Braes of Derwent Hunt
Reference: D/BDH Catalogue Title: Braes of Derwent Hunt Area: Catalogue Category: Charity and Society Records Description:
Covering Dates: 1850-1970
Catalogue Index
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- Braes of Derwent Hunt
- Braes of Derwent Hunt (Ref: D/BDH)
- Administrative records (Ref: D/BDH 1-17)
- Financial records (Ref: D/BDH 18-40)
- Correspondence (Ref: D/BDH 41-73)
- Hunt Secretaries Association (Ref: D/BDH 74)
- Master of Foxhounds Association (Ref: D/BDH 75)
- Miscellaneous (Ref: D/BDH 76-80)
- Cowen Family (Ref: D/BDH 81-103)
- Lt. Colonel John A. Cowen (Ref: D/BDH 81)
- John Edward Cowen (Ref: D/BDH 82-87)
- Ruth M. Cowen (Ref: D/BDH 88-89)
- Mrs. Mabel Hunter Cowen (d.1941) (Ref: D/BDH 90-103)
- Priestman Family (Ref: D/BDH 104-120)
- Lewis Priestman (Ref: D/BDH 104-119)
- Major J.L. Priestman (Ref: D/BDH 120)
- North Durham Hunt (Ref: D/BDH 121-132)
- Other Hunts (Ref: D/BDH 133-134)
Catalogue Contents
The 'Braes of Derwent' Hunt was formed in 1854 by William Cowen (1834 - 1875) the third son of Sir Joseph Cowen of Stella Hall. He was Master of the Hunt until 1872 but unfortunately no records survive from this period. He was succeeded as Master by his brother Colonel John Anthony Cowen (1831 - 1895) of Blaydon Burn, second son of Sir Joseph Cowen. Colonel Cowen had for some time kept his own pack of beagles, the earliest item among the records here being a list of beagles kept by him from 1863 - 1867. The actual hunt records begin in 1872 when Colonel Cowen was taking over as Master from his brother. After Cowen's death in 1895 the Mastership was taken by Lewis Priestman (1863 - 1945) of Derwent Lodge, a position he held until his death. Mr. J.E. Cowen, son of Colonel J.A. Cowen, acted as Secretary of the Hunt from 1899 until his death in 1938. Mr. G.A. Cowen, son of J.E. Cowen, became Master of the Hunt in 1945.
These records also contain several items relating to the North Durham Hunt which was formed in 1872 but suffered many vicissitudes. In 1923 the Braes of Derwent Hunt took over some of the North Durham country and the latter ceased to have a Master or its own hounds. Until 1930 the North Durham Hunt had a separate secretary and financial independence but after this date its affairs were gradually merged with the Braes of Derwent Hunt and it finally disappeared in 1943.
For further details about the Hunt see The Braes of Derwent Hunt by G.A. Cowen (in the Record Office Library).
Ruth M. Cowen (1911-1968), daughter of George Anthony Cowen
Ref: D/BDH 88Mabel Hunter Thompson (1875-1941), daughter of George Hunter Thompson of Whickham, married John Edward Cowen in 1903 and was the mother of George Anthony Cowen and Ruth M. Cowen.
Ref: D/BDH 90