Six north country diaries - The MAN & Other Families

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306
family) was killed in a duel by Lord Lempster (now Earl Ponifret).
He was tiyed and acquitted. ^^
Not long after Captain Collingwood (one of Ryle family) was also
killed in a duel by a Captain Walch. He was also tryed and
acquitted, plea was se defendendo.
Upon a Good Friday, in the year 1742, Mr. George Davison, of
Little-Miln, was killed in his dovecoat there by his climbing up to
take young jDidgeons : being a very near sighted man his foot slip'd
from the bricks. ^^
Mr. James Scott, tanner in Alnwick, died in February, 1773,
guilty of suicide ; the reason of his untimely death not known, but he
was plagued with a proud, saucy, imperious and disdainful wife. She
died in December, 1786, in low and miserable conditiO'U, relief from
Alnw^ick parish.
Mr. Edward Bell,^^ of AlnAvick, merchant, died a few years ago
of a consumption : he was pla,gued with a wife of the very same description
(as before), who is now living an artful Methodist. But
he lived a.nd died an honest man.
It is to be remarked that the wives were full sisters.^
About the year 1771 Charles Brandling, of Gosforth-hall, renounced
Roman Catholic religion and became a Protestant of the
Church of England.
Several years ago Earl Surrey, now duke of Norfolk, renounced
also, and became Protestant.
In November, 1788, died at Rothbury, Mr. William Readhead,
salt-officer : he formerly lived at a farm called the Crook, near to
Rothbury. 3
In July, 1766, died at. Alnwick, Mrs. Hannah Forster (wife of Mr.
Collingwond Forster, who died in the year 1775).*
'^ Thomas Grey, third son of Sir Henry Gi-ey of Howick, first baronet, was
slain by Lord Lempster, afterwards Earl of Pomfret. Cf. Newcastle Courant,
7 March, 1752.
'^ Mr. George Davison of Little Mill, in the parish of Long Houghton, was
eldest son of Robert Davison of Bowsden and Stamford. He was buried at
Long Houghton on the 18 April, 17-42, aged 40. Long Honrjhton Beyiders.
'" Cf. pedigree of Bell of Shortridge, new History of Northumherland,
vol. V. "p. 234.
'
1742. Nov. 25. Mr. James Scott and Mrs. Margaret Richardson
married. A/mvich Register.
1743. June 8. Edward Bell and Mary Richardson married. Ibid.
'^
Cf. pedigree of Brandling, Surtees, Durham, vol. ii. p. 91.
' Query, William Readhead, baptized 15 March, 1721, as son of Robert
Readhead of Hollon Crook. Eothhury liegistem.
Mrs. Forster was Hannah, daughter of John Doubleday of Alnwick Abbey,
and was married (as his first wife) at Long Houghton 18 July, 1743, to
Collingwood Forster, a leading attorney at Alnwick, and clerk of the peace for
Northumberland. She died 14 July, 1767, aged 48, leaving issue three
daughters, viz., Hannah, wife first of Edward Ward of Morpeth and second
of William Bush of Bristol, linen merchant ; Susanna, wife of William Peareth