RootsChat.Com

Hi Nicola,

Here is some more information I found.  You have probably noticed that certain forenames are used regularly, so with this in mind I continued my research.  I found a newspaper article from the Westmorland Gazette 15/3/1890 in which it mentions the transfer of ownership and refurbishment of the famous Inn, The Mortal Man.  It was owned by Isaac Walker and then his widow when he died.  It was purchased by Mr C P Banks of Kendal.  It was erected in 1689 by James Cookson and originally known as the White House.  In the Autumn of 1889 a foundation stone was laid by Adam Walker a descendant of James Cookson.  Isaac and Adam were brothers and sons of Myles and Mary Walker (nee Cookson).  Robert Cookson (smith) named his first son James and records show that James Cookson had a son Robert 1689 in Troutbeck and his mother was Margaret (nee Hutchinson).

I requested the Will of James Cookson waller (builder) Townhead in Troutbeck  20/1/1749 he annulled previous wills.  He wants to be buried in Dent.   He gives his estate of houses and lands lying and being within the township of Troutbeck to his grand son James Dixon with yearly rent of six shillings.  James Cookson wants legacies paying to his daughter Margaret Mackereth, grandchildren George Dixon, Jane Dixon, Ann Dixon, Mary Dixon, Paul Dixon, John Dixon.  He appoints James Dixon as his sole executor of his last will and testament.  He appoints William Cookson of the Broadgate in Hugill Butcher and George Birkett of the Highground in Troutbeck and gives them five shillings.  James Dixon presents himself at the solicitors on 15/10/1750.

Of interest I found a baptism for Mary Cookson 17/7/1698 and a marriage to John Dixon 1/2/1721 in Troutbeck.  A baptism for Margaret Cookson 21/1/1703 and a marriage to William Mackereth 6/5/1731 Troutbeck.  Coincidentally, it was a William Mackereth who put together the Inventory for Jennet Cookson's (widow) assets on her death.

It gets more complicated getting the right connections the further you go back.

Hi Nicola,

I have had another look at my research notes!  My connection is that my ancestor was George Cookson son of George Cookson husbandman.  George Jun was baptised 25/1/1778 in Troutbeck.  He became an Excise Officer, his Sacrament Certificate (oath of allegiance) is dated 25/12/1803 and took place in Kendal.  He became an Assistant in Manchester at the rooms of Thomas Ellis.  In 1806 he was transferred to Halifax.  George takes out a special licence on 22/11/1806 aged 21 years and upwards abode Halifax and his bondsman is his father George of Applethwaite husbandman.  He marries Ann Bradshaw in Kendal 25/11/1806. They have two children George baptised 4/10/1807 and Thomas baptised 9/7/1809 in Halifax.  George is transferred to Rochdale early 1811 and then later to Middlewich.  They live in Winsford and have another son Robert baptised 26/01/1812 but he is buried 4/3/1812.   His wife Ann is buried 4/3/1812.  George takes out a special licence 1/5/1815 to marry Elizabeth (Betty) Hulse aged 19 daughter of Richard Hulse carpenter and they marry 3/5/1815 at St Chads Over.  They have three children John baptised 15/9/1816, Robert baptised 13/7/1818 in Mottram in Longdendale and Mary Ann baptised 14/8/1820 St Chads.  I am descended from Robert who became a joiner. 

As regards George senior's will of 30/5/1803.  George a husbandman of Undermillbeck appoints John Braithwaite and William Fisher both yeomen from Applethwaite to be his executors.  He requests that his assets be sold and monies invested.  He wants his wife Jane to have the security, and bequeaths a selection of household furniture and cooking utensils. Twelve after her death he bequeaths his sons George and Robert £150.  The rest to go to his children Ann wife of Joseph Ellis of Ambleside, Mary wife of Miles Walker of Applethwaite, Jane Cookson spinster and grand daughter Jane wife of John Bigland late of Cartmel Fell.  George wanted his grand daughter to be paid personally without interference from her husband. 

Of interest, a special licence was taken out by Myles Walker of Applethwaite husbandman aged 30 and upwards on 28/4/1799 to marry Mary Cookson aged 19. George Cookson Yeoman her father gave consent and was the bondsman.

In the National Archives there is a reference to George Cookson's sale of a New Close on the side of the Heald 1779.

I hope that this information is of interest.  I will be in touch with the rest!

Hi Nicola,

I have often wondered what happened to Robert Cookson.  I did find a marriage in Manchester in 1819 for a Robert Cookson coach proprietor to Nancy Paulden Hardy.  He died in 1829 aged 45.  When is four daughters married he was mentioned originating from Ellory Westmorland. 

Looking at a copy of George and Jane's marriage licence and bond 27/2/1776, George is 35 although the wording also includes  'and upwards' and Jane is 25.  There is no mention of him being a widower.  I did find the baptisms in Troutbeck for Elizabeth Cookson 30/10/1744 father George and Ann Cookson 15/2/1747 also father George.  In George's Will of 30/5/1803 it definitely mentions my daughter Ann wife of Joseph Ellis of Ambleside and my daughter Mary wife of Miles Walker of Applethwaite.  The grand daughter Jane, wife of John Bigland, I can only assume is the daughter of Elizabeth Cookson.  I also found a baptism in Troutbeck for George Cookson 27/2/1726 parents Robert (blacksmith) and Elizabeth.  Robert Cookson's will of 10/3/1741 mentions his children James, George, Thomas and Agnes.  His wife is Janet, although I did find a marriage for Robert to Jennet Dixon 5/3/1738, I can only assume he was a widower.  The further you go back the more it gets confusing!

Hi, I don't know whether this information is of any relevance.  I found in The Lakes Chronicle Saturday December 1878 the mention of the death of Miss Birkett of Middlerigg "the last representative of the ancient family of Birkett who was a granddaughter of the extinct family of Braithwaite of Ambleside Hall.  The estate was inherited by two nephews who were sons of a deceased sister.  Miss Birkett succeeded to the estate upon the death of her brother Mr William Birkett nearly seven years ago.  She died aged 75 and was buried in Troutbeck Churchyard on the 12th."

I also found on Lancashire Online Parish Project

Marriage 4 Sep 1873 St Paul Caton Lancs
William Birkett Full Age Bobbin Maker Bachelor
Margaret Elliott Full Age School Mistress Spinster
Groom's Father William Birkett Bobbin Maker
Bride's Father William Elliott Gardener
Witnesses Christopher Tennant, Ellen Elliott

Hi, I don't know whether this is your James Birkett.  I have looked at my copy of 'The Disappearing Yeoman - Windermere 1640 -1841' by Pauline Wharton and have found under the heading of Applethwaite a reference to a James Birkett.  He was resident in Grove - and to quote, ' 1811 James Birkett Grove.  17.8.1818 James Birkett will.  1815 James Birkett, formerly of Troutbeck, died Grove will.