The Rowntrees of Riseborough by C. Brightwen Rowntree
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The Rowntrees are probably of Scandinavian origin - (The Rowan Tree was the Viking sacred tree) - and early settlements appear to have been made in Ireland, Cumberland and the Cleveland district of Yorkshire. But it is in this last neighbourhood, and especially at Stokesley and in the adjoining parishes, that the most vigorous branch of the family is met with in historical records. And the Rowntree settlers in Ireland and Cumberland may have originated in the same district.
The earliest recorded Rowntree Will is that of Laurence Rowntree of Newby, b.1550, dated 1557. But in the public record office, London, there is an account of a lawsuit, brought by the daughter and son-in-law against John Rowntree in 1521, which shows the latter to have been possessed of land and houses in Borrowby, Yorkshire. Between 1600 and 1700 there are eight more pleadings, all of which connect the Rowntrees with North Yorkshire and show them often to have been Yeoman farmers.
The records make it clear that many of them were of strong and independent views, so it is not surprising to find members of the family in trouble with the authorities, both religious and secular. Thus as early as 1605 Will and Margaret Rowntree of Seamer are recorded as Recusants. Also in 1614 James Rowntree, Yeoman, is similarly described; while in 1615 appears this entry in the Stokesley Parish Register:-
Aug. 29. Agnus rountree of tantan was burr. the same day at nyght in semer churche yarde a recusantt.
From Chancery Court and other records it appears that the Rowntrees were inclined to take the Parliamentary side in the Civil War, with an occasional exception. From one source we learn of a Quartermaster Ralph Rowntree, taken prisoner in 1640. Perhaps this was the Ralph Rowntree, Yeoman, of Stokesley, who was tried in 1663 in connection with a Presbyterian rising, on which occasion he was set free, conditional on finding securities and taking the oath of allegiance. A warrant of 1644 sequestrated the state of 'William Rowntre of Birdforth, being now in arms against the King and Parliament'. Was this the same William who was indicted in 1644 for 'not coming to church', and who joined Quakers soon afterwards?
A more amusing instance of a Rowntree coming into conflict with authority was the indictment in 1615 of Ralph Rowntree of Stokesley, (there were several Ralph Rowntrees in Stokesley at this time) yeoman, for 'breaking the park of one Magdalen Bruce there dwelling, and hurting and chasing her deer with a greyhound'.
An American branch of the Rowntrees trace their descent from an English forbear who settled in Ireland as a member of the St. James' Plantation in Cromwell's time.
The earliest recorded Rowntree Will is that of Laurence Rowntree of Newby, b.1550, dated 1557. But in the public record office, London, there is an account of a lawsuit, brought by the daughter and son-in-law against John Rowntree in 1521, which shows the latter to have been possessed of land and houses in Borrowby, Yorkshire. Between 1600 and 1700 there are eight more pleadings, all of which connect the Rowntrees with North Yorkshire and show them often to have been Yeoman farmers.
The records make it clear that many of them were of strong and independent views, so it is not surprising to find members of the family in trouble with the authorities, both religious and secular. Thus as early as 1605 Will and Margaret Rowntree of Seamer are recorded as Recusants. Also in 1614 James Rowntree, Yeoman, is similarly described; while in 1615 appears this entry in the Stokesley Parish Register:-
Aug. 29. Agnus rountree of tantan was burr. the same day at nyght in semer churche yarde a recusantt.
From Chancery Court and other records it appears that the Rowntrees were inclined to take the Parliamentary side in the Civil War, with an occasional exception. From one source we learn of a Quartermaster Ralph Rowntree, taken prisoner in 1640. Perhaps this was the Ralph Rowntree, Yeoman, of Stokesley, who was tried in 1663 in connection with a Presbyterian rising, on which occasion he was set free, conditional on finding securities and taking the oath of allegiance. A warrant of 1644 sequestrated the state of 'William Rowntre of Birdforth, being now in arms against the King and Parliament'. Was this the same William who was indicted in 1644 for 'not coming to church', and who joined Quakers soon afterwards?
A more amusing instance of a Rowntree coming into conflict with authority was the indictment in 1615 of Ralph Rowntree of Stokesley, (there were several Ralph Rowntrees in Stokesley at this time) yeoman, for 'breaking the park of one Magdalen Bruce there dwelling, and hurting and chasing her deer with a greyhound'.
An American branch of the Rowntrees trace their descent from an English forbear who settled in Ireland as a member of the St. James' Plantation in Cromwell's time.
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Not all Rowntrees were Yeomen. Henry Rowntree, born 1546, who was married at Ingleby Greenhow, was Vicar of Kirkby-in-Cleveland, and may possibly have held the living of Ingleby along with the Vicarage of Kirkby. Owing to the near neighbourhood of Whitby some Rowntrees became Mariners - including John, son of the above-mentioned Quaker, William. An Alderman John Rowntree was apparently in business in Leeds, and at one period Mayor of that town. Reference is made to him in Sir Walter Calverley's Diary, as witness the following entry:-
'1700 - July 19. At Leeds sessions and we dined that day at Mr. Rontre the Mayors in Boar Lane'.
The 220 Rowntree entries in the Stokesley Parish Registers between 1573 and 1749 give the occupation of only 10 individuals, and that during a short period only (1718-38). Matthew was a Tailor, James a Sailor, John and Christopher Shoemakers, William a Fuller, and the other five were Yeoman or Farmers.
The first Quaker Rowntree was Francis, of Stokesley who beacmee a member of the society between 1650 and 1660, as recorded in The First Publishers of Truth:-
'John Whitehead was instrumental to gather and settle meetings, for he declared ye Truth through their Markets, and many believed . . . at Guisborough . . . (including) ffrancis Rountree.'
An Episcopal Return of 1669 reports that a Quaker Conventicle was held at Stokesley in Francis Rowntree's house with a congregation of 30 or 40 persons. (It also reports Anabaptist Conventicle at the house of Henry Rowntree of Stokesley.)
Francis is also recorded as a member of Stokesley Meeting in 1668. The births of his eldest two children, 1654 and 1658, respectively, are entered in the Church Register, while the names of his six younger children appear in the Quaker records. (Mary, the daughter born in 1658, married a Quaker).
William Rowntree of Great Busby, who died in 1680, has already been mentioned as having joined Quakers. He was buried in 'Francis Rowntree's ground near Stokesley'. His son, John, (the Mariner) married in a meeting at Roxby, 1711, had two children, one of whom was names Peregrine Rowntree.
Neither in Church nor Quaker Registers is there any subsequent mention of the children of Francis or William Rowntree, and the name would have died out, so far as the Society of Friends is concerned, had not another William Rowntree joined the Society about 1750. A 'tradition', fabricated some 70 or 80 years ago [this text was written in 1940], suggested that he was turned out of his father's house for becoming a Quaker. But this would have been scarcely possible, seeing that he was only nine years of age when his father died, and only 11 upon the death, in 1738, of his grandfather, who made him his heir.
William Rowntree married and settled at a farm known as Riseborough, near Pickering; but his ancestors lived at Easby, near Stokesley. His great-great-grandfather, Peter Rowntree, of Easby, was born in Queen Elizabeth's reign, and he is the earliest ancestor from whom we can trace our descent. He was a Yeoman Farmer. He was married to Phyllis Wright at Stokesley Church in 1614; there also were his children, Henry and William, baptised, and he himself was buried at Stokesley in 1620. The only other fact that we know about him is that his name was on the Jury panel for Hutton Rudby. So far as the date is concerned, his son Henry might have been the one in whose house the Anabaptist conventicle was held in 1669; but this is mere conjecture. Peter's Grandson John (1664-1738), was the grandfather of William Rowntree of Riseborough. The Father of William of RIseborough is described as a Fuller, but the Grandfather was a Yeoman farmer.
'1700 - July 19. At Leeds sessions and we dined that day at Mr. Rontre the Mayors in Boar Lane'.
The 220 Rowntree entries in the Stokesley Parish Registers between 1573 and 1749 give the occupation of only 10 individuals, and that during a short period only (1718-38). Matthew was a Tailor, James a Sailor, John and Christopher Shoemakers, William a Fuller, and the other five were Yeoman or Farmers.
The first Quaker Rowntree was Francis, of Stokesley who beacmee a member of the society between 1650 and 1660, as recorded in The First Publishers of Truth:-
'John Whitehead was instrumental to gather and settle meetings, for he declared ye Truth through their Markets, and many believed . . . at Guisborough . . . (including) ffrancis Rountree.'
An Episcopal Return of 1669 reports that a Quaker Conventicle was held at Stokesley in Francis Rowntree's house with a congregation of 30 or 40 persons. (It also reports Anabaptist Conventicle at the house of Henry Rowntree of Stokesley.)
Francis is also recorded as a member of Stokesley Meeting in 1668. The births of his eldest two children, 1654 and 1658, respectively, are entered in the Church Register, while the names of his six younger children appear in the Quaker records. (Mary, the daughter born in 1658, married a Quaker).
William Rowntree of Great Busby, who died in 1680, has already been mentioned as having joined Quakers. He was buried in 'Francis Rowntree's ground near Stokesley'. His son, John, (the Mariner) married in a meeting at Roxby, 1711, had two children, one of whom was names Peregrine Rowntree.
Neither in Church nor Quaker Registers is there any subsequent mention of the children of Francis or William Rowntree, and the name would have died out, so far as the Society of Friends is concerned, had not another William Rowntree joined the Society about 1750. A 'tradition', fabricated some 70 or 80 years ago [this text was written in 1940], suggested that he was turned out of his father's house for becoming a Quaker. But this would have been scarcely possible, seeing that he was only nine years of age when his father died, and only 11 upon the death, in 1738, of his grandfather, who made him his heir.
William Rowntree married and settled at a farm known as Riseborough, near Pickering; but his ancestors lived at Easby, near Stokesley. His great-great-grandfather, Peter Rowntree, of Easby, was born in Queen Elizabeth's reign, and he is the earliest ancestor from whom we can trace our descent. He was a Yeoman Farmer. He was married to Phyllis Wright at Stokesley Church in 1614; there also were his children, Henry and William, baptised, and he himself was buried at Stokesley in 1620. The only other fact that we know about him is that his name was on the Jury panel for Hutton Rudby. So far as the date is concerned, his son Henry might have been the one in whose house the Anabaptist conventicle was held in 1669; but this is mere conjecture. Peter's Grandson John (1664-1738), was the grandfather of William Rowntree of Riseborough. The Father of William of RIseborough is described as a Fuller, but the Grandfather was a Yeoman farmer.
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William's brother, John a Mariner, also became a Quaker as perhaps did his sister, Anne - at any rate this is suggested by her married name, Todd. It is a name that appears on various occasions in 'Besse's Sufferings of the Early Quakers' in connection with the Cleveland district of Yorkshire.
William married Hannah Hebron anf had four sons and four daughters who grew up and married, as well as a son who died in infancy. Their descendants are numberes by the hundered and are to be found to-day in America, Asia, South Africa and Australasia, as well as in the British Isles.
A Later tenant of Riseborough describes the house as standing 'on the summit of a lofty, oblong shaped hill, well studded with trees, from which it has a commanding position; cheerful old place, well open to view, looking boldly over its own lands . . . Tradition says it was built 800 years ago by the monks. The massive structure of the outer walls, their great width, built of stone in solid masonry and carried to a great height, the stone mullioned windows, long winding passages and quaint old staircases, fine old oak wainscoating and carving, numerous rooms and attics, speak of an age of architecture long gone'. (Memoir of Joseph Smith, of South Holme)
William Rowntree makes no mentio in his Will, of Riseborough, which he apparently rented. (his second son, William, carried on the tenancy; the eldest son, John, had commenced business in Scarborough.) But he had various properties in Pickering - some of which he bequeathed to his wife; one to his son, Joseph; one to his daughters, Hannah and Elizabeth; and another to his sons, William and Robert. In addition he divided nearly £3,000 amongst his children and grandchildren, and including an annuity of £5 for his brother, John, and five shillings to his sister, Ann Todd.
The son, William (1768-1832, left Riseborough for Settrington, near Malton, in 1831, having found the responsibility of the Riseborough farm heavier than his health could stand. In a letter to one of his sisters, he describes the removal of 36 wagon loads of furniture and effects, in addition to sheep, pigs, cattle and horses. His son, Richardson Rowntree, though born at Riseborough, went to Kirkstall, near Leeds, and there set up as a Porter merchant. But he relinquished the business in early life because of his Temperance convictions, and returned to Riseborough, whence he accompanied his father to Settrington and, on the latter's death in 1832 he took over the farm. His older brothers had become Millers, Isaac at Manningham, William at Kirkstall.
The four daughters of William and Hannah Rowntree were all married:-Mary (1759-96) to Richard Leaver, Grocer of Mansfield; Jane (1765-1837 to Daniel Doncaster, file Maker os Sheffield; Hannah (1761-1833 to Richard Walton, pin Maker of Sheffield; and Elizabeth (1763-1836) to David Priestman, Tanner of Malton. Hannah and Elizabeth had no family. Jane Doncaster was 'acknowledged as a Minister' in the Society of Friends in 1805.
The son Joseph (1774-1811), apparently had two mills at Pickering - one of them a Paper Mill. But some time after his early death, at the age of 37, the mills were sold. His sons, Robert and Joseph, were Millers at Thornton, near Pickering; neither were married. His remaining son, William, removed to Scarborough, where he founded the Drapery business from which the firm Messrs. W. Rowntree & Sons has developed.
The son, Robert (1778-1830), was a miller at Hull. One of his sons, Edward Casson Rowntree went to Australia, Henry, went to America.
William married Hannah Hebron anf had four sons and four daughters who grew up and married, as well as a son who died in infancy. Their descendants are numberes by the hundered and are to be found to-day in America, Asia, South Africa and Australasia, as well as in the British Isles.
A Later tenant of Riseborough describes the house as standing 'on the summit of a lofty, oblong shaped hill, well studded with trees, from which it has a commanding position; cheerful old place, well open to view, looking boldly over its own lands . . . Tradition says it was built 800 years ago by the monks. The massive structure of the outer walls, their great width, built of stone in solid masonry and carried to a great height, the stone mullioned windows, long winding passages and quaint old staircases, fine old oak wainscoating and carving, numerous rooms and attics, speak of an age of architecture long gone'. (Memoir of Joseph Smith, of South Holme)
William Rowntree makes no mentio in his Will, of Riseborough, which he apparently rented. (his second son, William, carried on the tenancy; the eldest son, John, had commenced business in Scarborough.) But he had various properties in Pickering - some of which he bequeathed to his wife; one to his son, Joseph; one to his daughters, Hannah and Elizabeth; and another to his sons, William and Robert. In addition he divided nearly £3,000 amongst his children and grandchildren, and including an annuity of £5 for his brother, John, and five shillings to his sister, Ann Todd.
The son, William (1768-1832, left Riseborough for Settrington, near Malton, in 1831, having found the responsibility of the Riseborough farm heavier than his health could stand. In a letter to one of his sisters, he describes the removal of 36 wagon loads of furniture and effects, in addition to sheep, pigs, cattle and horses. His son, Richardson Rowntree, though born at Riseborough, went to Kirkstall, near Leeds, and there set up as a Porter merchant. But he relinquished the business in early life because of his Temperance convictions, and returned to Riseborough, whence he accompanied his father to Settrington and, on the latter's death in 1832 he took over the farm. His older brothers had become Millers, Isaac at Manningham, William at Kirkstall.
The four daughters of William and Hannah Rowntree were all married:-Mary (1759-96) to Richard Leaver, Grocer of Mansfield; Jane (1765-1837 to Daniel Doncaster, file Maker os Sheffield; Hannah (1761-1833 to Richard Walton, pin Maker of Sheffield; and Elizabeth (1763-1836) to David Priestman, Tanner of Malton. Hannah and Elizabeth had no family. Jane Doncaster was 'acknowledged as a Minister' in the Society of Friends in 1805.
The son Joseph (1774-1811), apparently had two mills at Pickering - one of them a Paper Mill. But some time after his early death, at the age of 37, the mills were sold. His sons, Robert and Joseph, were Millers at Thornton, near Pickering; neither were married. His remaining son, William, removed to Scarborough, where he founded the Drapery business from which the firm Messrs. W. Rowntree & Sons has developed.
The son, Robert (1778-1830), was a miller at Hull. One of his sons, Edward Casson Rowntree went to Australia, Henry, went to America.
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The eldest son, John (1757-1827), had three sons, viz.: William, a Miller at Gateshead; John, who followed his father as a Grocer at Scarborough; and Joseph, who commenced the Grocery business at Pavement, York. It was this Joseph Rowntree who, in 1858, after an unambiguous election to the Lord Mayoralty of York, felt obliged to refuse to serve in that office, because he 'could not as Chief Magistrate conscientiously take or administer as oath'. But he said he would willingly pay the £100 fine as the penalty for non-acceptance.
In appearance the typical Rowntree of the descendants of William and Hannah Rowntree of Riseborough's children was somwhat short in stature, with a tendancy to a stocky build, ass will be seen in some of the accompanying portraits. But this does not hold in the case of the descendants of their second son, William, who have often been taller; his son Isaac (1796-1866), for instance, being six feet four inches in height, and another son, Richardson, being six feet five inches.
It would be difficult to describe in a few words the personal characteristics of the typical Rowntree, but perhaps these might be said to include independence of judgement and a strong desire for the triumph of truth and justice as seen by the eyes of the Rowntree concerned. In some instances a certain charm of manner is apparent, but in others this charm tends to be obscured by an inability to suffer fools gladly. Of course unsympathetic critics might refer to our obstinacy and rather harsh judgement of those who hold views differing from our own. In this connection the older, at any rate, amongst us will be able to appreciate a letter written by Henry Isaac Rowntree of York (brother of John Stephenson and Joseph) on the occasion of the birth of Allan Rowntree's son, Claude.
13, iv, 1882
Dear Claude,
Please excuse my not writing before . . . Well, how does thou like this world so far as thou has seen it? On the whole thou will find a good deal that is nice in it. What does thou think to thy father and mother? I was pleassed with thee for selecting them as thy parents and thought it did credit to thy judgement. From thy mother thou will inherit sweetness and light, from thy father numerous other good qualities, whilst as a Rowntree thou will doubtless come in for a full share of the family gifts and graces.
As thou are but young yet, I may tell thee in confidence what very possibly thou might not hear from outsiders, that some of the more striking of these are Humility, Self-abnegation, a willingness to be guided by others, Reticence, Suavity of manner, and an entire absence of a critical or satirical spirit. Seeing then, dear child, that thou has all these advantages, see that thou walk worthy of them, especially don't keep thy mother awake at nights. Hate alcoholism, toryism, priestcraft and all other concrete forms of sin. . .
Accept the united love of my wife and myself and believe me, dear Claude, to be now and ever (unless thou turned tory),
Thy affectionate cousin,
H. I. Rowntree "
In appearance the typical Rowntree of the descendants of William and Hannah Rowntree of Riseborough's children was somwhat short in stature, with a tendancy to a stocky build, ass will be seen in some of the accompanying portraits. But this does not hold in the case of the descendants of their second son, William, who have often been taller; his son Isaac (1796-1866), for instance, being six feet four inches in height, and another son, Richardson, being six feet five inches.
It would be difficult to describe in a few words the personal characteristics of the typical Rowntree, but perhaps these might be said to include independence of judgement and a strong desire for the triumph of truth and justice as seen by the eyes of the Rowntree concerned. In some instances a certain charm of manner is apparent, but in others this charm tends to be obscured by an inability to suffer fools gladly. Of course unsympathetic critics might refer to our obstinacy and rather harsh judgement of those who hold views differing from our own. In this connection the older, at any rate, amongst us will be able to appreciate a letter written by Henry Isaac Rowntree of York (brother of John Stephenson and Joseph) on the occasion of the birth of Allan Rowntree's son, Claude.
13, iv, 1882
Dear Claude,
Please excuse my not writing before . . . Well, how does thou like this world so far as thou has seen it? On the whole thou will find a good deal that is nice in it. What does thou think to thy father and mother? I was pleassed with thee for selecting them as thy parents and thought it did credit to thy judgement. From thy mother thou will inherit sweetness and light, from thy father numerous other good qualities, whilst as a Rowntree thou will doubtless come in for a full share of the family gifts and graces.
As thou are but young yet, I may tell thee in confidence what very possibly thou might not hear from outsiders, that some of the more striking of these are Humility, Self-abnegation, a willingness to be guided by others, Reticence, Suavity of manner, and an entire absence of a critical or satirical spirit. Seeing then, dear child, that thou has all these advantages, see that thou walk worthy of them, especially don't keep thy mother awake at nights. Hate alcoholism, toryism, priestcraft and all other concrete forms of sin. . .
Accept the united love of my wife and myself and believe me, dear Claude, to be now and ever (unless thou turned tory),
Thy affectionate cousin,
H. I. Rowntree "
