Thanks JenB
That was just the ticket

, checked the whittonstall register in City library today which gave a little more information about him being native of Salmonfield. This I was then able to link with Thomas Bulman (6/7/1788) baptized in Whitley near hexham s.o. Thomas native of Salmonfield.
There is a marriage between Thomas Bulman and Sarah Brown in 1781 in whitley chapel, but how to see if this is the same Thomas?
Again thanks for the help.
Neale