Can anyone help sort this lot out please

[peter brownlee]

The Matthew smothered in the pit was buried in St Andrews so the pit must have been in that parish. The pit owner was William Brandling and the Brandlings owned mineral rights in Jesmond, St Andrews parish. Unfortunately at that early date pits were widespread in the area immediately north of Newcastle and not generally very well documented. There were complaints about the danger from unfenced pits to travellers straying off the Gt North road.  There was an abandoned pit in Jesmond Vale mentioned in the 1889 description, but it was probably a later version.
peter

[peter brownlee]

Henry Brandling mayor of Newcastle buried 1578 left in his will to his 2nd son William among other property a close called Sandford Close. Not to be confused with his nephew William who came to blows in St Andrews churchyard after being called a Scots mongrel. William Brandling the son died in 1595 but left a son of is own underage. This must be the William Brandling who owned the pit.
One of the men smothered with Matthew bears my surname.
Incidentally in June 1578 the town of Newcastle complained against a market in Gateshead allegedly set up by Richard Nattress of Gateshead Mercer.
The details apparently in Archeologia Aeliana New series {2nd?}vol ii p226.
Peter

[ladybird]

Thanks Peter
I haven't been able to find the reference to that book but wouldn't it be great to be able to browse through the actual book. It's so full of interesting stuff

[peter brownlee]

The books are;
Newcastle Town by R J Charlton Walter Scott Kenilworth Press 1889
History of Newcastle and Gateshead 16th century by Richard Welford pub Walter Scott London 1885
Victoria County History of Northumberland Vol Xll
The name Natrass is from the place near Alston and seems to have been commonest in County Durham with a lesser proportion in Cumberland and quite rare in Northumberland. Presumably they were mostly hard rock miners and didn't need to move much until the lead mines failed in the late 19th century. Perhaps your man was something of a mining expert. The book mentions an overman for the town moor named Hall living near the New gate. The mineral rights for the pits on the moor were owned by the freemen of Newcastle. Just a speculation.
Peter

[Forest Fairy]

Hi
Ralph Naters is my Great x3 grandfather, through his reputed daughter Isabella Coulson.  Ralph's will left everything to her and her husband, Joseph Simpson Arnison. 
Regards

[ladybird]

  yes...a few skeletons in the cupboard there.
Ralph's wife Dorothy (Trewhitt) left him sometine between 1841-1851 and went to live with their daughter Dorothy Lotherington....must have been a bit annoyed with him 
Sylvia
Oh PS I was sent a pic of James and Isabella Arnison, do you have it?

[Forest Fairy]

I've got that one, Priarie Chicken sent it me.  She's my second cousin.  We met up last October in Newcastle, and I've got a few photos of our visit, including the brewery, pubs and Ralph Naters' chimney piece, once in one of the pubs, and which he donated to the old mansion house.  I've also got copies of, Joseph, Nicholas and Ralph's wills. If you need copies or would like to see the photos let me know.
Regards
Heather

[ladybird]

Thanks Heather
I'd love the pics of the brewer, pub and chimney piece please, I have the copies of the wills.
This is a fascinating family and I'm really surprised there are no paintings of them, unless they are in a private (family?) collection somewhere.
I'll PM you
Sylvia

[Forest Fairy]

Should have said.  When we went to Newcastle, we went every where asking about photos, but nothing.  We were shown around the council buildings, and in the main hall, all the names of the Sheriffs were carved into the walls.  I'll send you the photos that we took, but whether you'll be able to make out the names, is another thing.
Heather