Hi Dot
Your Joseph Maitland - he is undoubtedly from the large family of Ulster Maitlands who crossed to Co. Durham in the 1840's (famine time). The heads of these families were James (born about 1790) and his wife Jane (maiden name as yet unknown). They came from Comber town, Co. Down, but not all at the same time. Some were already married, some with children, some not yet married. I am convinced your Joseph is the one born about 1853, in the Durham area (Pittington), and who married Eleanor Hopper in 1873. His father was a Robert, born Comber Town, but about whose age there is great confusion: I think he was born1811/1813. I can find no record of Eleanor's (Ellen's?) death, but that proves nothing, especially as no-one could decide how to spell Maitland (just as people were very vague about their ages).
Robert, his father, had come over with grandfather James, and died in 1892. In 1861, Joseph was living with his grandfather James; in 1871 he was lodging in Tow Law, with Mr & Mrs Wilson; his father Bob and his brother Jim were there too. By 1881, spelt Mateland, he was with his wife & child, Elizabeth, born at GATESHEAD c.1874, at Collierley (is this the same as Hamsterley colliery?). The 1891 census says that Elizabeth was their ADOPTED daughter. I haven't found Joseph in 1901, but this may relate to the changes of spelling that occurred. Again, I have found no record of his further marriage, but the same things apply. The Patriarch James, by the way, died in 1864 in Pittington; his wife Jane died in 1867.
What you say about him being a Methodist preacher is interesting: he had a cousin, David ("Davey Maitland") who was noted as a (Methodist?) preacher at Seaham Harbour. I THINK the Maitlands were Presbyterians when they came across: my grandfather became a strong Anglo-Catholic. He used to read religious tracts in the toilet!
I am a Maitland on my mother's side.
