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MATHIAS WILSON (1582-1656).
Mostly, when thinking of Pegswood, we think that it has no history
beyond that of the coalmine. However, this is not a true perspective. Every place
has its history and Pegswood is certainly no exception. Also, like other
places, it has people of note who were born and brought up or associated with
the community. One of those men was Mathias Wilson, Provincial and upholder of
the Catholic Faith in England.
Both
Hodgson and Honeyman acknowledge Pegswood as the birthplace of Mathias Wilson.
Hodgson states; ‘Pegsworth is remarkable for being the birthplace of Mathias
Wilson ‘. Although Pegswood is the accepted birthplace of Mathias Wilson, it is
not known exactly where in Pegswood that he was born. Even Hodgson states that
it could be Old Moor, formerly called Auld Moor and earlier, Pendmoor, now part
of Longhirst but then part of Pegswood Township. The Wilson family being a well
established Pegswood family during this period. A Dionese Wilson lived in
Pegswood in the early 1600s. His wife died there aged 22 and she is
commemorated on a plaque mounted in the nave of Bothal Church. Written in
Latin, it translates as:
Beneath her lies Anna, the wife of Dionisus
Wilson, who while she lived showed as much
Piety of life as probity of morals, and was
Not outshone by anyone of the same rank
Breathing her last breath, with her hands
Stretched out and with her eyes raised
She calmly commended her soul into the
Hands of God on the 2nd April 1612
aged 22
John Wilson of Old Moor passed a small package of land to Dionese Wilson by messuage, it comprised of a dwelling house with outbuildings. At a later date these were passed on to Catherine Wilson of Pegsworth. Catherine Wilson has been described as an ‘heiress’ as well as a woman ‘of great fortune’. The Wilson family of Pegswood, therefore, was a family of means that cannot be denied. During this period in Pegswood, there were little more than seven houses and a handful of farms. It is doubtful, therefore, if there was more than one family of means by the name Wilson in so small a hamlet.
Of Mathias Wilson there is little known especially of his early years. All that is known for sure is that he must have come from a family of means who could afford his education for, education he had maybe to the level of University education. As an early adult he had joined the Society of Jesus. He later traveled to Rome and while there taught divinity with such panache that he was to make quite a name for himself.
Back in England he was to clash heavily with the notables among the Protestant faith. Among them Ralph Cudworth (1617-1688), English theologian and philosopher and one-time master of Christ’s College, Cambridge. Anti Catholic feeling in England led to Mathis Wilson using the name of Edward Knott and, on occasion, Nicholas Smith, for his writings. He is often referred to as Edward Knott alias Mathias Wilson, Catholic controversialist as well as Father Knott. One Catholic Priest wrote a book called, ‘A Treatise of the Hierarchie’(sic) in 1629. This prompted retaliation from Mathias Wilson. The controversial literary debate was only brought to an end by direct intervention of Pope Arban VIII when he impressed a ‘silence’ on the pair.
The writings of Mathias Wilson prompted William Chillingworth (1602-1644) debater and philosopher of Oxford to write, ‘The Religion of Protestants A Safe Salvation’, part of a long drawn out debate with Mathias Wilson (Edward Knott). Among the articles written by Mathias Wilson under the name Edward Knott were, ‘ Charity Mistaken’ 1630, ‘Charity Maintained By Catholics Against Dr Potter’ 1634, ‘Infidelity Unmasked’ 1652 part of a debate against the Protestant thinking of Chillingworth.
Mathias Wilson was certainly known as Father Knott when, on October 4th 1644 he wrote from Ghent to a father Miso – agent to the Provincial. In later years, Mathias Wilson rose to be Provincial of the Catholic Faith in England. His last resting place appears to be unknown. However, from Pegswood to Provincial of England is quite a large step and Mathias Wilson deserves his niche in the history of his native village if not his County as well as his Country.
JOHN HORSLEY (1685-1732)
Also thought to have been born at Pegswood was John Horsley distinguished Antiquary, Natural Philosopher and preacher of the Presbyterian faith. However there is much debate over where John Horsley was born. Bearing such fame, everyone wants him to born in his or her area. David Boyd Haycock writing in the National Dictionary of Biography, 2004, states that John Horsley was born of unknown parentage in either 1685 or 1686. Alexander Gordon writing in 1891 states that John Horsley could have been the son of Charles Horsley of Newcastle or he could have been born at Pinkie House, Midlothian. At least one other writer states that John Horsley was born at Pinkie House stating as evidence that, although his name is not in any register, there is nothing to say he was not born there either.
John Cay of Edinburgh, a friend of John Horsley, was contacted by Hodgson to find any trace of John Horsley being born at Pinkie House. After much reading of all the available registers in and around the parishes in the vicinity of Pinkie House he had to admit there was no evidence of his birth there. Most historians use Hodgson, therefore, his knowledge is good enough for here.
It is thought that Mary Horsley was the mother of John Horsley. She was married to George Horsley of Milburn Grange near Ponteland. The Horsley’s of Milburn Grange were known Presbyterians in the area. George Horsley of Milburn Grange died leaving the express wish that he be buried in the orchard of Milburn Grange. In Hodgson’s time, his gravestone still stood in the orchard there. On December7th 1685, Mary Horsley applied for and obtained, a marriage license to marry Mr John Horsley. Gentleman of Pegsworth. The marriage taking place on June 18th 1686. Her eldest son, by her previous marriage, settled a sum of one hundred pounds on the couple to be paid annually from the Milburn Grange Estate. The marriage was to last twenty years until the death of Mary Horsley who was buried at Bothal, April 8th 1718.
John Horsley went on to be educated at Newcastle Grammar School and later, probably, at Edinburgh University. He is thought to have been licensed as a dissenting minister by 1709 when he was known to have been a minister at Morpeth as well as holding occasional duties at both Alnwick and Widderington. David Boyd Haycock also has him, as keeping an academy at Morpeth while Alexander Gordon states that this was another John Horsley.
John Horsley was to write, ‘The Britannia Romana’ also known as ‘The roman Antiquities Of Britain’. However, John Horsley failed to see his work published, the book not coming out until late in the year 1732. John Horsley was buried in St Mary’s Churchyard, Morpeth, January 15 1732. No one knows exactly where he is buried within the churchyard, as his grave carries no marker stone. His friend, John Cay, said that if ever there was a stone it would probably, like many others, have found its way into the making of a path.
JOHN THOMPSON.
John Thompson B.A. became Curate of Bothal, December 25 1647. While rector of the parish of Bothal he was also responsible for Hebron and Sheepwash. However, he was described in the parish records as an ‘intruder’. He was, in effect, a nonconformist. He later married Catherine Wilson, an heiress, of Pegswood the marriage taking place c 1650. With the Restoration of 1662, the King had promised that nonconformists would not be affected for their views. However, in effect, this did not happen. Along with many nonconformists throughout the country, John Thompson was removed for his office of Curate of Bothal. In the words of the time he: ‘…was cast out of the parsonage of Bottle, and preacht to the plain country people until he came to Newcastle.’
John Thompson had kept a coach, a status symbol, so that he could travel around his parish. After being forced out of office he was allowed to keep his coach. As he still remained in Pegswood, this allowed him to carry on preaching to his flock. However, his main employment was landowner and farmer. In March of 1666, along with other ‘rogue’ ministers, he was obliged to sign a declaration stating that he would not bear arms against the King.
However, to a minister, preaching is bearing arms and old habits and ideals die-hard. John Thompson still preached to his local flock, therefore, bearing his arms against the King as he continued to preach his nonconformist views. He was; ‘…taken in the Bishopric and imprisoned in the common gaol at Durham for his nonconformity.’ It was while in Durham gaol that he contacted a form of palsy from which he later died. He was described as, a man of learning, a man of peace, and an excellent preacher.
WILLIAM JOHN CAVENDISH SCOTT BENINCK. (1800 – 1879)
No account of Pegswood can be complete without an account of the life of the Fifth Duke of Portland. Much has been written about his eccentricities, most of it unproved, however it has passed into history as fact.
William John Cavendish Bentinck was born in London, September 17 1800. At a later date he added the name Scott by royal licence. Known as Lord John Bentinck, he joined the Army in 1818 and became a Lieutenant and later, Captain in the Grenadier Guards, leaving the Army in 1826. On the death of his elder brother, Fourth Duke, he succeeded as the Fifth Duke of Portland, March 27 1854. However, he failed to take his oaths in the House of Lords until June 5 1857. He also became Deputy Lieutenant for Nottinghamshire, Marquess of Titchfield and Tory MP for Kings Lynn.
He was not known in the Houses of Parliament as a great debater appearing to prefer to work on his own estate of Welbeck Abbey, in particular the grounds and gardens. He was known to have courted singer Adelaide Kemble However, the stories that state he turned to being a recluse because of rejection by this woman remain unfounded.
A number of tunnels were reported to have been excavated under Welbeck supposedly, for the benefit of keeping the Dukes life as secret as possible. Many of these underground workings were still unfinished at the time of his death. Among them were a chapel and a ballroom. The latter being the largest in Europe, at the time, without supporting pillars. A tunnel was also built from under Welbeck to allow the Duke to travel to the station in privacy. Tunnel mouth, ballroom and many others of the Fifth Dukes engineering feats still survive.
Much of stories that have risen about the Fifth Dukes eccentricity derive from the publication of his memoirs after his death, in particular those of relative, Lady Ottoline Morrell. The fifth Duke died at Harcourt House, Welbeck Square, London, December 6 1879 and was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery, London, ‘with the utmost simplicity.’ It was under the Fifth Duke, that the last colliery was built at Pegswood along with the first of the miners’ rows.
SQUADRON LEADER JOH SAMPLE DFC. RAF.
John Sample was not a Pegswood man. However, if Morpeth can lay claim to Suffragette Emily Wilding Davison, born in London, as their favourite daughter. And Admiral Collinwood, born in Newcastle, as their favourite son, then Pegswood can lay claim to John Sample.
John Sample was born, in early 1913, being baptized in Longhirst church, February 27 1913. He was the first son of Thomas Norman, a shipbuilder and hid wife Kate Isabel Sample and was born at the family home of Longhirst Grange, a half mile from Pegswood’s northern boundary. Schooling appears to have been carried out by private tutorage until old enough to attend Aysgarth School in northwest Yorkshire. Later John was to train as a land agent and took up a position with his uncle, William Collings Sample, becoming joint agent for the Duke of Portland, working from Bothal Castle.
Like many like minded, John Sample joined the newly formed Auxiliary Air Force, becoming the fifth person to join 607 (County Of Durham) Auxiliary Squadron in 1934. He was to become a Flight Commander, leading ‘B’ Flight, in 1939 and almost became the pilot who destroyed the first enemy aircraft since the First World War, when he led a section against a Dornier Do 18, some fifty miles from the Northumberland coast, October 17 1939.
He was later the fly with 607 Squadron during the battle of France, where he was forced to take to his parachute after action against a Heinkel HE 111. Suffering slight injury, he was to take command of 607 Squadron in its last days in France after a succession of commanders had been shot down.
John Sample took command of 504 (County of Nottingham) Squadron in June of 1940. He was awarded the DFC, for valour in France, June 1940. He led 504 Squadron firstly from Wick, Scotland then later, in the thick of the Battle of Britain during September 1940. Taken off flying in early 1941 he acted as controller from Group. He returned to flying in September 1941 when he took command of the newly formed 137 Squadron at Charmy Down, near Bath. John Sample was killed in an air accident, October 28 1941. He was buried in the family plot in Bothal Churchyard, November 3 1941.