OWSTON FAMILY

SHERBURN BRANCH, EAST YORKSHIRE

APPENDIX 3 - YEOMAN OWSTON FAMILY OF SHERBURN AND GANTON

JOHN OWSTON 1664/5-1739

John was known as John the Younger of Sherburn to distinguish him from another John who lived there. There was another John there who was not traceably related. This John sold his brother Francis Owston the Blacksmith a House with an orchard at Sherburn for £10 stirling in 1707, a copy of this document is at Beverley Record Office. This document clearly states that this John and Francis were brothers and sons of George, it is better than a birth certificate!

John Owston married twice, firstly to Hester Simpson of Weaverthorpe (dd 1690) and secondly to Elizabeth Coultas from West Heslerton 1666-1739. She was the daughter of John Coultas from West Heslerton and his wife Mary, John Coultas died in 1691. Although no marriage has been found so far for John Owston and Elizabeth Coultas we know the marriage took place as she is mentioned in the Will of her brother George Coultas who died about 1726 at West Heslerton. The late 17th Century was a period when many people in the area were having Quaker unions. I suspect that the register at Sherburn was re-written about that time and this marriage could have been excluded. Elizabeth's sister Ann married into the Donkin family of West Heslerton who were intermarried with the Thorpe Bassett branch of the family.

Elizabeth Coultas Owston, who although mentioned in her husband's Will did not survive him, being buried on the same day. He was a Yeoman at Sherburn and left a Will registered in October 1739. There is a full inventory which includes eighty sheep, thirty seven lambs, four horses, three oxen, four cows and two calves, a sow and eleven pigs, five oxgang of corn (five oxgangs again!), a waggon and other husbandry furniture and two beds and other household goods. John names all his grandchildren who were born before January 1736/7. Others were born after his Will was made.

ISSUE:

1. Richard Owston b: 1690 d: 1690

2  Peter Owston b: 1696 d: 1696

3  Elizabeth Owston b: 1697 in Sherburn d: 1759 in Knapton married William Rennison b: 1685/6 in Knapton m: 19 June 1732 in Wintringham and died in 1743 in Knapton a taylor  of Knapton.  She had four children it seemed and her daughter Anne married into the Donkin family of West Heslerton and then married the Rev Stephen Thurlwell

4. Mary Owston b: 1700 d: Aft. 1737 She was married by 1737 to William Omon with issue.  This surname is spelt a variety of ways.

2 John Owston, Yeoman of Sherburn 1701-1781 - See below

2 Martha Owston b: 1704 married to Thomas Isherwood of Slingsby.

2 Dorothy Owston b: 1709

Will:

In the name of God Amen I John Owston of Sherburn in the East Riding of the County of York Husbandman being weak of Body, but of sound mind and memory do make this my last Will and Testament. My soul I commit into the hands of God who gave it and my Body to the Earth to be decently buryed at the discretion of my executors hereafter named and as for such estate which has pleased God to bestow upon mee I dispoose of in manner following. I give to my wife Elizabeth Owston, over and above her Thirds, the sum of twenty pounds. To my daughter Mary Omon, Ten pounds, to my daughter Elizabeth Rennyson five pounds, to my daughter Martha Usherwood five shillings. To my five grandsons, John, George, Peter, Thomas and Francis Owston to each of them five pounds a peice. To Wm and Elizabeth son and daughter of William Omon, each five pound. To Francis and Margaret son and daughter of Thomas Isherwood, each five pound. To Ann Rennyson daughter of Wm Rennyson five pounds, to be paid to every one of them when they come to the age of one and twenty years, without any Interest for the same. To the Poor of the Town of Sherburn ten shilings. I also give to my wife the far Parlour for shielding for her life as for the rest of my estate reel and Personal whatsoever I give devise and bequeath to my son John Owston whom I make sole Executor of this my last Will revoking all other Wills heretobore by me made . In witness whereof I hahave hereunto set my hand and seal this last day of January 1736/7. Signed by John Owston and witnessed by Matth: Holdsworth, Matthew Owston and John Owston...'

JOHN OWSTON 1701-1781 Yeoman of Sherburn

John had a large family by his wife Eleanor Harpham. She outlived him and died in 1785 probably living with her daughter Jane Temple at Brompton by Sawdon. She was more highly favoured in the Will of Eleanor then the others (Eleanor Owston of Brompton in Rydale registered October 1785). I have never been able to trace any information about her, apart from the fact that John and Eleanor were married by Licence. A copy of the bond and allegation can be obtained from the Borthwick Institute in York.

John was the ancestor through his children of many Owston families. His son Peter was the ancestor of the Leicester family, whilst another son George was an Excise Officer in the Parish of St Davids, Leicester and married and had issue. I found their issue in the Mormon International Genealogical Index, found in many libraries on microfiche. Two of John's sons were at Ganton and we have found that James Martin Owston of West Virginia is a descendant of one son Thomas Owston 1733/4-1819. Thomas's son William had quite a life before going to Canada and the USA, and that will be dealt with elsewhere. John's son Francis was alive at the time his father made his Will and I am not sure what happened to him. John Owston senior only mentions a few grandchildren including his grandson Welburn (later of Leicester) and son John's children and his late daughter Anne's children.

Will:

In the name of God Amen I John Owston of Sherburn in the East Riding of the county of York, do make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament in maner and form following, my Soul I commit to Almighty God who gave me it and I hope by the merits of Jesus Christ I may obtain pardon and redemshon for my sins, my Body to be Buried and all my just debts and Legacys to be paid by my Executric and my Temperal estate I give devise or bequeath as follows. I give and devise to my son John Owston the Sum of Twenty Pounds. I give and devise to each of my Grandsons John and William Owston the sum of five pounds. I give and devise to each of my Grandsons George and Peter Owston the sum of fifty shillings. I give and devise to Eleanor the wife of John Fewester and Elizabeth Owston my grandaughters to each of them the sum of fifty shillings, all those are the children of my son John Owston. I give and devise to my son George Owston the sum of fifty pounds. I also give and devise in trust to my son George Owston the sum of fifty pounds for the use and benefit of my grandson Welborn Owston my said son George shall pay to my said grandson Welborn Owston the sum of fifty pounds when he shall attain to the age of twenty one years, but if my said grandson Welborn Owston dye before he attain to the age of twenty one years the same sum of fifty pounds he shall have had if living I give and devise to my daughter Jane the wife of John Temple. I give and Devise to my son Thomas Owston the sum of Fifty pounds. I give and Devise to my son Francis Owston the sum of Fifty pounds. I give and devise to my Daughter Elizabeth the wife of John Knaggs the sum of Forty pounds. I give and devise to my daughter Jane the wife of John Temple the sum of Forty pounds.

I give and devise in trust to David Saunderson my son in law the sum of Forty pounds for the use and benefit of seven of his children that were the children of my Daughter Ann his Deceased wife to be equaly divided amongst them share and share my will is that my aforesaid son David shall pay David, Thomas, John, George and Christopher Saunderson my grandsons, and Elizabeth and Mary Saunderson my grandaughters, each of them the sum of five pounds fourteen shillings and three pence when each of them shall attain to the age of twenty one years, but if any one or more of those children dye before they attain to the age of twenty one years and leave no lawful issue the same sum or sums they should have had if living, shall be equaly devided amongst the living children of my daughter Ann, all the rest of my goods and chattles I give to my loving wife Eleanor and I do hereby constitute and appoint her sole executrix of this my last Will and Testament revoking all other wills heretofore by me made in witness hereto of this my last will and testament I set my hand and seal this second day of February in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty.

Signed by John Owston.

Witnesses: John Knaggs senior, Jane Speck. Proved by Ellenor Owston of Sherburn and Thomas Owston of Galmpton (Ganton).

Will of Eleanor Owston:

This is the last Will and Testament of me Eleanor Owston of Brompton in the County of York Widow as followeth Whereas William Harding of Pickering the County of York aforesaid Gentleman is indebted to me in the sum of One Hundred Pounds of Lawful money of Great Brittain on a Note of Hand bearing date on or about the fifth day of April. In the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Two with Interest for the same after the rate of four pounds by the year to be paid unto my daughter Jane now wife of John Temple of Brampton aforesaid Carpenter Six months after my Decease with all Interest and Arrears of Interest then due thereon and Whereas some disputes unforeseen may arise after my decease concerning the same in order to avoid such I give and Bequeath the said note or writting and the said one Hundred Pounds with all Interest due or to accrue and become due upon the said note or writting unto my said Daughter Jane Temple her Executors Administration and assigns I give and Bequeath unto my sons John, George, Thomas, Francis and my Daughter Elizabeth the sum of One shilling apiece. And lastly I nominate constitute ordaid and appoint my said Daughter Jane Temple full and sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament to whom I give and Bequeath all the rest and residue of all my good s and chattles whatsoever and wheresoever hereby revoking all other and former will and Wills heretofore by me made. In witness hereof I have this Twenty first day of June in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred and Eighty three Set my hand and seal, Eleanor Owston.

W Cowton, Rob: Drake

ISSUE:

1 JOHN OWSTON, OF SHERBURN/GANTON, b. 1727.

Married to Grace Walker and had issue:

i. JOHN OWSTON, b. 1749; m. JANE DUCK. and had issue.

ii. ELEANOR OWSTON, b. 1752; d. 1795; m. JOHN FEWSTER; b. 1754; d. 1826 and had issue.  Her daughter Eleanor Fewster married back into Sherburn marrying John Knaggs, her cousin the son of John Knaggs and Elizabeth Owston.  She died subsequent to childbirth and the child did not survive.

iii. WILLIAM OWSTON, b. 1755.

iv. GEORGE OWSTON, b. 1760.

v. PETER OWSTON, b. 1762.

vi. ELIZABETH OWSTON, b. 1765.

vii. THOMAS OWSTON, b. 1766; d. 1767.

2. GEORGE OWSTON, OF LEICESTER, b. 1729. Officer of the Customs Service and Guardian of Peter Owston's son Welborn. Married to a lady called Elizabeth he lived at St David's Leicester with issue:

1 George Owston b: 1762 St Nicholas, Leicester

2 John Owston b: 1764 St Nicholas, Leicester

3 George Owston b: 1765 St Nicholas, Leicester

4 Mary Owston b: 1767 St Nicholas, Leicester

5 Thomas Owston b: 1770 St Nicholas, Leicester

6 Eleanor Owston b: 1774 St Nicholas, Leicester

The Georgian branch in Leicestershire is not further known.

3. PETER OWSTON, OF SCARBOROUGH, b. 1730.Appendix 4 the founder of the Leicester legal branch.)

4. THOMAS OWSTON, OF GANTON, b. 1733; d. 1819.

He married ELIZABETH WALKER. She was born 1737, and died 1797.   They had issue.

Marriage Allegation of Thomas Owston

Know all Men by these Presents, that we Thomas Owston of the Parish of Sherburn in the County of York yeoman and Joseph Wood of the Parish of Scarborugh in the County of York Watchmaker ... Dated 24th April 1772 On which Day appeared personally Thomas Owston of the Parish of Sherburn in the County of York Yeoman and, being sworn on the Holy Evangelists, alledged and maide oath as follows, That he is of the Age of thirty one Years and upwards and a Bachelor and intends to marry Elizabeth Walker of Potter Brompton in the Parish of Ganton the County of York aged twenty seven Years, and upwards, and a Spinster.

ISSUE:

i. THOMAS OWSTON, b. 1773.

ii. ELIZABETH OWSTON, b. 1774; d. 1792.

iii. MARY OWSTON, b. 1776. Married to Luyns Boldero Barnard 1758-1821, a Gentleman from Walkington.  They had one daughter Mary Ann who married John Ditmas, a Captain who died leaving three daughters.

iv. WILLIAM OWSTON, b. 1778; d. 1857; m. FRANCES WILSON; b. 1782; d. 1852. and had issue in Scotland and Yorkshire.  He lived in Canada and the USA.

v. JOHN OWSTON, b. 1779.

vi. ANNE OWSTON, b. 1782; d. 1782.

vii. ANNE OWSTON, b. 1783.  Lived with her sister at Walkington and died unmarried.

5. FRANCIS OWSTON, b. 1735; d. Aft. 1781.

6. ANN OWSTON, b. 1736; d. 1780.

Married to Christopher Saunderson and had issue.

7. ELIZABETH OWSTON, b. 1740; d. 1834. Married John Knaggs of Sherburn and had issue.

8. MARY OWSTON, b. 1742; m. Richard Waite of Wykeham,   in 1767 at Wykeham.  Not mentioned in Will of her father.

9. JANE OWSTON, b. 1744.m. John Temple of Brompton, and had issue.