High Whins Farm

High Whins

High Whins Farm, approximately 47 acres in size, was a gift from Joseph Harrison Sr to Joseph Harrison Jr in 1766.  How this farm came into the possession of Joseph Harrison Sr  is unknown.  A review of all the deeds for this area of North Yorkshire from 1736 to 1766 in the North Yorkshire Deeds Registry did not find any deed for these lands (even if in another name since he bought Pearson's Farm using a proxy and not his real name).  This means either Joseph Harrison Sr bought the lands before 1736 when the registry started, bought them after and never registered the deed (which seems unlikely),  or he inherited the property.   

The original 1766 deed between Joseph Harrison Sr and Joseph Harrison Jr has survived and it refers to "all that newly erected messuage or dwelling house situate being in Tranmire" which means that Joseph Harrison Sr built a new farmhouse at High Whins for his son.  

Joseph Harrison Sr died in April 1780 and the following month on May 27, 1780, Joseph Harrison Jr mortgaged some of the lands to Charles Noddings, Master Mariner of Whitby for £120.  On September 27, 1785 Joseph Harrison mortgaged additional lands to  Daniel Chilton of Whitby, Master Mariner also for £120.   

By 1786 his debts on these and other lands (in Redmire) totaled £578.14s.0d in mortgages.  In order to pay off these debts a new indenture was signed on October 21, 1786 in which Joseph Harrison borrowed a total of £700 from Benjamin Harrison of Ruswarp, gentleman (no known relation) in order to pay off the mortgages on these and other lands.  The £121.6s.0d left over was paid to Joseph Harrison, in exchange for a mortgage on the property.  

Finally in 1788 his mounting debts were deliberated in the High Court of Chancery and in a ruling implemented on November 1, 1788 all the lands were sold to Edward Corner of Dunsley, gentleman.  Benjamin Harrison received £763 from Edward Corner to pay off the mortgage owed to him and Joseph Harrison received an additional £147 for the sale of the farm and lands and thus the lands went out from my Harrison family.  

The exact dimensions of the farm are uncertain as at the time of the 1845 tithe map the lands were owned by George Bainbridge who also owned Old Castle farm to the north.   Though some of the field names are the same as those mentioned in the deeds from the 1700s on the tithe map, the lands are combined on the apportionment list and therefore it is not possible to distinguish the boundary between High Whins Farm and Old Castle Farm.  However, a more contemporary map provided by the Micklethwait family does appear to show the boundary between the two farms as shown on the map above. 

The following deeds, wills and tax records trace the land transactions of the farm from the 1766 gift to Joseph Harrison Jr until the Micklethwait family bought them (and other lands) in 1866. They held the property until 1977.

Ref: AR 93, 144

Indenture of feoffment (conveyance) dated 29 November 1766

Between: 

1 Joseph HARRISON the Elder of Tranmire, Township of Newton Mulgrave, Parish of Lyth

2 Joseph HARRISON the younger, son of the said Joseph HARRISON of Tranmire in the Parish of Lyth,

In consideration of natural love and affection and the sum of five shillings and further consideration of yearly sum of four pounds to be paid to the said Joseph HARRISON the Elder.

Concerning:  all that newly erected messuage or dwelling house situate being in Tranmire – and all those closes and parcels of ground following: Lime Close, Hobb Close, Beck Close, two other closes called the Wheat Closes, the High Intack, the Low Intack, the Middle Field, the Well Garth, House Garth, one fourth part (1/2 written on back of deed later) of Tranmire Close, one moiety or half part of the Jolly Hill Close…now in the occupation of Joseph HARRISON the younger.  

Witnesses:  Robt PETCH and John PETCH  

Ref:  BO, 491, 797

Indenture of Mortgage dated 27 May 1780

Between:

1 Joseph HARRISON of Tranmire, in the township of Newton Mulgrave, parish of Lyth, Yeoman, the youngest son of Joseph HARRISON late of Transmire, deceased 

2 Charles NODDINGS of Whitby, Master Mariner

Concerning:  all that newly erected messuage or dwelling house situate being in Tranmire and all the closes and parcels of ground commonly called or known by the following:  Long Close, Hobb Close. Beck Close, Two Wheat Closes, High Close.. now in the occupation of Joseph HARRISON.

Witnesses:  John HANCOCK of Whitby, Gentleman and George NEWBALD his clerk

Ref:  BQ, 221, 29

Indenture dated 24 September 1785

Between:

1 Joseph HARRISON of Tranmire, in the parish of Lyth and Henry HARRISON of the same place, Yeoman

2 Daniel CHILTON of Whitby, Master Mariner

Whereas the said Joseph HARRISON and Henry HARRISON are and now stand seized of the hereditaments and premises hereinafter described in trust as to the estate and interest of the said Henry HARRISON therein for the only proper benefit of the said Joseph HARRISON his heirs and assigns and he the same Joseph HARRISON having occasion to borrow and take at interest the sum of one hundred and twenty pounds.  That in consideration of the sum of one hundred and twenty pounds to the said Joseph Harrison paid by the said Daniel CHILTON the said Joseph Harrison…and in consideration of the sum of five shillings by the same Daniel CHILTON unto the said Henry HARRISON they the said Joseph HARRISON and (at his request) the said Henry HARRISON have each of them demised granted bargained and sell onto the said Daniel CHILTON

Concerning:  that messuage farmhouse or tenement with the barns, stables, outhouses, farm, farmhold and appurtenances …by estimation forty (40) acres (save and except two closes or parcels of ground called the Hobb Close and the Beck Field adjoining each other containing together by estimation seven (7) acres) lying in Tranmire, parish of Lyth , and now are or late in the tenure or occupation of Joseph HARRISON…paying onto the said Joseph HARRISON the rent of a peppercorn upon the feast of Pentecost if the same be demanded…provided that if the said Joseph HARRISON shall well and truly pay unto the said Daniel CHILTON the full and just sum of one hundred and twenty pounds with lawful interest for the same at or upon the twenty fourth day of March next then ..this indenture…shall cease..and also that from and immediately after default shall happen to be made…Daniel CHILTON ..peaceably and quietly to enter unto and upon and to have hold occupy possess and enjoy for the residue of the said term of one thousand years.  Six months notice by either Joseph HARRISON to pay off the mortgage or for Daniel CHILTON to demand payment served on the other required.

Witnesses:  Francis WARDALE and John FEWSTER Jr.

Ref: CA 1, 1

Indenture in five parts dated 21 Oct 1786

Between:

1 Charles NODDINGS of Whitby, master mariner

2 Robert PORRITT of Runswick, Hinderwell, fisherman

3 Daniel CHILTON of Whitby, master mariner

4 Joseph & Henry HARRISON of Tranmire, Lythe, yeomen

5 Benjamin HARRISON of Ruswarp, gentleman.

Concerning: 

Part 1 [High Whins]

Newly erected messuage or dwelling house and 5 named closes of land, all at Tranmire, mortgaged to Charles NODDINGS by Joseph HARRISON, youngest son of the late Joseph HARRISON, for £50, by deed dated 1 Jan 1783 [reciting deed dated 27 May 1780 - BO, 491, 797] - Long Close, Hobb Close, Beck Close, two closes called Wheat Closes and the High Close - occupied by Joseph Harrison.   Also further sums of money - £70 + £40  - advanced by Charles NODDINGS to Joseph HARRISON, with interest and the premises at Tranmire as security.  The total sum now owed by Joseph HARRISON was £167.14s.0d at the date of this indenture. 

Part 2 [Redmire lands]

Several named closes of arable land totaling 31 acres - High Intack, Low Intact, Far Low Bottom and Hither Low Bottom - at Greenhouses, Manor, Castle and Lordship of Danby, Lealhom and Glaisdale, then in the occupation of Joseph HARRISON of Tranmire or his assigns, he having lately purchased the land from Henry HARRISON of Greenhouses, yeoman. Also two named closes of land - Hobb Close and Beckfield adjoining each other - totalling 7 acres then in the occupation of Joseph HARRISON or his assigns, being part of the estate devised to him by his late father Joseph HARRISON, deceased.  Yearly rent of a peppercorn.  All of which land was ‘mortgaged’ as security for a loan of £240 in an indenture dated 13 May 1782 between Joseph HARRISON of Tranmire, yeoman and his trustee Henry HARRISON of Tranmire, yeoman, and Robert PORRITT of Runswick, fisherman. Also a further advance of £30 by Robert PORRITT to Joseph HARRISON with interest and the premises as security.  The total sum now owed by Joseph HARRISON was £284.

Part 3 [High Whins] 

Messuage, farmhouse or tenement with barn, stables, farm, farmhold and appurtenances and several closes of land belonging to it, totaling 40 acres (except two named, adjoining closes containing 7 acres - Hobb Close and Beck Field adjoining each other) all at Tranmire, which were mortgaged as security for a loan of £120, in an indenture dated 24 Sep 1785  [BQ 221, 29] between Joseph HARRISON and his trustee Henry HARRISON and Daniel CHILTON of Whitby, master mariner. The total sum now owed, with interest, by Joseph HARRISON was £127.  Rent of one peppercorn at the Feast of the Pentecost.

[in total Joseph HARRISON owed £578.14s.0d in mortgages]

Part 4   

Joseph HARRISON being unable to pay off any of these loans had requested Benjamin HARRISON of Ruswarp, gentleman to advance him £700 and to pay off these loans on his behalf – which Benjamin had agreed to do.  Having paid off the loans there was a remainder of £121.6s.0d which Benjamin HARRISON paid to Joseph HARRISON.

Part5

Having received their due amounts the three creditors “ratified and confirmed” that all of the property and land mentioned in their individual indentures was demised to Benjamin HARRISON, his heirs, administrators and assigns.  Joseph HARRISON also “granted, bargained and sold” his whole ‘estate’ to Benjamin HARRISON. 

Witness: John MATTHEWS, a justice of the peace for the North Riding of Yorkshire.

Essentially Benjamin Harrison paid off all the mortgages on the High Whins Farm with an additional £121.6s.0d left over paid to Joseph Harrison, in exchange for a mortgage on the property. 

Nov 1, 1788 - High Court of Chancery

“This is the final agreement under & in the Court of our Sovereign the King… on the morrow of all souls in the Twenty eight years of the Reign of George the Third [November, 1, 1788]...before Alexander Lord Loughborough, Henry Gould, John Leath & John Wilson, Justices of our Lord the king.. Between Edward Corner and Joseph Harrison, Mary his wife, Henry Harrison and Frances his wife.. of one messuage twenty acres of land thirty acres of wood and thirty acres of pasture ten acres of Fen, Heath… of pasture for all manner of cattle.. in Tranmire Danby Lealholme & Glazedale & the parishes of Danby & Lythe … Acknowledge, Demise Quitclaim …and Agreement between the said Edward hath given to the aforesaid Joseph Mary, Henry & Frances one hundred pounds Sterling.”

The deed below implements the ruling of the High Court of Chancery

Ref: CE 113, 174

Indenture of Bargain & Sale in four parts dated 1 Nov 1788

Between: 

1 Joseph HARRISON of Tranmire, yeoman, and Mary his wife, and Henry HARRISON of Tranmire, yeoman (trustee for Joseph HARRISON.

2 Benjamin HARRISON of Ruswarp, gentleman

3 Henry HARRISON of Greenhouses, Danby, yeoman and Frances his wife.

4 Edward CORNER of Dunsley, gentleman

Concerning: Lately erected dwelling house at Tranmire [High Whins] with several named closes of land totalling 38 acres, now in the tenure or occupation of said Joseph HARRISON or his assigns. Also four named closes of land in total 31 acres at Greenhouses, Danby also in the tenure or occupation of said Joseph HARRISON or his assigns. [Redmire lands]

As part of the transaction Benjamin Harrison received £763 from Edward Corner to pay off the mortgage owed to him and Joseph Harrison received an additional £147 for the sale of the farm and lands.

Witnesses: John STEAD of Whitby, master mariner, Francis WARDALE of Whitby, gentleman & Henry FEWSTER the younger or his clerk.  Witnesses for Henry HARRISON as trustee: William HARRISON, his son & the said John FEWSTER   

The indenture was enrolled in his Majesty’s High Court of Chancery on January 3, 1789 in order to satisfy the settlement agreement.

Ref:  FQ? 328, 308 - Will of Edward CORNER

Dated 9 June 1800, Proved 11 December 1806

Registered -  9 March 1830

Will of Edward CORNER “to my son George Bainbridge CORNER and his heirs …my messuages or lands tenements and hereditaments whatsoever within the township of Newton Mulgrave in the Parish of Lyth and in Glazedale in the Parish of Danby”.  

Ref: HC, 246, 280

Indenture of conveyance of freehold estates as a lease and release dated 29 April 1843

Between:

1 Martha Coates HARRISON of the township of Ruswarp, parish of Whitby, Spinster

2 George Brodrick CORNER, late of Dunsley in the parish of Whitby but then of Tranmire in the parish of Lyth

3 Robert MIDDLETON of the township of Ruswarp, Esquire

Concerning:  all that messuage or dwelling house at Tranmire and all closes, parcels of arable meadow or pasture ground, Line Close, Hobb Close, Beck Close, Two Closes called the Wheat Closes, Three Closes called the High Intack Close, the Low Intack Close and the Low Intack Close Bank formerly in one and called the High Intack, two other closes called the Middle Intact Close and the Middle Intack Bank Close (formerly also in one and called the Low Intack) one other close (now in two parts) called the Middle Field, One close formerly called the Hill Garth (then an orchard) one other close called the House Garth, and one other close being the North part of half of a close formerly called the Jolly Hill – 38 acres [High Whins]– formerly in the occupation of Joseph HARRISON as tenant thereof but then in the tenure of occupation of George Broderick CORNER – AND also the High Intack, the Low Intack, the Far Low Bottoms and the Hither Low Bottoms – 31 acres – being at or near Greenhouses in the Manor Castle and Lordship of Danby Lealholm and Glazedale, formerly in the occupation of Joseph HARRISON as tenant then the said George Brodrick CORNER [Redmire lands]

Witnesses:  Thomas APPLEBY of Whitby, Attorney at Law and John Holt APPLEBY of the same place, Gentleman, Nathaniel LANGBORNE of Whitby, Attorney at Law and George WEATHERILL of the same place his Clerk

Ref: HF 433, 567

Dated 10 February 1845 

Registered 17 February 1845

Between:

1 George Brodrick CORNER of Tranmire in the parish of Lyth, Farmer

2 Robert MIDDLETON of the township of Ruswarp, Esquire

3 George BAINBRIDGE of Rotherithe in the county of Surrey, Timber Merchant

Whereas the said principal of £700 yet remains due to the said Robert MIDDLETON, all interest being paid and whereas the said George BAINBRIDGE hath contacted and agreed with the said George Brodrick CORNER for the absolute purchase in fee simple… for the sum of £950.

Concerning:  all that messuage or dwelling house at Tranmire and all closes, parcels of arable meadow or pasture ground, Line Close, Hobb Close, Beck Close, Two Closes called the Wheat Closes, Three Closes called the High Intack Close, the Low Intack Close and the Low Intack Close Bank formerly in one and called the High Intack, two other closes called the Middle Intact Close and the Middle Intack Bank Close (formerly also in one and called the Low Intack) one other close (now in two parts) called the Middle Field, One close formerly called the Hill Garth (then an orchard) one other close called the House Garth, and one other close bing the North part of half of a close formerly called the Jolly Hill - 38 acres [High Whins]– formerly in the occupation of Joseph HARRISON as tenant thereof and late in the tenure or occupation of George Broderick CORNER – AND also the High Intack, the Low Intack, the Far Low Bottoms and the Hither Low Bottoms – 31 acres – being at or near Greenhouses within the Manor Castle and Lordship of Danby Lealholm and Glazedale, formerly in the occupation of Joseph HARRISON as tenant and then late in the tenure or occupation of  the said George Brodrick CORNER [Redmire lands]

Witnesses:  Henry BELCHER, Robert BRECKON, John Whitten KIRBY and James TORY?

1848

George Bainbridge died 3 January 1848

Ref:  HS? 605, 766 - Will of George BAINBRIDGE

Last Will and Testament of George BAINBRIDGE

Registered 15 January 1850

Dated 9 August 1846

Will of George BAINBRIDGE - Tranmire farm to Thomas BAINBRIDGE his nephew, son of his brother James BAINBRIDGE for payment of £400 to his estate.

Ref: KH 635, 982

Indenture dated 4 June 1866

Between:

1 Thomas BAINBRIDGE of Tranmire, township of Newton Mulgrave, Yeoman

2 Richard MICKLETHWAIT of Ardsley House in the West Riding of York, Esquire

Concerning:  all that messuage or dwelling house at Tranmire, and the Line Close, the Hobb Close, Beck Close, Two Closes called the Wheat Closes, three closes called the High Intack Close, Low Intact Close, Low Intact Bank Close (formerly in one and called the High Intack), Two other Closes called the Middle Intack Close and the Middle Intack Bank Close (formerly also in one called the Low Intack), Middle Field, Hill Garth then an orchard, House Garth, north part or half of a close formerly called the Jolly Hill (Close) – 38 acres – in Tranmire formerly in the occupation of Joseph HARRISON as tenant thereof then George Brodrick CORNER but then of the said Thomas BAINBRIDGE (1861 census High Tranmire - George Hodgson noted then - Thomas Bainbridge noted at “Whins Farm” - 60 acres - right after George Swales of “Whins” - 37 acres.) AND also all those four several closes etc.. called the High Intack, Low Intack, Far Low Bottoms, Hither Low Bottoms – 31 acres at Greenhouses, formerly in the occupation of Joseph Harrison at tenant then George Brodrick CORNER but then of the said Thomas BAINBRIDGE – bounded on the north by the unenclosed moor or waste of the Lordship of Danby, on the south by lands then late severally belonging to Elizabeth HARRISON and John Barry CAMPION but then of Richard MICKLETHWAIT on the east and by the lands of the Marquis of Normanby on the west.

Micklethwait family held lands until 1977.

Pearson's Farm/Low Whins Farm

 

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.

Y DNA test proves Henry Harrison (c 1660 - 1727) paternal line - though it is not mine

After a few years I managed to find a direct male descendant of John Harrison 1720-1780 and Helen Lyth.  John Harrison is the anchor for the Henry Harrison line as Henry left his farm at Greenhouses to his son John Harrison when he died in 1727.  As such there is no question that John Harrison is his son.

I am grateful that this direct male descendant of John Harrison and Helen Lyth agreed to do a Y DNA test for me.

The results prove that my Joseph Harrison 1707-1780 line is not descended from Henry Harrison.

The direct male descendant of John Harrison and Helen Lyth matches the descendants of William Harrison 1715-1778 of Glaisdaleside in Egton Township.

So who were the parents of my Joseph Harrison then?  The earliest records we have from 1735 and 1737 indicate that he was a mariner and ship's carpenter from Whitby.  Is his ancestry from Whitby or somewhere nearby on the North Sea coast?  There is also the possibility that Joseph Harrison was adopted by Henry Harrison and raised as his son but there is no documentary evidence to prove that.  At least nothing has been found so far.  More research is needed.

Big Y DNA Results

Curious about my Harrison line I recently went for the Big Y DNA testing.  According to Family Tree DNA:

"The Big Y product is a Y-chromosome direct paternal lineage test. We have designed it to explore deep ancestral links on our common paternal tree. Big Y tests thousands of known branch markers as well as millions of places where there may be new branch markers."

It took several months but my results were posted recently and provide some additional insight deep into my paternal line.

My original Y DNA test determined that my Y haplogroup is I-M223.   The Big Y test determined what my terminal SNP is.  The terminal SNP is the most defined branch that my ancestors belong to on the I-M223 tree and in my case it is I-Y56413.  

In the Big Y testing database I match two other people.  One with paternal ancestors near Bremen, Germany in the late 1600s and another with paternal ancestors in the area of Kiikka, Finland also in the late 1600s.  

The test also determined that my branch (I-Y56413) formed around 2,900 to 2,100 years ago and that the time to the most recent common ancestor between my matches and I is estimated at 1,900 to 750 years ago.  This is a rather long time frame.  I would be nice if it could be refined in the future.

Update

I recently upgraded my English cousin's (direct descendant of Henry Harrison 1734-1812 brother of my ancestor Joseph Harrison c1737-1816) Y DNA to the Big 700 and the results provided on October 11, 2022 are interesting and provide some refinement to the information when I did my own test.  The terminal SNP of my Harrison line is now I-BY70347.

The result is that the common ancestor between the both of us and our other match in Finland is estimated to be a man who lived about year 150 (so 1,892 years ago).

The match in Finland is on the parent branch of the Y DNA that my English cousin and I belong to.  So our branch diverged from the parent branch through one of the sons of the man who lived about 150.

Looking at the comparison to ancient DNA provided, both my English cousin and I match the following finds (top 3):

• Lakenheath 15 was an old adult man who lived between 400 and 600 CE during the Medieval Age and was found in the region now known as RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk, England.  You and Lakenheath 15 share a common paternal line ancestor who lived around 800 CE.  He was associated with the Medieval Britain cultural group.

• Sedgeford 17 was a man who lived between 700 and 850 CE during the Medieval Age and was found in the region now known as Sedgeford, Norfolk, England.  You and Sedgeford 17 share a common paternal line ancestor who lived around 800 CE.  He was associated with the Medieval Britain cultural group.

• Öland 1016 was a 60+ year old man who lived between 800 and 1100 CE during the Viking Age and was found in the region now known as Hulterstad, Öland, Sweden.    You and Öland 1016 share a common paternal line ancestor who lived around 1450 BCE.  He was associated with the Viking Sweden cultural group.

Harrison Y DNA Haplogroups in the Egton/Glaisdale/Lyth area of North Yorkshire

So far three distinct Y DNA haplogroups have been discovered in the Catholic Harrison lines of the Egton/Glaisdale/Lyth area of North Yorkshire.

The William Harrison (d. 1778) and Ann line of Glaisdaleside in Egton is haplogroup R-M269.  This is the most common haplogroup in Europe and has more than 100 million people in it. 

The Joseph Harrison (d. 1780) and Jane Hodgson line of Whinns is haplogroup I-M223 (I2b).  Haplogroup I is found almost exclusively in Europe, where about 20% of men have Y-chromosomes belonging to the haplogroup. It began spreading about 30,000 to 45,000 years ago among some of the first Homo sapiens to inhabit Europe.

The haplogroup's two main branches, I1 and I2, divided about 28,000 years ago. My Harrisons are I2b.  Archaeological evidence indicates it was a time of rapid change in Europe, as a new culture known as the Gravettian moved westward across the continent. The Grevettian people introduced new stone tool technology, as well as novel art forms typified by the distinctive fertility symbols known as "Venus" figurines.

Not long after haplogroup I arrived in Europe, the advancing Ice Age limited most of the continent's inhabitants to its southern fringes. Only Iberia, the Italian peninsula and the Balkans were mild enough to support substantial numbers of humans. As a result, the distribution of the haplogroup's branches today reflects the migrations that took place as the glaciers began retreating about 12,000 to 15,000 years ago.

Having two distinct Y DNA haplogroups in this area raises the question of which line is truly descended from Henry Harrison (d. 1727) and Dorothy Rudd?  

Further testing of other lines might give some indication. However the naming of the children of Henry's children may provide some clue.   It has not gone unnoticed that there are no children named Henry or Dorothy in the William Harrison line of Glaisdaleside in Egton while the names repeat through the generations of the Joseph Harrison and Jane Hodgson line of Tranmire and in the proper order (The eldest daughter is named Dorothy after the paternal grandmother Dorothy Rudd; and the eldest son is named Henry after the paternal grandfather Henry Harrison).  Testing the Y DNA of direct male descendants of Henry Harrison's other three sons - Francis of Shorefoot, John of Greenhouses and Henry of Shorefoot would certainly provide added weight to one line versus the other.  Now, if I could only find a living direct male descendant of these lines to test.  They are proving elusive.

[Update - see post from August 13, 2019 on the Y DNA results from a direct male descendant of John Harrison - son of Henry Harrison]

Finally, there is the line of Catholic Henry Harrison and his wife Frances Cornforth who show up in the 1780 recusant list from Skelton a bit to the north.  His line is haplogroup J-M172.  Descendants of this Henry Harrison later moved to Greenhouses in Glaisdale which of course led to confusion between the family lines.

William Harrison Found ! - Or how DNA confirmed my ancestral line

At long last, after many years of research, I have finally discovered the ancestry of my great great great grandfather William Harrison (1780-1836).  

The journey to finding where my ancestor William Harrison (1780-1836) fits into the various Catholic Harrison families of North Yorkshire started over 20 years ago.   Based on research from the Harrison brothers Oswald, Basil and Hilary; and that of Leslie O'Connor is his manuscript Hearts of Oak, I came to the conclusion early on that my ancestor William Harrison 1780-1836 was the son of William Harrison 1742-1825 and Elizabeth Allen of Glaisdaleside in Egton township.  In 2012 evidence surfaced that the son of William Harrison 1742-1825 and Elizabeth Allen had actually died in Egton in 1848 and so I undertook further research. Weighing all the evidence I then settled on my William Harrison 1780-1836 as the son of Joseph Harrison (1753-1806) and Mary Readman.  In order to confirm this research I had my Y DNA tested and then tested three direct male Harrisons in the William Harrison (1715-1778) line in what I thought would confirm my place in this Harrison line.  But there was no match which effectively proved that my William Harrison (1780-1836) was not from this line of Harrisons.    


So it was back to the drawing board.  I began by trying to determine exactly where my William Harrison (1780-1836) lived in Egton township.  He was married there to Mary Hutchinson in 1804 and at the time the Egton parish record indicated that he lived in the parish. Fortunately tax assessment records from 1824 are available.  Examining the 1824 lists of "rateable returns" for Egton determined that there were three William Harrisons in Egton township.  The assessor helpfully indicated where each one lived so there would not be any confusion between them.  One was in Glaisdale(side) which is William Harrison married to Elizabeth Allen. He died in 1825 but his family continued to live on in Glaisdaleside.  One was living in Struntry Carr.  This was the William Harrison who married Mary Consit, and when she died Christiana Dale.  He was still living on this farm in the 1841 census (he was actually the son of Joseph Harrison and Mary Readman born in 1774 based on this age in the 1841 and 1851 census, as well as the death register for Lythe).  He retired from farming after 1841 and moved to East Row on the North Sea coast with his second wife Christiana.  That left the William Harrison at Murkside. 

As luck would have it, some of the Easter Communion Lists for the Roman Catholic Chapel at Egton Bridge have survived.  A review of the 1826 Easter Communion Lists showed that all three William Harrisons of Egton township and their families were Catholic.  For the William Harrison at Murkside it shows a wife Mary Harrison and children including George, William, John, Joseph, Mary and importantly an Alice.  Only children of age would be listed on the Easter Communion Lists.  In the early 19th century children generally did not have their first communion until approximately the age of 10 or 11 years (even sometimes later) so only the older children were listed.

Checking the next available Easter Communion list in 1836 the only ones missing are William Harrison and his family from Murkside.  My William Harrison and his family immigrated to Canada in 1831.

Looking in the Harrison Saga in Hearts of Oak as well as the 1780 recusant list for Lythe there is only one family with a child named Alice and that is the family of Joseph Harrison and Mary Dale.  The 1780 recusant list for Lythe lists the family as follows:  Joseph and Mary Harrison with sons John, George, Joseph and Wm; and daughters Mary, Alice, Dorothy and Jane.  If these children were listed in order of birth as expected then William Harrison was the youngest son.

Looking at my own family's seven known lines in Canada the name Alice repeats in four of them.
  
My William Harrison (1780-1836) was from Lythe as confirmed in the book A History of the Ancient Parish of Lythe including Sandsend, East Row, Mulgrave Castle, Mulgrave Woods and grounds, The Hermitage, Foss Mill, published in 1888 by John Crowther.  In that book Crowther references the following entry in the Lythe parish registers and churchwarden's accounts: "1831 ...In this year many families from Lythe emigrated to America. Among them may be mentioned, Thomas Ward, W. Terry, John Ingledew, Thomas Coverdale, Wm. Harrison, John Bailey, Rt. English, Lennard Watson, John Readman and Thos. Taylor." 

Information on the family of Joseph Harrison and Mary Dale is difficult to obtain as there are gaps in the Catholic records for Ugthorpe and Egton Bridge and when Joseph Harrison died in Barnby in the Parish of Lythe in 1815 he did not leave a will.

Without any documentation to prove this connection I needed something else to tip the balance in favour of this family as my ancestors and Y DNA proved to be that evidence.  If I could find a direct male descendant of this family and test their Y DNA and compare it against mine I could determine if I had the right family or not.

After many months of searching I did find a direct male Harrison descendant of this family from Joseph Harrison's brother Henry Harrison 1734-1812 who generously agreed to be tested.  The line of his ancestor Henry Harrison's is well documented (including the fact he also had a son William who remained in England) and Henry left a will when he died in 1812.

Testing of this Harrison male confirmed that we are a match, and so confirms my connection to this family.

While not a 100% guarantee of an exact pedigree for my ancestor William Harrison 1780-1836, taking into consideration the small pool of Catholic Harrisons in this area of North Yorkshire, including the even smaller pool of William Harrisons born around 1780; plus all the evidence as laid out above, I have concluded that my William Harrison 1780-1836 is the son of Joseph Harrison 1738-1815 and Mary Dale.

The Y DNA results also confirm that this line of Catholic Harrisons is different than the William Harrison (1715-1778) line of Glaisdaleside in Egton township.

The Search for William Harrison (again) or how DNA Blew Up My Family Tree

Researching my family over the past 20 years or so I had long believed that my Harrison Catholic ancestors were descended from Henry Harrison and Dorothy Rudd of Green Houses in North Yorkshire.  It had appeared that Henry Harrison was the patriarch of all the Catholic Harrisons of this area of North Yorkshire but that does not appear to be the case.

My family research has gone through two phases already.  In the first go around it appeared that my William Harrison was the son of William Harrison and Elizabeth Allen of Glaisdaleside in Egton township.  But then the prayer book of Elizabeth Underwood, daughter of William Harrison and Elizabeth Allen, came to light clearly showing that her brother William died in Egton in 1848.  We now have determined that that William Harrison was actually married to Mary Webster.

That caused me to reexamine the place of my ancestors in the larger Harrison family tree and after considerable research and weighing all the alternatives it appeared that my William Harrison was the son of Joseph Harrison (brother of William Harrison who married Elizabeth Allen) and Mary Readman.  

In 2015 I had my Y DNA tested and in 2016 tested a direct male descendant of William Harrison and Elizabeth Allen in what I thought would confirm my place in the family tree.  However there was no match (and testing of two further UK Harrisons has confirmed this).  So barring any undisclosed adoption or other anomaly it looks like there is more than one Catholic Harrison family from this part of Yorkshire and not one as originally thought.  (William the son of Joseph Harrison and Mary Readman actually married Mary Consit and later Christiana Dale and lived at Struntry Carr Farm, later moving to East Row on the North Sea coast.)

So the search continues.   More research in the communion and confirmation lists of the Roman Catholic churches of Egton Bridge, Ugthorpe and Whitby await, as does the search for direct male descendants of other Catholic Harrison lines to test and compare Y DNA with.  If you are descended from a Catholic Harrison family with roots in the Egton/Glaisdale/Lythe area of North Yorkshire I would love to hear from you.

Some thoughts on Henry Harrison (circa 1660-1727)

Henry Harrison is believed to the the patriarch of all the Catholic Harrison families of the Egton/Glaisdale area of North Yorkshire (though recent DNA tests now seem to indicate otherwise).  He was born circa 1660 and died at Greenhouses, Glaisdale Township in 1727. 

Researching a James Harrison who lived and died at Greenhouses in late 1730 it was discovered that two and possibly three of Henry Harrison's children were involved in the processing of James' estate. Henry's sons John and William were witnesses to James' will and it looks like Henry's son Francis assisted with the valuation of the estate.

We are fortunate that the deed documenting James' purchase of his farm at Greenhouses in 1704 has survived and is now in the North Yorkshire Country Record Office in Northallerton.  This predates the North Yorkshire Register of deeds which only started in 1736.  It is clear from this document that James was of Hall Park Farm, Lealholm.  This was the farm of a John Harrison.  John purchased the property when the Danby Estate was sold off in 1655.

John Harrison died on December 28, 1680, and was buried at Danby according to the Danby Anglican Parish Records.  There is no will only an Admon document dated April 15, 1681 which left the administration of the estate to his son James.  This document provides very little information as the original file, which might have had more detail and documentation, is now lost and we only have a few lines in the official copybook.

Given that three of Henry Harrison's children were involved in the estate of James Harrison I suspect that Henry and James were brothers and therefore the sons of John Harrison of Hall Park Farm, Lealholm.

However, it is worth noting that James Harrison seems to have succumbed to the pressure to join the Church of England as he baptized all his children there and he does not appear in the Registration of Papist Estates in 1717 as Henry does.

Strengthening this link is the fact that Joseph Harrison, the son of James Harrison, also appears to be a witness to the will of Henry Harrison.

Of course to prove this connection more proof is required.

If I could find a male descendant of James Harrison we could prove it with a DNA test.