Colonel William Strother of Fowberry

From The History of The Family of Carr of Woodhall, Lesbury, Eshott, and Hetton Volume 3 by R.E. Carr C.E. Carr Rev. T.W. Carr Published 1899 Pages 41, 42

William Carr, son of William Carr [footnote] and Jane Heron, the third in possession of Eshott, was baptized at Felton .... He came into the estate of Eshott in what may be called its second period....

His bond for marriage with Jane Strother, daughter of Colonel William Strother, is dated 7 May 1682. His settlement [Footnote 4: Eshott Deeds] runs: —

By indenture dated 3 April 1682 and 1 May 1682, between William Carr of Eshott, Esq., Edward Widdrington of Felton, and William Carr of Etal of first part, William Strother of Fowberry and William Ogle of Causey Park Causey Park House, Causey Park, Northumberland NE61 3EP 55.24797, -1.72156 of [Page 42] second part, William Strother of Grindon Rigg, Duddo, Northumberland TD15 2PT 55.681349, -2.120586 and Charles Strother, gentleman, third son of the said William Strother, of the third part, it was witnessed that the said William Carr, Edward Widdrington, and William Carr, in consideration of a marriage intended between the said William Carr of Eshott and Jane Strother, second daughter of William Strother of Fowberry, and in consideration of £1200 secured to be paid to the said William Carr of Eshott, as the marriage portion of said Jane Strother.

[See Footnote *] An entail was created at that time of Manor of Eshott and Eshott Heugh, with all those lands formerly part of Eshott Moor used with the tenement called the Heugh, and all the parcel of ground called the Firth, on sons of William Carr in succession, failing whom on his brother John Carr of West Heddon Farmhouse, Heddon-on-the-Wall, Northumberland NE15 0JU 55.0127, -1.8087 and his issue in succession, failing whom to the sons of William Carr of Berwick, Surgeon, and his lawful heirs, failing whom to John Carr, brother of William Carr of Berwick, and his lawful heirs.Elizabeth, another daughter of Colonel Strother, was married to William Ogle of Causey Park, who was Captain in Strother's Dragoons and a Deputy-Lieutenant of Northumberland.

We have some notices of Colonel Strother. In Military Entry Book, 1660, Page 103, "William Strother to be Captain under Lord Widdrington." In 1667 "William Strother, Major and Captain — Regiment to be raised."

Colonel W. Strother is mentioned in Veitch's "Memoirs" as a Deputy-Lieutenant of Northumberland, who preferred to have a troop of his own raising for his body-guard. In the Domestic Entry Book (Warrant Book 1679-1680) folio 33, Captain Strother was to raise a troop of dragoons. He was a Commissioner of Supply in 1679 ("Statutes of the Realm" [v.?] 315) and an active agent of the Council in Scotland for apprehending Scottish Ministers who had taken refuge in Northumberland. (Wodrow, Volume 2 Pages 254, 257) Veitch (Page 179) when prisoner was well treated by Colonel Strother, "who lamented his hard lot and excused himself as being ordered to carry out the King's orders; and when Major Main noticed that he would not drink the King's health, and Veitch remonstrated about the King's orders, no more were asked from him."

From Memoirs of Mr. William Veitch and George Brysson by William Veitch, George Bryson, Thomas McCrie Published 1825 Pages 68 - 73

... For after several essays against him and others, both such as dwelt in the country, and those that came in transiently from Scotland and preached, he, with several of that gang, as we hear, represented [Page 69] to Lauderdale, returning from Scotland to the Courts the dangerous condition of these northern counties, and that because of many vagrant Scotch preachers, by whose means the begun infection did spread, and was like to pass Tyne Bridge, and approach the very noble parts of the nation if not timeously prevented.

Shortly after his arrival at Court, several troops of horse and dragoons were sent thither, to crush all meetings, apprehend the abettors, and stop the infection. One Major Main was over the horse, and Major Oglethorpe the dragoons. These were sent to chastise the now [Page 70] bad (commonly called, and never more deservedly, the good) town of Berwick upon Tweed. These men being all strangers were to act by counsel and command of Colonel Strothers, a deputy Lieutenant of Northumberland, who was set over them, and preferred to have a troop of his own raising for his own guard; and as their commission was ample, so he was sine quo non in all their actings.

After they had carried on their work a great length (being feasted and encouraged by the papists, the clergy, and the corrupt justices) Major Oglethorpe having notice given him in the very night Mr. Veitch came home, by some hired for that purpose, he being a stranger in the country, hires one Thomas Cleugh, a sheriff's bailiff, to be bis guide from Morpeth; and after they had beset the house upon 19 January 1679, about five of the clock in the morning, this Cleugh rapping on the glass window of the parlour where the minister lay, and calling him till he awoke, Mr. Veitch being surprised asked who was there, which, when Cleugh heard, "Now," said he to the Major, standing beside him, "Yonder he is, I have no more to do." Upon which the Major broke [Page 71] down the glass window, thinking to get in; but finding iron bars in his way, called to open the door quickly, quickly; and being impatient they broke in at the hall windows, and had their candles lighted ere the maid opened the inner doors; apprehended the minister, and carried him to Morpeth jail, where he continued prisoner twelve days. The warrant they had was by way of letter from Colonel Strothers and Mr. Ogle of Causeway Park his son-in-law, and now Lieutenant to his troop. It was given several months before, and directed to Major Main at Wooler; he directs it to Oglethorpe at Morpeth, three or four miles from Stanton Hall, to execute, the true copy whereof is as follows:

"Sir, We are credibly informed that there is one Mr. Johnson, a preacher or teacher to the nonconformists in the church of England, who stands outlawed for rebellion in the kingdom of Scotland, and a fugitive in this kingdom; his constant abode is at Stanton, about four miles from Morpeth in this county. We desire that you will give out your order to some of your forces under your command, that the said Johnson may be taken and sent to jail: and the jailor, his deputy or deputies, is hereby required, and in his Majesty's name straitly we command him or them, to receive the body of the said Johnson into their custody, and him safely keep [Page 72] in their jails until the next assizes, and this shall be the jailor's security.

Sir, this with our humble service to you, we rest your faithful friends and servants,

William Strother, William Ogle."

"Fowberry, 21 November 1678"

[Footnote: Fowbury, the possession of the Fowburys, in the reign of King Edward I; afterwards of the family of Strothers, and now of Sir Francis Blake of Twizell." (Hutchinson's North, i. 240) William Strother was a Commissioner of Supply in 1679, (Statutes of the Realm, v. 915) and an active agent of the Council in Scotland, for apprehending Scottish ministers who had taken refuge in Northumberland. (Wodrow, ii. 254, 257)] Fowberry Tower, Fowberry, Northumberland NE71 6ER 55.557788, -1.939034

It was thus directed. "For the Honoured Major Main, Commander in Chief of his Majesty's Forces, in these Northern Counties, at his quarters at Wooler."

It seems this warrant is sent to Major Oglethorpe, Major of the dragoons, who lay at Morpeth, to be put in execution.

This warrant was no way formal or legal, as afterward was declared by good lawyers. The executing it upon a Sabbath day was against a late act of Parliament, But the zeal and [Page 73] love of reward carried them over all these difficulties, and a deep storm of snow to the boot; which made the Major and Griffith his Lieutenant, and Ensign Owen, (who was hanged at York, the Lammas after their disbanding, for robbery,) and the rest walk on foot all the way, and were often up to the middle in snow missing the tract in the night.

From Memoirs of Mr. William Veitch and George Brysson by William Veitch, George Bryson, Thomas McCrie Published 1825 Page 77

After this order came [19 January 1679 (1678/9)] , quick dispatch was made, lest the prisoner [Mr. Johnson, alias Veitch] should have been liberate. Major Oglethorpe meets Colonel Strother at Alnwick to consult about his transportation; and then they send the king and council of England's order to the under sheriff, and officer of dragoons, lying at Morpeth; which was read to the prisoner with a great deal of ceremony and insulting; performed by that confluence gathered together in the jailor's low hall, to which he was brought down to prison from a guard of musketeers.

From Memoirs of Mr. William Veitch and George Brysson by William Veitch, George Bryson, Thomas McCrie Published 1825 Page 79

When the healths drinking came about he [Mr. Johnson, alias Veitch] refused, at which Major Main cried out, "Colonel Strother, you see what a rebel this man is, who refuses to drink the king's health." To which he replied, "Sir, if you understood the law you would [find] yourself the rebel, and not me. It seems you know not that the king, by proclamation, has discharged healths drinking, and his own in particular, which you will find in the booksellers' shops at Newcastle." After that he was bidden drink no more healths.

From Memoirs of Mr. William Veitch and George Brysson by William Veitch, George Bryson, Thomas McCrie Published 1825 Page 93

Then said the prisoner, "You must order me paper, pen, and ink, that I may write it." — " Yes," said he, "but you must read it to the governor; and if he like it, seal it, and he will send it me." When the governor read it, he says, "Will you indeed send this to my lord? If so, your circumstances are not so bad as men think." But he, instead of sending it to London, sent it out to Colonel Strother; and they afterward sent it to the Major; but he delivered it not till several days after the prisoner had been at Edinburgh, and written a second letter to Lauderdale mentioning that.

From Memoirs of Mr. William Veitch and George Brysson by William Veitch, George Bryson, Thomas McCrie Published 1825 Page 148

Mr. Veitch also had a verbal commission from Argyle to procure money for buying of arms, colours, drums, horses, and taking on men, especially old Oliverian officers; somewhat of all which he did, and through his too much travelling through the country, and the zeal of severals in many places to rise, the matter was like to take wind, so that he was forced to retire up to the mountains in the borders near Reidsdale-head, and hide himself from his very friends, until the season of appearing came. For Colonel Strother in the English side getting some notice of him, sent an express to the Scotch council hereanent; and they sent an express to the Earl of Lothian who commanded the militia in Tiviotdale, and to Meldrum whose troop was lying there, to join with Strother in searching the suspected places of the border to find him, which they did. They come upon a hill called the Carter, where Mr. Veitch was lying in a hut among the rocks covered with heather-turfs as if they had been growing, which honest Mr. Thomas Steel had made up for himself, when he was forced to flee upon Aaron Smith's coming from London upon that errand; which place he assigned unto him, and he was lying in it when these great persons were riding along that hill on every side of him; for no horse could come where he was. He was only afraid of their dogs, but providence ordered it well; for they missed their mark.

From The History of The Family of Carr of Woodhall, Lesbury, Eshott, and Hetton Volume 3 by R.E. Carr C.E. Carr Rev. T.W. Carr Published 1899 Page 215 Pedigree showing some of the connections between Strother, Ogle, and Carr

William Strother of Grindon Ridge, Fowberry, and Newton, born 1626; Colonel of Dragoons, Royalist, and had to compound for his estates 1649; died 1701. NOTE: date of death conflicts with current 5 July 1699 and birth year 1626 not 1625?

[married with issue] Jane Shafto, daughter of Mark Shafto of Whitworth Park, and sister of Sir Robert Shafto, Recorder of Newcastle; married 1652. NOTE probably 1652/3 i.e. 1653 see below

[issue]

William Strother of Fowberry, Captain of Dragoons; died at Grindon Ridge 1708 [married with issue] Margaret [blank]

Mark Strother, High Sheriff of Northumberland 1714; owned Fowberry after brother’s death; died 1726. [married] Martha [blank]

Elizabeth Strother [married with issue] William Ogle of Cawsey. Will dated 1774; leaves property in trust for William Ogle, Major 34th Foot.

Mary Strother, born 1657;died 1737. [married] Thomas Orde of Fecklington.

Jane Strother, born 1664 [married] William Carr of Eshott and Hetton. Pedigree IV c. [who married 2ndly] Elizabeth Porter.

Robert Strother, born 1670; died 1713; buried at Bath Abbey. [married] Mary [blank], died 1755.

From Shafto of Whitworth Ingilby History

Jane Shafto, baptised 11 April 1633; married 10 January 1652 [probably 1652/3] at St John the Baptist Church, Grainger Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5JG 54.9701, -1.6155, William Strother of Fowberry, Northumberland

From Ancestry: England Select Marriages 1538-1973

• name: William Strother
• gender: Male
• marriage date: 10 January 1652 NOTE: probably 1652/3 i.e. 1653
• marriage place: Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, Northumberland, England
• spouse: Jane Shafto
• FHL film number: 2193541
• reference id: page 783

From A history of Northumberland, The Parishes of Carham, Branxton, Kirknewton, Wooler, and Ford by Kenneth H. Vickers M.A. Volume 11 Published 1922 Page 134

William Strother, aged 5 years 6 months [on] 2 February 1631 [Footnote aa: Laing, Charters Pages 499-500]. Colonel William Strother of Kirknewton, 1652 [Footnote ad: Laing, Charters Pages 570-571]; will dated 8 October 1697; proved 1701 [Footnote ah: Raine, Testamenta Volume 4 Page 199]; buried 5 July 1699 [Footnote: af: Fowberry Deeds — Proceedings of Newcastle Antiquaries 3rd series Volume 10 Pages 21-25]

[married with issue] Jane Shaftoe, daughter of Mark Shaftoe of Newcastle [Footnote aq: Chancery Proceedings, Bridges, Bundle 292, No. 49; Bundle 372, No. 55].; marriage settlement 10 January 1653 [1652/3] [Footnote al: Laing, Charters Page 571]; married at St. John's, Newcastle, 10 January 1653 [1652/3]; living 19 November 1705 [Footnote: af: Fowberry Deeds — Proceedings of Newcastle Antiquaries 3rd series Volume 10 Pages 21-25].

From stirnet - Strother

Colonel William Strother of Fowerby of Kirknewton (buried 5 July 1699) married on 10 January 1653 [1652/3] Jane Shaftoe, daughter of Mark Shaftoe of Newcastle, (a? 1705)

From Will of William Strother 8 October 1697

1701/519/1

In the Name of God, Amen. I, William Strother of Fowberry [ffowbory], in the County of Northumberland, Esquire, being in health of body, and of good and perfect memory, (praised be God) do make this my last Will and testament, in manner and forms following. (That is to say):

First, I bequeath my soul into the hands of Almighty God, my Heavenly Father; trusting to be saved, and [joined? sereined?] into eternal life, through the death and passion of my saviour, and redeemer Jesus Christ, and my body (in hope of a joyful Resurrection) [Irotnitt?] to the earth from whence it came, and to be devoutly buried at my burial place in Kirknewton.

And as to my lands [Tenements? Tenemts] and [heredifarmts?], not formerly settled in my lifetime [tyme], I dispose thereof as follows [followsth]: first I give and devise unto my dear and loving wife and her heirs for ever, All those my tithes of [forne? farms?] and grains, sowing, growing and [senowening?] within the Towns, Townseilds, Territories and [Perints? Precincts?] of Coopland and [Milfeild? Milfield?], and either of them, situate lying and being in the Parish of Kirknewton aforesaid in the said county of Northumberland;

Also I give and devise unto my said dear and loving wife and her heirs forever all that my [Close?] [ralled?] and known by the name of the Walkers Close, lying and being in [Lanton?] in the said parish of Kirknewton in the County aforesaid;

Item: All my goods and chattels, plate, jewels, household stuff, and furniture, [Arreares?] of [wuts?]. And all my personal Estate, of what kind and nature sooner[?] it be; I give and bequeath unto my said beloved wife, Jane Strother, and do by these [payments? pyouts?] make and appoint her, my said wife Jane Strother, to the sole executrice of this my last will and testament and do hereby revoke all former wills and testaments by me at any time heretofore made and declared.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 8 October 1697.

William Strother [signature]

Signed, Sealed and published in the [Deforms?] of

William [unreadable]
Gawen[?] [Aynsby? Aynsley?]

John Chishom[?]