Thomas REAY - mariner - b. abt 1811 Berwick Hill, Ponteland? COMPLETED

[patrexjax]

Hello Rootschatters!  I have a real REAY mystery on my hands! In the 1851 census Andrew REAY, b. 1818 Cowpen Square and wife, Hannah (also nee: Reay!  ) also b. 1819 Cowpen Square, had a Brother living with them. He was Thomas REAY, a mariner b. 1811/1812 in Berwick Hill, Ponteland.  I am trying to determine WHOSE Brother he was, among other things!  I cannot seem to find Thomas REAY in any census after 1851...Can any sharp-eyed Rootschatter spot Thomas REAY in 1861, 1871 or 1881?  I did find a  Thomas REAY, naval pensioner age 69 in 1881 census (RG11 1218/121 page 26 living in South Stoneham in Hampshire, however, this Thomas REAY indicates he was born in North Shields, NBL....I think perhaps that's a bit of a stretch to Berwick Hill, Ponteland......HELP, please!    Thank you!  Pat

[heywood]

Hello,

Thomas is a lodger with Hannah in 1861 RG9; Piece: 3850; Folio: 15; Page: 23

Places of birth are still the same. I would have thought that in 1851, he is Andrew's brother - otherwise he would be brother -in-law 

best wishes
heywood

[heywood]

1871 RG10; Piece: 1197; Folio: 100; Page: 9

Thomas Reay in South Stoneham is born Tynemouth and is a Greenwich Pensioner - could it be him 
This one is the one you find in 1881 I would imagine.

1891  RG12; Piece: 922; Folio 91; Page 47

Thomas Reay 81 yrs b North Shields -still in Hampshire

[Michael Dixon]

 Just a few snippets- to help or hinder ?

 Cowpen Square was a notoriously unhealthy little corner of the Township of Cowpen ( today it would have been in town of Blyth- on river's edge, just north of Golden Fleece pub/old ferry landing)

The middens/ash pits were right in middle of square of houses... several epidemics broke out.

Cowpen ( the Township) was one of five townships that comprised the Parish of Horton.

Some Horton church records are on -line in Bishop Transcripts of FamilySearch site
- mainly baptisms and burials.

Image number 191 ( page 48 in bapt. register, bapt number 380)
Bapt.21 August 1818 Andrew Reay, son of James, pitman, and Elizabeth Reay of Cowpen Square.

Image 436, ?Dec 1843 Bapt Robert Reay, son of Andrew, miner, and Hannah Reay, of Cowpen Square

Image 464, Burial no.1374, Burial 2nd July, Edward Reay of Cowpen Square, age 6 months.

Several other Reay bapts and burials within records ( but not necessarily Andrew/Hannah's )
IGI gives some clues that Andrew's mother was Elizabeth Steel.

As Pat states Berwick Hill lay with the Parish of Ponteland. But there were also Reay filk within the Parish of Stannington- close to Berwick Hill area
( There was also a Berwickhill within the Parish of Tweedmouth)

A James Reay married an Elizabeth Steel in Stannington 31 Oct 1802
( according to IGI)

Michael

[patrexjax]

Hello all, THANK YOU for your help on this one!  Yes, it is the REAY/STEEL(E) connection that I was seeking!  Rootschatters rock!!!     Pat

[c-side]

Don't forget, Pat, that Thomas was a mariner.  If you can't find him on a census he could have been at sea.

I had a quick look for your Thomas in Ponteland baptisms today but he wasn't listed between 1807 and 1812 - could be on the next reel.  There were 5 different families of Reay having children there in those 6 years!

Christine

[patrexjax]

Hello c-side, Thank you for trying to find that baptism....it, too, has eluded me.  And, yes, there were lots of Reays having children in Ponteland...my lot are the ones who specify that they lived in Berwick Hill, altho I do suspect that there may have been some migration into Stannington.    This sibling is the only known mariner I have found in the family thus far......Thank you so much for your interest...FYI,  I have traced my direct REAY line in Ponteland back to the beginning of the parish registers in abt 1602. Before that, they are lost in the haze of the borders!  Pat

[doddsy]

Hi Pat
Elizabeth Steel was my gggg grandfathers sister. He was John Steel (1785) Newburn, Northumberland.
Back to your search for Thomas Reay....he was born about 1812, Berwick Hill and died 15th February 1866, buried 18th February 1866 at St. Mary the Virgin, Horton, informant of his death was George Dickinson. Cause of death: Hypertrophy of the Heart, Dropsy

Thomas was the son of James Reay and Elizabeth Steel who were married 31st October 1802 at Stannington.
James Reay died in 1823 and Elizabeth remarried on 14th June 1828 at St. Mary the Virgin, Horton, Northumberland to Thomas Wright
James Reay was the son of James Reay and Grace Stafford

Elizabeth Steel/Reay/Wright born 1781, Plessy, Northumberland died June 1857 and was buried at st Mary the Virgin on 22nd June 1857
Thomas Reay's siblings were:
Jane Steel Reay 1804 -1883
Andrew Reay born 1806
Elizabeth Reay born 1809
Mary Reay born 1812
James Steel Reay born 1815
Andrew Reay born 1818. died 18th May 1899, Lambton, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Margaret Reay born 1821
Hope this helps
Sylvia

[patrexjax]

Hello Sylvia! THANK YOU for the additional information on this family...AND, a warm welcome to Rootschat.    Until you make 3 postings I am unable to send/receive from  you a PM (personal message)..I have further details regarding a living cousin for you.  Rootschat does not allow such 3rd party discussions about living persons; hence, the PM......I WILL send you one as soon as you can send/receive one.  Again, a warm welcome!!  Pat