Hi Val, thanks for getting in touch! It's exciting to hear from you because I don't know the area at all, although it turns out that my ancestors lived there for over a hundred years! I knew nothing about them growing up and it was only after inheriting an old farm book that I began researching them. I have learnt a lot in the last six months thanks to the help and mentoring I have had from friendly forum members on sites like this
I'm pretty sure our ancestors must have known each other and may possibly have been related.
The furthest back I have got is with a recetly discovered marriage bond dated 1765
Watson, John, Beal, Kyloe, 21 yeo
Wallice, Marg. wooler, 21, wid
Stavert, Thomas, Norham, Yeo
There is an old administrative bond that shows that John and Margaret farmed both at Fenham and Unthank.
John and Margaret's family were Jane, John and my direct ancestor Ralph Watson b. 1779. They are sure to have had siblings but I haven't yet identified them.
Jane married Thomas Mathison who farmed at Fenham. On the Bond, her father John Watson is down as being farmer, Little Mill, Longhoughton.
John, their son, married Jane Humble and was known as John Watson farmer of Unthank
Ralph married Grace Temple and was known as Ralph Watson farmer of Unthank
In 1841 Ralph was recorded as living at Unthank with his wife Grace and grown up children: Patience b. 1815 John b. 1821 James 1826, Elizabeth 1826 and Ralph 1827. Two other daughters Margaret and Susannah died in childhood.
In 1851 Ralph is 72 and recorded as an annuitant, born at Beal and living at Unthank Moor House with his adult children, none of who seem to have been involved in farming.
Ralph Watson jnr b. 1827, my GGG became an accountant, then a banker and married a woman called Jane Dick. They lived at Tweedmouth.
Ralph and Jane's son George Temple Watson was my GG grandfather and his daughter Amy Grace my grandmother.
I'd be very curious to know if people's names relate to your family tree. And it would be really great to have some guidence on the geography - proximity of villages etc.
Best wishes, Val ( my name too! 😀)