ROBERT BACKHOUSE seems to drop into the Carlton area from nowhere. BACKHOUSE is a seldom found name in the whole of Suffolk before he comes, and all of the people of that name after him seem to be traceable to him.
The picturesque little English villages of Yoxford and Sibton are often called "the garden of Suffolk." Springtime finds them "very lovely with glorious daffodils and beds of primroses everywhere. The trees too are all bursting with green and blossoms." (Letter from B. W. Hood, Yoxford Vicarage.)
In this setting, in the spring of 1745, ROBERT BACKHOUSE, a young man living at Yoxford, was courting a young woman, ELIZABETH NEWSON, who lived at Sibton. Some months later he won her hand, as testified by the following entry in the Sibton Parish Registers:
ROBERT BACKHOUSE of Yoxford, singleman, and ELIZABETH NEWSON, singlewoman, of this parish married Nov. 18, 1745.
ROBERT was a farmer, and, with his wife, lived in the Sibton area for a few years, here being born their first two children. In about 1749 they moved two or three miles to the Carlton-Kelsale area, and there raised their children, including the five born after their move. (Kelsale and Carlton Parish Registers.)
ROBERT and ELIZABETH remained in Carlton the rest of their lives. In April of 1795, ROBERT, having arrived at a good old age, wrote his will. He died in September of that year, aged eighty-one, and ELIZABETH died the following year. (Carlton Parish Register.)
Transcript of will:
In the Name of God Amen I ROBERT BACKHOUSE of Carlton in the County of Suffolk ffarmer being of sound Mind and Memory Do make and publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament in manner and form following (that is to say) First I do hereby nominate and appoint JOSEPH BACKHOUSE my Son sole Executor of this my Will and I do give and bequeath to my Sons SAMUEL BACKHOUSE ROBERT BACKHOUSE WILLIAM BACKHOUSE PHILEMON BACKHOUSE and my daughter ELIZABETH the Wife of THOMAS PAGE House Carpenter of Kelsale one Guinea of lawful money of Great Britain to be paid to each of them one year and one day after my decease And I give and bequeath to JOSEPH BACKHOUSE my Son and Executor all my wearing apparel and Body linnen and all my household ffurniture farming live and dead stock And all my property and substance whatsoever and wheresoever he said JOSEPH BACKHOUSE my Executor discharging all such just Debts as shall be due and owing from me to any person or persons whomsoever at the time of my decease my ffuneral charges and all other charges and expences attending the execution of this my Will My Mind and will further is that if ELIZABETH my loving Wife survive me my affore said Son JOSEPH shall maintain and support her with all the necessaries she resideing or continueing with him during the term of her natural life In Witness whereof I the said ROBERT BACKHOUSE the Testator have to this my last Will and Testament sett my hand and Seal the sixteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety five.
ROBT BACKHOUSE
Signed sealed published and declared by the above named ROBERT BACKHOUSE the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request have subscribed our names as Witnesses hereto. MARY ANDREWS SAMUEL LUDBROOK.
At Axmundham the 19th day of Septr 1795 The Executor within named was sworn in due form of Law before me. Geo Dinsdale Surr? to the Comm??
Effects under 100L Exacd 27th Octr 1806 Wm(?) Rackham
ROBERT’s wife, ELIZABETH NEWSON, is not mentioned by name in her father’s will, but the latter (SAMUEL NEWSON) does mention his “son-in-law ROBERT BACKHOUSE of Kelsale.”
Individuals tagged in this story:
<< Back