CULLEY brothers and employees named GLASS

[belfordian]

I’ve been tracing my ancestry since 1972 and despite extensive efforts have not got much further back on my Glass line than late 1700s. So I’m trying a different tack. Matthew and George Culley were great agricultural reformers in North Northumberland although they originated in Denton, Co. Durham. In their book “Farming Letters 1798-1804” they refer frequently to

            Tom Glass, Will Glass and Jemmy Glass

who worked for them as cattle and sheep drovers, incl. between their farms in Glendale and  the Culley family  farm in Denton. Tom, born at Learmouth, Nthbld. eventually moved to the farm at Denton. Will Glass was his uncle and I think Jemmy was related to both but I’m unsure how.

My Glass ancestors were all farm workers or shepherds in the same part of Glendale as these men and I’m sure they may be related.

Can anyone suggest some new sources of information that might help? I’ve recorded all  church references (Anglican & non-conformist) to this surname and drawn up family groups but need more evidence. Other Culley documents do not mention the Glass men again. The census from 1841 is too long after this period  ( latter half of 18th c. ) to establish a connection.

Any suggestions as to a way forward? I’d be grateful for a new approach/ perspective . After so many years of searching I need it!

Belfordian

[Spelk]

Have you tried probate records? Not just those called GLASS but any others of the right time and place might mention them.

[Radcliff]

I did wonder if Jemmy was perhaps Jimmy  /James

[belfordian]

Yes, I’m sure Jemmy is a friendly name from James. I used Jemmy because that is how the Culleys referred to him. I have located a few of that name but have not been able to tie them up to the Culleys men or my ancestry line.

[Radcliff]

There are only 3 wills for the surname Glass in the Durham inheritance database
Duncan Glass of Wolsingham a chapman date of probate 7th May 1750 , he doesn't appear to have children but lots of nieces and nephews ,
Thomas Glass,  Yeoman of Kyloe date of probate 21st August 1759,
John Glass yeoman of Alnwick date of probate 22nd July 1845,wife Bithiah

[Radcliff]

Yes, I’m sure Jemmy is a friendly name from James. I used Jemmy because that is how the Culleys referred to him. I have located a few of that name but have not been able to tie them up to the Culleys men or my ancestry line.

page 96 of the book says, and I send this by  James Glass who comes for the two horses

[Radcliff]

Returns of Men and carts, Northumberland Land Tax, perhaps records are held by the archives in Newcastle they won't be extensive but you may pick up something,

[belfordian]

Thank you for suggestions. I’ve used Men and Carts for other ancestors with positive results but my Glass ancestors seemed to escape being recorded on these documents! They were never landowners unfortunately and none of them seemed to leave wills until my own father did.

[mckha489]

Have you tried the AI text search in FamilySearch labs?
I’ve just looked, obviously a lot of the results are far too recent, and Glass is also a product, but it might pick up something useful in an unindexed document, or in the bulk of a will.