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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Durham => Topic started by: parkerwitton on Sunday 04 January 15 11:16 GMT (UK)
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Researching the family of Richard Watson the Teesdale Bard for a friend of mine who is the Great Great Grandson of The Bard any info would be appreciated.
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In the light of a lack of dates, I found that:
Richard Watson became famous in the 1850s for his paeans to life and nature in the upper dale. Known as “the Teesdale Bard”, the lead miner was discovered by the Teesdale Mercury and became a renowned published writer.
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Thanks for that just wondered if anyone else is researching Richard Watson?
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Baptism, 5th May 1833 at Middleton-in-Teesdale
Richard Watson, son of William and Rebekah
1841 census
Source Citation
Class: HO107; Piece: 306; Book: 3; Folio: 28; Page: 21
Middleton Teasdale, County Durham
Watson, William M 40
Watson, Rebekah F 40
Watson, Mary F 10
Watson, Richard M 8
Watson, Martha F 5
Watson, William M 2
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1851 census
Class: HO107; Piece: 2387; Folio: 601; Page: 13
Middleton, Durham
Watson, Rebekah Head Widow F 51 b Middleton
Watson, Richard Son M 18 Lead Miner b Middleton
Watson, Martha Daughter F 14 Home b Middleton
1861 census
Class: RG 9; Piece: 3722; Folio: 19; Page: 34
Highdyke, Middleton, Durham
Watson, Richard Head M 28 Lead Ore Dresser b Middleton
Watson, Ann Wife F 24 b Middleton
Watson, Rebecca Daughter F 3 b Middleton
Watson, Elizabeth Daughter F 1 b Middleton
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Hi
Baptised 5th May 1833
Wife: Ann
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From The Teesdale Mercury, 20th April 1898
Richard Watson, son of William Watson, lead miner was born at Middleton-in-Teesdale, on March 15th 1833. His father married a Walton of a good old Weardale family, and it is said that Richard inherited his poetic genius from his mother.
At six he went to the local Lead Company's School, at Middleton, and at ten went to the lead mines to help his struggling father to provide for maintenance of the family.
When the young bard had been four years at school and four years at the mines, he lost his father at the early age of 47, leaving the young miner with a widowed mother, 2 brothers and six sisters to battle with the world.
He died October 2nd 1897, at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, after suffering an accident at work on Holwick Hall.
Full article at Teesdale Mercury Archive.
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I saw this on a website talking about Richard
"At the age of 14 he was faced with the awesome responsibility of providing for his mother and eight siblings"
Some exaggeration there, according to the censuses!
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There is a possible marriage of Richard with an Ann Brumwell in 1857
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This could be his parents' marriage
William Watson and Rebecca Walton on 17th June 1824, Middleton-in-Teesdale
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Children baptised to William and Rebekah:
Ann Watson, 9th March 1828, daughter of William (Miner) and Rebecca of Stotley Lane
Elizabeth Watson, 12th February 1826, daughter of William (Miner) and Rebecca of Stotley Lane
Martha Watson, 15th November 1835, daughter of William (Miner) and Rebecca of Masterman Place
Mary Watson, 4th July 1830, daughter of William (Miner) and Rebecca of High Dyke
Richard Watson, 5th May 1833, Son of William (Miner) and Rebecca of Masterman Place
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From KGarrard's previous post then he did marry Rebecca Walton
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There are some well-researched and very interesting references to Richard Watson in Frank Sanderson's new book 'Life in the Northern Dales' which was published in November.
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Thanks for all your input lads and lasses I will pass all this material on to my friend!!
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I have lost contact with my Uncle, Richard Watson, Great Grandson (or GGG ?) of the Teesdale Bard. My Uncle used to live in Reading but I can find no listing or his name on any census.
I am Peter Baylis, son of his sister Dorothy Baylis (nee Watson).
If you can be of help please send me a message and I will return my contact details to be forwarded.
Thanks
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Hello my name is Richard Andrew Watson I'm a direct descendant of Richard. i have a book published in 1930 of all of his poems, another book called around the hollow hills and a book named teesdale by douglas m ramsden. what would you like to know?
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Thanks Richard (Xanox1981) I have now all the books published and I just love his poetry. Right now I'm trying to work out exactly what relationship I am to RW. I know my Mother and her brother are direct descendants but as for the connections, and my place, I need a little advice as to direction. Apart from my Uncle (sadly we are no longer in touch) has anyone else completed a family tree?