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Thornton Watlass
Thornton Watlass photos
Displaying the first of 2 old photos of Thornton Watlass. View all Thornton Watlass photos
Thornton Watlass maps
Historic maps of Thornton Watlass and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Thornton Watlass maps
Thornton Watlass area books
Displaying 1 of 28 books about Thornton Watlass and the local area. View all books for this area
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Memories of Thornton Watlass
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DODSWORTH FAMILY TREE
I have been tracing the Dodsworth family tree and a lot of my research has brought me to the village of Thornton Watlass. The Dodsworths did and still own the hall so I'm hoping there may be some history to be found. If any body has any informtion or photos please, please get in touch at staceychristina@hotmail.com. Thank you.
North Yorkshire memories
Wedding Day
I was married in this church on 23rd December 1950 to Eunice Ethel Smith who lived at High Mill Cottage.
Family Memories
Relatives of my mum, she is 85 years young, originally ran the Malt Shovel Inn in Crakehall. My mum was born in 1925 so this must have been the 1920s to 1930s. I have old photos of the Malt Shovel then but can find no records of them.
My Childhood
As a child I spent many a happy summer holiday in the castle grounds. My aunt was cook at the castle and my uncle worked the land. From what I remember I think it was then owned by the Clutterbuck family. My aunt and uncle lived in the lodge just down the hill from the castle near the church. Somewear in the lake is a necklace belonging to my mum as my aunty and her used to go in the old rowing boat they had. She lost it while they were messing about. I hope to try to revisit the castle one day and take my children to see it, the lake and the old ice house if it is still there.
The Past
This picture reminds me of the days spent in East Witton at my grandfathers house it was on the right as you look up the green with the pub behind you, it had a archway and it was a working farm there was no electricity and the water came from two pumps in the village green one at the top and one at the bottom.
He kept sheep and he had two sheep dogs one of them was a trainee because he would always be larking around in the kitchen just as any good puppy would.
As a family we spent our time on holiday there and enjoyed walking next to the river collecting fresh watercress also in the local towns Hawes and Leyburn the busses do not appear to have changed since 1960, sadley my grandmother died when i was one my grandfather and father have now passed away but i have never forgotten that time we spent together.
My father served as a solider in... Read more
Ancestry
East Witton's interest to me began as it was the birthplace of my grandfather and his parents resided in Wast Witton Without (i found this through the 1901 census), though I cannot get any further back in time. I worked in nearby Leyburn and visited East Witton daily to get a sense of its aura and atmosphere, hoping to meet someone who knew my ancesters as my grandfather became well known and his actions in the First World War were well documented, where his bravery and selflessness earned him the Victoria Cross whilst serving in The Duke of Wellingtons as a stretcher bearer. His parents were Robert and Jane Poulter who had 7 children, at least to my knowledge, one of which was Arthur who worked locally at Yaylors Brewery, which gave him the strength carry out his acts of bravery in the First World War. I visited the area as a child with my parents and my father had great pride in his ancestry and his father which probably... Read more
Ryder
I wonder how many Ryders still live in Leyburn and East Witton. My mother was the daughter of George Ryder who was born in East Witton in 1881. George's parents were William G and Margaret Ryder who had at least 9 children, all born in East Witton. William G himself was the only child of Joseph Ryder whose brother John farmed Witton Lodge. Joseph and John were sons of Ellen Ryder, born 1779 was farming Witton Lodge as a widow, together with her sons, well into her sixties, when I believe she died. Ellen was my g-g-g-grandmother. I have no idea who was Ellen's husband, who was probably farming in East Witton before the Napoleonic wars. If any Ryder relative can help me with more information, please e-mail to Prof Robin Marshall, R.Marshall@manchester.ac.uk To help with possible relatives, William G's 9 children, and year of birth (accurate to 1 year) were William (1873), Elizabeth (1875), Joseph (1877), Esther (1879), George(1881),... Read more
