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Home > Family History > Leeds Area > Harewood > The Notices > Pages 101 to 110
"The Notices of the Stables Family"
by William Stables (1794-1862)
| Page 101 | Farewell, beloved friend,
farewell I hasten quick with you to dwell, In yonder blessed scenes. By faith I now behold them near, And while I listen seem to hear, The new triumphal hymns. No more I mourn your house forsook, But to the House Eternal look, Where prayer is turned to praise; Are lost in one successive light, In one refulgent day. The breath of sorrow then unknown, Calls forth no sympathy to own, The widow's heartdrawn tear' Lave there doth every sorrow share, And glory beams in every face, For God is present there. |
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| Page 102 | NOTICES OF THE ANCESTORS OF
MARTHA, my beloved wife. +++++Matthew Skilbeck was born at Arkham Bryan, or Great Arkham, near York, Deer, 22nd, 1704. At his native village he served a regular apprenticeship to a carpenter; at which trade he laboured until he was about thirty years of age. About that period he married Abbay, who was somewhere about the same age. She was a widow, and had three children. (One of them named Margaret was married to a farmer of the name of Acomb. They lived at Kelfield, and she died July 1816, aged 83 years. Her son, Richard Abbey was a farmer and lived at Wheldrake, near York. He failed in business, and was in great poveryt, being partly supported in the later part of life by his half brother, Matthias Skilbeck. Her daughter Mary was married to Robinson, who re-sided at Healaugh, being left a widow, she was afterwards married to John Bell, and to him she bore a son and a daughter. (vide late Matthias Skolbeck). Mrs. Abbey resided at Tockwith, on a small estate of her own, worth about twenty pounds per annum. At her decease she bequeathed it to her husband, subject to legacies to her children. At his death he left it to Matthias, his only son, who sold it about the year 1782, Sometime before then it let for about 30 pounds per annum, and was sold for about 1000 pounds, being considered by many very cheap. (Father Skilbeck) She was a tidy, neat person, a clever housewife, and altogether an amiable woman. On Jany. 25th, 1735 she was brought to bed, and safely delivered of twins, a boy called Matthias and a girl called Elizabeth. After Elizabeth was grown up to woman's estate, she was married to Joseph Saver, of Dun-Keswick, tanner. By him she left a son or two, the descendants of whom still live in the neighbourhood. She, however, lost her husband, while she was comparitively but a young woman. She was married again to a second husband, and had again to follow her husband to the grave. She was afterwards married to William Kirby, as her third husband. He was a corn dealer in a small way, and resided at Harewood. With him, however, she lived very comfortably, She died Novr, 12th, 1811, aged 76 years. (Father Skilbeck). On his marriage, Matthew Skilbeck removed to Tockwith, and commenced farmer on his own account, on his wife's estate, but soon found that so small a concern would afford but a very scanty subsistence for a family, and as he had the prospect of a rapidly increasing number of dependents, he determined on some further exertions to make provision for them. His capital indeed was but small; but meeting, as he thought, with a promising situation, he boldly ventured on a comparitively large farm. It belonged to Stamp Brooksbank, Esqr., and was situate at Healaugh. On this, in a still more enlarged state, his descendants continued to reside, until May 1822, when his grandson Robert Skilbeck, having discharged himself, left it, after being occupied by him and his father and grandfather 87 years. He being no longer willing to endure the tyranny of his landlord, or to pay a rent which in the then depressed state of agriculture, was so far above its worth. ++++His mother buried at Healaugh. See note B, page 106 |
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| Page 103 | He removed with his
family to the farm at Healaugh in the spring of 1735, He had scarcely got into the occupation and routine of farming labour, before he was called to sustain one of the greatest afflictions which could befal a man, situated as he was, This was nothing less than the loss of his excellent wife by death; which took place Jany. 6th, 1736, at the age of 33 years. At this period of his life he was rather fond of liquor, and was occasionally taken captive by this besetment. He was generally in the habit of attending the weekly market at York. The Inn at which he put up was kept by a widow, and he (among his cheerful neighbours) getting a glass or two too much after their market business was over, was ultimately drawn into a connection with the designing landlady, and in the end he took her to him to wife. This, however, was an unfortunate step, for he had only a very uncomfortable life with her. She was a rough, blustering, uncultivated being, and to him was a woeful contrast to the wife of his youth. With her, however, he spent the remainder of his days, but had no children by her. She died about 1782 or 3. About the year 1767, when he was about 62 years of age, he declined business in favour of his son, and with his wife went to reside in part of a house, which they took at second hand, which be-longed to one of the Universities. The house was in Healaugh, not much more than a hundred yards from his former farm house residence, and nearly facing the road which comes down out of Healaugh towards his former residence, and continuing leads to Wighill. In this house he resided with his for 9 or 10 years, when he yielded to the solicitation of his daughter Saver, who resided at Dun Keswick, and they went to reside with them. There they remained about two years; but not feeling themselves very comfortable, they removed and went back to Healaugh, residing with his son until they could meet with a suitable house. Their stay with him lasted seven or eight months. When they took part of a house occupied by Thomas Stephenson, where they remained until his decease, which was a period of two or three years. After his decease, his widow went to reside at lark. She boarded with a Mrs. Clark, in Low Ousegate, a little on the North side of Ouse Bridge. She survived her husband four or five years. For a few years, about and after the time he gave up his farm, the Inghamite preachers regularly visited Healaugh. They were a modern sect of Antinomians, which at that time, made a great noise in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Matthew Skilbeck occasionally heard them, and so far countenanced them, but was not much profited by their ministry. On one occasion, Mr. Ingham himself, the founder of the sect, visited Healaugh, and was entertained and preached at his house, though not any of his preachers over had the same honour. It was about 1771 or 2 that the Methodist preachers began to visit Healaugh, and he became a hearer of the Gospel as preached by them, and not a hearer only, but a doer of the Word, and was also blessed in his deed. By attending to the word preached he became seriously concerned for his salvation. He thoroughly reformed his life, and heartily repenting of his former sins, he became a partaker of that blessed enjoyment of peace and hope, which is promised to all true believers. He united himself to the Methodist Society, and continued a burning and shining light, unto the day of his death. He was a remarkable man for |
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| Page 104 | prayer, and lived so much in
the Spirit of it, that frequently when walking along the street, he was wrapped up in holy adoration, that standing still, with uplifted hands, he would worship his Lord and God. (vide Sam'l Hick, who was apprentice to a blacksmith at Healaugh, and frequently saw and was astonished at his thus standing in the street) But his prayers were not in the street only, otherwise it might reason-ably be supposed that he did it to be seen of men. He was eminent for closet prayer also, and his grandson Richard (my father-in-law), has told me that he well remembers how he used to retire into his chamber, and there shut himself up with his God, and so earnest was he and intent on his devotions, that when a little boy, he has several times unobserved, crept into his chamber, and while his grandfather was praying on one side, he has been stuffing his pockets with apples on the other side of the room. Indeed, such was the communion which he held with Heaven, that he was on many occasions favoured with a knowledge of future events, and foretold them with accuracy. And my father-in-law was told by a William Styan, a pious man, that he knew of several of these predictions, and particularly mentioned one. Most of the village were assembled, as was then the custom, to thrash one of the farmers a field of rape. During Ithe day, while they were yet in the midst of their work, the clouds began to gather, and there was every appearance of immediate and heavy rain. Circumstanced as they were, this was a very-alarming prospect. Mr. Skilbeck was observed to retire from the bustle and hurry which was then occasioned by the appearances. We. Styan well knew for what purpose, viz., to pray to his god. In a short time he returned, and with the solemnity of an old prophet assured them that there would be no rain that day, and enjoined on them to go on with their work. And however rash a prediction was falsified by appearances, such was the character he had obtained for holiness and fellowship with God, that they believed him, continued their labour, and pleasingly proved that the event justified the prediction. In the beginning of the year 1780, while walking along the street when there was much ice, intending to join with his brethren in the worship of God, he had the misfortune to fall, and by it crushed his leg. As he did not consider it of any dangerous consequences, he refused to have any medical man called in, and himself. assisted most probably by the old wives of the village, managed it as well as they knew how. It, however, got to run, became a very bad leg, and in the end mortified and he died, March 31st, 1783, aged 75 years. It was believed that he was fully prepared for his change, testifying in his latest hours that the blood of Jesus Christ his son, cleanseth from all sin. See Note B, page 106. Matthias. the son of Matthew Skilbeck (along with his twin sister Elizabeth) was born at Torkwith Jany. 25th, 1735, and was removed to Healaugh with his parents the following spring. After his school boy days were passed, he was taken to labour in the farm, and was trained up to manhood under the eye of his father, and being designed to succeed him, was regularly practised in all the labours, arts, & mysteries of the farming business. |
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| Page 105 | On the 13th of June 1767,
being turned thirty two years of age, he was married to Jan Tomlinson, of Eas-dike, near Tadcaster, (A fine farm belonging to the Earl of Harewood, and yet occupied by her relatives, 18%). She was about twenty two years of age, was a modest and unassuming girl, and made him an excellent wife; was quite remark-able for her industry, frugality, and good housewifery. In May 1785, she met with a very serious accident. She had been at Tadcaster market with her husband, and spring carts and gigs being then unknown to farmers, she was mounted on a pony, and he on a mare which had a foal on, In returning home they came at a gate, which he opened, and she was following him through, when his mare being out of patience, began to be very refractory, and running backwards just as Mrs. S. was passing, the gate, ran foul an her pony, and run her rump against Mrs. S's leg, which was over her saddle crutch, with such violence as to break both bones just in the ankle, and bonded the broken leg quite back. She was driven quite along the pony's back, and dropped to the ground over its tail, In doing so she cut the knee of her whole leg most severely. Of this bruise and cut she complained much for some time, as being more painful than the broken bones. The confinement occasioned by this occurrence was a sufficient trial of her patience, and her anxiety to see after the affairs of her household overcoming her prudence, she ventured too soon to try the strength of her walking machine, and by doing so again dislocated the bones of that part of it called the right leg. This was a very painful circumstance, for added to the pain of body she had to endure, she was much afraid of a severe lecture from her husband, for her want of caution. And her frugality not liking to incur the expense of a medical man, she resolved to keep it as secret as she could, and accordingly set herself as well as she could. Her surgical skill, however, does not appear to have answered very well, for her leg was ever after very crooked, something like a person's elbow. This made it rather shorter than the other, and caused her to limp, and frequently to use a stick to walk with until the day of her death. ***** After living with her husband, in the enjoyment of connubial happiness, for a little more than half a century, she was at last taken from him in an awfully sudden manner. On the morning of June 26th, 1817, she sat down with her husband to breakfast, in as good health as usual; and while partaking of their food, she shrieked, and instantly expired, while the meat was yet in her mouth. She was 72 years of age. Added to the other excellencies of his wife, she was a fruitful vine. She brought him seven children. She had thus full exercise for her skill and industry in the proper care and management of her children, and the superintendence of a larger establishment of servants, in which was included a considerable dairy. There things combined gave oppor- tunity for the full manifestation of all the domestic wisdom she was possessed of. And the call was not made in vain, for she proved herself an active, judicious clever wife. But while these encomiums are bestowen on his partner, it would be unjust to drop the account here, or it might be supposed that she was the active managing partner in the concern, which was by no means the case. For Matthias Skilbeck was the very reverse of either an ignorant or an indolent husband. His skill was equal to his undertaking. His industry was sufficient to enable him personally to superintend his farming |
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| Page 106 | concerns in every department.
And his perseverance was equal to the difficulties he had to encounter. and enabled him by the blessing of Heaven, to bring his designs generally to a successful conclusion. After his marriage, his father gave up the farm to them. But his attention was not solely confined to that, for during the period of his active life, and especially towards the later end of it, he made several bargains in landed property, in some of which he was very successful, Providence smiling on his endeavours to provide for his family. The times in which he lived, too, were favourable to such dealings. They were eventful times. The peculiar circumstances of the nation, arising from the wars in which it was engaged by the French Revolution, caused property rapidly to advance in value. Soon after his father's death, which took place 1780, he sold his small patrimonial estate at Torkwith, and in 1783 he purchased a small farm at Great Ousebarn. which cost him in purchase and repairs 1600 pounds. This he sold again in 1802, to Mr. John Abbey for 1852 pounds, 10 shillings, clearing by the bargain 1252 pounds. In the same year that he sold this property, he purchased another farm of Mr. Russel, Attorney at law, of York. It was part in the Township of Rufforth and part in that of Arkam Richard. The purchase was completed and the money paid April 5th, 1803. The items are as follows: Purchase 3900 pounds, writings to Mr. Russell 15 pounds, 6/6. Tithes of two Intacks (?) in Arkham Richard of Wm. Jackson 54 pounds. Conveyances of ditto. 7/5/0. Expenses of building a new stable and repairs 17/5/0. Redemption of the land tax 106/3/6. The small tithes 8/8/0, Total 4108/8/8. At his decease in 1826 he bequeathed this estate to my father-in-law, subject, however, to legacies payable to his son of his son John, 40 pounds, Thos. Acomb, 10 pounds. Besides the property which he had thus vested in this estate, he had as his children had arrived at maturity, got married and settled, given to each of them a suitable portion. To his sons Richard, Robert, and John each 1000 pounds, to his daughters Mary and Jane each 500 pounds. He also lost and paid, as bondsman on the failure of his son John 1600 pounds. so that looking at what he had given to and lost by his children, and what he left in his estate, he must be considered as a very successful farmer. NOTE A. But with all her excellencies as a wife, a mother and the mistress of the family, she appears to have been a person of very limited knowledge, and as a consequence of very contracted mind. It would seem as though her whole mind and soul, and energied and aim, centered and ended in her husband and her family. She professed to be a "Church woman", but seemed to have very little of religious desire or feeling. She had read comparitively nothing, and in the decline of life, if ever she took a book in hand, it was generally the "Prayer Book" NOTE B. (See page 104) In the Healaugh churchyard is a head stone, inscribed (Copied Aug 10, 1808), "Here lieth the body of Mary, the wife of Matt'w Skilbeck, who died Jany 6, 1736, aged 33; also Mary, mother of Matthew Skilbeck who died Septr. 4th, 1743; also the body of Matt'w Skilbeck, who died March 31st, 1780, aged 75". |
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| Page 107 | But how mysterious are
the ways of Providence, for his three sons that lived to mature age, brought up with the greatest habits of industry and frugality, and all three men of clear heads and good sense, and at a proper age so fairly and liberally started in the world, and all three well married and at least persons of some property and for a time appearing prosperous! yet; first, John became a bankrupt, and before his death had nothing but his wife's property, that he could not lay hold of; second, my father-in-law, who died insolvent; and third, Robert, who died in the Union Poor house, and was buried by the parish. Let it not, however, be supposed that though Matthias Skilbeck was thus enabled to accumulate worldly things, that his whole attention was engrossed thereby. For during a considerable period of the later part of his life, he had learned not only to be diligent in business, but also fervent in Spirit, serving the Lord." It does not appear that his youth was peculiarly characterized by anything in a moral or a religious point of view. It was then a dark age, and Spiritual enjoyment and experimental religion were little known, and less sought after. There was, however, a sect of dissenters of an Antinomian cast, generally termed Inghamites, from Mr. Ingham, their founder, which for some years, between 1760 and 1770 regularly had preaching at Healaugh.' On their ministry he frequently attended, and by the light which he obtained through this, or some other source, he became very uneasy and dissatisfied with himself, and his religious state, and thinking that hearing their preachers was the cause, he came to a resolution to hear them no more. The sect soon after fell into general decay, and the village was deserted of their preachers. It was in the year 1771 or 72 that the Methodist preachers first visited Healaugh. They had for some time previous had a congregation and society at Tadcaster, and from them, the first attack was made on the Dominion of the Powers of Darkness at Healaugh. The preacher was accompanied by a few of the friends from that place; and having no plan of entertainment to which to resort, they stood together under the shade of a large walnut tree. This, and many sycamore trees still (1827) ornament the village green. This tree was a little above, tut nearly opposite the road that goes out of Healaugh towards Wighill. Underneath this tree, there was a very large stone, upon which the preacher mounted, and being surrounded by his friends, they began to sing a hymn. This soon attracted the attention of the villagers, and the news ran so fast from one to another, that presently the whole village was in an uproar. At length the intelligence reached the other extremity of the village, at which stood the Inn or Public House. On that Sunday afternoon the principal inhabitants were met at that place, in order to contract some persons for the making a quantity of bricks, which was wanted for the building of a bridge or some other public work. While they were thus profanely employed, woad was brought that the Methodic preacher was come and was under a tree at the top of the town. Their curiosity was immediately excited, and Matthias Skilbeck, never having seen a Methodic preacher, they agreed to drop their brick business, and see for themselves, what kind of beings these Methodics were. They accordingly mixed in the stream that had already begun to flow, and ultimately was mixed up among the promiscous crowd, that surrounded the man of God. |
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| Page 108 | It was, however, a time
to be remembered by Matthias, for under that sermon he saw he was a lost sinner. He learned what it was that made him feel so uneasy, and he in earnest began to seek redemption in the blood of Jesus, the forgiveness of all his sins, and never rested until he could rejoice in Him as his Saviour. On his conver-sion, he joined the Methodist Society, and remained on of its stead-fast, and indeed, principal supporters, for more than fifty years, even to the day of his death. For many years he was the class leader of the little class in Healaugh, and when he became so old, as to be comparitively in a state of superannuation, he had another person associated with him in the office. I believe that he served the office of circuit steward in the York circuit, in which Healaugh then was, and for many years his house was the preacher's home in the village. He was a man of much prayer. lived much in the spirit of ejaculatory prayer, and I well remember when in his company, once or twice in his extreme old age, how often he was breathing his desires to Heaven. For many years towards the close of life, he suffered much from stone and gravel. To relieve him in this, he used to take a little gin and water, until he became accustomed to it in such a way as not to be able to do without it, and perhaps sometimes took a little more than he ought. This, however, he entirely discontinued, never tasting it at all for some years before his death. For many years, he had paid some attention to surgery. He had many recipes, and composed and mixed up several salves. He never practised professionally, but was of much service to the poor in the surrounding country, and was the instrument in curing many lame knees, bad thumbs, and swelled fingers, but never took any remuneration for his services. He was naturally of a rather light and sociable disposition, and was a very agreeable companion. He was, however, withal rather warm, when he thought himself ill-used. In his person he was about the middle size, rather below than otherwise, very straight and clean made, had a great deal of colour in his fact, and in his old age was rather inclined to corpulancy, though by no means lumberly, being able to walk about quits briskly, until within two or three years of his death. He at last died rather suddenly. He had been rather more poorly than usual for two or three days, hit that morning felt himself quite well, and would be dressed, in the action of which a sick fit took him, and he died, Feby. 14th, 1826, aged 91. Near his grave a neat headstone is erected, inscribed, "Sacred to the memory of Jane Skilbeck, the wife of Matthias Skilbeck, who died June 26th, 1817, aged 72; also of the aforesaid Matthias Skilbeck, who died June 14th, 1826, aged 91. "In age and feebleness extreme, who shall a helpless worm redeem? Jesus, my only hope thou art, strength of my failing flesh and heart. 0 could I catch a smile from thee, and drop into eternity." |
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| Page 109 | Matthias and Jane Skilbeck had
issues FIRST. MATTHEW, born May 7th. 1768 (See Note V, page 132). When he was very young, he went to London, and was engaged in a large concern as a junior clerk. While in this situation, he had a great deal of walking about with letters, and on other business, and while thus employed he had his health tolerably well. His good conduct, however, rendering him respected, he was, at a proper opportunity, promoted to a higher office, and became one of the superior clerks, 'hose employ-ment was generally to sit in the office from morn to night. By this close confinement he became very delicate and tender, and was ultimately carried off by a galloping consumption. He breathed his last Jany, 24th, 1790, aged 21 years. A few days previous to his dissolution his parents received information of his dangerous situation, and his father immediately hasted away to his assistance, and di d not leave him until he had seen his remains deposited in the new burial ground. St. Mary-le bone, London. A funeral sermon was preached on occasion of his death at Healaugh, by Richard Burdsall from John 11, 25.-"I am the resurrection and the Life, &c." From this circumstance we infer that he was a religious young man. Matthias and Jane Skilbeck had issues SECOND. RICHARD, born Feby. 20th, 1770 for notices of whom, see page 119 THIRD, MARY, born April 19th, 1772. She was married to William Wilson, of Sinnethwaite, near Walton, April 1st, 1793. About a year after her marriage, when there was some revival of religion in the neighbour-hood, she was savingly converted to God, and was probably-the means of bringing her husband to a more intimate acquaintance, and ultimately to a close connection with the Methodists. This was not long after her own conversion. Previous to this he had borne the character of being a steady moral man, but did not much like the Methodists; being a regular attender, he was a great stickler for the church. it after his con-version, he became a very amiable man, possessed of great evenness of temper, and being very zealous in the cause of God, he was soon observed as one fit to sustain the various offices which Methodism so liberally provided for laymen, He was soon appointed to the office of class leader, and I believe held it to his dying day. For several years previous to his death, he was the principal and acting steward of the Wetherby Circuit. His last illness was short, terminating fatally July 3rd, 1811, he being 51 years of age. When he was a young man, he was very fond of a gun, and on the 5th Novr. they had always a party of shooters. Father-in-law and Uncle Robert used to be of these parties, and though these shooting parties were discontinued after his and his wife's conversion, yet for many years after he was very fond of a shot, in their own farm. (Father-in-law) In early life she was not so light and giddy, as some girls are. She was always fond of a book, and by this means principally came to have her mind well stored with useful knowledge, so that when in the right mood, she was a very agreeable companion, and had the general character of being a very sensible woman. But there was a keenness of wit, which often vented itself in sarcasm, and mixed up with an undue measure of selfishness, often exhibited a kind of envious feeling, at the prosperity of others, and the cutting sneer, the biting sarcasm, the taunting repartee, often made others feel that she was a dangerous woman to be in company with. |
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| Page 110 | After the death of her
husband, her situation became a very impor- tant and responsible one. A large farm, a family of young people, the cares of this life pressed heavily upon her, and however clever in domestic matters, yet she had not the art of governing her children well, so that some of them, when grown up, did not treat her with that respect and kindness which was her due. She, however, maintained her position for a number of years, I believe until her eldest son was about to marry. Then she removed with her daughters Catharine and Jane to York, where they resided several years. After remaining a widow about twenty years, and being left of all her family, she again entered the married state with John Cordeus of Barnsby. He was perhaps a little older than her, but not much, was a religious man, had been successful in business, but had given it up to his sons, and with him I have understood she lived very comfortably for a few years. For it was not long ere he was taken from her. She remained his widow for some years, during which time she paid us a visit at Kirkby, and stayed with us a few days, making herself very agreeable. At her last husband's request she fixed her permanent residence among his family at Barnsby, that is, at the town, not living with any of them. In the decline of life, she suffered much in body. She was very lame of one hip for several years, and in her last affliction endured very much, her disease a cancer in her privates. She had one of her son John's daughters with her for some time at last, and departed this life June 4th, 1845, aged 73. She had issue by her first husband: 1st. --Mary, married to Isaac Newton, of Thorncliffe Iron Works, near Sheffield, Deer. 30th, 1818. About a year after she lost her husband, who came to a violent death by an explosion of liquid iron. He had a posthumous son, who, when a little boy, was once at our house with his mother, but he died when he was four or five years of age. After remaining a widow some years, she married Revd. Paites Heaswell, a Wesleyan Minister, and she still remains happy with her husband in the itinerant work (1856). 2nd. -- John, who succeeded his mother on the farm at Linnethwaite. He married Augst. 19th, 1817 Margaret Skilbeck (maiden name Nottingham), the widow of Richd. Skilbeck, of Bilton Village, near York. After bearing him three or four children, she departed this life. She was a very odd sort of woman, and they :had only a very uncomfortable life together, but nobody that knew him, laid it all at her door. She was a very active woman and a clever housewife, but was so crooked in her temper, and such a harsh mistress, that she frequently changed her servants as often as the moon revolved his monthly rounds, and yet was oftest without. In her last illness, she was deeply penitent before God, and it is hoped died in peace. One of her daughters married Wood, a spirit merchant in Leeds. but he failed, and is now 1856( in a respectable situation at Goole. Their second daughter married John Stephenson of Wighill, who, I am informed, makes her a very poor husband. Their only son, Willi m, was so ill treated at home that at length he emigrated to America. After being there some years, he came back in miserable plight, but still being restless, and unhappy, and his father and friends providing him with a little money, he again left the Kingdom, and I have heard that he has been |
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