The Kelsick Wood Journals.
(post in preparation).
Tuesday, 18 July 2023
Thursday, 6 July 2023
The Will of John Wood of Maryport
A Transcription of The Will of John Wood (1717 - 89).
The Will is dated 28 September 1789.
(Post in preparation).
John Wood aged 36.
Inscribed on the back.
John * Wood
1754
AGED 36 Y
.................................
John Wood (1717 - 88).
Aged 49
Inscribed on the back
I WOOD
1767
AGED 49
.........................
The photographs of this document were very kindly supplied by Peter Moon of the very excellent Moon's Bookshop, Lowther Street, Whitehaven.
I am very grateful to him.
For Moon's Bookshop a must for anyone visiting Whitehaven see -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/michaelmoonsbookshop
https://www.instagram.com/michaelmoonsbookshop/?hl=en
http://samdjordison.blogspot.com/2005/09/moons-bookshop.html
My Transcription.
This is the last will and testament of me John Wood of Strand
Street in Maryport in the Parish of Cross Cannonby in the county of Cumberland
Gentleman whereby I do dispose of my Real and personal Estate and effects in
manner and form following (that is to say) Imprimus, I do hereby give and
devise and bequeath unto my son Wilton Wood all that my freehold messuage and
tenement with the appurtenances situate lying and being at a place called
Wilton in Hale in the said county commonly called and known by the name of Town End and Yew Tree now in the possession of Isaac
Dixon as farmer thereof To hold until my said son Wilton Wood his heirs
executors and assigns forever, upon the special trust and confidence that he
the said Wilton Wood his executors administrators or assigns shall pay or cause
to be paid there out the several respective legacies and sum and sums of money
herein after immediately mentioned first I give to my son Thomas Wood the sum
of twenty pounds Item I give to my other son John Wood the sum of five guineas,
Item I give to my youngest son Kelsick Wood the sum of five guineas Item I give
my daughter Sarah the wife of Joseph Fell of Maryport aforesaid Grocer the sum
of Forty pounds and to my daughter Ann the wife of Robert Ferguson of
Whitehaven in the said county merchant the sum of fifty pounds which said
several legacys, thereby order and direct my son Wilton Wood to payor cause to
be paid to the respective legatees at the end or expiration of twelve months
after my decease and my will and mind is and do hereby order direct and declare
it to be my real intention that the sum of one hundred pounds shall be paid to
my son Wilton to my executrix herein after named by and out of my said estate at
Wilton in Hale aforesaid at the end or expiration of twelve calendar months after
my decease for and towards the paying off and discharging my just debts and
which said sum of one hundred pounds I desire might be paid and applied towards
defraying the same by my executrix and to and for no other use intent or
purpose whatsoever and do order that the said several legacys so bequeathed to
the several and respective legatees and the said sum of one hundred pounds so
to be paid to my executrix as aforesaid shall be charged and chargeable upon my
said premises at Wilton in Hale aforesaid Item I give devise and bequeath unto
my said son Thomas Wood all that my messuage and tenement with the appurtenances
situate lying and being at Egremont in the said county
of Cumberland commonly called and known by the name of Seed Hill Houses and a
field called Pigeon Coat Croft and a stint? in a field called Cow Field now
in the several tenures or occupations of Isaac Gibson and John Braithwaite as
farmers thereof to hold the said premises unto my said son Thomas his heirs and
assigns for ever item I give and devise unto my said son Kelsick Wood all those
messuages or dwelling house and premises with their and every of their rights
members and appurtenances situate standing in and being at Egremont Town Head and also all those my lands and grounds
situate lying and being at Egremont aforesaid commonly called and known by the
several and respective names of the
Holms, Williams Field, Low Meadows Bristow Close, and Kell Trees and a stint in
Cow Field aforesaid, and half a pew in Egremont Church now in possession
of David Sanderson to hold the same premises under my said son Kelsick Wood and
his heirs and assigns for ever, but in case my said son Kelsick should happen
to die before he attains the age of twenty one years or without leaving issue of
his body lawfully begotten then and in either case therefore order and direct
said my who is heir at law thereto son
Wilton to pay or cause to be paid unto the remainder of my children that shall
be living at the time of his death the sum of one hundred pounds to be equally
divided amongst them share and share alike and do further charge the said premises
with the payment thereof Item I give and devise unto my daughter Elizabeth the
wife of Fletcher Mc Kenzie of Maryport aforesaid mariner all that my messuage
or dwelling house with the appurtenances situate standing and being in Coats Lane, Whitehaven aforesaid in the tenure or
occupation of Fowley Burnley as farmer thereof to hold the messuage or
dwelling house unto my said daughter Elizabeth McKenzie her heirs and assigns
forever. Item I give and devise unto my said daughter Ann the wife of the said Robert
Ferguson all that my close enclosure piece or parcel of ground or land which
was lately inclosed upon Bigg Rigg Moor within the
township Townfields or precinct of Egremont aforesaid to hold the said
premises unto my said daughter Ann and to her heirs and assigns forever.
Item I give and bequeath unto my said sons and daughters hereinafter
named joint/ Wilton, Thomas, Kelsick, Sarah Fell, Ann Ferguson and Elizabeth McKenzie
All that my tenth part or share of the Copperas or Copperas Works at the Gins
near Whitehaven aforesaid and the rents houses produce and profits thereof. To hold
to them the said Wilton Wood, Thomas Wood, Kelsick Wood, Ann Ferguson and
Elizabeth McKenzie their executors administrators and assigns to be equally
divided amongst them share and share alike and in such several shares and
proportions as I shall herein after mention/ that is to say/one sixth part or
share of my said Tenth part of the said Copperas Works to my said son Wilton
also another sixth part thereof to my said son Thomas also another sixth part
to my youngest son Kelsick, also another sixth part to my said daughter Sarah
Fell also another sixth part to my said daughter Ann Ferguson and the remaining
sixth part or share of my said tenth share of the said premises to my said
daughter Elizabeth McKenzie, Item, I give and bequeath unto my said daughters
also hereinafter mentioned/ Ann Ferguson and Elizabeth McKenzie each one third
part or share of all that my twenty eighth share of the
Low ship building yard, timber yard and stock in trade at Workington in the
said county and the blacksmiths, shop ship yard and rope walk at Harrington
Harbour, otherwise Bella Port in the said county together with all the
rents issues/produce and profits thereof to hold to them the said Ann Ferguson
and Elizabeth McKenzie their executors administrators and assigns to be equally
divided between share and share alike Item, I give and bequeath unto my said
other daughter Sarah Fell the rents issues produce and profits of all that my
other third part or share of the said twenty eighth
share of the said Low ship building yard, timber yard and stock in trade at
Workington aforesaid and the blacksmiths shop, ship yard and rope walk at Harrington
Harbour otherwise Bella Port aforesaid. To hold the said rents issues
produce and profits thereof to her the said Sarah Fell and her assigns for and
during the form of her natural life and from immediately after her decease then
I give and bequeath the said third part the said twenty eighth share of the
said last mentioned premises so herein given and bequeathed to my said daughter
Sarah Fell to my three youngest grand children Martha Fell, Sarah Fell and Joseph
Fell the son and daughters of the said Joseph Fell their executors administrators
and assigns to be equally divided among them share and share alike, And my will
and mind further is that in case the said sum of one hundred pounds so to be
paid to my executrix for the purpose aforesaid be insufficient to pay off and
discharge my just debts that then I order and direct the respective legatees of
the several shares and proportions of my Low ship
building yard, timber yard and stock in trade at Workington aforesaid
and also the black smiths shop ship yard and ropework
at Harrington Harbour otherwise Bella Port aforesaid to pay or cause to
be paid there out to my said executrix equally amongst according to their
several estates and interests therein so much and such parts as will
sufficiently enable my said executrix to discharge my said debts fully Item I
give and devise unto my said loving wife Sarah Wood al that
my store house with appurtenances situate in Coats Lane in Whitehaven aforesaid
in the several tenures of Abraham Reed and Misc? Nutter as farmers thereof, to
hold the same premises unto my said wife and her heirs and assigns forever and
I do hereby the guardianship care tuition and education of my said son Kelsick
to my said loving wife during his minority and with respect to all the rest
residue and remainder of my goods chattles personal estates and effects
whatsoever and where so ever and of what nature and kind so ever whereof or
wherein I shall be possessed of …. Unto or interested in at the time of my
death I give devise and bequeath the same unto my said loving wife Sarah Wood
who I do hereby make ordain constitute and appoint sole executrix and residuary
legatee of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former and other
will and wills by me at any time heretofore made and do declare this only to be
my last will and testament and I also publish and declare that these three sheets
of paper annexed together wrote on one side only and each of them by me signed
and the last of them sealed with my seal to be the same Dated this twenty eighth
of September in the twenty ninth year of the reign of our sovereign Lord George
the third by the grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King defender
of the faith and so forth and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven
hundred and eighty nine –
These three sheets of paper wrote (sic) on one side only were each
of them signed by the said John Wood the said testator and the last of them
sealed with his seal and were by him published and declared as and for his last
will and testament in the presence of us and who in his presence and at his
request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as
witness thereto.
William Wood (crossed through)
Illegible signature
Illegible signature (poss Isaac Martin).
Tuesday, 10 January 2023
Another carved wooden bust contemporary with those of Kelsick Wood and the unfortunate Wilton Wood
Another carved wooden bust.
Probably French.
Contemporary with those of Kelsick Wood and the unfortunate Wilton Wood.
Carved Oak c. 1830 / 40.
Recently for sale.
Monday, 26 December 2022
Thursday, 15 December 2022
Whitehaven Landowners, Merchants and Shipbuilders in the 18th Century - A brief overview.
Whitehaven Landowners, Merchants and Shipbuilders and the Woods in the 18th Century -
A brief overview. (Post in preparation).
This is a series of notes to act as an aide memoire.
In order to put more flesh on the bones of the John Wood (1717-88) and his brother William Wood (1725 - 1804) ands the Wood family of shipbuilders I felt it necessary to take a brief look at the main personalities involved in the development of Whitehaven.
The first mention of our John Wood that I have so far discovered is in 1751 when Sir James Lowther reached agreement with Henry Benn and John Wood shipwrights to enclose a parcel of land behind Tangier Street, facing the sea for the use of shipbuilding (Beckett.
William and John Wood and his family occupy buildings at Ropers Alley (Coats Lane). 1762 Census.
As shipbuilders and ship owners the Woods would have had direct contact with the merchants of Whitehaven.
What is still unknown is who the brothers were apprenticed to and whether they were involved in the tobacco or coal trade. The ownership of a warehouse alongside their house at Ropers Alley suggests that they were trading - possibly in tobacco from Virginia.
As shipbuilders it is almost certain that they will have spent time at sea in order to learn the practicalities of maritime practise. Who did they sail with? did they go to Virginia?
Their mothers name was Kelsick - as yet we do not know her relationship with Richard Kelsick.
It should be born in mind that I come to this subject in almost complete ignorance and that whilst I know a great deal about English Eighteenth century art particularly sculpture - economic history is something that I am not very familiar with.
In compiling this research the same names keep reappearing and so a list of the dramatis personae would seem appropriate.
Probably a good place to start this research was with Coal and Tobacco by Beckett ... 1981
Much of the information within comes from the Lowther Family Papers.
Whitehaven - 1660 1800, pub 1991. RCHM, is the most useful source for the architecture and development of Whitehaven.
A trawl of the Lowther archives would probably help substantially in this research, but it is far away and I have no real experience in sifting through what will be the numerous documents available.
.........................
The Landowners.
Sir John Lowther, 2nd Baronet FRS (9 November 1642 – 17 January 1706) predominant landowner at Whitehaven.
He served as Member of Parliament for Cumberland from 1665 to 1701,
and as a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty from 1689 to 1696.
For an useful essay Sir John Lowther and Whitehaven, 1642-1706. The relations of
a landlord with his estate. By Christine Churches pub. 1991 See -
Sir John Lowther, 2nd Bt,
by Alexander Browne, after Sir Peter Lely,
Mezzotint, circa 1684.
His finger is pointing to the town and harbour at Whitehaven.
...............................
Sir John Lowther.
Unknown Artist.
Beacon Museum, Whitehaven.
Image courtesy Art UK website.
.........................
Sir James Lowther. FRS (1673 – 2 January 1755) industrialist and Whig politician who sat in the House of Commons for 54 years between 1694 and 1755. His ownership and development of coal mines around Whitehaven in Cumberland gave him substantial revenues, and he was reputed the richest commoner in England.
James Lowther (1673–1755), 4th Bt.
Jonathan Richardson, the elder (1667–1745).
The Beacon Museum Whitehaven.
Image courtesy Art UK website.
Sir James Lowther bequeathed his Whitehaven estates to Sir William Lowther of Holker who died a year later leaving his estates to Sir James Lowther of Lowther
......................................
The Curwens of Workington Hall.
Sir Patricius Curwen (1602 - 64).
Henry Curwen, founded Harrington Harbour c. 1750.
The Workington estate passed to John Christian (he took the name Curwen) (1756 - 1828) of Ewanrigg and controlled the estates 1788 - 1828.
.jpg)
He had married his cousin Isabella Curwen daughter of Henry Curwen in 1782.
For Curwen Archive material see -
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/22905c20-22e6-4daf-8bac-648239eb758b
Henry Curwen married Isabella Gale daughter of William Gale merchant of Whitehaven.
..............................
The Senhouses of Maryport.
..........................
Merchants
The Gale family
William Gale.
Built c. 1733 - 151/152, Queen Street.
Number 151/152 Queen Street may have been erected for William Gale, a merchant who had ships trading with the then booming American tobacco growing colonies.
The house is one of the earliest large house in town to survive with its ground floor accommodation intact, it has latterly been owned by the Bonnar family.
The impressive house was occupied by William Gale until his death in July 1774. The back courtyard was originally the setting for the Gale's own warehouse and a counting house for counting all the money he must have made in meeting the new craving for tobacco. These buildings were restored by the Bonnar family.
.......................
Letter book, 1728 August-1731 July, Robert Carter Papers
(acc. no. 3807), Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library,
University of Virginia.
https://christchurch1735.org/robert-king-carter-papers/html/C28i02a.html
John Gale is referred to as a Glasgow Merchant
Rappahannock, [Lancaster County, Virginia].
Sepr. 2d. 1728
Mr. John Gale
Sir -- In mine by Capt: Bowman I gave you an Acct. of my
drawing upon you for my ballance and Since I have done it to wit to Colonel
John Tayloe for £99"10 which I request yor. paymt. of at time by his
promise the bill was not to be Sent away before the Ship I bought the Slaves
out of returnd She is not yet gon however it is not amiss to be early in my
advice I wish you happy & am Sir –
Yor. most humble Servt.
Per Dunlop.
....................................
............
From a Letter from Robert King Carter to Peter How and Richard Kelsick 7 July 1731.
https://christchurch1735.org/robert-king-carter-papers/html/C29g08b.mod.html
John Gale (ante 1671-1729) was a Whitehaven merchant whom Carter would write a number of times times between1720 and 1729. "Like his brothers John was engaged in maritime trade. Operating as John Gale and Company, he was named as the owner of the vessel Clotilda, built in England in 1726 and registered in Whitehaven in 1727 at 25 tons." His will bequeathed "his half-share in the ships Cumberland and Somerset , his share in the Sea Flower , and 'the whole ship Clothilda .'" The Gale family had many connections with the colonies, especially in Virginia and Maryland. (Gayle N.Mandell, "John Gale, "the Elder," (Ca. 1615-20-1680) of Whitehaven, Cumberland, England," extensive genealogical and historical notes available online as part of a well-documented study on the "The Gale & Gayle Families." )
_________________________
Walter Lutwidge - slave trader from about 1710.
Letter Books 1739 / 1740 YDX/1 and YDX/2 Whitehaven Archives (not yet accessed).
His letter books offer a valuable insight into his many business ventures. Lutwidge’s interest in the Slave Trade is demonstrated in a letter to John Hardman of Liverpool in 1749:
"It would not be Disagreeable to me to be concerned a little in the Guinea Trade from your place as I have Ships & no Employment for them that I am at present fond of (I mean the Virginia Trade). I would readily send at least one of them to Guinea in case you should incline to take me in for a share of your cargo as a quarter, third, half or as was most agreeable to your Self you to have the nominating the Captn & other officers as necessary, to be skilled in the Trade, people here being strangers to it"
The letter books contain much more detail about dealing in slaves. They indicate that Lutwidge made three journeys to buy slaves between 1733 and 1737 as he explains in his Scheme of Cargo to purchase 300 Slaves in Angola. The cargo he recommended carrying consisted of a range of goods including guns and a variety of fabrics; Lutwidge advised the value to be expected for each slave would be £6
..........................
Lutwidge trading in Virginia 1738 ship Walpole (son?)
see - http://www.holstonia.net/files/PattonPart1.pdf
....................
The following notes concern the early maritime records of
Walter Lutwidge are as follows:
“Stranraer [a port town in Wigtownshire, Scotland] Oct. 29.
Yesterday came into our Loch the Whitehaven Galley, Burden 150 Tuns, carrying
16 Guns, Walter Lutdwige Master, bound for Jamaica, laden with Beef, Butter,
and Tallow, from Dublin, with 40 Servants on board, and will proceed in her
Voyage with the first fair wind, they are coming here for that intent, this
Loch being the best Outlet to the Westward in Britain.” (Supplement, 16–18
November 1709, No. 288);
“Whitehaven, March
24. On the 19th Instant the Whitehaven Galley, laden with Sugar and Indigo,
Captain Lutwidge Commander, arrived at Ramsey Bay in the Isle of Man; She
sailed from Jamaica on the 6th of February last without any Company, and left
three of her Majesty’s Men of War, viz. the Kingston, Portland and Coventry,
and four Guinea Ships, at Port-Royal.…” (London Gazette, 28–30 March 1710, No.
4671);
“Whitehaven, May 31. This Morning arrived a Fleet of Light
Colliers, being twenty six Sail, from Dublin, under Convoy of the Seaford; And
this Evening the Whitehaven Galley, Captain Walter Lutwidge commander, returned
hither. In his Passage from hence to the West Indies, he met with a Sloop
call’d the Anne of Liverpool, bound home from Fial [Faial (Fayal) Island in the
Azores of Portugal] with Brandy, Wine and Sugar; which Sloop had been taken a
little before by a Privateer, and mann’d with Frenchmen; he retook her, and
brought her in here. The Privateer had put on Board several valuable Parcels of
Goods more than her own Cargo, which she designed for France.” (London Gazette,
3–6 June 1710, No. 4700);
--------------------------
Further reading:
Walter Lutwidge, Merchant of Whitehaven; author Frances
Wilkins, Publisher Wyre Forest Press, in
Paperback, ISBN10 1897725116
--
Walter Lutwidge & family are discussed in:- The
Forgotten Trade: Comprising the Log of the Daniel and Henry of 1700 and
Accounts of the Slave Trade from the Minor Ports of England 1698-1725 by Nigel
Tattersfield, John Fowles (ISBN: 9780712673433)
.................................................
House site granted 27 Nov. 1716.
Lutwidge built his house 1728 - an H plan Mansion, (Lons52 including (now) 75 Lowther Street on corner of Scotch Street.).(1728 dated rainwater head).
Bought adjoining site 1741/2.
The Lutwidge mansion one of the largest
houses in Whitehaven. View by Matthias Reed shows the rear of the house it is clear to
see the H shaped layout. The central range provided living accommodation with a
central staircase and courtyards front and back where carriages and carts could
decant their contents This is flanked by two large wings - the
one on the Scotch Street side which wasn't heated and was probably a warehouse. The
surviving wing provided more storage and office space. The wings actually look
longer on the original painting creating a square court. This property was held
by the family until May 24th, 1780, when it was sold by Charles, grandson of
Thomas, the first owner, with the concurrence of Admiral Skeffington Lutwidge,
the last heir of entail, for £1,260, to Sir Joseph Senhouse, then residing at
Arkleby Hall.
.................................
Share in the Whitehaven Rope Co.
Third share in the glass house operating in the 1730's.
In 1743, Walter and son Thomas importing tobacco from Virginia (Beckett).
Bankrupt died in debtors prison in Dublin in 1744.(Beckett).
Thomas Lutwidge (son of Walter) established Brewery in 1730 until financial difficulties in 1736.
Thomas Lutwidge 1670 - 1746.
No brewery at Whitehaven until Patrickson and Spedding Timber Co.(Beckett - date - 1750's ?).
.......................
The following notes concern the early maritime records of Walter Lutwidge are as follows:
“Stranraer Oct. 29.
Yesterday came into our Loch the Whitehaven Galley, Burden 150 Tuns, carrying
16 Guns, Walter Lutdwig Master, bound for Jamaica, laden with Beef, Butter, and
Tallow, from Dublin, with 40 Servants on board, and will proceed in her Voyage
with the first fair wind, they are coming here for that intent, this Loch being
the best Outlet to the Westward in Britain.” (Supplement, 16–18 November 1709,
No. 288);
“Whitehaven, March
24. On the 19th Instant the Whitehaven Galley, laden with Sugar and Indigo,
Captain Lutwidge Commander, arrived at Ramsey Bay in the Isle of Man; She
sailed from Jamaica on the 6th of February last without any Company, and left
three of her Majesty’s Men of War, viz. the Kingston, Portland and Coventry,
and four Guinea Ships, at Port-Royal.…” (London Gazette, 28–30 March 1710, No.
4671);
“Whitehaven, May 31. This Morning arrived a Fleet of Light
Colliers, being twenty six Sail, from Dublin, under Convoy of the Seaford; And
this Evening the Whitehaven Galley, Captain Walter Lutwidge commander, returned hither. In his Passage
from hence to the West Indies, he met with a Sloop call’d the Anne of
Liverpool, bound home from Fial [Faial (Fayal) Island in the Azores of
Portugal] with Brandy, Wine and Sugar; which Sloop had been taken a little
before by a Privateer, and mann’d with Frenchmen; he retook her, and brought
her in here. The Privateer had put on Board several valuable Parcels of Goods
more than her own Cargo, which she designed for France.” (London Gazette, 3–6
June 1710, No. 4700);
--------------------------
Further reading:
Walter Lutwidge, Merchant of Whitehaven; author Frances Wilkins, Publisher Wyre Forest Press, in
Paperback, ISBN10 1897725116 (not available anywhere at present).
--
Walter Lutwidge & family are discussed in:- The Forgotten Trade: Comprising the Log of the Daniel and Henry of 1700 and Accounts of the Slave Trade from the Minor Ports of England 1698-1725 by Nigel Tattersfield, John Fowles (ISBN: 9780712673433).
___________
Henry Benn Shipbuilder.
1762 Census at 8 Church St.
Declared bankrupt 10 Dec 1766.
___________________
Patrickson Shipbuilder.
In partnership with John Spedding.
________________________
Richard Kelsick.
and Kelsick and How(e).
For Kelsick and Howe and the tobacco business between Whitehaven and Norfolk and the Virginia plantations see - https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/21048
The identity of the members of the firm of How and Kelsick,
London is revealed by a power of attorney from Peter How and Richard Kelsick of
Whitehaven, County of Cumberland, England, dated 1740, by which they appointed
John Champ and William Jordan of Richmond County, Virginia as their agents.
(Richmond Co. Va. Records. Order Book 1 p. 152.)
.....................................
Kelsick is a Cumbrian name. The earliest Kelsick entry in the St.Bees Register is for Elizabeth dau. of William Kelsick bapt. – 10 May 1542.
It seems the early spellings of Kelsick and Keswick were interchangeable.
The complicated family history is not helped by the proliferation of Richards -
Richard Kelsick born 1687 - St Bees, Whitehaven, Cumberland
Death 1740 - Virginia, USA.
His Mother Isabella Benn - St Bees, Whitehaven, Cumberland.
Father Richard Kelsick - Virginia, USA.?
........................
The Robert King Carter Letters to Richard Kelsick, from Rappahannock, Virginia -
Robert Carter was a member of the Council of Virginia, acting governor 1726 -1727, and a political power in the colony.
see -
https://christchurch1735.org/robert-king-carter-papers/html/C31g07a.mod.html
https://christchurch1735.org/robert-king-carter-papers/html/C29g08b.mod.html
Letter book, 1728 Aug.-1731 July, Robert Carter Papers (acc. no. 3807), Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia.
Letter from Robert Carter to Captain Richard Kelsick, July 8, 1729
Rappa[hannock, Lancaster County, Virginia] July. 8. 1729
Capt Richard Kelsick
I Heartily wish you a good Voiage and am
yr Humble Servt.
Letter from robert King Carter to Peter How and Richard Kelsick 7 July 1731.
Rappa [hannock, Lancaster County, Virginia- July 7. 1731
from
https://christchurch1735.org/robert-king-carter-papers/html/C31g07a.mod.html
Mr Peter How & Capt. Richard Kelsick.
Gentlemen
I having the Opportunity of discoursing Captain Kelsick and understanding from him that you had sold some of my 30 hogsheads of tobo sent you in the Mazareen last year when he came away I have nothing to add to that matter in that matter only to wish you may meet with a good Market for them
Herein you have a bill of Loading for 20:hogsheads of tobacco more in the same Ship consigned to you for sale -Resting in hopes that both this and the last Parcel may return a
living price I am,
Gentlemen,
Your very humble servant,
Debts incurred by the forge and the decline in the tobacco trade may have contributed to his bankruptcy in 1763." ( Paula S. Felder. "Fredericksburg and Whitehaven Connection to English Port a Forgotten Chapter in Area's Colonial History Living-history Program," Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star , 7/2/2005, and Notes on a portrait of "Mrs Peter How and her Two Children, Peter and Christian," 10/16/2015 )
................................
Letter from Richard Kelsick d. 1760 Mayor of the Borough of Norfolk Virginia. to Benjamin Franklin, 10 April 1756.
see - https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-06-02-0188
.........................
Captain Richard Kelsick, Mayor of Norfolk, VA.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3717&context=etd
1740s Captain Richard Kelsick, the second or third of that name to trade in Virginia, established a permanent residence in Norfolk Borough. Soon after his arrival he married Elizabeth Hutchings, daughter of Norfolk's foremost merchant John Hutchings.
He further cemented his local connections by forming a partnership with local magnate Thomas Newton who furnished the bills of exchange for goods imported from the Whitehaven firms of Peter How and Matthew Gale. Kelsick thus assured his entry into the charmed circle of Norfolk Borough's oligarchy. Member of the borough council by 1748, he became alderman in 1751, the final step toward his election as mayor in 1755.
............................
The Cumberland Chronicle 24 May 1777 Whitehaven: Today "a fine vessel, pierced for 18 guns, called The Littledale, was launched out of Messrs. Speddings, & Co's yard, built by Messrs. Palmer, & Co. for Mr. Richard Kelsick."
.............................
Peter How(e).
Tobacco Merchant.
Howe Younger and sons bankrupt 1763.
..............................
The Gilpins.
John Gilpin, 1719, Queen Street House House (Lons 43 Queen Street).
...............................
The Speddings.
John Spedding and his son James.
JS Letters to Lowther YCOP/23 Whitehaven Archives
Carlisle Spedding and his son also James.
_______________________
Clement Nicholson - Tobacco Merchant.
Wednesday, 7 December 2022
The 1838 Faed portraits of Kelsick Wood and his immediate Family and other family portraits
The Faed portraits of Kelsick Wood and his Immediate Family.
1838.
and a sketch profile of William Wood (possibly by Kelsick Wood).
(Post in preparation).
Currently these are the best photographs available, and as yet I haven't seen the backs.
I am most grateful to Ian Smith for obtaining them for me to post here. He discovered them about 20 years ago when researching the Maryport ships carver James Brooker.
At that time it was believed that Brooker was the carver of the three busts, of John Wood dated 1754, Kelsick Wood dated 1824, and the young Wilton Wood (1805 - 32) who died in the carriage accident. The photographs of them were provided to researcher Dr Crerar of Maryport by Mary Williamson. (we still do not know who this Mary Williamson was!) - Dr Crerar's files are at Carlisle Archives.
The Provenance of the Wood family Miniatures.
The owners would prefer to remain anonymous, but the miniatures are known to have previously been owned by John Wood II (1807 - 59), son of Kelsick Wood, thence to his son Wilton William Wood (1832 - 1921), thence to his son Kelsick Huthwaite Wood (1878 - 1920) who married Roberta Robinson, they had no children and the miniatures passed to other members of the family.
We still have no provenance for the six Kelsick Wood journals (annotated by Wilton William Wood), or the carved wooden busts.
Kelsick Wood (1772 - 1840).
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Kelsick Wood - a self portrait from one of his journals.
It is difficult to date - there is a reference here to the brig Charlotte built in 1832 suggesting that it was painted at that time.
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The bust of KW after restoration.
The life size carved wooden bust of Kelsick Wood, signed by James Fell, 1824.
stripped prior to repainting.
Currently in store with the Winterthur Museum, Delaware, USA.
sold to the museum in 1969 by Norm Flayderman.
First recorded in 1939 along with the bust of his father John Wood dated 1754 and his son Wilton Wood II (1805 - 32) who died in the carriage accident, by Dr Crerar - with photographs taken in 1938/9 provided by a Mary Williamson (Crerar Files Carlisle Archives).
Wilton Wood, John Wood and Kelsick Wood
The tea trolley busts 1938/9.
Photographed in an unknown location - probably somewhere in West Cumberland.
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Mary Wood, 1772 - 1841) nee Inman, wife of Kelsick Wood.
The daughter of John Inman (1738 - 1827) and Agnes Postlethwaite (1746 - 1816) who were married on 1st Nov. 1796 at Crosscanonby (Maryport).
Sister Sarah Inman (1790 - 1859) married Joseph Sealby.
Her brother (Captain) John Inman married Ann Blamire
d. 1849 buried St Wilfred's, Davenham Northwich Cheshire.
It appears that the Inmans were involved in ship ownership in Maryport but there is much to research.
Mary Wood.
Above another page from the Kelsick Wood Journal annotated by Wilton William Wood.
Mary Inman (Captain) Kelsick Wood’s second wife (1772-1841) was the eldest daughter of John Inman (1738-1827) (iron merchant) and Agnes Postlethwaite (1746-1816), was born in 1772. She was baptised on 25 Jan 1772 at Burgh by Sands, Cumberland. Married KW 1 Nov 1796.
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Mary Inman and her son Kelsick Wood II (the Maryport sailmaker) appeared on the census of 1841 living at Strand Street, Maryport, along with Mary's sister Ann (Nanny) and two servants. Mary Wood, née Inman is described as aged 65 and of independent means. Ann Inman is aged 60 and of independent means.
Mary's son Kelsick is described as a shipbuilder aged 25. She died on 5 Nov 1841 at Maryport aged 69 years. These dates are confirmed by her headstone and the church register.
She was buried on 10 Nov 1841 at St. Mary's churchyard, Maryport, Crosscanonby parish (Maryport) Mary Wood, Strand Street, Maryport Aged 69 years."
For much useful information on the Inman family see -
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John Wood (1807 - 1859) - son of Kelsick Wood.
Born in Carlisle.
Died on 8 Jan 1859 at Strand Street, Maryport, intestate, aged 52, after eight days of hematemesis. Hematemesis is the vomiting of blood.
Buried at Maryport Cemetery.
The inscription on his tombstone states
1807, DIED 8TH JANUARY 1859 AGED 52 YEARS
ALSO OF SARAH HIS WIFE WHO DIED AUG. 15TH 1851, AGED 44 YEARS
AND WAS INTERRED AT ST. MARY'S CHAPEL MARYPORT
ALSO KELSICK THEIR SON WHO WAS DROWNED AT SEA NOV. 11TH 1861 AGED 21 YEARS.
THOMAS TOLSON THEIR SON, BORN 2ND NOV. 1833, LOST AT SEA ON HIS PASSAGE FROM BOMBAY, TO ENGLANDIN 1865
AGNES MARIA THEIR DAUGHTER, BORN 24TH JULY 1842 DIED 16TH MARCH 1873.
MARY THEIR ELDEST DAUGHTER, BORN 26TH JUNE 1837 DIED 28TH JULY 1875.
FANNY TOLSON THEIR YOUNGEST DAUGHTER BORN 25TH MARCH 1848 DIED 21ST SEPTEMBER 1876
JOHN THEIR SON BORN 30TH NOVEMBER 1844 DIED 22ND SEPTEMBER 1913.
CATHERINE MARY THE WIFE OF WILTON WILLIAM THEIR ELDEST SON BORN 7TH JULY 1845 DIED 8TH NOVEMBER 1914.
KELSICK HUTHWAITE WOOD, HUSBAND OF ROBERTA WOOD & ONLY SON OF WILTON WILLIAM & CATHERINE MARY WOOD BORN 21ST AUGUST 1878 DIED 25TH DEC. 1920
COL. WILTON WILLIAM WOOD BORN 23RD JUNE 1832 DIED 12TH JUNE 1921.
ROBERTA WOOD WIFE OF KELSICK HUTHWAITE WOOD BORN 2ND NOVEMBER 1893.
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-1838-John-Faed-adj-lo-res.jpg)
Sarah Wood, nee Huddlestone, (1807 - 1851).
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-Huddleston-1838-John-Faed-adj-lo-res.jpg)
John Huddleston (this needs to be confirmed).
Perhaps the brother of Joseph Huddleston, former partner in Huddleston, Ritson the Maryport shipbuilding company fl 1830 - 1841.
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Kelsick Wood II, (1810 - 67) son of Kelsick Wood.
Sailmaker of Maryport.
Married Margaret Smith of Nethertown, Dumfies 8 Sept. 1842.
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William Wood.
Watercolour sketch.
This profile of William Wood, possibly by Kelsick Wood is still in the private collection along with the Faed portrait miniatures.
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