Genealogy
Longsdon
The Longsdon family were established in Little Longstone from the 13th century, but their fortunes improved in the early 17th century when Stephen Longsdon and his son Anthony exchanged lands with the Countess of Shrewsbury, Bess of Hardwick. By this they gained access to commons and woods and free grazing on Longsdon Moor for 200 sheep. The family benefited from the wool trade so that by the early 19th century James Longsdon (1745-1821) had 450 acres of rented land and 150 freehold acres. From the 1780s his farming activities including buying cattle for fattening from fairs in Derbyshire and later Lancaster.
In the 1770s and 1780s James Longsdon became involved in the cotton industry in partnership with the Morewood family of Alfreton and the High Peak. Together they opened a trading agency in St Petersburg in Russia. When Richard Arkwright's patent claims were dismissed, they decided to expand their interests in cotton manufacturing. In 1785 the partners built a carding mill and warehouse, plus a bleaching croft, in Great Longstone, but two years later the partnership was dissolved. The business then devolved on three brothers James Longsdon II (1786-1827), John Longsdon (1788-1819), and William Longsdon (1790 - 1878). Trading difficulties led to James's withdrawal from the cotton manufacturing industry in 1812, but his two brothers developed a textile merchants' business in Charleston, South Carolina, from 1819.
Family Background
The Middleton estates at Eyam were purchased from the Fitzherberts of Norbury in 1654. Through the failure of the male
line the estates descended to Jonathan Oxley of Sheffield. On the death of his son in 1783 they passed to the Rev. John
Carver, rector of Whiston, who
inherited through his mother, a daughter of Thomas Allen of Chapletown and Elizabeth Middleton (see Will below), whose
second husband was William Longsdon. Carver's son Marmaduke Middleton Carver assumed the name of Middleton in accordance
with the terms of Jonathan Oxley's will in 1795. He was High Sherriff of Derbyshire in 1808 and had claims to be considered
a minor poet. He resided at Leam Hall and died in 1868.
Revell and Longsdon
John Revell of Dungworth, a schoolmaster, was married to Ann, widow of Robert Longsdon and mother of William Longsdon (grandson of Anthony Longsdon).
Robert Longsdon, was son and heir apparent of Anthony Longsdon of Little Longstone, Derbyshire.
In December, 1666, John Levet, Commissary of Richard, Archbishop of York, appointed John Revell of Dungworth, an uncle on his mother's side as tutor and governor of Thomas son of William Longsdon, during his minority,
William Longsdon married Elizabeth daughter of John Birley of Middlewood House, Chapel of Bradfield about 1657.
Will of William Longsdon
William Longsdon's of Middlewood House in chapelry of Bradfield, Yorks., gent., leaving certain domestic utensils and furniture to children if any, and residue equally between children and wife, Elizabeth; exercises power of appointment in property in Great Longstone for 21 years after death without issue, first to pay debts, then to use equally of Elizabeth, his then wife, and his mother, Anne wife of John Revell; appoints Elizabeth executrix. 30 January 1657. Proved 1658.
Will of Elizabeth Longsdon
William Longsdon of Eyam, gentleman, and Elizabeth, his wife, were owners of Whale Sough Lead Mine, along with other partners. They were bought from Matthew Reeve of Calver for £67.
Will of Elizabeth Longsdon Widow,late of Eyam in the county of Derby, now of Morthen , Yorkshire
Date: 13 July 1770
Sole executrix: Sarah Carver Daughter, wife of the Reverend John Carter
Late husband's son, William Longsdon of Eyam - £200
Sarah Carver, grand daughter, daughter of Rev Carver of Morthen - £1000
Adam Slater
Jonathon Oxley
William Longsdon
John Allen of Chapeltown, Ecclesfield
Thomas Allen of Chapeltown, Ecclesfield
William Longsdon of Eyam
An Article of agreement was drawn up, in 1764, between William Longsdon of Eyam and Jonathan Oxley of Leam re co-partnership for ore burning and lead merchants at Callow Cupola
In 1798, William Longsdon was appointed Receiver of the Duke of Devonshire's estates at Shottle, Postern, Hopping and Belper Mills, Aldwark, Winster and Bonsall.
William Longsdon died in 1811, aged 75; the executor of his will was Thomas Birds of Eyam, gentleman.
Thomas Birds IV (1779-1829) was a descendant of Thomas Cartlidge of Coal Aston whose daughter Elizabeth had married Robert Middleton in 1696. One of the children of this marriage married as her second husband William Longsdon. Birds was therefore related to both these families and certainly acted as executor for Longsdon.
©
2006