Henry D. Furness b. abt 1831 Ponteland?

[patrexjax]

Hello again JenB!  This is just fantastic information!!!!!  It does explain what he was doing in Russia, among other things! Profuse thanks to you!     Pat

[jmichaeltaylor]

I suspect you will already realise that William Weallens was a family member and helped Henry get an apprentaceship at Robert Stephenson and company.

"The Rev. John Furness , of Ponteland, in 1822.  William Weallens was born, on the 8th of March, 1823 and subsequently received his education under Dr. Cowan, of the Grange, Bishopwearmouth .

His mother, who was widowed in 1828, subsequently married William Hutchinson who had joined Robert Stephenson and Co.  when the engine works was set up in 1823 and become works manager. It was probably Hutchinson who identified William’s potential as a mechanical engineer and enabled him to become a pupil of his stepfather on 3rd September 1838 apprenticed to Robert Stephenson and Co".

See ponthistsoc.freeuk.com - "Who was William Weallens"

[patrexjax]

Hello jmichaeltaylor! Thank you so much for your input into this family!    NOW, I am really wondering if the William Weallens you refer to is a son of the marriage of Mary Furness and John Weallans who were married in 1822 in Ponteland....... My tie into this entire conglomerate family is the Robert Nicholson, born 1808, who was one of Mr. Stephenson's engineers.  ANY and ALL comments are greatly appreciated!  Again, sincerest thanks!  Pat

[keyboard86]

Hi Pat, can only help with any census info but this looks like the 2 Williams in 1841:-

William Weallans 18 occ Engineer
William Hutchinson 49 occ Engineer
They are in the Household of Joseph and Mary Castles and family.
Residing at Warkworth, Northumberland
Joseph is an Inn Keeper
Census ref HO107/836/ 12/5/ 4
Keyboard86

[patrexjax]

Hello keyboard86!  Thank you for the additional information.  Every bit helps on putting the puzzle pieces together!     Pat

[jmichaeltaylor]

Now thats put the "cat amongst the pigeons"- I don't want to confuse this Furness forum with Weallens but this might help - Mary Furness did indeed marry John Weallens in 1922. William Weallens was born on 8th March 1823. Mary was widowed in 1828 and then married William Hutchinson manager of Rbt Stephenson and Co works. Hutchinson got William a start at the locomotive works and ultimately Weallens got Henry D Furness a start at works. BUT I'm facinated about the Rbt Nicholson connection - but thats not for this forum - can a thread be started elsewhere?   

I assume you know about the memorial tablets to the 2 Furness clergy which are on the chancel arch of St Mary's Ponteland- I have photos

[patrexjax]

Hello jmichaeltaylor! Now that you have 4 posts on Rootschat, you can send and receive PM (personal messages)...Yes, we need to delve into my Nicholson's on a separate thread, if need be!  Watch for my PM!!       Pat