The Coulson Family from Northumberland

[Torrie]

Hello all!

I am trying to locate the parents and siblings of an ancestor who immigrated from Northumberland England to Canada.

Information I have:

his name is William Coulson b. approx 1800
he has at least 2 brothers Edward (the eldest) and John
His father, unknown first name, was a wealthy land owner in Northumberland and apparently a man of influence. He owned land within 10 miles of the boarder of Scotland. This land was then left to Edward Coulson his eldest son. Edward then amassed his own wealth. all 3 sons Edward, John and William were mentioned to have received excellent educations.

This info comes from a book published in 1905 about the families of early settlers and contributors to small towns in Ontario, Canada where William settled and grew his own family and reputation.

I have tried to use the england census records to narrow my search as well as baptism records, however to no real success. Wondering how I would go about solving this mystery...one would think it is possible since the family was supposedly well off in the early 1800s. What land records would I search?

will take any suggestions! hope everyone is staying healthy!

thank you! Torrie

[mckha489]

Do you have an approximate date for his arrival in Canada?

Added. I’ve found your tree. In Canada before 1837 marriage Detroit.


And do you have an approximate decade for death of father...(looking for a will, or newspaper report)

[mckha489]

Random things.
I see your William’s eldest son is Nicholas

There is this MI transcript on FindMyPast

Sarah, wife of Nicholas COULSON died at Bryridge 11 May 1819 aged 49 years. Ann daughter of the above named died at ?? 22 December 1814 aged 16 years. Anthony son of the above named died at Brieredge 20 September 1819, aged 20. Nicholas, son of the above named, died at Bridgeford, 11 December, 1824 aged 21 years. Thomas son of the above named died at Bridgeford, 31 January 1850 aged 25 years. First named Nicholas Coulson died 21 May 1817 aged 87 years. Edward, younger son of the above, Nicholas and Sarah CONTOR died at Bridgeford 23 Jan 1892 aged

[mckha489]

The above fits these

Northumberland Baptisms on FindMyPast all on same day

All children  of Nicolas Coulson and Sarah Wright  (who were married 11 Feb 1796, Simonburn, Northumberland)

Bellingham, St Cuthbert,   Residence Leehall


Ann b 4 July 1797 bapt 13 Jan 1803   1st daughter
Anthony b May 1799 bapt 13 Jan 1803  1st son
William Coulson b 20 Oct 1801  bapt 13 Jan 1803 2nd son


But if Anthony died 1819, then that leaves William as the eldest......


further baptisms to them on Ancestry

John b 11 Dec 1808, bapt 13 Jan 1809   Bellngham   (he is a farmer of 177 acres, employing 6 men in 1851, West Quarter, Hexham)

Nicholas b 18 July 1803 bapt 13 Jan 1809 Bellngham

Thos. b 14 Mar 1806 bapt 13 Jan 1809 Bellingham

can't see Edward yet.

But the one who died 1892 per the MI above left a will

Of Bridgeford, Bellingham, Northumberland, yeoman died 23 January 1892, Probate Newcastle-upon-Tyne 11 March to John Coulson and John Dixon Wright, Farmers. Effects £2138 1s 2d

GRO has him as 81, so born c 1811

[mckha489]

Have just found this site

https://www.dur.ac.uk/library/asc/collection_information/family.records/

[Torrie]

Hi Mckha489,

Thank you for your thoughts! I too looked into Nicholas and sarah as possible parents however couldn't find a son Edward being the eldest and inheriting his fathers land etc.

I will take a look at the link you have provided, but at first glance it is Durham County? Not Northumberland?

Thank you for your time!
Torrie

[mckha489]

The collection contains diocesan, family, and antiquarian collections dating from the medieval to modern times and covers both County Durham and Northumberland, as well as certain parts of neighbouring counties.

The Edward in that family was definitely younger (b c 1811)  but it does seem strange there is no obvious will, and I can’t help wondering how much of the family story is fact.

[Radcliff]

I would have thought adding his wifes name, and place of marriage,  may have helped others to have a look for you, there is no will for Nicholas Coulson of Bellingham in the Palace Green library plenty of other Coulson wills for both Northumberland and Durham, Coulson is quite a common name ,

[Radcliff]

The Northumberland Communities web page has a few good records for you to peruse for Bellingham but I do not see the name Coulson in the Land Tax returns either as Land lords or tenants in the early to mid 1800's