My DOBSON ancestors farmed at Williamsgill Farm, Newbiggin near Appleby. I can locate them there until 1901. Sometime later the SOULSBY family took over the farm. Does anyone know anything of the history of this farm or from when the SOULSBY family lived there? Can anyone also tell me if the SOULSBY and DOBSON families were linked by marriage? David

On Wednesday 21 January 2009 07:02:04 David Railton wrote: > My DOBSON ancestors farmed at Williamsgill Farm, Newbiggin near Appleby. I > can locate them there until 1901. Sometime later the SOULSBY family took > over the farm. > > Does anyone know anything of the history of this farm or from when the > SOULSBY family lived there? Can anyone also tell me if the SOULSBY and > DOBSON families were linked by marriage? > Here is some info from the 1861 Census that I have just completed checking: Piece RG09/3957, ED 11, Newbiggin, Folio 53, Page 4 20, Williamsgill, George DOBSON, Head, Marr, Male, 52, Farmer of 570 Ac empl. 6 lab & 1 boy, WES, Cliburn , ,Mary DOBSON, Wife, Marr, Female, 45, , CUL, Greystoke , , John DOBSON, Father, Wid, Male, 45, Retired Farmer, WES, Newbiggin Six servants are then listed, but no children. Two assumptions may be made from the above. John Dobson previously lived at Cliburn (when George was born) and it may be assumed that they didn't farm Williamsgill until after 1809 or so. Secondly, George and Mary were either childless or they had no children born after 1848 or so, or less likely they were rich enough to have sent their children to a boarding school. The form I received the piece for checking is such that searching for the name SOULSBY is not possible so I didn't look for that name in the area. This piece is now being validated and will appear on FreeCen in due course. -- ==== Michael Lightfoot Canberra, Australia OPC Merther & St Breock, Cornwall see http://www.cornwall-opc.org michael.lightfoot@pcug.org.au ====