Ted sent me this for you Dodds out there. Sarah THE STORY SO FAR Introduction The name Dodd is primarily associated with Northumberland where the Dodd family were one of the four major Border clans of North Tynedale. Burbank Peel, a fortified tower on the Tarset Burn near Bellingham was their ancestral home. Legend has it that the Dodd's were descended from Eilaf, an Anglo-Saxon monk who was one of the carriers of St Cuthbert's* coffin who fled from Lindisfarne at the time of the Viking raids in the 9th century. It is said that Eilaf stole some cheese from his fellow monks who prayed that that the culprit be revealed by turning him into a Dodd - (a fox). Prayers were answered and for a short while Eilaf was turned into a fox. >From that day on Eilaf and his descendents were known as Dodd * St Cuthbert, Confessor, Bishop of Lindisfarne - AD 687 When the Northumbrians, under King Oswald, had embraced the Christianity the Bishop St. Aidan founded two monasteries, that of Mailros, on the bank of the Tweed, and another in the isle of Lindisfarne, afterwards called Holy Island. In both he established the rule of St. Columba. St. Cuthbert was born not very far from Mailros, and subsequent to serious reflections on his life he went to Mailros, where he put on the monastic habit. He was then placed at Lindisfarne as Prior and when he had governed the monastery of Lindisfarne for several years he decided to retire to the isle of Fame, nine miles from Lindisfarne. St. Cuthbert, foreseeing his death approach, resigned his bishopric, which he had held two years, and retired to his solitude in Farne Island, to prepare himself for his last passage. He was blessed by Abbot Herefrid at the hour of midnight prayer, and immediately lifting up his eyes, and stretching out his hands died on the 20th day of March, 687. He died in the island of Fame; but, according to his desire, his body was buried in the monastery of Saint Peter, in Lindisfarne, on the right side of the high altar. Border Reivers - The Dodd Clan References taken from "The Steel Bonnets", the story of the Anglo Scottish Border Reivers. Author George McDonald Fraser. ISBN 0 214 65308 0. Page 63, writing about the Robson families of Tynedale, Liddesdale, West Teviotdale, the author states "They formed a violent power bloc with the Charlton's, and also with the Dodd's and Milburn's, the other two principle tribes of the dale. He then goes on to say that " the Milburn's and the Dodd's are still numerous in the Border regions. Page 90, "the Redesdale and Tynedale incursions consisted largely of Charlton's, Dodd's, Milburn's and Robson's. Page 172 note 4 "A casual attitude to feud is shown in Sir John Forster's report of August 1593, when he notes that there were "no attempts by Liddesdale worth mention, but only the slaughter of two Dodd's in Tynedale by William Elliott of Harscarth for feeds amongst them". Page 202, Talking about getting back a herd of cattle which had been stolen, "They had to fight for them and one of the Tynedale Dodd's killed Martin's Gibb Elliott, who had previously slain the Dodd's kinsman (it pleased god, this Elliott, for the punishment of his sins, was by the said Dodd now slaine, some others wounded". Page 225, "a disquieting sign, at this time, from the authorities point of view was the growing friendship between the Liddesdale and the Tynedale riders, especially the Charlton's and the Dodd's". Page 230, "in which an Armstrong and a Dodd were taken and subsequently hanged". Page 241, "His great concern was a great raid by the Milburn's, Dodd's and Charlton's into Teviotdale under the leadership of Ralph Fenwick". Page 243, "Also, people like the Dodd's and Charlton's might not know much about religion, but they knew where their allegiance lay". Page 246, "Accordingly they put pressure on the English riding clans to get busy but the Charlton's, Dodd's and Milburn's were not to be persuaded". DODD 1768 T0 1811 It has not been possible to prove absolutely that this Dodd family are the forerunners of our line but a full search of Crosby Ravensworth parish records and Bishops transcripts have revealed no other matches. It is therefore probable that this is the traceable start of our Dodd line. 1793 Crosby Ravensworth Church Church records state that "Bannes of marriage between Henry Dodd and Nancy Dixon both of this parish were published in this church 20th, 27th of October and 3rd November 1793 by me, Sam Beverly Vicar". "The said Henry Dodd and Nancy Dixon were married in this church by Bannes on the 10th November 1793. this marriage was solemnised by Henry's signature, Nancy Dodd late Dixon's mark and was witnessed by Thomas Longhorn and Joseph Dixon". Now please bear with me. We know that our Henry was born about 1804 according to what he tells the Census in 1851. We also know that he was born in Crosby Ravensworth (probably the parish of) and we also know that his father was called Henry and this is all we know for sure, so, on looking at the parish records we find the above family fits the bill with the following chronology. Before we start it is important to note that Nancy is the accepted pet name for Ann so when we get references to both Ann and Nancy Dixon it is more than probable the same person. As stated above, 1793 Marriage Henry Dodd and Nancy (pet name for Ann) Dixon, both of this parish. As said, I am assuming that Ann and Nancy are the same person and assuming that Henry is 25 or thereabouts gives his birth year as 1768. Blasterfield, Starleyfield, Crosby Gill are all locations within one mile of Crosby Ravensworth and would be the particular fields that the family were farming. Baptisms July 6th 1794 Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Dodd of Blasterfield and Ann his wife late Dixon 1796 Miles, son of Henry Dodd of Crosby Gill and Nancy his wife late Dixon October 10th 1802 Henry, son of Henry Dodd of Crosby Gill and Nancy his wife late Dixon (Our Henry) In other records there is a Henry, son of Henry Dodd of Crosby Gill, and Ann his wife, late Dixon, baptized Oct 7th 1802 5th June 1803 Jane daughter of Henry Dodd of Starley field and Nancy his wife, late Dixon 1805 Nancy daughter of Henry Dodd of Starley field and Nancy his wife, late Dixon 1806 Dec25 Dorothy daughter of Henry Dodd of Starley field and Nancy his wife, late Dixon 1810 Death Mary, infant daughter of Henry Dodd of Starley field and Nancy his wife, late Dixon 1811 Hannah daughter of Henry Dodd of Starley field and Nancy his wife, late Dixon, Hannah died1811 If we assume that Henry was 25 when he was married in 1793 he would now be 43 and his birth year would be in the region of 1768. On searching the church records for that year we find a Henry baptized in May, son of William Dod (note the one D) of Meaburn, but in the March of that year a Henry, son of William Dod had been buried, 3 weeks after the burial of Ann, wife of William Dod. Although confusing, a solution suggested, could be that Henry, son of Willam Dod of Meaburn was born in 1763, so would be 5 in 1768. He would be the one who died shortly after his mother. The mother, Ann, William's wife might have died in childbirth and the child survived. He would be bapt. when strong enough and given the name Henry after his dead brother. It is this Henry that grows up to marry Ann Dixon and father our Henry. So there we have it the probable paternal line for Robert M Dodd goes like this. Robert Michael, Kenneth Michael, Cyril, Robert Henry, Thomas, Henry, Henry, William. >From this point onward all facts are proved. 1837 A marriage takes place in the Parish church in the Parish of Kirkland in the County of Cumberland on the 14th November 1837 between Henry Dodd, of full age ( At the time Henry would be 33 ish) who is the son of Henry Dodd a Farmer of Crosby Ravensworth. Henry jnr is a Bachelor living at the time in Birch House in the Parish of Brougham in the County of Westmorland. He marries Elizabeth Richardson who is of full age (21 or over), a Spinster, with no rank or profession who was living in Scar in the Chapelry of Culgaith in the above parish. Elizabeth's father is given as John Brockbank who is a Joiner. The above marriage has been fully proved to be that of my forebears by the birth certificate of Ann Dodd on which Elizabeth's maiden name is recorded and is indeed Richardson. Henry has made his mark on the marriage certificate showing that he is not educated to any extent. Witnesses to the ceremony are John Byers and John Jinkinson. 1841 Although the 1841 Census does not give much information it has been possible to trace Henry, Elizabeth and Thomas their son. On the day of the Census they are living at Ainstable in Cumberland. This is within 5 miles of High Northsceugh where in the next Census, Henry is farming, and where he has the two girls Ann and Mary with Thomas living nearby. In this census, the age of Elizabeth and Thomas check out but Henry is given as aged 30 which doesn't correlate with information gathered on him at other times in his life. Henry is recorded as an Ag Lab. It is interesting to note that alongside these three on the 1841 Census we have a Joseph Dodd who is recorded as a grocer. It may be that Joseph is related but this is not proven. 1847 The Birth certificate for Ann Dodd has been obtained and records Ann's birth at High Northsceugh, Cumwhitton on the 28th February 1847. It is this certificate that confirms Elizabeth Dodd as nee Richardson thereby making robust the lineage. Henry's trade is recorded as Husbandman. The registrar was informed by Elizabeth on the 20th March. 1851 In this year on the night of 30th March, the next UK census takes place and finds Henry Dodd aged 47 (or so recorded), his wife Elizabeth aged 47 and two daughters Mary aged 7 and Ann aged 4 living at High Northsceugh* in Cumberland. Henry is noted as being born in Crosby Ravensworth in Westmorland whilst Elizabeth is noted as being born in Castle Sowerby Cumberland. Henry's occupation is farm labourer and there is no reference to land ownership on the census return. This probably indicates that Henry is a tenanted farmer. The two girls are noted as being born in Cumwhitton** Cumberland. It is a relevant fact that Elizabeth's birthplace and age is correlated throughout the history of the Dodd line and also that in the 1871 census, it is recorded that in Thomas's household he has a nephew staying named John Henry Pears who is the son of Ann Dodd. In addition to the foregoing, on Thomas Dodd's marriage certificate it is noted that his father is Henry Dodd. An additional piece in this jigsaw that confirms that we have the correct family is that on Thomas's marriage certificate to Ann Harrison one of the witnesses is Mary Dodd. On the same evening two entries away on the same census sheet at High Northsceugh is a family of 11 headed by William Hewetson aged 45, he is classified as a Landed proprietor, farming 248 acres and being born in Cumwhitton. Also listed as being in residence in his house (The Knott) on that evening was Thomas Dodd aged 11, this gives him a birth year of 1840 which correlates with information from other sources and born in Ainstable, again something that is recorded throughout his appearance in Census records, he is classified as a Farm Servant and I feel that it is a safe assumption that he is the son of Henry Dodd. I have travelled to the area and found and photographed the Knott farm and what I believe to be the dwelling inhabited by Henry and the family at the time. I did this by following the census "trail" that someone would have taken when handing out the census sheets. The dwelling is now but a shell but does give an idea of the living conditions experienced at the time. On a further entry for High Northsceugh can be found John Hewetson aged 51 also classified as a Landed proprietor farming 20 acres. At this time in Kirkby Stephen we find Mary Harrison (31 or 34) a Pauper Servant born in Colby (in all other paperwork she is recorded as being born in Appleby), Westmorland with her daughter Ann aged 5 a Pauper Scholar also born Colby (correct throughout her records), I believe that these are Ann Harrison, the future wife of Thomas and her mother Mary. Further investigation into the premises they were living in has now made it clear that they along with probably 70 more people were residents in the East Ward Union Workhouse situated at Kirkby Stephen. The census notes all the inmates, and the master and matron of the workhouse. I have a description of the workhouse and the conditions within but have also confirmed that the building was demolished to make way for a housing estate. When looking for a reason for them to be in the workhouse we must note that as stated on Thomas and Ann's marriage certificate, her father was unknown. This then sets the scene for the proven era of the Dodd Story, Henry is a farm labourer probably working on the Hewetson's Farm and tied to him by tenancy. As noted above, whilst visiting Northsceugh I have found that in addition to a couple of reasonably sized farms, there are a number of premises which obviously were dwellings but are now derelict and robbed out. During my recent visit to these places, I saw no churches in the vicinity of High Northsceugh and having visited the Church at Cumwhitton (St Mary's)I found no gravestones*** for any Dodd although there were a lot that were in poor condition. The church records will be at Carlisle office of the Cumbria Archive. *Nothsceugh forms a joint township with Moorthwaite In a Directory of East Cumberland 1884 it is mentioned that the soil is owned by amongst others Hewetson*2 and John Dodd. **(Cumwhitton lies on the east side of the river Eden and is bounded on the north by Great Corby, on the South by Leath Ward, on the east by Cumwhitton and Carlotten). *** It has become apparent during my investigations into the life and times of the Dodd's that the lack of gravestones does not mean that a person is not buried in a churchyard or cemetery, most probable that these were omitted just on the grounds that they couldn't be afforded. 1859 The date of death of Henry Dodd is recorded on his death certificate as occurring on 8th May 1859, the certificate gives Henry an age of 58 and still a labourer of High Northsceugh Cumwhitton. The cause of death is reported by the Coroner for East Cumberland, William Carrick and was established by inquest. The inquest was held on the 9th of May 1859 and the death registered in the Sub District of Hayton in Cumberland on the 23rd May. The cause of death was suicide by cutting his own throat with a clasp knife (penknife) during temporary insanity. It states that he lived for 30 minutes after doing so. I have searched all relevant newspapers of this period and can find no mention of this event or the inquest. Also I believe the coroners reports for this period are not available. 1861 The next record available is from the Census of 1861 when at this time we find Elizabeth 57 a Widow and living at 151 (could be the schedule number) Duke Street Penrith with her daughter Ann who is now 14. Nothing is known at present of where Mary is at this time. Elizabeth is classified as a Field Labourer and Ann a Dressmaker, this continues to be her trade from now on. 1866 It is now known via birth certificate that Thomas Henry Pears, born 27th April 1866 was the son of John Pears and Ann Dodd, (Henry's daughter/ Thomas's sister). On the birth certificate John Pears the father is recorded as being a Solicitors clerk and his mother Ann a Dressmaker. At the time of John Henry's birth they are living at Meeting House Lane Penrith. 1869 On December 23rd of this year Thomas Dodd and Ann Harrison were married at the Parish church in the Parish of Newbiggin in the county of Westmorland. Thomas is recorded as being 30 years old and Ann as 25. He is registered as a Batchelor and Husbandman and Ann is registered as a Spinster Servant. The residence at the time of marriage is given for Thomas as Akit-Gate (Aiket) in the parish of Hesket in the Forest County of Cumberland whereas Ann is given as Newbiggin (must presume Newbiggin in Westmorland), Thomas's father is given as Henry Dodd also a husbandman but there is no entry for Anns father. The rector was John Robinson and the witnesses were Mary Dodd and William Newbigin (as written on the certificate but I think this is William McQuillen who Mary marries soon after). The registration district is East Ward. Aiket - Gate where Thomas is living is approximately 2 miles due east of Ainstable and High Northsceugh ( I have visited here and it consists of approximately 5 farm type dwellings only) and although there are two Newbiggin's, one near Appleby I am assuming that Ann is living at Newbiggin Westmorland. There must be a story in how Thomas has managed to meet Ann as they are about 30 miles apart, a distance that is not travelled easily in those days. 1871 We now move to 1871 where the census picks up the family at Land Ends, on the night of the Census it is recorded that present at Land Ends is Thomas, now 31, Ann (nee Harrison aged 27 born in Colby Westmorland) his wife, John Harrison aged 7, Miles D aged some months, Elizabeth D (Thomas's Mother now aged 68 and out of Penrith, classified as an Annuitant, and Thomas's nephew John Henry Pears, Ann's son aged 4 born in Penrith. The reason for John Henry's presence on this night is partially answered by the fact that Ann Pears (nee Dodd) is found as a lodger in the Scott household at Melmerby north of Penrith , her trade is dressmaker and she is now a widow at 24. Mary at this time is to be found (I think) living in Carlisle at "The Mains", the house of Mr John Ashbridge Thomlinson aged 36 and his wife Mary E aged 28. Mary is recorded as unmarried, a domestic servant aged 26 born at Cumwhitton. It is interesting to note that John is recorded as Land Owner and Wool and Cotton manufacturer employing 220 people. There is obviously some money here. It is now known that Mary marries William Bernard McQuillen in the June Quarter of this year in the Carlisle district (Ref 10B Page 778). >From the census record 1871 we find that John Harrison is born in Kirkby Stephen and his age of 7 gives him a birth year of 1864, Thomas and Ann were married in 1869. This indicates that John is born 5 years prior to Ann marrying Thomas and it remains unknown as to whom was John's father, but if it had have been Thomas, surely he would have taken the Dodd name as the eldest son. 1881 On to the 1881 Census, the family are still at Land Ends Watermillock with Thomas at the Helm aged 41 the family has now grown to include Robert H aged 9 (my Grandfather), Thomas Jnr aged 6, Joseph aged 5, William aged 3 and Septimus aged 9 months. Elizabeth is still there as Thomas's mother at 77. At this time Thomas's sister Ann Pears is recorded as living in Penrith at 19 Queen Street with her son John Henry, Ann is classed as Dressmaker with John H a scholar. Ann is noted as being born in Cumwhitton and John H in Penrith. On the same evening in Watermillock at a place called the Gardeners Bothy (small hut) we find John Harrison unmarried as head and on his own at 17. He is classed as a Gardeners Apprentice and provenance is given by his birth place being given as Kirkby Stephen. Mary Dodd now aged 37 is now settled in St John's Newcastle upon Tyne and is found on Census night at 32 Thornton Street with her husband William aged 35 Sarah 8, Mary 4 and William Jnr 1. 1885 As the death of Thomas at Scar Side proves, the family move from Land Ends to Scar Side sometime between 1881 and 1885. Thomas Dodd died 20th February 1885 at home in Scar Side, the death was reported by Ann his wife and the cause of death was recorded as erysipelas (St Anthony's Fire) defined below. Cellulitis and erysipelas are streptococcal infections of the subcutaneous tissues which usually result from contamination of minor wounds. Both conditions are characterized by acute localized inflammation and oedema. The lesions are more superficial in erysipelas than cellulitis and have a well-defined, raised margin. Potentially fatal systemic toxaemia may supervene in patients who remain untreated. Recurrent cellulitis or erysipelas can result in chronic lymphoedema which may, in turn, serve as a predisposing factor for recurrent attacks of infection. In infants, facial lesions, similar to cellulitis and erysipalas, may be caused by Haemophilus influenzae. 1891 Things have changed by the Census 1891, as mentioned above the family can now be found at Scar Side (1 mile east of ) Bampton but it is smaller than previously, although two more daughters have appeared. Ann is now Head of the family, and is a Widow, she is classified as a farmer and is now aged 46. With her at the house are Miles aged 20, William aged 13, Septimus aged 10, Mary E aged 8 Annie M aged 6 and Ann's Mother Mary Harrison aged 74 born Appleby Cumberland. In addition to Thomas, we have lost, Thomas Jnr, and Joseph. The two daughters are recorded as being were born at Bampton. The church at Bampton is St Patrick's. I have visited Scar Side and it is still inhabited, it lies at the top of a steep hill that ends at the dwelling. The place overlooks Haweswater and has a variety of buildings with it but is essentially a small dwelling, with adjacent covered stalls for cattle etc. It has a separate barn and a small pig sty opposite the dwelling. Although we have lost Thomas senior who we know died at Scar Side by the time the census was taken at Scar Side, I found no gravestones in St Patrick's church Bampton which is probably a mile away or in the churchyard extension which is within a few hundred metres of the church. Mary Dodd at 47 is found now at Elswick Newcastle Upon Tyne at Number 4 Dunn Street. With her are Sarah 18, Mary 14, William 11, Annie 8, Thomas 4 and Elizabeth her mother who is now 87. It is probable that after Thomas died it is decided that Elizabeth is best off in Newcastle with her daughter. At this time Robert Henry Dodd is a "lodger" in Penrith at 5 Roper Street his trade is "Clothier". Joseph is found (probably) aged 15 a farm servant in the house of John Slack "Ash Hill" in Shap. He is recorded as being born in Bampton Thomas Jnr is a Farm servant at Dochrey Hall Farm, Wigton cum Woodside, he is recorded as being 16 and being born in Watermillock. Also in Penrith at this time is Ann Pears, at 34 she is still living at 19 Queen Street 1901 The next Census takes place in 1901 and it is becoming clear that the Dodd family is now becoming disparate with the following observations already noted. William is at Thrimby in lodgings at a house where the Head is a Mr Henry Holme, he has wife Sarah and 3 sons. William is classified as a horseman on a farm. He is now 23 (but on the census return he is classed as 25), the farm is probably Thrimby Grange where the Powleys are resident. On the same fiche (4905) Thrimby Grange is covered and the resident family is headed by Arthur W Powley aged 40 born Morland he is classed as farmer but no reference to ownership, He has wife Annie aged 35 born in Shap and Jane aged 9, Mary Ellen aged 6, Sarah aged 3, Elizabeth aged 5 months. It is into this family that Eveline daughter of Joseph Dodd and Ada Thompson marries, she (as Eveline Maud Thompson) marries John Arthur Wilkinson Powley (not born yet) and thereby gives the link between the Dodd's and Thrimby Grange. The implication of Eveline being married as a Thompson could be that Joseph married Ada Thompson who already had 3 children and there were no name changes. At Warcop situated near Appleby, Miles now 30 is head of the family living at "Row End", he is classed as Farmer and has wife Isabella (nee Ewin probably) aged 31 born in Kings Meaburn. Sisters Annie M 16 and Mary E 18 with him, also with him is Jane Ewin aged 46, born in Morland sister in law and Charles Horne a servant / farm labourer. I have passed Row End and it is still inhabited soon to be turned into a caravan park if planning permission is granted. The Ewin factor will come in later on when Miles and Isabella have a son and call him Miles Ewin.Dodd. Interestingly the two sisters Mary and Annie are noted as being born in Brampton (although I think that this is a mistake ). In this Census, Mary Dodd is not to be found at Elswick Newcastle Upon Tyne with William and the family at 23 Gloucester Street and research has found that she died aged 56 in the March quarter of 1900 in the district of Newcastle Upon Tyne (Ref 10B page 54). There is a possibility therefore that the graves of both Ann and her Mother Elizabeth may be found thereabouts. I have found and photographed the memorial to Miles and Isabella in SHAP cemetery, it states "In Loving Memory of Miles Dodd who died June 26th 1931 aged 61 years also Isabella his wife who died December 30th 1958 aged 89 years. I have also found in SHAP cemetery a memorial to Miles Ewin Dodd who died 10/1/85 at Crook Syke SHAP. I now know that this is Miles Jnr who remained unmarried. In the same cemetery is Margery, a daughter of Miles Snr who married John Jackson Longstaff. Their memorial states " John Jackson Longstaff died 15th February 1962 at age 58 and Margery Jane who died 22nd February 1983 aged 7?. Margery was a registrar at SHAP. Septimus Dodd is at this time in Cliburn, in West Ward he is classed as an ordinary agricultural labourer in the house of a Mr Briscoe who is a school master / farmer, I have visited Cliburn and found the school but alas this village has seen much renovation with housing estates and the like so on site investigations would be fruitless. Joseph is found in this census classed as single aged 24 and at premises called Syke House in Newby in the parish of Morland and is classed as a horseman on a farm. The head of the family is Thomas Nicholson who has wife and two sons also there Thomas Jnr is now 26 and living at Joiners Arms cottages in Warcop he has wife Eleanor Hogson Dodd aged 33 and Annie his daughter born in Warcop aged 4 months. He is registered as a general agricultural labourer. Additional Information It is stated that both Annie M and Mary E remained unmarried, I have found and photographed the memorial to Mary E at SHAP graveyard. Born 1882 died 1946 at 64. Information at hand tells me that Joseph dies in 1928 making him 52 years of age when he dies, with Josephs death, the line of Dodd through him is ended. Howgill Newby is mentioned in paperwork but I have found no proof of connection. Septimus, marries Florrie Fothergill and they have Joseph, George, Bernard, Linda (baptised 12th March 1912 at Barton) and Dorothy. The family emigrate to Canada from Wordsworth House Socksbridge some time after. John Harrison born 1874 emigrated to Atlantic City, married and had 3 sons, John, Joseph and Robert. It seems that John had daughters Doris and Elizabeth. Joseph had a son Joseph. I have found in the Cemetry of St Lawrence Church in Crosby Ravenworth the following Gravestones side by side but to my knowledge are not related to our line. "Here Lie Thomas Dodd who departed this life October 30th 1832 at the age of 52. also his wife Mary who departed this life April 16th 1867 at the age of 85. As said alongside this gravestone is another (and these are the only Dodd's that I have found there). John Dodd of Crosby Ravensworth who died 24th May 1872 at the age of 62 (born 1810) and his wife Nanny who died January 25th 1896 aged 80.