death of Edward's wife Rachel nee Whitwell [ref: D/X 1667/8/189], the decline in health and death of his elder son, Edward [ref: D/X 1667/8/214-219] and the decline in health and death of Anna Fell Pease [ref: D/X 1667/8/208-822]. Henry Pease's papers also include 17 letters from his brother, Joseph (1799-1872) including discussions of railway business, the death of his brother, Edward [ref: D/X 1667/8/243] and a description of scenes in London on the occasion of the coronation of Queen Victoria [ref: D/X 1667/8/242].

The papers described in this catalogue represent varying numbers of the papers of:
* Henry Pease's second son, Edward Lloyd Pease (1861-1934);
* Edward Lloyd Pease's wife, Helen Blanche Pease (1865-1951);
* Helen Blanche Pease's father, Joseph Whitwell Pease (1828-1903)

Edward and Blanche's daughter, Mary Cecilia Pease married Reginald J. Mounsey in 1921 and a few records of them and their children are in the papers under consideration. Because of the marriage of Mary Ceclia and Reginald, the collection includes papers of the Backhouse, Mounsey and Coates families. Reginald was the son of Edward Backhouse Mounsey and Rachel Anne Fryer.

The Backhouse papers include records of the ownership of Belmont Colliery [ref: D/X 1667/1/26 - 1/35]; Fatfield Colliery [ref: D/X 1667/1/36 - 1/38]; Shincliffe Colliery [ref: D/X 1667/1/39].

The Mounsey papers include records of North Bitchburn Colliery [ref: D/X 1667/7/138 - 143] and of Hetton Colliery [ref: D/X 1667/7/144 - 162], among the papers of John Mounsey, father of Edward Backhouse Mounsey.

The Mounsey papers also include photographs of places in the North East of England, Ireland and Scotland, taken by Edward Backhouse Mounsey in the 1860s to 1880s [ref: D/X 1667/7/15 - 7/64]. The Wallis Collection, also held in the Durham County Record Office, contains photographs taken by Edward Backhouse Mounsey [ref: D/Wa 3/6/1 - 59].

Edward Backhouse Mounsey married Rachel Anne Fryer of Smelt House, the daughter of Joseph Jowitt Fryer and Rachel, nee Coates. The Coates and Fryer records in the collection consist almost completely of early ambrotype portraits of members of those families taken in the 1850s and 1860s at Smelt House, Howden le Wear, the ancestral home of the Coates family and at Toothill Grove, Rastrick, near Brighouse, Leeds, Yorkshire, the ancestral home of the Fryer family.

Two short diaries kept by children in the early years of the nineteenth century are of interest. Thomas James Backhouse (1807-1857) kept, or, rather, had kept on his behalf, 'A Journal' of a 'Tour from Sunniside to Burrows by North Shields etc' on two days, 11 and 12 July 1817 [ref: D/X 1667/1/56]. Mary Pease, nee Lloyd (1826-1909), the second wife of Henry Pease (1807-1881) kept a journal between 1 January and 19 July 1840, when she was aged 14, describing life at Wood Green, Wednesby, Staffordshire with her 9 siblings, mother and father, Samuel and Sarah Lloyd, grandparents Samuel and Rachel Lloyd, at The farm; and various cousins and uncles [ref: D/X 1667/8/349]. The daily round of a Quaker household is described, as is a summer holiday in Aberdovey, Merionethshire, Wales. The diary is dated by the ½ day holiday the winter enjoyed on the occasion of the marriage of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert on 10 February 1840.

Although it is possible to determine the family connections which explain the presence of the documents in the collection, their original archival arrangement had been disturbed by their being divided into lots, reflecting only the need to make each lot attractive to a potential buyer, and it was impossible to return the documents to that original arrangement. It was therefore decided to list the documents according to the individual who possessed them. As an example, letters written by Edward Pease are listed as the papers of their recipients, Henry Pease, not those of their originator, Edward Pease.

The individuals are then listed alphabetically by family and then alphabetically within each family group.

Items which cannot be attributed with any confidence to an individual have been listed at the end of the catalogue. Two letters have been listed as Miscellaneous family items [ref: D/X 1667/10/1- 2].

All the other items which cannot be attributed with confidence to individuals in the 10 family groups identified in the catalogue, have been divided topographically into records relating to Darlington [ref: D/X 1667/11/1-50]; records relating to places in County Durham [ref: D/X 1667/12/1-19]; records relating to places out of county [ref: D/X 1667/13/1-51]. Finally unidentified photographs have been put in the final Miscellaneous section [ref: D/X 1667/14/1-15].

The section containing papers relating to Darlington includes a plan of Rev. Mr. Sisson's estate in Darlington, 1776 [ref: D/X 1667/14/1] and a series of plans of property in Darlington belonging to members of the Society of Friends in 1848 [ref: D/X 1667/11/4-22]. The plans are numbered and it is evident that nos. 4-6, 16-18, are missing.

Also included in this section are the records of the Darlington Society of Friends' Book Society, 1851-1905 [ref: D/X 1667/11/26-28].

The papers relating to places out-county include polemics concerning the beliefs of Quakers [ref: D/X 1667/13/1 and 13/8]. Also of interest is a description of Richard Trevethick driving a steam carriage along roads in Cornwall and Devon in 1802 [ref: D/X 1667/13/3] and a broadside recounting the activities of Mary, wife of Henry Gurney, of Norfolk, who eloped with her footman [ref: D/X 1667/13/20]. Agitation against the slave trade is reflected in an envelope depicting the mistreatment of slaves [ref: D/X 1667/13/26] and a cutting from a newspaper published in Washington D.C., U.S.A., advertising 'negroes' for sale [ref: D/X 1667/13/51].

Catalogue Contents

Backhouse Family (Ref: D/X 1667/1/1-58)Alfred Backhouse (1822-1888) (Ref: D/X 1667/1/1-3)

son of Edward and Mary (nee Robson)
married Rachel Barclay


27 January 1858 (1) Alfred Backhouse of Darlington, banker (2) Joseph Gurney Barclay of Lombard Street, City of London, banker; Edward Backhouse, the younger, of Sunderland, esq.; Edmund Backhouse of Darlington, banker (3) Henry King Sparks of Darlington, merchant banker Copy conveyance from (1) and (2) to (3) of a messuage or tenement called Green Bank; close or parcel of land (1a. 3r.) on which the said messuage or tenement stands; the close being formerly part of a close called Broughton Close in Bondgate in Darlington; and a close of land (2a.) in Bondgate, Darlington Consideration: £2000 from (3) to (2) at the direction of (1); £1,229 from (3) to (1) Detailed boundaries given Schedule of deeds
(1 file)


The Darlington and Stockton Times, 8 September 1888 Includes: account, on p.5, of the death, on 2 September 1888, and funeral, on 7 September 1888, of Alfred Backhouse, J.P.
(1 paper, 104 cm. x 69 cm., printed)


Letter addressed to Edmund Backhouse, Edward Backhouse Mounsey, James Edward Backhouse, The Bank, Darlington, executors of Alfred Backhouse, esq., dec'd., from J.W. Mounsey, instructing the former to pay a legacy due to the latter in shares of a third to his brother, Edward Backhouse Mounsey, and a ninth each to his sisters, Lucy Elizabeth Backhouse Mounsey, Anna Priscilla Backhouse Mounsey, 23 November 1888 Endorsed: signature of J. Mounsey's brother and sister, acknowledging that they have received a copy of the instruction, 19 December 1888
(1 paper)

Edmund Backhouse (1824-1906) (Ref: D/X 1667/1/4-7)

son of Jonathan and Hannah Chapman (nee Gurney)
married Juliet Mary Fox


Newspaper cutting from The North Eastern Gazette, containing an article entitled: 'The Backhouse Family', describing the career, in particular, of Edmund Backhouse, 1 October 1894
(1 paper, printed)


Newspaper cutting containing an obituary of Edmund Backhouse (1824 - 1906), who died in his residence, Trebah, Cornwall; an obituary of William Cudworth of Darlington, at Saltburn, Yorkshire; and details of Sir David Dale's will, June 1906 Originally enclosed in D/X 1667/1/30
(1 paper, printed)


Newspaper cutting containing an obituary of Edmund Backhouse, 8 June 1906
(1 paper, printed)


Newspaper cutting describing the will of Edmund Backhouse, 2 August 1906
(1 paper, printed)

Edward Backhouse (1781-1860) (Ref: D/X 1667/1/8-42)

son of Jonathan and Ann (nee Pease)
married Mary Robson

Correspondence and agreements (Ref: D/X 1667/1/8-25)

30 June 1837 (1) Edward Backhouse of Bishopwearmouth, banker (2) William Cuthbert Ranson, son of John Ranson of Bishopwearmouth, tanner and brazier Apprenticeship indenture whereby (2) is apprenticed to (1) for 7 years as a banker's clerk
(Parchment, 1 membrane)


Letter from W[illia]m B[ackhouse], Darlington, to 'My Dear Uncle', discussing the duties required of the proprietor of Mr. Atkinson's Middle Field with regard to the road, 4 December 1844
(1 paper)


Note, in an unidentified hand, extracting information, 'from the Deeds relative to the road through Mr. Atkinson's Fields at West Lodge', concerning the responsibilities of the proprietor of Middle Field for the maintenance of the road, n.d. [1844]
(1 paper)


Letter from 'W[illia]m B[ackhouse]', Darlington, to 'My Dear Uncle', [Edward Backhouse] referring to the dispute concerning the road through Middle Field and the deed of 1763 concerning the property and road, 6 December 1844 Note at the top of letter: 're: Widow Maude's Road at West Lodge'
(1 paper)


'Copy Valuation of the West Lodge Estate situate at Darlington and described on the annexed Plan', and of 'The Cottage Property in Bondgate', by Thomas Dixon, Darlington, 30 May 1846
(1 paper, 40.5 cm. x 33 cm.)


Note, signed by H.F. Maude, Green Bank, [Darlington] acknowledging her responsibility for the maintenance of the road through the Middle Field, 7 October 1846
(1 paper)


Letter from Francis Mewburn, Darlington, to Alfred Backhouse, referring to a draft settlement for the addressee's father's [Edward Backhouse] perusal and fact that an infant school 'adjoining premises' has not been purchased, 7 December 184[6]
(1 paper)


Correspondence between J[ohn] C[hurch] Backhouse and Edward Backhouse, Ashburne, Sunderland, concerning the letting of a field (10½a.) to the west of West Lodge, Bondgate, Darlington, to Francis Kipling, 15 and 21 December 1846
(2 papers)


Correspondence between J[ohn] C[hurch] Backhouse, Blackwell, Darlington, and Edward Backhouse, Ashburne, Sunderland, concerning Kipling's proposal for taking a lease of two fields on the west side of West Lodge, 24 - 28 December 1846
(3 papers)


Letters between Fra. Kipling, Darlington, and Edward Backhouse concerning the terms on which Fra. Kipling will take two fields on the west side of West Lodge at a rent of £52 10s. p.a., 8 and 11 January 1847
(2 papers)


Draft letter, written by Edward Backhouse, Ashburne, Sunderland, addressed to his sisters, setting out the conditions in which they were to occupy West Lodge, Darlington, under the terms of their brother, James's will, Spring 1847
(2 papers)


Letter from 'W[illia]m. Backhouse]' to 'My Dear Uncle', concerning his Aunts' having decided to give up the paddock to allow G. Pearson to take it, as he agrees to allow them to dry clothes there, 16 April 1847
(1 paper)


Memorandum that Ann Backhouse and her sister, Jane Robson, agree to sell to their brother, Edward Backhouse, Swiss Cottage and its garden, beyond the boundary wall of West Lodge Darlington, now in the occupation of George Pearson, for the sum of £150, 6 April 1848
(1 paper)


Copy notice, issued by Edward Backhouse, to George Law, to quit a close or parcel of land and hereditaments, recently purchased by Edward Backhouse from Hannah Isabella Maude, widow, 19 September 1848 Attached: sketch plan of West Lodge Fields, Darlington, and sketch plan of Dodmire, 11 March 1841 The papers are enclosed in a wrapper endorsed: 'wanted a plan of West Lodge and H. Maude's Field to be drawn by T. Dixon, Darlington, for F. Mewburn'
(3 papers)


Sketch plan of Green Bank, Spring Lodge, giving acreages, and a note of parcels sold to E. and W. Backhouse, and H.I. Maude's rents, n.d. [1840s] Note of use of fields in Spring Lodge; note that part of Green Bank was sold to William Backhouse
(1 plan, 205 cm. x 33.5 cm., colour-wash)


Notice issued by G. Davison, sub-surveyor of the Darlington to West Auckland Turnpike Road, instructing Miss Backhouse to prune trees adjoining the turnpike road, to the height of six feet from the ground, 11 December 1848 At bottom of notice: note by EB [Edward Backhouse] noting that an Act of 5 and 6 William IV, c.50: An Act to consolidate and amend the Laws relating to Highways in that Part of Great Britain called England, 31April 1835, allowed ornamental trees to be exempt
(1 paper, printed)


Note by an unidentified hand [Edward Backhouse?] concerning the law relating to the cutting of trees and ornamental trees, taken from the Act of 5, 6 William IV, c.50, and from Burns Justice of the Peace and Parish, n.d. [1840s]
(1 paper)


8 March 1849 (1) William Dixon (2) Edward Backhouse Memorandum of agreement whereby (1) will rent from (2) five grass fields, at present in the occupation of Thomas Hopper, and the grass field (2½a.) in the occupation of George Law, both part of the West Lodge Estate Rent: £90 p.a.
(1 paper)

Belmont Colliery (Ref: D/X 1667/1/26-35)

16 March 1838 (1) Bryan John Salvin of Burnhall, esq. (2) Edward Backhouse and Thomas James Backhouse, both of Ashburne, Bishopwearmouth, esqs., and William Bell of Ford, Bishopwearmouth, esq. Counterpart lease, for 42 years from 13 May 1836, from (1) to (2) of coalmines and seams of coal at Burnhall and Farewellhall in the township Elvet and the parish of St. Oswald, Durham (460a.) Detailed provisions for the running of the collieries Consideration: £350 p.a. certain rent for 350 tons of coal for the first 2 years of the term, the first payment to be made on 23 November 1838; after the first two years, £350 and 21 shillings for every ton of round coal; 10 shillings for every ton of small coal; 2 shillings and sixpence for every ton of coal mined from adjacent collieries by outstrokes Plan endorsed The signatures of the parties have been crossed through
(Parchment, 12 membranes)


1 January 1850 (1) John Herbert Koe of Lincolns Inn, Middlesex, esq., one of Her Majesty's Counsel, the sole surviving trustee and executor of the will of Richard Pemberton, late of Barnes, Surrey, esq., dec'd; Ann Mary Pemberton of Usworth House, widow of Ralph Stephen Pemberton, late of Barnes and Usworth House, esq.; Charles Richard Robinson of Crown Office Road, Inner Temple, London, esq., barrister-at-law, executor and executrix of the will of Ralph Stephen Pemberton; Rev. Albany Wade, clerk, Rector of Elton, and Elizabeth Orde Wade, his wife, executrix of the will of Thomas Pemberton, late of Barnes, her former husband (2) William Bell of Ford, Bishopwearmouth, esq.; Edward Backhouse, the younger, of Ashburne, Bishopwearmouth, esq.; Thomas James Backhouse of Ashburne, esq. Copy lease, for 21 years from 12 August 1848, from (1) to (2) of coalmines and seams under lands belonging to Ralph Stephen Pemberton, Richard Pemberton, and Thomas Pemberton, in the parishes of Pittington Hall Garth and Gilligate, known by the name of Belmont (260a.), now in the occupation of George Hunter, Charles Turner, Anthony Smith and John Makim, and others Consideration: certain rent of £500 p.a.; lessees may extract 500 tons of coal; each ton of coal from the Hutton Seam at 30 shillings per ton and each ton of coal from the Low Main Seam at 20 shillings per ton; for any coal over 500 tons; 2 shillings and sixpence for coal taken from adjoining collieries by outstrokes
(1 file)


Letter from William Bell, Office Bridge Street, to Edward Backhouse, esq., enclosing a copy letter and copy valuation concerning the proposed purchase by Lord Londonderry of a 'Piece of Coal near Gilesgate Moor End', 3 December 1852 Endorsed: Copy valuation by Thomas E. Foster, Newcastle upon Tyne, addressed to the Owners of Belmont Colliery, of a tract of coal in the Hutton Seam in their Royalty on Gilesgate Moor, including comments on the advisability of its being worked by the Owners of the Belmont Colliery, and of its being sold to Lord Londonderry to be worked by his Broomside Pit by means of an underground engine, 30 November 1852; letter from Thomas E. Forster, 7 Ellison Place, [Newcastle upon Tyne], to W. Bell, esq., enclosing the writer's valuation of the coal at Gilesgate Moor and commenting on the value of coal at Shincliffe, 30 November 1852 Attached: envelope addressed to Edward Backhouse, jnr., esq., Ashburne House, [Sunderland] endorsed: 'Thos. E. Forster's Valuation of part of Belmont Colliery, 2 Dec. 1852 'An Exchange with M. of Londonderry for 100 acres of inferior Coal'
(3 papers; 1 file of 6 papers)


27 July 1853 (1) The Marquis of Londonderry [sic] (2) William Bell, esq.; and Partners, owners of Belmont Colliery Copy memorandum of agreement whereby (2) will exchange coal (50a.) in the Hutton Seam in the western part of the Belmont Estate, held by lease from Messrs. Pemberton and others, in exchange for for Low Main Seam coal (100a.) adjoining the Belmont Estate, held by (1) from the Dean and Chapter; all coals produced from either area to be led via the Londonderry, Seaham and Sunderland Railway to Sunderland Docks
(1 paper)


5 July 1856 (1) William Bell of the borough and county of Newcastle upon Tyne, gent. (2) Charles William Bell and William Morrison Bell, of Newcastle upon Tyne, gents. Copy conveyance from (1) to (2), as tenants in common, of shares in the following collieries: Belmont Colliery; the Shincliffe and Houghall Colliery; the Haswell Colliery; the Shotton Colliery; the Ryhope Colliery; the South Moor and Shield Row Colliery; the Lumley and Harraton Colliery; the Wearmouth Colliery; the Washington Colliery; a share in the Cross Fell Lead Mine; 10 shares in the Sunderland Athenaeum; 20 shares in the Sunderland Dock; 3 shares in the North Eastern Railway; 32 sixty-fourth shares in the ship, Cleadon, of Sunderland; 10 sixty-fourth shares in the ship, Lark, of Sunderland; (2) to be responsible for the debts of (1) connected with the property conveyed
(1 file)


Valuation of Belmont Colliery, prepared by William Armstrong, Wingate Grange, Ferry Hill, for Alfred Backhouse, Darlington, 2 April 1858 At end: profit and loss accounts for the years 1856 and 1857
(1 file)


Letter from Edward Backhouse, junior, Sunderland, to the Representatives of William J. Bell, offering, on behalf of himself, his father, Edward Backhouse, and the representatives of his late brother, Thomas James Backhouse, the sum of £4000 to the representatives of the late W. Bell, if the latter will take on the running of Belmont Colliery, dissolve the partnership between the Backhouses and Bell, and indemnify the former; or end the lease of the colliery held by the two parties, 6 May 1858
(1 paper)


Account of 'Liabilities against Belmont Colliery made up to 24th April 1858'; 'An Account of Expense of Putting in Dams , Restoring Land etc.', at Belmont Colliery, n.d. [1858]
(1 paper)


27 July 1858 (1) Edward Backhouse, the elder, of Ashburne, esq. (2) Edward Backhouse, the younger, of Hendon Hill, Bishopwearmouth, esq. (3) Anne Backhouse of West Hendon House, Bishopwearmouth, widow (4) Charles William Bell, a Lieutenant in Her Majesty's 15th Regiment of King's Hussars, now stationed at Ipswich, Suffolk; and William Morrison Bell, a Lieutenant in Her Majesty's 3rd Regiment of Light Dragoons, now stationed at New Bridge, near Dublin, Ireland Assignment from (1), (2) and (3), to (4), of four eighth shares in Belmont Colliery, in dissolution of the partnership of (1), (2), (3) and (4); (4) to assume all liabilities of (1) (2) and (3) Consideration: £4,250 from (1), (2) and (3) to (4) Endorsed: receipt of payment from (1), (2) and (3) to (4) Signatures of (1), (2) and (3) missing from assignment
(parchment, 3 membranes)


The London Gazette, containing notice of the dissolution, from 23 July 1858, of the partnership of Edward Backhouse, the younger; Anne Backhouse, widow of Thomas James Backhouse; Charles William Bell; William Morrison Bell; known as The Owners of Belmont Colliery, 30 July 1858
(1 file, printed)

Fatfield Colliery (Ref: D/X 1667/1/36-38)

Letter from Thomas Richardson, to Edward Backhouse, Sunniside, enclosing a cheque for £250 and an acceptance [note of hand] for £200, together constituting the dividend on half a share in Fatfield Colliery, a dividend which the writer considers 'truly acceptable at West Hendon', 'after two lean years in which principal has been suffering', 29 February 1834 Enclosed: copy letter from Henry Stobart, William Bell, and Thomas Crawford, to Thomas Richardson, discussing the accounts of Fatfield Colliery and announcing the payment of a dividend of £900 per share, in the form of £500 by cheque and £400 by note of hand, due in 3 months, 18 February 1834
(2 papers)


Letter from Thomas Richardson, West Hendon, to Edward Backhouse, Sunniside, enclosing a cheque for £250, the dividend on a share in Fatfield Colliery, 6 March 1835 Attached: card, issued by Mr. Barclay, soliciting votes in the parliamentary election for the Borough of Sunderland, with calculations relating to Fatfield Colliery, 1833 and 1834
(1 paper, 1 card)


1 June 1823 (1) Richard Reed of Bishopwearmouth, shipowner (2) Edward Backhouse of Bishopwearmouth, esq. Mortgage by (1) to (2) of seven eighths of the Brigantine, Zealous, of Sunderland, Francis Reed, master Consideration: £450 and 5% p.a. interest The Brigantine Zealous was built in Sunderland in 1817; had 1 deck, 2 masts, and weighed 198 tons
(parchment, 1 membrane)

Shincliffe Colliery (Ref: D/X 1667/1/39)

Proposal for a Lease of Shincliffe Colliery to Mr. J.N. Ogden, 1852 as follows: horses to be valued and Mr. Ogden to take all or none: consumable stock in shops, granaries, and yards to be valued and Mr. Ogden to take what he requires for each 19 shillings paid to the Dean and Chapter for certain rent, Mr. Ogden to pay 11 shillings more, including the use of stock, engines, buildings and houses and all ground already damaged and all ways and privileges in Shincliffe and elsewhere, as follows: Privileges in Elvet Landsale deposits in Yorkshire and elsewhere Privileges of trade in Shincliffe Colliery generally Contacts for leading and vend of landsale coal Excepting: arrangements with Belmont Colliery and arrangements with Fitting Offices and merchants as to seaborne coals a certain rent of £1440 p.a. liberty to make short workings throughout Mr. Ogden may quit the colliery at 3 months' notice at the end of the 6th, 9th or 12th month; at the end of the 2nd or 3rd year at six months' notice; thereafter, at 12 months' notice Mr. Ogden to maintain the Company's stock and plant Coal wagons to be inspected and Mr. Ogden to take only those fit for service on trunk lines of railway the present servants of colliery to be retained by Mr. Ogden during the first twelve months Mr. Ogden to observe the terms of the original lease from the Dean and Chapter Mr. Ogden may withdraw if he does not approve the terms of the original lease, or if the York, Newcastle and Berwick Railway Company decline to make proper sidings and arrange for a joint working and leading from the 2 collieries of Shincliffe and Whitwell Attached: envelope addressed to Edward Backhouse, esq., Ashburne [Sunderland] and marked: 'Shincliffe Colliery Valn.', 6 December 1852
(1 paper, 1 envelope)

Verse (Ref: D/X 1667/1/40)

To E.B. Junr., verse by E.B., annotated: 'Printed by E.B. Mounsey', n.d. [late 19th century]
(1 paper, printed)

Signatures of Edward Backhouse (Ref: D/X 1667/1/41-42)

Signatures of H. Turner, Caleb Wilson, William Gales, Ralph Carr, William Bell, John Scott, Thomas Pemberton, Edward Backhouse, on parchment fragments cut from a title deed, n.d. [1802 - 1850] Edward Backhouse, the elder, came of age in 1802, and Thomas Pemberton was dead by 1850
(parchment, 2 pieces, each 17 cm. x 8 cm.)


Signature of Geo. Leggan, Jonathan Backhouse, William Backhouse, James Backhouse, Edward Backhouse, John Backhouse, on a fragment of a title deed, n.d. [1805 - 1837] The signatories are siblings, sons of Jonathan Backhouse [1747 - 1826]; the youngest, John, came of age in 1805 and the first to die, James, died in 1837
(1 paper)

Edward Backhouse (1808-1879) (Ref: D/X 1667/1/43-46)

son of Edward and Mary (nee Robson)


'Notice of a relic, supposed to be of a Rhinoceros Horn, found in excavating West Hartlepool Docks about 1856: By Edward Backhouse, Sunderland', 1863
(1 paper)


'Yacht Excursion to Norway - In the Summer of 1866' by Edward Backhouse, the younger, reprinted from the Friends' Examiner, n.d. [c.1870]
(1 booklet, printed)


Manuscript, and printed version of, verse entitled: To Mont Blanc [Switzerland] by E.B. [Edward Backhouse, junior], n.d. [c. 1870]
(2 papers, printed)


Pencil sketch of a shallow fall of water to a river, marked 'Sketched at Alston, [Cumberland] with the initials 'EB' [Edward Backhouse], possibly in another hand, n.d. [19th century]
(1 paper, 9.2 cm. x 15.8 cm.)

Edmund Trelawney Backhouse (1873-1944) (Ref: D/X 1667/1/47)

Sir Edmund Trelawney Backhouse, 2nd Baronet (20 October 1873 - 8 January 1944), eldest son of Sir Jonathan Edmund Backhouse, 1st Baronet, left Oxford under a cloud because of his debts. In 1899, he arrived in Peking, China, where he collaborated with Dr. George Ernest Morrison, correspondent for The Times. Later, he became Professor of Law and Literature at the University of Peking. He donated eight tons of Chinese manuscripts to the Bodleian Library, Oxford, between 1913 and 1923.
In 1916, he negotiated 2 fraudulent deals between the Chinese Imperial Court and The America Banknote Company and John Brown and Co., a British shipbuilder.
He returned to Peking in 1922 and died there in 1944.
He published China Under The Empress Dowager, 1910, and Annals and Memoirs of the Court of Peking, 1914. These are now considered to be based on forged manuscripts and to be fictitious. See: Hugh Trevor Roper: A Hidden Life: The Enigma of Sir Edmund Backhouse, 1976


Newspaper cutting entitled: 'Mr. E. Trelawney Backhouse's Bankruptcy' What he spent at Oxford', describing proceedings for bankruptcy against E. Trelawney Backhouse, of Merton College, currently in a lunatic asylum in New York, U.S.A., 4 November 1897
(1 paper, printed)

James Backhouse (1782-1837) (Ref: D/X 1667/1/48-49)

son of Jonathan and Ann (nee Pease)


Verse entitled A Tribute of Respect To the Memory of the Late Highly Respected and Much Lamented James Backhouse, Esq., of West Lodge, Darlington, by Thomas Webber, Darlington, printed by Coates & Farmer, Printers, Darlington, 19 August 1837
(1 paper, printed)


Rough estimates of the possible division of property on account of legacies from Jas B. [James Backhouse], 23 February 1841 and 11 March 1841 Including the following legatees: ABW; Jona B; Wm. B.; Jno B; EB's children; ER; and including the following property: bank shares; Cockerton LL fields; Oxendale field; Dodmire; Dryderdale & Skull; St. Johns; Swiss Cottage Orchard and Paddock; Low Field and GHs; West Field; Blands Field and Cottages; Bondgate Cottages and Infants' School
(2 papers)

James Backhouse (1794-1869) (Ref: D/X 1667/1/50)

son of James Backhouse (1757) and Mary (nee Dearman)
James Backhouse of York was a noted botanist and Minister of The Society of Friends.
He visited Mauritius; Cape Colony,South Africa; Van Diemen's Land, Tasmania; New Zealand; and Australia. He wrote A Narrative of a Visit to the Australian Colonies,1843; and A Visit to Mauritius and South Africa,1844. The latter was illustrated by Edward Backhouse (1808-1879).


Copy letter from James Backhouse, Hobart Town, Tasmania, Australia, to 'My dear Cousin, John Backhouse', Darlington, thanking the addressee for his letter of 24 March, and additional comments by the addressee's wife, which arrived in September, and the letter from William Backhouse of 10 February, which arrived on 13 September; declaring his religious faith and the terms in which the writer, and his companions, present the Christian faith to the settlers; describing evangelical meetings,and the promotion of temperance; requesting Darlington Meeting to raise money to send temperance tracts to New Holland, as other Meetings he cites have done; describing how Geo. and Agnes Dixon have become members of the Temperance Society, how Thomas Dixon has failed and removed to Sidney, New South Wales, Australia; referring to William Robson; to his cousins, Dearman and Rebecca; to his cousins, John and Katharine and William; and to Ann Coleman and to Cousin Peases, 30 September 1833
(2 papers)

John Backhouse (c1626-1690) and Sarah Backhouse (c 1626-1706) (nee Jackson) (Ref: D/X 1667/1/51)

Pedigree of the descendants of John and Sarah Backhouse, of Yealand Conyers, Lancashire, and Darlington, 1653 - 1805
(parchment, 1 membrane)

John Church Backhouse (1811-1858) (Ref: D/X 1667/1/52)

son of John (1784-1847) and Elizabeth (nee Church)
married Anna Gurney


Copy of a resolution, made by the Trustees of the Darlington and Barton Turnpike Road at an A.G.M. at the Town Hall, Darlington, agreeing that part of the old road, leading to the Blackwell Ford, be given up to John Church Backhouse, signed by John Hodgson, 28 November 1848
(1 paper)

Jonathan Backhouse (1779-1842) (Ref: D/X 1667/1/53)

son of Jonathan (1747-1826) and Ann (nee Pease)
married Hannah Chapman Gurney


1 January 1818 (1) Jonathan Backhouse of Sunniside, Bishopwearmouth, banker (2) John Ransom, son of John Ransom of Sunderland, tinner and brazier Indenture whereby (2) is apprenticed to (1), for 7 years, as a banker
(1 paper)

Jonathan Edmund Backhouse (1849- 1918) (Ref: D/X 1667/1/54-55)

son of Edmund (1824-1906) and Juliet Mary (nee Fox)
married Florence Salusbury-Trelawny


Newspaper cutting containing an article entitled: 'Important Bank Amalgamation', describing the amalgamation of Backhouses Bank, Darlington; Barclays Bank, London; and Gurney's Bank, Norwich, Norfolk, 28 March 1896
(1 paper)


Newspaper cuttings containing verses written to mark the amalgamation of Backhouses Bank with Barclays Bank, July-August 1896 as follows: 'Backhouse's - 1774 - 1896', by Jon[athan] E. B[ackhouse], 25 July 1896; 'Backhouse's Bank. A Reply', Anon., 30 July 1896; 'Backhouse's, 1774 - 1896. Ghost of Jonathan B - loquitur', by Civis, 3 August 1896
(3 papers)

Thomas James Backhouse (1810-1857) (Ref: D/X 1667/1/56-57)

son of Edward (1781-1860) and Mary (nee Robson)
married Margaret Richardson


'A Journal Kept by Thos. Jas. Backhouse of a Tour from Sunniside to Burnows by North Shields, Newcastle, etc.', 11 - 12 July 1817 The journal describes a tour with his grandmother, Aunt Ann, Uncle and Aunt Mounsey; he boards the coach at the Wheatsheaf Inn; goes over Sunderland Bridge, accompanied by his mother and father, Uncle James, and brother, Edward, to South Shields, via Fulwell, Cleadon, Harlan and Westoe; at the latter place, he remarks: 'I was reminded of some little mistakes of my dear Aunt Margt.'; refers to the hills of ballast near South Shields; describes how they waited at Thos. Oystons for the rain to pass; and describes the Market Place as a 'spacious square and good market house'; he describes taking the boat to North Shields , where he sees a narrow street, dry docks, and 2 & 3 masted ships: 'Such Sights I never Saw Before - it is a very grand river - far surpassing Sunderland'; he describes crossing the river and going to the house of Uncle and Aunt Richardson; walking to 'New Quay' and watching a man lifting heavy weights by a 'wynch with an Iron Chain to a crane' 'just as easily as I could grind at my Uncle Tommy's Coffee Mill'; visiting a timber yard, Tynemouth Castle, and the lighthouse at Tynemouth; going with Uncle Mounsey from 'Low Lights' to a salmon fishery at the mouth of the Tyne; describing how no salmon was caught but how they 'bought little sprats all alive'; visiting 'my Uncle's Tanyard' ; seeing a 'Pleasure Boat' with sails, but going instead in a rowing boat 'rowed by a man who Understood his business than go into boat with sails - for it often has happened that boats with sails have been overset by Sudden Squalls of Wind'; seeing a 'Life Boat which has a great deal of cork about it and they say it won't sink'; seeing a 'steam boat': 'it sailed against the tide and no-one rowed - or was any sail set - which both strange and a very pretty sight'; taking tea with 'my Aunt Proctor' and 'here I saw Wonder of all Wonders I had never seen before - nothing less than two beautiful White Mice - Which a French Boy was carrying About and Showing to People - for what they might Please to give him'; describing the antics of the mice and how he would have liked to buy them and take them to Darlington to show his brother, Edward, and sister, Lucy.
(1 booklet, paper bound)


Anonymous riposte, entitled 'Dr. Peacock', to the attack by a medical practitioner of Darlington on Mr. T. Backhouse, 22 March 1824 Backhouse had 'lately informed the inhabitants of Darlington, in a handbill, that he had procured for their use a newly invented apparatus for extracting poison from the stomach of any person who by accident, or otherwise, might unfortunately have taken it'; the attack on T. Backhouse centres on the doctor's belief that the administration of an emetic is a most efficacious way of ensuring the removal of the poison, and the response to the attack is based on the assertion that in many cases such emetics are not effective and, indeed, cause more damage, and that the new apparatus removes the poison easily and effectively Endorsed: E. Backhouse to whom the copy has been sent
(1 paper, printed)

William Backhouse (1809 - 1869) (Ref: D/X 1667/1/58)

son of William (1779-1844) and Mary (nee Dixon)
married Katharine Aldam Pease, daughter of William Pease and Sarah (nee Jowitt)


Photograph of a house, with trees behind and grass in front; in the middle of the grass is a tree under which a man is sitting, captioned: 'St. John's 1871', 1871 St. John's, Wolsingham, was the residence of William Backhouse (1807 - 1869) and of his son, Charles James Backhouse (b. 1848)
(1 photograph, 19.5cm. x 13.5cm., sepia, mounted on card)