The History of Togston Northumberland

TOWNSHIP OF TOGSTON.

Togston Township Northumberland

     The township of Togston forms an irregular parallelogram of 1,079 acres, of which the east end abuts upon the sea ; its population in 1891 was 500,^N having more than doubled itself in the previous ten years, through the erection within the boundaries of the township of cottages for miners working at Broomhill colliery.^N The soil produces heavy crops of fine wheat, and also provides excellent grazing ground.
     At the end of the last and at the beginning of this century, successive owners and tenants of Togston obtained some note as breeders of high-class cattle. `A cow of the Blackwell breed,' by `the famous Togston bull of that day,' belonging to Mr. William Smith, purchased by Mr. Widdrington of Hauxley, ` a well-known breeder of fine cattle,' at the sale of Mr. Edward Cook (died November, 1786), left good stock in the neighbourhood.^N A cow bred and fed by Mr. William Smart of Trewhitt, who after Cook's death rented his lands, when killed in 1792 was found to weigh 150 stones.^N Thirty years later, Henry Porritt of Togston obtained a wider distinction as a breeder of shorthorns,^N and his horses `Eclipse' and `Zoroaster' are not yet forgotten.^N
    The hamlet of Togston is situated at the north-west corner of the township. It contains two houses sheltered by plantations of forest trees, which belong respectively to Mr. E. M. Lawson-Smith and Mr. Brignell Dand ; and there are homesteads at Togston Barns, East Togston, and Togston Low-hall.
    Though in the list of fortalices of 1415 no mention is made of any tower at Togston, there seems to have been a small stronghold there. It stood on a site a little to the north-west of Mr. Lawson-Smith's house until about 1820, when it was taken down by Mr. T. G. Smith, to his subsequent and lasting regret.^N
    In the twelfth century Ralph fitz Main and his descendants, who were foresters of Northumberland, held three-fourths of the manor of Togston of the king in sergeanty.^N In the year 1200 Ralph fitz Peter paid 50 marks for having his land, at Ditchburn, Cartington, and Ryle, which he used to hold by sergeanty, by knight's service ; but he was to render besides 10s. a year for his land of Togston.^L By an agreement made in the king's court at Newcastle on the Sunday after the 2nd of February, 1234/5, John fitz Roger, lord of Warkworth, for the sum of £10, quit-claimed to Roger de Toggesden and his heirs the suit of Warkworth mill, which Roger's father Gilbert de Toggesden used to pay, and which Roger had unjustly withheld.^N About the year 1240 Roger fitz Ralph, lord of Ditchburn, held three parts of Togston of the king at an annual rent of 10s., Roger de Toggisden^N holding under him by knight's service.^N
    The fourth part of the manor of Togston had been held by the sergeanty of carrying the king's writs from Warkworth to Bamburgh, and of keeping at Togston the cattle taken for debts due to the Crown ; but this tenure by sergeanty ceased on the grant of the manor of Warkworth to Roger fitz Richard. ^N About 1240 William of Toggisden held the fourth part of Togston of the heirs of John fitz Richard, paying 20s. a year for the same ; ^N and in 1249 it was found that William of Togesdene held the fourth part of the vill of Roger fitz John, by charter and the rent of 20s. a year.^N
    As early as 1250 the Knights Hospitallers held in Togston a toft and 13 acres of land, for which they paid 8s. 8d. a year to the king. ^N
    Roger de Toggesdene had four daughters, namely, Ellen, wife of John de Plessey, Emma, Aline, and Agnes. By a settlement made in the octave of St. Hilary, 1252, in the king's court at York, Roger de Toggesden gave to John de Plessey and Ellen his wife three parts of the manor of Togston, the manor of East Ditchburn, and two carucates of land in ` Echerston,' for which he was to pay to each of Roger's other daughters at Michaelmas a silver mark, namely, to Emma and her heirs at Wygehal, to Aline and her heirs at Little Sandal, and to Agnes and her heirs at Great Sandal. John de Plessey gave to Roger a life interest in the manors of Plessey and Shotton. In the event of John de Plessey and Ellen, his wife, dying without issue (which seems to have eventually happened) Togston and the other estates comprised in the settlement were to revert to the heirs of Roger. ^N
     At the Northumberland assizes of 1256, Ralph Freeman ^N claimed certain lands in Shotton, of which his kinswoman, Isolda, daughter of William Godewyn, had been seised ; the action was resisted by Roger de Togesden, who held them in right of Agnes, his wife. ^N William de Toggesden was one of the witnesses to a grant made by Adam de Bockenfield to the prior and convent of Brinkburn in 1269, ^N and he himself gave to the same house a yearly rent-charge of 2s. issuing out of his lands in Bockenfield. ^N

It seems possible that when the history of the barony of Ditchburn is investigated, the Togston family may be found to be scions of the family of fitz Main, lords of that fee.

(a) Feet of Fines, Hen. III. Northumberland. (b) Testa de Nevill ; Hodgson, Northumberland, pt. iii. vol. i. p. 212.
(c) Cartae Ridleanae ; Hodgson, Northumberland, pt. iii. vol. ii. p. 74.

In 1275 William de Tokesden and Agnes, his wife, by their attorney, William de Pendemore or Uting de Werkewrth, brought an action against Thomas de Hesaund in a plea of dower. ^N William de Toggesdene was constable of Warkworth castle in 1297, ^N and his name stands at the head of the subsidy rolls of 1296 and 1312.

TOGGISDEN SUBSIDY ROLL, 1296.

		£. s. d.		s. d.
Summa bonorum	Willelmi de Toggisden	3 19 3	unde regi	7 2¼
"	Thomae filii Hugonis	1 5 10	"	2 4
"	Galfridi filii Alexandri	0 13 2	"	1 2½
"	Willelmi de Haukislawe	0 12 3	"	1 1½
"	Radulphi filii Willelmi	0 13 8	"	1 3
"	Galfridi filii Thomae	1 0 8	"	1 10½
Summa hujus villae, £8 4s. 9d. Unde domino regi, 14s. 11¾ d.

William de Tokisdene was one of the jury who sat upon the inquisition taken on the death of Robert fitz Roger in 1310, in which inquisition he is stated to have held as a free tenant a fourth part of the vill of Togston, ^N rendering yearly to the lord of Warkworth 20s. of white ferm^N his name reappears at the head of the subsidy roll of 1312.

TOGGISDEN SUBSIDY ROLL, 1312.

		£. s. d.		s. d.
Summa bonorum	Willelmi de Toggisden	11 1 7	unde regi	22 2
"	Johannis filii Willelmi	1 3 8	"	2 4½
"	Thomae de Cheventon	2 5 0	"	4 6
"	Galfridi filii Alexandri	1 1 6	"	2 2
"	Willelmi de Haukeslawe	0 12 10	"	1 3½
"	Galfridi de Gysins		"	3 3¼
Totius villae de Toggisden, £17 17s. 3d. Unde regi, 35s. 8¾ d. (sic.)

In 1314 Roger fitz Ralph was found to have died seised of the manors of East and West Ditchburn and Great Ryle, of half the vill of Cartington, of the manor of North Charlton, and of the manor of Togesdene and from him Sir Robert de Fawdon, knight, held the manors of Togston and East Ditchburn, which were then worth £20 a year.^N Three years later, ^N Richard de Horsley held lands in the vill of Toggesden, as well as the manor of Thernham.

THOGESDEN SUBSIDY ROLL, 1336.

Ricardus filius Thomae, 4s.; Willelmus filius Rinaulphi, 3s.; Willelmus filius Alexandri, 2s.;
Rogerus de Haukeslau, 1s. Summa, 10s.

    In 1345 William de Acton, son of William de Acton of Newcastle, gave to Roger de Widdrington, brother of Sir Gerard de Widdrington, a rent-charge of £20 payable out of his lands in Redesdale called Wyscharshell, ^N and a similar rent-charge out of his lands in Qwhynitklieffe ' and Togston, which grant was to become void on the conveyance by Acton to Widdrington of the manor of West Swinburn and of a messuage and carucate of land in East Swinburn. ^N
    Sir Robert de Horsley, who died on the Friday after All Saints' day, 1391, was seised, in addition to half the vill of Thernham, of the fourth part of the vill of Toggesden, which he held of John Fox and Maud his wife. The latter was not worth more than 4 marks a year on account of the destruction by the Scots. His son Robert was his heir, and was aged eleven years on the 30th November, 1391.^N Five years later it was found that Sir John Beaumont, knight—who held of the king the manors of Ditchburn, Cartington, and Ryle, and of the earl of Northumberland that of North Charlton—was seised of three parts of the manor of Togston,^N and had before his death, by charter, dated 13th January, 1390/91, conveyed all his lands in Northumberland to Thomas Pyncebek and others, apparently as trustees. Horsley's part of Togston is included in a settlement made at Thernham on the 20th of September, 1403, probably on the marriage of Robert de Horsley with Elizabeth, daughter of Sir William Swinburne, knight.^N
    In 1498 William Carr and Thomas Grey of Horton held the fourth part of the vill of Toggysden by fealty and suit of court at Warkworth, each paying a free rent of 10s. a year.^N In 1568 the proprietors were Sir Thomas Grey of Horton, John Carnaby and Reynold Fenwick ;^N and in a survey of the barony of Warkworth made about 1585 it is recorded that Ralph Grey, esq.,^L John Carnaby,^N and Randal Fenwick, gents., held jointly of the lord of Warkworth their lands and tenements in Togston by the service of a third part of one knight's fee and by homage, fealty, and suit of court at Warkworth every three weeks ; they also paid a yearly free rent of 20s. ^N
    On the 20th of July, 1586, Ralph Grey of Horton, esq., sold his lands in Togston, which comprised an undivided fourth part of the whole, to John Wharrier, Edward Browell, and John Turner, all of Togston and apparently his tenants, who entered into a covenant that they would grind their corn at Grey's mill on the Coquet (i.e., at Morwick).^N

    On the 26th of May, 1590, Marmaduke Fenwick ^N of Kirkharle made his will, in which he desired to be buried within the chancel of Kirkharle, and gave his lands at Great Bavington `to my well-beloved sonne, John' Fenwick, and failing him, `to my eldest sonne, Randal' Fenwick. 'I will that if my goodes and chattels will not extend to paie my debtes and legacies, that my lands in Togesden and Deaneham fullfil the same.' The testator died possessed of personal estate to the value of £247 18s. 2d., of which the goods and chattels at Togston were valued at £7.^N
    In 1594 Ralph (? Randal) Fenwick, gent., son and heir of Marmaduke Fenwick, paid 20sS. for relief of his lands in Togston, held of the earl of Northumberland as of his manor and barony of Warkworth by the fourth part of one knight's fee^{.
N} At the muster of light horsemen taken at Aberwick-edge on the 24th of November, 1595, there appeared from 'Dogsdon,' John Turner, George Barde, George Horsley, John Burnwell, John Wharryer, Edward Broughhill (Browell), and Roger Taler, all of whom were sufficiently furnished with defensive armour and spears, though their horses were defective:^N
    George Horsley died soon afterwards, and the inventory of his goods was taken on the 15th of February, 1597/98, by his neighbours, George Baird, Cuthbert Hunter, and Roger Taylor.

1597. Nuncupative will of George Horsley. That a little before Michaelmas last in this year 1597, George Horsley of Togston, of Warkworth parish, did give all his goods, moveable and immoveable, to his brother, Thomas Horsley, his debts being first paid. Witnesses, Cuthbert Hunter, Isabella Hall, and others.

1597, 15th Feb. Inventory : 6 oxen, 1 kowe, and 1 stirke, £5 6s. 8d. ; 1 maire, 3 ewes, and 1 hogge, £1 10s.; 1 sewe and 1 goose, 5s. ; wanes and ploughes with appurtenants, 16s. ; 2 almyres, 1 cawell,^N and 1 chist, 16s.; 3 pots, I kettell, 10 doublers, and 2 sawcers, 13s. 4d.; 2 barrells and 1 malt tub, 1s. 8d.; 1 table, a fire-crooke, a paire of tongs, an iron spit, and 1 chaire, 3s. 4d.; his bedding and the rest of inside goods, 6s. 8d.; 3 bowles of hard corne sown, estimated to 9 bowells, £6 6s.; 1 bowle of bigge sown, estimated to 3 bowles, 10s.; 5 bowles of oats sowen, estimated to 25 bowies, £4 10s. Total, £22 4s. 8d.

Debts owing by testator : Cuthbert Hunter, £1 15s. 4d.; Alice Horsleye for an oxe, £1 3s.; Isabella Hunter for ane oxe, 16s. ; Roland Dunne for ane oxe, 16s.; Thomas Bruell, 15s.; George Horsleye for a bushell of wheat, £1 2s.; Edward Hudson of Hauxley for a kenninge of wheat, 6s. 8d.; for oxen jest, 4s.; for haye in the field of Chevington, 3s. 4d. ; to George Horsley for cheases, 3s. 4d.; to Mabell Hunter for cheese, 1s. 8d.; to Jane Smith for cheese, 2s. 2d. ; Isabell Lawson for cheese, 1s.; to Thomas Bard, 6d.; to Thomas Huntley, 1s. 3d.; to Thomas Nixon for a cheese, 8d. ; in rent to the lord, £1 ; in charges with reaping and winninge the corne, ,£1 13s. 4d. ; for cleansing the house after the visitation, £1 13s. 4d.; Matthew Allison, 6d. ; wadge to the hird, 1s. Total; £12 0s. 1d. ^N

The township^N remained open and undivided until the 9th of January, 1632/33, when articles of agreement were entered into by Sir William Fenwick of Meldon, knight, Francis Carnaby of Togston, esq., and Gerard Browell, Matthew Wharrier, and John Patterson, all of Togston, yeomen, in which it was agreed that the township of Togston, alias Dogston, should be divided in such a manner that Carnaby for his moiety should have the south and west part of the township ; that Sir William Fenwick should have a full quarter and some few acres more in consideration that his east part was more barren than the other, 'to begin at the south end of the new casten dyke joining upon Lady Gray's ground not far from the windmill,' and that the remaining fourth part should be assigned to Browell, Wharrier, and Patterson, who were styled 'the three freeholders'^N Liberty to drive their cattle to Morwick water, and way-leave to carry limestone and ware from the sea shore, was reserved to the respective proprietors. In addition, Fenwick agreed to cede to Carnaby the site, but not the material, of the house that belonged to him, together with the yard or garden.^N
The freehold in reversion in the Carnaby estate was in the infant daughter of Sir William Carnaby, whose lands had been under sequestration for delinquency since his death in 1645 up to the 12th of May, 1649, when Jane Carnaby, then aged ten years, compounded through her guardian, Sir Thomas Widdrington, by paying a fine of £750, Sir Thomas undertaking to report the case to parliament for a mitigation of the fine. ^N Togston had in 1640 been granted on lease to Francis Carnaby,^N younger brother of Sir William, to hold for the term of his life and for twenty-one years afterwards. He fought as a captain of horse at the battle of Naseby on the 14th of June, 1645,^N and was taken prisoner and died in the following October. The two brothers are described by a contemporary writer in the following pregnant words :

Sir Francis Carnaby and Sir Thomas Carnaby, both gentlemen of good quality, of Thornum, in Northumberland, £10,000 the worse for the war; the one Treasurer of the Northern Army and the other a colonel ; both after the defeat at Marston Moor accompanying my lord of Newcastle beyond sea, whence the first returned with new hopes to serve his majesty, and was slain at Sherburn in Yorkshire, 1645, having time enough to rise on his knees and crie, ` Lord, have mercy upon me, bless and prosper his majesty.' A short prayer at death serveth him whose life was nothing but one continued prayer. And the other died at Paris, not much concerned that he was set by and not set by; hung up, like the axe, when it hath hewed all the hard timber, on the wall unregarded; and none of those desired to embroyl the nation in a new war, and like a knavish chirurgeon out of design to blister the sound flesh into a sore, to gain by the curing of it^N

Administration to the personal estate of Francis Carnaby was granted to his sister's son, Major William Salkeld,^N who on the 21st of January, 1652/53, petitioned ' the commissioners for compounding, sitting att Habberdashers' hall.^N

That it appeares by an indenture tripertite made the first day of Aprill, 1640, betweene Sir William Carnaby, knight, and Francis Carnaby, his brother, of the first part, Richard Carnaby, gentleman, of the second part, and Anthony Allen, gentleman, of the third part, that amonge other thinges the messuages, cottages, landes, tenements, and hereditaments lying and being within Togsden, in the county of Northumberland, were setled by the said Sir William Carnaby to and for the use and behoofe of the said Francis Carnaby and his assignes for and during his life, and after his decease then to and for the use and behoofe of him, the said Francis Carnaby, his executors, administrators, and assignes for the terme of one-and-twenty yeares, to comence from the deathe of the said Francis Carnaby. That the said Francis Carnaby dyed about the moneth of October, 1645, and your petitioners in the moneth of October, 1646, tooke out letters of administracon of all and singular the goodes, chattells, and debts of the said Francis Carnaby (your petitioner being his nephew by the sister's side), and your petitioner, afterwards comeing to London to compound at Habberdashers' hall, could not proceed in his composicon by reason the writings were not come unto his hand, till afterwards he procured the same by suing for them in Chancery, and in last Michaelmas terme had the same brought into courte, where they are now remayning. Now, forasmuch as the estate of the said Francis Carnaby is, by the late Act entituled an 'Act for Sale of severall Landes and Estates forfeited to the Comonwealth for Treason,' to be sold.^N Your peticoner therefore humbly prayes that his said letters of administracon may be allowed unto him, and that he may accordingly compound for the said lease accordingly to the rules appointed by the parliament.

Jane Carnaby^N carried her moiety of Togston in marriage to Sir Thomas Haggerston of Haggerston, Bart., and dying without issue in September, 1710, she was succeeded in her estates by her husband's grandson, Sir Carnaby Haggerston.^N On the 1st of January, 1801, Sir Carnaby Haggerston entered into articles of agreement with William Smith of Togston for the sale of all his lands in Togston, computed to comprise 506 acres,^N but the estate was not conveyed until 1812. With the rest of Mr. Smith's lands they have descended to Mr. E. M. Lawson-Smith.
Sir William Fenwick, a party to the division of the township in 1633, died in London in May, 1652, but before his death he had divided his estates^N amongst his three daughters and co-heiresses, giving Togston to his second daughter, Catherine, wife of Henry Lawson of Byker.^N Like her father, she, too, was involved in the troubles of the period, and on the 3rd of December, 1650, being a widow, addressed the following petition to the commissioners for compounding :

     That her late husband being deceased about five years agoe, his estaite by intayle come to his brother for whose delinquencye the same is under sequestration, she haveing noe jointure but only her thirds forth of her late husband's estaite, the two parts wherof is also sequestred for her recusancye, soe as she receiveth but only the nynth parte of the valew of her late husband's estaite, some arreares wherof, as also of her third parte of a small farme of the valew of £20 per annum lying in a villag called Toggesden, which is her owne inheritaunce, are behind and unpayd, the comissioners for the county of Northumberland haveing made stay therof, upon your honors' generall order for the staying of the fifth part of delinquents, contening the said order to extend alsoe to her thirds.
     In tender consideration wherof she humbly beseecheth your honors to grant your order to the commissioners for Northumberland to pay unto her the said ninth part of the valew of her late husband's estaite, and the third parte of the valew of her owne inheritance before mentioned, together with the arreares therof.^N
    Upon the peticon of Katherine Lawson, relict of Henry Lawson, late deceased, desireinge the allowance of a ninth parte of her late husband's sequestred estate, and alsoe a third parte of her owne inheritance sequestred for her recusancy, with the arreares thereof (a copy of which peticon is hereunto annexed and attested by the registrar to this committee), it is thought fitt and ordered that it be referred to the commissioners for sequestrations in the county of Northumberland (by whom the sequestration is made), to allow and pay unto the peticioner one full third parte of the thirds of the cleare yearely revenue and benefitt of her said husband's sequestred estate for her maintenance, with the arreares thereof; which have incurred since the 24th day of December last, 1649, together with a full third parte of her owne inheritance, deductinge a due proportion for taxes and other charges and observing the instructions.^N

Catherine Lawson married, secondly, Francis Radcliffe,^N afterwards earl of Derwentwater, who was, in 1663, rated for the fourth part of Togston at £33 a year. This estate, comprising about 275 acres, has since devolved to the same persons and under the same conditions as the Radcliffe lands in Amble.
Having traced the descent of the Carnaby moiety and of the Fenwick quarter of the township, there remains the quarter which, in 1586, was sold by Ralph Grey to the three freeholders, John Wharrier, Edward Browell, and John Turner.^N The names of Matthew Wharrier, Gerard Browell, and Edward Patterson appear in the list of freeholders made in 1628, and, as already noticed, Matthew Wharrier, Gerard Browell, and John Patterson were parties to the division of the township in 1633, and the same names are in the freeholders' list of 1639. ^N There is not sufficient material to construct a pedigree of the family of Browell, though descendants still reside in the village of Warkworth. The following wills and administrations are extracted from the registry at Durham :

1610.   Administration of the personal estate of John Browell of the parish of Warkworth, granted for the benefit of Margaret Browell, the daughter of the deceased.

1611.   Will of Lancelot Browell of Hadston, yeoman. My body to be buried within the parish church of Warkworth. I give to my father, John Browell, one oxe. I give to my son, John Browell, 4 oxen ; to my son, Edward Browell, a foale ; to my son Mark, a foale; and to my son Robert, another foale. Proved at Durham, 26th April, 1611. Amount of inventory, £141 4s. 4d.

1615.   Probate of the will of Edward Browell of the parish of Warkworth, committed to Gerard Browell, the son of the testator, and the executor named in the will.

1647,   16th November. Will of Edward Browell of Togsden Moor-house. I give to my base begotten son, John Browell, two cows and £4. To my son, Thomas Browell, £17; to my son, William Browell, £10; to my daughter, Elizabeth Browell, £17 ; and to my daughter, Jane Browell, £10. I give to my brother, John Browell, 20s. as a token. Proved at Durham, 1648.

1647,   17th October. The names and sumes of such as be indebted unto Edward Browell of Togston More-house as followeth : Imprimis : Robert Lawson of Linton, £18; Katherine Foster of Ellington, 10s.; Rowland Scypsee of Ellington, £2; William Singlton of Cresswell, 16s.; Richard Spume of Drerish., £1 16s.; William Clarke of Hauxley, 7s.; William Jackson of the More-house, £3; John Taylor of Ambell, £2 10s. ; William Alder of the More-house, 10s. ; Richard Couke of Togston, £8 3s. 4d.; Robert Stayt of Acklington, £1; John James of Acklington, £5 ; Robert Hall of Hadston, £1 6s.; William Browell of Hadston, £1 8s.; John Browell of Hadston, £1 16s.; Thomas Jackson of Togston More-house £17. Total, £65 2s. 4d.

1647,   16th October. Deed of feoffment from Gerard Browell to Matthew Wharrier and Henry Watson of lands in Togston.^N

1661/2,   January. Administration of the personal estate of Gerrard Browell of Togston granted to Ann Browell, the widow.

Before 1658 the larger part of Browell's lands had been acquired by William Smith of Amble, who, with Matthew Wharrier and John Patterson (by a clerical error in the Book of Rates called Featherston), were each rated in 1663 for lands worth £11 a year.

WHARRIER OF TOGSTON.

(a) Warkworth Register. (b) Arch. Ael. 4to series, ii. p. 317.

EVIDENCES TO WHARRIER PEDIGREE.

   1587, 20th October. Bond of John Heron of Bokenfield, gent., and William Heron of Eshet, gent., to Edward Barde and John Wharrier of Togston of £12 to perform certain covenants. ^N

   1612, 17th September. Will of John Wharier of Togston in the county of Northumberland. My body to be buried in the parish church of Warkworth. I will that Jane my wife shall peaceably enjoy my freehold lying and being in Togston, during her widowhood ; after the death of my said wife, I will that my son, Mathew Wharier, and the heirs of his bodie lawfully begotten shall have and enjoy the said land ; if my son, Mathew, shall dye without issue, then my will is that my daughter, Barbarye Wharier, and the heirs of her bodie lawfully begotten shall have and enjoy the said freehold ; and if my daughter shall leave no issue, then my will is that my brother, William Wharier of Burling, and his heirs male shall enjoy the said land ; and if he faile, then my will is that John Wharier, son of my brother, Nicholas Wharier of Hadston, and my godson, and his heirs generally. I give unto Barbarye Wharier, my daughter, £20; I give unto Robert Wharier of Morpeth, my brother, a bushell of wheate, a bushelle of beens, and a boull of oates. I make my sonne, Mathew Wharier, full executor. I leave Mathew Wharier, my son, during his minoritie, into Mathew Forster of Fletham, my brother-in-law. Proved same year ^N

   1674 . . . . Feoffment from Matthew and John Wharrier to Edward Cook of Amble of a moiety of their freehold farmhold at Togston.

   1683, 18th May. Feoffment from Matthew Wharrier and John Wharrier, his son, to Thomas Smith of Togston of the moiety of their half tenement in Togston.^N

   1686, 26th May. Feoffment from Matthew Wharrier and John Wharrier, his son, and Jane, wife of the said John, to Thomas Smith, of the full quarter of a freehold farm in Togston. ^N

    1710, 17th August. Release from John Wharrier and Jane, his wife, to William Smith, of their dwelling house in Togston in consideration of the sum of £16. ^N

Wharrier's lands were acquired in parcels by Edward Cook and William Smith, and were finally absorbed in their estates in 1710.
At a court held at North Charlton on the 9th of October, 1685, by Robert Fenwick, the steward for Matthew Jefferson, esq., and Timothy Robson, esq., who claimed to be lords of the manor of Ditchburn, there were summoned to appear Sir Thomas Haggerston, bart., who held lands in Togston in right of his wife, Sir Francis Radcliffe, bart., who held other lands there in right of his wife ; Patterson, Smith, and Wharrier, who held other lands in the same place, were also summoned to appear ; none of them did so. The jury say :

We present and say that John Patterson of Togsden is a freeholder within this mannor, and hath at courts holden formerly for the said mannor made his appearance by essoining the said courts ; and that Edward Cook married Patterson's daughter, who had issue to the said Edward Cook, John Cook, who now enjoys the land as heir to his mother, and ought to have appeared and done his suit of court the day and year abovesaid, for which, his default, we amerce him vj^s viij^d.

We also present and say that William Smith of Togsden aforesaid was a freeholder within ye said mannor, and that he hath appeared at courts formerly holden for the said mannor and essoined his appearance, and that he is since dead, and that Thomas Smith is his son and heir, and was summoned to appear at this court holden the day and year aforesaid, and hath made default, for which we amerce him vj^s viij^d. We also find that the said William Smith hath paid to the former lord or lords of this mannor the free rent of thirteen pence for his lands in Togsden aforesaid.

We also present and say that Matthew Quarier of Togsden is a freeholder within this mannor, and ought to appear at the court holden for the said mannor, and hath formerly appeared and done suit of court, and hath made a default at this court, for which we amerce him vj^s viiij^d

John Patterson left two daughters who were co-heiresses, viz., Alice, wife of William Smith, and Jane, wife of Edward Cook of Amble New-hall. The eldest son of the latter, who was named after his maternal grandfather, made Togston his residence. There is a stone built into a wall of Mr. Brignell Dand's house bearing the inscription;

I. A.

April 17. 1684

the date being probably that of the marriage of John Cook and Ann Brown.

This part of Togston remained with the descendants of that marriage until 1832, when Mr. Isaac Cookson of Gateshead park, who had married Jane, only daughter and heiress of Edward Cook, sold the seat of his wife's ancestors to Mr. James Dand of Hauxley cottage, to whose great-grandson, Mr. Brignell Dand, it now belongs.

COOK OF AMBLE NEW-HALL AND TOGSTON.

(a) Warkworth Register. (b) Ex cartis Cookson, Rev. John Hodgson's Collect:an. (c) Shilbottle Register.
(d) Extracts from Warkworth Register (no longer extant) obtained by the Rev. Jos. Cook in 1797.
(e) Abstract of title, Rev. John Hodgson's Collection.(f) Mr. Brignell Dand's Deeds.
(g) From the original with Mr. S. F. Widdrington. (h) Longhoughton Register.

EVIDENCES TO COOK PEDIGREE.

    1657, November. Articles before marriage between Edward Cook of Hadston, yeoman, and Jane Patterson of Togston, spinster, by which Edward Cook covenants to convey to William Smith of Togston, yeoman, so much of his three messuages or farmholds at the west end of Amble as will ensure to the said Jane a jointure of £6 8s. per annum, if and when she shall become a widow. From the original deed with Mr. S. F. Widdrington.

    1691, 31st December. Will of Edward Cook of Amble. I commend my soul to God, and will that my body be buried in the parish church of Warkworth in such decent manner as to my executrix shall seem meet. To my eldest son, John Cook, my lands in Amble ; to my wife, Jane, the mansion house in which I now live, with the garden, malt-kiln, and the three closes called Calf-close, East-upsides, and Crum-halvers for her life ; I give her my lands, coney warren, and fishing at Cresswell, my lands at the south and at the north sides of Newton-on-the-Moor, and my lands at Brainshaugh for her life or widowhood ; and after her decease or remarriage I give to my son, Edward Cook, my lands at Cresswell ; to my son, Samuel Cook, my lands on the south side of Newton-on-the-Moor ; to my son, William Cook, my lands at Brainshaugh ; to my son, Benjamin Cook, my lands on the north side of Newton-on-the Moor, with remainder to my son, Richard Cook, remainder to my son, Thomas Cook, remainder to my son, Joseph ; to my son, Richard Cook, my burgage house and malt-kilns, Warkworth. The proprietors of my lands in Newton-on-the-Moor to enjoy for twenty-one years hedgeboot and stakeboot out of my bramble and small underwood in Brainshaugh. To my sons, Richard, Thomas, and Joseph Cook, £300 apiece ; and to my daughter, Jane Cook, £200 when twenty-one. And as for my daughters that are married and have received their filial portions, I give to each of them a guinea to buy them rings. Residue of personal estate to my wife, Jane Cook, she executrix. Proved at Durham, 18th July, 1692.    From the original probate with Mr. S. F. Widdrington.

    1710, 26th August. Will of Barbara Brown of Monkwearmouth Shore. She gives her lands at Stockton to her grandchildren, Christopher, John, and William Rawlings, and legacies to their sisters, Mary and Eleanor. She also gives legacies to her eight grandchildren, John, Christopher, and Richard Cook, with their five sisters. The residue of her estate she gives to her grandson, Edward Cook.    Ex cartis Cookson of Meldon.

    1762, 13th December. Will of John Cook of Togston, gent. My eldest son and heir, Edward Cook, under age. To my sons, Benjamin and John Cook, £1,000 apiece, to be paid them when they shall attain the age of twenty-one ; to my seven daughters, Isabella, Mary, Dorothy, Margaret, Frances, Ann, and Jane, £500 apiece, to be paid at twenty-one. Executors, my trusty friends, Rev. Wilfrid Lawson of Warkworth, Edward Wilson of Ulgham, and Martin Taylor of Amble.   Rev. John Hodgson's Collection.

Mr. Edward Cook, after having lived some time with his brother at Togston in Northumberland, went to America, and took with him a pointer dog, which he lost soon afterwards while shooting in the woods near Baltimore. Some time after, Mr. and Mrs. Cook, who continued to reside at Togston, were alarmed at hearing a dog in the night. They admitted it into the house and found it was the same their brother had taken with him to America. The dog lived until his master returned home, when they mutually recognised each other. Mr. Cook was never able to trace by what vessel the dog had left America, or in what part of England it had been landed. Richardson, Table Book, viii. p. 206.

As has been already noticed, the family of Smith held lands in Amble in, and probably before, the reign of Queen Elizabeth. William Smith, who purchased lands in Togston after 1639 and before 1658, acquired other lands there through his marriage with one of John Patterson's daughters. His son made additions to a house already 140 years old, and above what was, probably, the south outer door caused the following letters and figures to be cut in relief :

	S.
T.		F.
16		85

A sun-dial in the garden bears the initials of his grandson :

	S.
T.		? B.
17		45

the house was enlarged at the end of the eighteenth century by the erection of a new front. The fine forest trees which now shelter the house and gardens were probably planted about the same time. Mr. Thomas George Smith, who died in 1862, devised all his real estate to his kinsman, Mr. Edward Maule Lawson, who assumed. the additional name of Smith, and is the present owner. The representation of the family, however, was carried on by Mr. T. G. Smith's cousin-german, Mr. William Smith of Newcastle and Gosforth.

SMITH OF AMBLE AND TOGSTON

(a) Warkworth Register. (b) Wills at Durham. (c) M.I., St. Nicholas, Newcastle. (d) Felton Register. (e) M.I.., Warkworth.
(f) Documents and Pedigree with Mr. T. W. Smith of West Thirston.
(g) Mr. E. M. Lawson-Smith's Deeds

EVIDENCES TO SMITH PEDIGREE.

    1618, 3rd July. Will of Robert Smith of Ambell in the parish of Warkworth, yeoman. To be buried in the parish church of Warkworth. To my wife, Alice Smith, one dun mare, etc. ; to my son, Thomas Smith, six oxen, etc. ; to Jane Smith, my daughter, ten sheepe, etc. ; to Robert Smith, my son, two stotts, etc. ; to Henry Bilton, two hoggs ; and to Margaret Bilton, his mother, two hoggs. Executors, my wife, Alice Smith, and my sone, Thomas Smith. Inventory, £63 12s. Proved 1618. Durham Probate Registry.

    1658, 1st June. Deed of feoffment from John Errington of Newcastle, butcher, and Jane, his wife, to John Patterson and William Smith, both of Togston. Errington in consideration of £20 conveys to Patterson and Smith certain ridges of land, stents and beast gates in Togston, viz., three ridges of land containing 2 acres at Togston Moor-houses and one stent or beast gate at the same place ; eight ridges of meadow land containing 4 acres within Carnaby's lands, and two stents or beast gates in the same lands ; three ridges of land and one close lying in a certain place at Togston called the freehold, containing 2 acres, with one beast gate there.   Mr. E. M. Lawson-Smith's Deeds.

    1686, 11th November. Thomas Smith of Togston, gent., binds himself in £100 to John Cook of Togston to stand the award, etc., of Robert Davison of Warkworth Barnes, gent., Edward Kirton of Hauxley, gent., William Reed of Amble, gent., and William Milburn of Birling, yeoman, commissioners chosen by the said parties to award an equal division of all those their three freehold farms in Togston.   Ex cartis Cookson of Meldon. The award was made on the same day. Mr. E. M, Lawson-Smith's Deeds.

    1771, 5th April. Will of Thomas Smith of Togston. To my wife, Frances Smith of Togston, £50 per annum ; to my youngest son, Thomas Smith, £1,000 ; to my daughters, Elizabeth, Jane, Margaret, Ann, and Sarah Smith, £400 apiece ; to my daughters, Mary Walker, Frances Wilson, and Dorothy Bell, £100 apiece. My freehold lands, my leasehold lands at Warkworth Barns and East Chevington held under the duke and duchess of Northumberland and Sir Henry Grey, bart., to my eldest son, William Smith. Samuel Cook of Newton, esq., and John Archbold of Acton, gent., to be guardians of my children, they with my wife to be executors. Mr. E. M. Lawson-Smith's Deeds.

    1811, 8th December. Will of William Smith of Togston, esq. By my marriage settlement with my wife, Elizabeth Smith, I gave her an annuity of £100. Now I do make the annuity unto £200. I give, devise, and bequeath all my messuages, lands, and tenements unto my only son, Thomas George Smith, and his heirs. I also give to my said son my old family tankard, the silver cup given to me by his grace the duke of Northumberland, and a silver cup given me by Ralph Carr, late of Dunston, in the county of Durham, deceased, the clock which was given by my father's will, and also all my brewing utensils. To my four daughters, Elizabeth, Frances, Ann, and Isabella Smith, £2,000 each, and a further sum of £50 each. Residue to my son, Thomas George Smith. I appoint my wife, Elizabeth Smith, and my friends, Ralph Fenwick of Shortridge, esq., and John Clutterbuck of Warkworth, esq., executors. Proved 1812. Durham Probate Registry.

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