RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Yorkshire (North Riding) => Topic started by: Ceci on Sunday 31 October 04 15:47 GMT (UK)
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There is a monument in the churchyard of St Hilda's Church, Ellerburn, North Yorkshire in memory 3 generations of the DOBSON family.
William (1744-1807) and Jane (1753-1797)
William (1801-1887) and Hannah (1803-1867)
Robert (1776-1825) and Elizabeth (1771-1841)
The inscription states that it was erected to the memory 'by the will of their son Samuel in 1879'
(i.e. son of Robert & Elizabeth)
The story that has passed down my family is that a member of the family went to the USA to make his fortune and later returned to the place of his birth to pay tribute to the family. I have not been able to find a death or Will for Samuel around 1879, so am inclined to believe 'his will' refers to his wish while he was still living rather than to his last will and testament.
Does anyone know about the history of this monument or what happened to Samuel Dobson? I believe he was baptised in Ellerburn 21 Feb 1808.
Ceci
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Hi Ceci
Sorry we haven't been able to help you so far on this one.
Have you made any progress, or do you have any further details that could help someone to find what you are looking for?
Look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes
Ticker
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No further progress on this one. I just wondered if anyone had any local knowledge.
Ceci
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Hi
I'm also researching this family as am descended from William Dobson b 1744 in Ellerburn via his daughter Betty. Found the monument by chance when touring the locality for family history research. It is certainly a huge monument and Samuel must have been a very wealthy person to be able to afford this. I had come to the same conclusion that he must have emigrated but have come to a dead end after that. Perhaps we could work together on this. Another distant relative and I are trying the same thing. How are you connected to the family
Anna
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Hi Anna,
How very exciting! William Dobson c. 1744 was my 5x Great Gandfather. I am descended from his son Robert. I would love to work with you on this. I will send you a personal message with some more information.
Bset regards,
Ceci
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That'll be Robert who married Elizabeth Steel. Myself and a colleague are fascinated by Samuel though. We must crack this mystery!
Anna
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Hi,
I have just sent you a Personal message. Samuel was the son of Robert & Elizabeth as you will have gathered from the monumental inscription. I do not know much about him, but have some possible finds on passenger lists to the USA which we could discuss and see if they lead anywhere.
Regards,
Ceci
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Hi, yet more relations I never knew I had! I too am related to those named on the Dobson obelisk in St Hilda's church yard.
Has anyone had any luck tracing Samuel and the source of his cash?
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Hi,
Could the church records (other than the parish register) show details of the erection of the monument? Regards, Gazania
(PS My family has a connection with Ellerburn but not with the Dobsons)
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Hi Dobo
No still trying to trace him. I'm sure he went to the USA!
How are you descended?
Anna
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Hi Gazania
I have tried that and spoken to the Vicar as well to see what he knows - he knew nothing about the memorial.
Anna
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Hi Anna,
I am decended from Robert & Elizabeth Steel and aim to visit in July with the prime intention of renovating the obelisk inscription faces. My great gran was a Morley from Saltergate and maybe one day I'll get round to exploring her ancestry too.
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I am descended through William Dobson and Jane Frank's daughter Betty.
I don't live too far from Ellerburne so if you do decide to do the obelisk, I might be able to come across and give you a hand.
Anna
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I am researching my husband's great grandfather, William Grayson Dobson, born 1831 in Ellerburn Yorkshire and think he may be descended from William and Hannah. He came out to South Africa as a trooper with the 73rd Regt of Foot (now part of the Royal Highland Regiment, the Black Watch) on the HMS Birkenhead which sank at Danger Point in 1852 . This ship was the ship where the soldiers stood to attention on the deck while the women and children got into the lifeboats and rowed away. William was one of the lucky few to survive. I have struggled to find his UK roots, but think I may now be on the right track - happened upon this website totally by chance (don't you just love Google ;D). If anyone knows anymore about this, I would love to hear from them.
Thanks,
Gill
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Hi Gill
I'm sorry I don't have him on my tree but I met up with other Dobsons at Ellerburn last year so will contact them and see if anyone can help.
Anna
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Hi Gill
I'm sorry I don't have him on my tree but I met up with other Dobsons at Ellerburn last year so will contact them and see if anyone can help.
Anna
Thank you Anna
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Hi all,
Just chipping in here, to let you all know i have many Dobsons from Whitby , Lythe and Wintringham, and then down to Leeds.
Weenie
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Hi Gill
I'm sorry I don't have him on my tree but I met up with other Dobsons at Ellerburn last year so will contact them and see if anyone can help.
Anna
Thank you Anna
Hello again Anna,
We have made a little progress trying to track William Grayson Dobson. It seems he may have been the illegitimate child of Christiana Dobson and Thomas Grayson, who married 2 years after his birth when their second son, Thomas was born. So if you or anyone else has Christiana Dobson on your tree, I would be interested in her too.
Thanks again.
Gill