Little Tosson, near Rothbury

[yogievans]

Hi,

My great grandfather William STANNERS was a shepherd working/living at Little Tosson in 1913. I can find little about this place - Google maps is not very helpful.

A Vision of Britain Through Time website says:

TOSSON (Great and Little), two townships in Rothbury parish, Northumberland; 2 and 2½ miles WSW of Rothbury. Acres, 2,760 and 518. Pop., 113 and 33. Houses, 20 and 7

Can anyone provide me with any information about Little Tosson. Would it be possible to pinpoint the farm where he was working?

Thanks

Ian EVANS

[Michael Dixon]

Ian,

perhaps the 1911 census will provide details (eg name and place) of the farm he worked on ?

http://www.genuki.bpears.org.uk/NBL/Rothbury/GAZ1868.html   

A link to other info on the Tossons

Michael

[yogievans]

Hi Michael,

Thanks for the suggestion. William STANNERS was working in Ewart Newtown in 1911. I've googled 'Little Tosson', and looked on the genuki site, but it's all rather general..

I'm waiting for the 1911 Census on Ancestry before I look around the Little Tosson area for farms etc.

Ian EVANS

[stanmapstone]

You can see Little Tosson maps, of various dates, at http://gis.durham.gov.uk/website/interMAP/viewer.htm put the coords 401020, 601066 in to search, the latest map is that of 1980-1994. In the 1914 Directory the only farmer listed in Little Tosson is a John Foggon. The 1894 Directory states that Little Tosson was the property of Thomas Fenwicke-Clennell esq. J.P. of Harbottle Castle.

Stan

[yogievans]

Hi

Thanks Stan. I did not think of using the historical directories site to search for Little Tosson.
I cannot get the Durham site to work however. I get a 'data loading' message which fails to finish!! 
However I now have another problem!! I have just found a farm called Little Tosson Farm near Thropton, via Google. As I am not sure where Little Tosson is, and, according to Google maps, this farm is not in Thropton, could they be the same place?

Regards

Ian EVANS

[stanmapstone]

Hi Ian,
This is Little Tosson Farm http://www.rootschat.com/links/0can/ as confirmed by the map from http://gis.durham.gov.uk/website/interMAP/viewer.htm


Stan

[yogievans]

Thanks Stan,

I've already seen the aerial view, and there is a street view as well. Thanks for the reassurance that this is Little Tosson Farm, Little Tosson.

Regards

Ian EVANS

[pb3]

Ian

          A few years ago we had a family holiday at Great Tosson and stayed for a few days in one of the cottages there. There was a farm directly across the road from where we stayed with the remains of a Pele tower a few yards from the road. A lane to the right of where we stayed led past another farm and, after a short walk and a steepish climb, to an old hill fort.

          The morning after we arrived I took the dog for a walk in the opposite direction - roughly south east - and after about half an hour's stroll we arrived at Lordenshaw where there is another, very clearly defined, hill fort with some quite amazing cup and ring markings; this was a very moderate walk and in a car would probably take about five minutes. There is a car park below the fort.

          There are only a few buildings at Great Tosson and they all appear to be old farm buildings and cottages.

          In my experience farms in this area tend to stay in families over quite a long period and I would be very surprised if you couldn't find a local resident (or residents) who could give you information about previous farmers and workers or at least point you in the right direction.

          Your researches would give you the perfect excuse to book a few days holiday in an area that is absolutely steeped in history and might also solve your family history problem. If you do go to the area don't forget your camera. There are some great views in Northumberland.

          Incidentally, I have got no commercial interest in these holiday lets and other holiday destinations are available.

            PatB.

[yogievans]

Hi PatB

Thanks for your response. It is much appreciated. My mother's rellies come from Northumberland...Berwick-u-Tweed, Lowick, Wooler, and I will be making a visit in the near future.

My great grandfather, William STANNERS, a shepherd, also lived at High Steads, Lowick, and I have photos of great aunts with the house in the background. I must go there too.

Regards

Ian EVANS