Parker, Snowdon and Foxton
Thomas Parker (1744–1817), who was probably born in Edmundbyres, Durham, [10] appeared in Yorkshire during the mid-18th Century. He married Hannah Boyes (1754–1841) who was born in Wombleton and they took up farming in Welburn. [11] Christopher Foxton (1745–1810) and his wife, Ann Hodgson, farmed 200 acres. By 1840, their son, John Foxton (1773–1835) and Grace Brown (1783–1835) had taken over this farm. John and Grace were born in Welburn and married in 1803. [12] The widowed Grace and her two sons, Richard Foxton (born 1817) and Hartas Foxton (1822–1904)continued to run the farm through the 1850s. By 1861, Hartas had taken over Welburn Grange. [13] Leonard Snowdon (born 1764) followed by Mathew Snowdon (1795–1851) occupied West Ings. [14] The Parker, Foxton and Snowdon families became intertwined by marriage during the 1800s, producing many descendants who contributed to the growth and prosperity of Yorkshire and beyond. Thomas Parker and Hannah Boyes produced five children: [15]
- Thomas Parker married Jane Winspear
- Elizabeth [aka. Betty] Parker married Joseph Worthy
- Margaret [aka. Peggy] Parker married William Foxton
- John Parker married Ann Richardson
- Joseph Parker married Lavinia Fenwick
During the 1840s and 1850s, the three Parker brothers were tenant farmers on individual acreages and occupied adjacent homes in Welburn Village. They produced twelve sons and eight daughters in total. Thomas Parker and Jane Winspear's son, another Thomas Parker (1811–1897), married Jane Foxton and worked as a cattle jobber in nearby Wombleton. This couple produced seven sons and five daughters. Their move back to Welburn possibly coincided with the death of Thomas' father in 1853 and by 1881, Thomas and Jane, now "cattle dealers", had moved to Sonley Hill, Welburn. [16] Hartas Foxton was born in Welburn in 1822. By 1861, he occupied Welburn Grange with his wife, Elizabeth, farming 210 acres and employing six servants. [17]
John (Jack) Parker (1822–1890), son of John Parker and Ann Richardson, became the original Sinnington Huntsman. He was described as an eccentric character "whose witty anecdotes are still remembered". [18] Jack Parker is also noted as the legendary huntsman who "blooded" the Viscount of Helmsley. [19]
According to available records, Frederick Parker (1833–1912), son of Thomas Parker and Jane Foxton, is the only Parker to have a direct connection to Welburn Hall. During the 1860s and 1870s, Frederick and Jane Snowdon were farming 150 acres at nearby Muscoates. [20] By 1881, Frederick and his second wife, Mary, were farming 113 acres in Welburn. West Ings, a 234-acre farm, adjacent to Welburn Hall, was the birthplace of Frederick's former wife, Jane Snowdon. In 1881, West Ings was occupied by her brother, William Snowdon and his wife, Hannah. [21] By 1901, Frederick Parker was again a widower, farming Welburn Hall acreage until about 1910. He moved to Wombleton where he died in 1912. [22]
In 1859, Joseph and Thomas Parker, sons of Thomas Parker and Jane Foxton, [23] left Welburn intent upon making their fortune. By 1860, they had arrived in Port Chalmers, New Zealand aboard the Ocean Chief and soon after headed to the gold diggings at Gabriel's Gully. [24] Like many before them, Thomas and Joseph must have found slim pickings because they eventually returned to farming, this time on New Zealand's South Island. Thomas did not marry. He became a successful horse breeder often travelling to Australia to sell his stock. [25] Joseph married Catherine Buchanan Crerar. [26] They had five sons and two daughters, thus establishing the Parker family in New Zealand. [27] In the fledgling New Zealand society, the Parker brother's tales about their former life at "Parker Castle" must have made impressive dinner conversation. No doubt the 'castle' was a tongue-in-cheek referral to Welburn Hall. [28]
