Pearson's Farm/Low Whins
(minus 10 acre holding in Tranmire Close)
Pearson’s Farm
Joseph Harrison Sr (1707-1780) would purchase Pearson's Farm from descendants of William Worfolk in 1738. This farm name is from at least the 17th century as William Worfolk referred to it by name in his will passed in 1706. It must be named after Pearson's Rigg, the geological feature to the east in Ugthorpe Township (or vice versa). Today the farm is known as Low Whins Farm.
The furthest back in time I have been able to trace the farm is to William Worfolk in the 17th century. Worfolk was a prominent Quaker (Society of Friends) who lived in Stainton Dale, near Scarborough down the coast of Yorkshire from Whitby. He died in 1706 and in his will he mentions his lands in Tranmire and refers to Pearson's Farm as well as two other farms.
In his will he left “all my lands and tenements in at Tranmire” to his wife. He makes reference to Lewis Farm [noted in 1857 deed as Tranmire Farm or Low Tranmire Farm], now in occupation of Widow Garbutt that “she [his wife Mary] give said lands at her death or by her last will and testament to ___? of our poor relations as shall stand in most for maintenance (unto it) but not to sell it from or out of the family”. Later in his will he says “after the death of my wife I dispose of the lands and tenements in Tranmire as follows: that is to say to John Taylor my grandson [son of Mary Taylor, nee Worfolk] or to his heirs for ever the [unnamed] farm now in the possession of Francis Pearson provided he or his heirs three years after his or their entry shall pay unto his three sisters Mary Chapman, Elizabeth Richman & Jane Taylor or their heirs the sum of sixty pounds to be provided equally amongst them and for nonpayment for them to enter upon the sd farm till satisfied and my will is that is should not be sold from sd farm." The will continues “then after my wife’s demise I give unto my great grandson Worfolk Postgate and to his heirs forever, all that farm in the occupation of Martin Adamson called Pearson’s Farm with all its appurtenances whatsoever provided he or his heirs three years after his entry he pay to Dorothy Clark or her three daughters each ten pounds apiece.” Therefore he left Pearson's Farm to his great grandson Worfolk Postgate though this wife had a life interest in it while alive. When Mary Worfolk died in 1712 the farm became the property of Worfolk Postgate.
Worfolk Postgate died in 1719 and he left the farm to his brother John Postgate. He stated in his will ”I give and devise unto my brother John Postgate”...”all that messuage house or tenement with the barns, stables and other out houses there to belonging situate lying and being near Egton in the said county of York with the several closes or plots of ground thereunto belonging being together comprehended under the name of Pearsons Farm and lying at a place called Tranmire with the rights members and appurtenances whatsoever thereonto belonging which said farm and premises were after the death of my great grandmother Mary Worfolk devised to me and my heirs by the Last Will and Testament of my late great grandfather William Worfolk of Staintondale.”
However John Postgate died in 1720 without a will and hence his estate went to his wife and two daughters Alice (who married Richard Sedgefield) and Mary (who married George Kirby).
In 1738 Joseph Harrison purchased Pearson's Farm from Alice Sedgefield (nee Postgate) and Mary Kirby (nee Postgate) for £225 using the proxy of John Pierson of Egton. We know this because when John Pierson died in 1774 Joseph Harrison, then living at Greenhouses interestingly, had Francis Pierson, the nephew and heir at law of John Pierson, sign an indenture of trust declaring that Pearson's Farm was owned by Joseph Harrison.
Now why he used John Pierson as a proxy is not fully known. Was it simply because he was Catholic? If so he was being very cautious as others were more open such as Henry Harrison of Greenhouses or in fact the Hodgsons his wife's family. Why the secrecy? I sometimes wonder if he was actually a convert to Catholicism when he married Jane Hodgson and so was being extra cautious. This is part of the mystery surrounding him as I have no record of him before September 1735 when he shows up living in Whitby as a Mariner in the list of Catholics drawn up for the Anglican Archbishop Lancelot Blackburne.
Joseph Harrison died in 1780 and in 1782 his two sons Joseph Harrison and Henry Harrison had Francis Pierson execute two indentures declaring that their father Joseph Harrison had actually given the money to John Pierson to buy the farm and that it was actually owned by Joseph Harrison Sr. and therefore could legally be devised to them. Eleven days later Joseph and Henry Harrison enacted an indenture of demise (mortgage) with John Mead of Glaizedale for the lands.
In 1785 Joseph and Henry Harrison sold off the 10 acre holding they had in the Tranmire Close to George Hutton of Roxby [who owned present day Old Castle Farm to the north] for £28, subject to John Mead's approval as he held the mortgage on the lands. Finally in 1789 Joseph and Henry Harrison conveyed the farm outright to John Mead of Glaizedale, and the farm lands passed out of the Harrison family.
Interestingly, the 1799 Land Redemption Tax records list John Mead as the owner of these lands (stated as 30 acres) with William Harrison as a tenant. I believe this is my 3x great grandfather who later moved to Murkside in Egton Township. When John Mead died in 1804 he left the farm to his son James and I think that that is when (actually in 1803 I think) James Mead moved to the farm and William Harrison moved to Murkside in Egton Township.
The following deeds, wills and tax records trace the land transactions of the farm from the purchase by Joseph Harrison (1707-1780) in 1738 until the Micklethwait family bought them (and other lands) in 1866. They held the property until 1977.
Ref: F, 22, 21
Indenture of Grant and Release Dated 3 May 1738
Between:
1 George KIRBY of Scarborough, mariner and Mary his wife, Richard SEDGEFIELD the younger of Scarborough, Master Mariner and Alice his wife; both daughters and coheirs of John Postgate late of Scarborough, Mariner, who was one of the brothers of Worfolk POSTGATE, who was one of the great grandsons [Worfolk and John Postgate were great grandsons of William Worfolk. Mary and Alice Postgate were the great great grandchildren of William Worfolk] of William WORFOLK, late of Stainton Dale of the one part
2 John PIERSON of Egton, in the parish of Lyth of the other part [John Pierson was a proxy for Joseph Harrison (1707-1780) see deeds BG, 48, 62 and BT 502, 800]
Concerning: all the farm or farmhold commonly called or known by the name of Pearson’s Farm lying being in or near a place commonly called Tranmire within the parish of Lyth, consisting of one messuage or house or tenement with the barns, stables and other outhouses, there into belonging all those several closes, intacks, or parcels of arable lands and meadow or pasture ground to wit: the House Close, the Great Close the Low Close, the Calf Close, the Well Close, the Middle Close, Lime Garth, Hob Close, Far Field, Breckon Intack and one undivided pasture parcel – Tranmire Close
Witnesses: Christopher Harrison, Christopher Malrby, William Shaw of Scarborough and John Farside of Whitby
Ref: BG, 48, 62
Indenture made by way of a Declaration of Trust Dated 5 September 1774
Between:
1 Francis PIERSON of Egton, Husbandman (Nephew and Heir at Law of John PIERSON of Egton, Yeoman, late deceased)
2 Joseph HARRISON of Greenhouses in the Parish of Danby
Concerning: all that farm or farmhold commonly called Pearson’s Farm, Tranmire, consisting of one messuage house or tenement with the barns, stables and other outhouses and all those eleven (11) closes, intacks or parcels of arable land and meadow and pasture ground to wit: The House Close, the Great Close, the Low Close, the Calf Close, the Well Close, Jollyhill Close, Middle Close, Lime Garth, Hob Close, Far Field and Breckon Intact and one undivided part or parcel of ground commonly called Tranmire Close, formerly in the tenure or occupation of John NICHOLSON and now divided into two farms in the several occupations of Henry HARRISON and Joseph HARRISON the younger (sons of the above named Joseph Harrison)
Witnesses: George Pierson of Egton, Butcher and John PETCH of Lealholm Bridge, Gentleman.
BT 502, 800 (two indentures)
Indenture dated May 1, 1782, registered November 7, 1782
Between
1 Francis PEIRSON of Egton, Husbandman, Nephew of John PEIRSON, late of Egton, Yeoman, deceased
2 Henry HARRISON of Tranmire, Yeoman, son of devisee named in the last will and testament of Joseph HARRISON, deceased
3 Joseph HARRISON of Tranmire, Yeoman, son of devisee named in the last will and testament of Joseph HARRISON, deceased
In consideration for 5 shillings paid to Francis PEIRSON in hand conveyed to Henry HARRISON and Joseph HARRISON Pearson’s Farm, Tranmire, consisting of one messuage house, or tenements, barns, stables, and other outhouses, consisting of eleven (11) closes, intacks and arable land, meadow or pasture ground. To wit: The House Close, The Great Close, The Low Close, The Calf Close, The Well Close, Jolly Hill Close, Middle Close, Lime Garth, Hob Close, Far Field, Breckon Intack, and one undivided part or parcel of ground Tranmire Close. Farm and premises late in the occupation of John NICHOLSON, which said premises were lately divided into two farms and several of the said closes or parcels, said farms now in the occupation of Henry HARRISON and Joseph HARRISON.
BT 502, 800
Indenture dated May 2, 1782, registered November 7, 1782
Between
1 Francis PEIRSON of Egton, Husbandman, Nephew of John PEIRSON, late of Egton, Yeoman, deceased
2 Henry HARRISON of Tranmire, Yeoman, son of devisee named in the last will and testament of Joseph HARRISON, deceased
3 Joseph HARRISON of Tranmire, Yeoman, son of devisee named in the last will and testament of Joseph HARRISON, deceased
By indenture of lease and release bearing dates about the second or third day of May 1738 between George KIRBY of Scarborough, Mariner and Mary his wife and Richard SEDGEFIELD the younger of Scarborough Master and Mariner and Alice his wife with said Mary and Alice were the coheirs of John POSTGATE, late of Scarborough, Mariner, who was one of the brothers of Worfolk POSTGATE who was one of the great grandsons of William WORFOLK, then late of Staintondale, Yeoman, of the one part and the above named John PEIRSON the other part. It is by the same Indenture of Release witnessed that in consideration of the sum of two hundred and twenty five pounds (£225), to them the said George KIRBY and Mary his wife and Richard SEDGEFIELD the younger and Alice his wife, paid by the said John PEIRSON did Grant, Bargain, Sell onto the said John PEIRSON by virtue of the said Indenture, Pearson’s Farm being in Tranmire, within the parish of Lyth, consisting of one Messuage House or Tenement, with Barns, Stables and outhouses, eleven (11) Closes, Parcels or Arable land, meadow or pasture ground. To wit: The House Close, The Great Close, The Low Close, The Calf Close, The Well Close, Jolly Hill Close, Middle Close, Lime Garth, Hob Close, Far Field and Breckon Intack, and one undivided part of parcel of ground commonly called Tranmire Close then in the occupation of John NICHOLSON. Whereas the above mentioned purchase or consideration of money of two hundred and twenty five pounds was all the proper money of Joseph HARRISON deceased and no part thereof the money of the said John PEIRSON whose name was only made use of in the said Indentures in Trust for the same Joseph HARRISON, and his Heirs, as he the said Francis PEIRSON doth hereby declare confess and acknowledge. And whereas the legal estate of and in the same premises is now duly vested in the said Francis PEIRSON as nephew and Heir at Law of the said John PEIRSON, deceased, no conveyance having ever yet being made thereof by them or either of them, to any person of persons whatsoever. And whereas the said Joseph Harrison deceased did by his last will and testament duly executed for passing of Real Estate give and devise (among other things) to his son Henry Harrison all that said messuage tenements, farms and lands situate at Tranmire, in the possession of Henry HARRISON and to his son Joseph HARRISON all that said messuage tenements, farms and lands situate at Tranmire. And the said Henry HARRISON and Joseph HARRISON having requested and prevailed upon the said Francis PEIRSON to convey their respective farms and premises so given to them respectively.
Ref: BT, 503, 802
Indenture of Demise (mortgage) dated 13 May 1782, Registered 7 Nov 1782
Between:
1 Henry HARRISON of Tranmire, parish of Lyth, Yeoman and Joseph HARRISON of Tranmire, parish of Lyth, Yeoman
2 John MEAD of Glaizedale, parish of Danby, Farmer
Concerning: All the messuage, dwelling house or tenement farm and farmhold with the lands, closes, grounds, intacks, hereditaments, and premises, thereunto belonging or appertenancing, situate at Tranmire aforesaid and now in the tenure of occupation of the said Henry HARRISON or his assigns being all the estate of the said Henry HARRISON at Tranmire aforesaid together with the appurtenances which said indenture is witnessed by: Francis Wardale of Whitby, Gentleman and John Fewster the younger, his clerk.
Ref: BQ, 219, 28 (10 acres of Tranmire Close)
Indenture in Quadripartite dated 25 June 1785
Between:
1 Henry HARRISON of Tranmire, parish of Lyth, Yeoman
2 Joseph HARRISON of same place, Yeoman
3 John MEAD of Glaizedale, parish of Danby, Farmer
4 George HUTTON of Roxby Moorside in the parish of Roxby, Yeoman
Concerning: the undivided moiety of the close or parcel of ground hereinafter described and the fee simple and inheritance thereof is now duly vested in the said Henry HARRISON and Joseph HARRISON, one half part whereof the share of the said Henry HARRISON hath been lately demised in mortgage by term of one thousand years (together with other hereditaments) unto the said John MEAD and the said Henry HARRISON and Joseph HARRISON having lately come to an agreement with the said George HUTTON for the absolute purchase of the same moiety for the sum of twenty eight pounds, and he the said John MEAD being willing at the request of the said Henry HARRISON to join in conveyance thereof and to exonerate the same from such his mortgage.. that in consideration of the said sum of twenty eight pounds by the said George HUTTON unto the said Henry HARRISON and Joseph HARRISON they do acknowledge and in consideration of the sum of five shillings by the same George HUTTON unto the said John MEAD they the said Henry HARRISON, Joseph HARRISON and John MEAD have granted, bargained and sold onto the said George HUTTON that undivided moiety or half part of that part or parcel of ground commonly called by the name Tranmire Close containing by estimation ten acres, now in the occupation of the said Henry HARRISON and Joseph HARRISON, abutting and boundering on the lands severally of John SHIMMON toward the north, William HODGSON towards the south, and William PEARSON towards the west
Witnesses: Francis WARDALE and John FEWSTER Jr
Ref: CE 249, 399
Indenture dated 13 May 1789
Registered 9 August 1789
Indenture of Demise
Between:
1 Henry HARRISON of Tranmire and Joseph HARRISON of the same place, Yeoman (Trustee for Henry HARRISON)
2 John MEAD of Glaizedale, parish of Egton, Farmer
Concerning: Messuage or dwelling house, farm or farmhold situated at Tranmire, now in the occupation of the said Henry HARRISON being all the estate of the said Henry HARRISON at Tranmire aforesaid which said indenture as to the execution of the same by said Henry HARRISON is witnessed.
Witnesses: Joseph WARDALE, of Whitby, Gentleman and John FEWSTER his clerk
1799 Land Redemption Tax
Registered 25 September 1799
1798 Land Tax Redemption
Newton Mulgrave Township
John MEAD, owner - William HARRISON, tenant [I believe that this is my great great great grandfather as the same source does not show him as a tenant of Mr. ELWES in Egton Township]
30 acres of land and messuage.
1804
Last Will and Testament of John MEAD
Dated: 30 May 1803
Proved: 16 May 1804
"Whins Farm" to my son James MEAD, in the occupation of William HARRISON
1808
James MEAD died intestate
Administration to wife Mary Ann MEAD
Heirs at law - Mary Ann MEAD (nee MAYMAN), Widow, daughters Mary Ann Mead MAYMAN and Margaret MEAD
Widow Mary Ann MEAD married George WOODWARK of Glaisdale - at Danby on 1 November 1810
Margaret MEAD married Harland FRANK of Aislaby April 27, 1830 at Danby
Mary Ann Mead MAYMAN died 1830 - last will and testament - “to sister Margaret FRANK” all real estate in Newton Mulgrave + other legacies - proved 31 March 1835
Harland FRANK, aged 26 years, seems to have gotten himself into some financial trouble and in 1835 by order of his assignees the farm was put up for auction for the benefit of his creditors. The advertisement below appeared in the June 13, 1835 edition of the Yorkshire Gazette
Ref: GG, 65, 94 (10 acres of Tranmire Close back together)
Indenture dated 20 and 21 August 1835
Registered 19 October 1835
Between:
1 George FRANK of Kirbymoorside, Grocer and Draper, Francis Breckon of Aislaby in the Parish of Middleton, Farmer,
2 Harland FRANK, late of Aislaby but now Glazedale in the Parish of Danby
3 George WOODWARK of Glazedale, Yeoman
Indenture of Lease and Release
And the release made between the said George FRANK and Francis BRECKON of the first part the said Harland FRANK of the second part and the said George WOODWARK of the third part
...lands in Lastingham… And also the entirety of all farm or farmhold commonly known as Pearson’s Farm... and all those eleven (11) closes… containing together thirty seven (37) acres… called the House Close, the Great Close, the Low Close, the Calf Close, the Well Close, Jolly Hill Close, Middle Close, Lime Garth, Hobb Close, Far Field and Breckon Intack – 37 acres – also one undivided part of parcel of ground commonly called Tranmire Close...were then in the occupation of George HARRISON
1845 Tithe Map
The map and apportionment document for Newton Mulgrave Township clearly shows the lands that make up Pearson's Farm and is the basis for the map above showing the hightlighted boundaries of the farm. The only portion missing from the above map is the 10 acre portion of the Tranmire Moor called Tranmire Close.
Ref: HM, 102, 94
Last will and testament of George WOODWARK
Registered 20 March 1847
George Woodwark died 5 January 1847
Will proved 25 February 1847
All property willed to wife, Mary Ann WOODWARK
1858
Last Will and Testament of Mary Ann WOODWARK
Dated 29 September 1858
Mary Ann WOODWARK died 7 November 1858
Will proved 15 April, 1859
All real estate to sons Thomas Harwood WOODWARK, William WOODWARK, Richard Mayman WOODWARK, Ralph WOODWARK and daughter Elizabeth, wife of John BARKER.
On October 1, 1859 Thomas WOODWARK decided to sell the farm and placed an advertisement in the Whitby Gazette.
It was not until February 11, 1861 that the farm was sold to John Barry CAMPION.
Ref: IU, 158, 219
Indenture dated 11 February 1861
Registered 16 March 1861
Between:
1 Thomas Harwood WOODWARK, of Whitby, Grocer, William WOODWARK of Glazedale, Yeoman, Richard Mayman WOODWARK of Whitby, Miller Ralph WOODWARK of Glazedale, Farmer and John BARKER of Witton Gilbert in the County of Durham, Grocer and Elizabeth his wife
2 John Mead FRANK of Wilton Place, Belgrave Square in the County of Middlesex
3 John Barry CAMPION, of Leek in the county of Stafford, Railway Station Manager
Concerning all that farm or freehold known as Pearson’s Farm, otherwise Whin’s Farm, lying in or near a place commonly called Tranmire in the Township of Newton Mulgrave...and all those eleven (11) closes… containing together thirty seven (37) acres… called the House Close, the Great Close, the Low Close, the Calf Close, the Well Close, Jolly Hill Close, Middle Close, Lime Garth, Hobb Close, Far Field and Breckon Intack – 37 acres – also one undivided part of parcel of ground commonly called Tranmire Close...formerly in the occupation of George Harrison but now lately of George SWALES (George Swales noted here in 1851 census “Whins” no acreage given - Thomas Bainbridge noted at other “Whins” just before - noted as farmer of 110 acres - 1861 census George Swales noted at “Whins” farm of 37 acres)
Witnesses: George Challinor of Leek, Solicitor, and James RATCLIFFE of Leek, Coachman. And as to the execution of Matthew SNOWDEN and Daniel Robinton WEDGEWOOD is witnessed by Nicholas RIGBY of Ugthorpe.
Ref: IU, 159, 220
Indenture dated 12 March 1861
Registered 16 March 1861
Between:
1 John Barry CAMPION, of Leek In the county of Stafford, Railway Station Manager
2 Matthew SNOWDEN of Whitby, Timber Merchant and Daniel Robinson WEDGEWOOD of Cockmill near Whitby, Farmer
Concerning all that farm or freehold known as Pearson’s Farm otherwise Whin’s Farm, lying in or near a place commonly called Tranmire in the Township of Newton Mulgrave...and all those eleven (11) closes… containing together thirty seven (37) acres… called the House Close, the Great Close, the Low Close, the Calf Close, the Well Close, Jolly Hill Close, Middle Close, Lime Garth, Hobb Close, Far Field and Breckon Intack – 37 acres – also one undivided part of parcel of ground commonly called Tranmire Close...formerly in the occupation of George Harrison but now lately of George SWALES
Witnesses: As to the execution of John Barker and Elizabeth his wife is witnessed by William Marshall of Durham, Solicitor. As to the execution of William Woodwark, Thomas Harwood Woodwark, Richard Mayman Woodwark and Ralph Woodwark are witnessed by Joseph Thompson of Fryup, Farmer. As to the execution of John Mead FRANK is witnessed by Thomas Sammons of the City of London, Attorney’s Clerk. And as to the execution of John Barry CAMPION is witnessed by Joseph Challinor of Leek, Solicitor and James Ratcliffe of Leek.
Ref: KG, 504, 796
Indenture dated 3 April 1866
Between:
1 Matthew SNOWDEN of Whitby, Timber Merchant and Daniel Robinson WEDGEWOOD of Cockmill near Whitby, Farmer
2 John Barry CAMPION, late of Leek In the county of Stafford, but now of the township of Egton, Gentleman
3 Richard MICKLETHWAIT of Ardsley House in the West Riding of the County of York Esquire
Concerning: the entirely of all that from or freehold commonly called or known by the name of Pearson’s Farm in Tranmire, township of Newton Mulgrave, consisting of a messuage house or tenement with the barn stables and other outhouses and also those 11 closes, intacks or parcels of arable land, meadow or pasture called the House Close, the Great Close, the Low Close, the Calf Close, the Well Close, Jolly Hill Close, Middle Close, Lime Garth, Hobb Close, Far Field and Breckon Intack – 37 acres – also one undivided part of parcel of ground commonly called Tranmire Close – formerly in the occupation of George HARRISON since of George SWALES and are now in the occupation of William PEARSON. (1871 Census - William Pearson, farmer of 85 acres - noted at “Low Tranmire House” = Low Whins? - must be - no Low Whins noted in census - just High Whins as Francis Wilkinson, farmer 83 acres)
Witnesses: James GRAY of Whitby, Attorney at Law, Benjamin Blaydes THOMPSON of Tadeaster, Attorney at Law and Charles Wilkinson, city of York, Gentleman
Micklethwait family holds lands until 1977.
