John (“Johnny”, “Old Farndale of Kilton”) Farndale

28 February 1724 (baptised) to 24 January 1807

We might imagined how he might have looked

The Kilton 1 Line

“when you are gone there will never be such another Johnny Farndale”

FAR00143

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“Old Farndale of Kilton”

Farmer, Alum House merchant, Yeoman and Cooper

The Story of Johnny Farndale is told as part of the Farndale Story. This page provides the more detailed research notes.

Headlines of Johnny’s life are in brown.

Dates are in red.

Hyperlinks to other pages are in dark blue.

References and citations are in turquoise.

Context and local history are in purple.

1724

John Farndale was baptised at Brotton on 28 February 1724, the son of John and Elizabeth Farndale (FAR00116)(BMD).

1750

John Farndale married Grace Simpson at Brotton on 16 April 1750. He was 25 and she was 23 when they married.

Grace Simpson was the daughter of John Simpson (1696 to 1782) and Katherine Hogston (born 1705) and she was born in Brotton Parish on 12 May 1727. Her grandparents were Thomas Simpson (born 1662) and Ann Sipling (born 1670), who had married in Brotton themselves on 4 December 1694. Her great grandparents were Thomas and Jose Simpson who had married in Brotton on 8 June 1659.

John Farndale, son of John and Grace Farndale, was baptised at Brotton on 24 March 1750 (FAR00167) (Brotton PR).

1753

George Farndale, son of John and Grace Farndale, was baptised at Brotton on 13 May 1753 (FAR00170) (Brotton PR).

1755

Hannah Farndale, daughter of John and Grace Farndale, was baptised at Brotton on 17 September 1755 (FAR00174) (Brotton PR).

Elizabeth Farndale, daughter of John and Grace Farndale, was baptised at Brotton on 17 September 1755 (FAR00175) (Brotton PR).

1758

Sarah Farndale, daughter of John and Grace Farndale, was baptised at Brotton on 21 January 1758 (FAR00178) (Brotton PR).

1760

William Farndale, son of John and Grace Farndale, was baptised at Brotton on 20 March 1760 (FAR00183) (Brotton PR).

1761

Mary Farndale, daughter of John and Grace Farndale, was baptised at Brotton on 26 April 1761 (FAR00185) (Brotton PR).

1764

Grace Farndale, daughter of John and Grace Farndale, was baptised at Brotton on 2 December 1764. (FAR00189) (Brotton PR).

1773

Tithe Records:

John Farndale is shown as tenant of Cragg Farm on the Wharton Estate of 31 acres in 1773 for which he paid rent of £26 (17s an acre).

So this is a further association with Craggs Farm – see also the Craggs Line. His elder brother William Farndale (FAR00130) had been described as a farmer of Craggs when he died in 1789, so perhaps William had taken the original tenancy there, and Johnny had then taken on the tenany from about 1773.

John became a tenant farmer at Kilton and became known as ‘Old Farndale of Kilton’.

In His Grandson’s Booklets, ‘A Guide to Saltburn By The Sea’ John Farndale, his Grandson wrote

My Grandfather, who was a Kiltonian, employed many men at his alum house, and many a merry tale have I heard him tell of smugglers and their daring adventures and hair breadth escapes.

Our association with the smugglers of Cat Nab at Old Saltburn.

1775

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1775………………….£1 2s 0d (Brotton Church Rates)

1776

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1776………………….£1 2s 0d (Brotton Church Rates)

1778

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1778………………….£3 3s 0d (Brotton Church Rates)

1779

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1779………………….£1 11s 0d* (Brotton Church Rates)

John Farndale ran this account and presented it in 1779. In 1784, 1789, 1791, 1792, 1795, 1796, 1797 & 1802 he was one of those approving the account

1780

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1780………………………2s 2d (Brotton Church Rates)

1781

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1781………………….£4 5s 0d (Brotton Church Rates)

1782

In the Land tax Assessments for Kilton the owner of the Wharton Estate is Miss Waugh and it shows John Farndil paying £3 4s 0d in 1782, 83 and 84 and £5 3s 4d in 1785 (Land Tax Returns).

1783

Grace Farndale, wife of John Farndale of Kilton, cooper was buried at Brotton on 5 May 1783. She was aged 56. He gravestone recorded that she died on 5 May 1789. However all the records evidence that she died on 5 May 1783. Her birth records show that she was born in 1727 and the gravestone confirms her age as 56 at the date of her death which supports her lifespan from 1727 to 1783. So for some reason the carving on the gravestone was wrong.

It seems extraordinary that if she died in 1783, her gravestone recorded that she had died in 1789. However her name was added retrospectively to the gravestone after John, who died much later in 1807, so it was actually carved twenty four years after her death, which might explain how a mistake was made.

1784

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1784………………….£6 9s 1d (Brotton Church Rates)

1785

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1785…………………… 4s 10d (Brotton Church Rates)

1786

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1786…….two payments..10s 8d (Brotton Church Rates)

1787

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1787……………………..10s 3d (Brotton Church Rates)

In 1787 he was paid 15s for going to Hutton Buschell

1788

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1788………………………6s 11d (Brotton Church Rates)

1789

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1789………………………3s 9d (Brotton Church Rates)

1790

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1790……………………..18s 5d (Brotton Church Rates)

In his booklet , The History of Kilton’ John Farndale his Grandson wrote

I see in the book recorded and registered in olden time, the names of farmers who once occupied this great farm [at Kilton] – R and W Jolly, M Young, R Mitchell; W Wood, J Harland, T Toas, J Readman, J Farndale (FAR00143), S Farndale [could this be Samuel Farndale, FAR00149?], J and W Farndale [Perhaps the brothers John Farndale FAR00167, and William Farndale, FAR00183], all these tenants once occupied this great farm; now blended into one. I remember what a muster at the Kilton rent days, twice a year, when dinner was provided for a quarter of a hundred tenants, Brotton, Moorsholm, Stanghoe, those paid their rents at Kilton; and were indeed belonging to the Kilton Court, kept here also, and the old matron proudly provided a rich plum pudding and roast beef; and the steward also a jolly punch bowl, for it was a pleasure to him to take the rents at Kilton, the day before Skelton rent day. The steward always called old J Farndale to the vice-chair, he being old, and the oldest tenant. Farndale’s was the most numerous family, and had lived on the estate for many ages. Kilton had many mechanics, and here we had a public house, a meeting house, two lodging houses, and a school house, to learn our ABCs, from which sprang two eminent school masters, who became extremely popular; we had a butcher’s shop, we had a London tailor and is apprentice, and eight other apprentices more; we had a rag merchant and a shop which sold song books, pins, needles, tape and thread; we had five sailors, two soldiers, two missionaries, besides a number of old people, aged 80, 90 and 100 years. But last, not least, Wm Tulley Esq., who took so much interest in the old castle – planted its orchard, bowling green, and made fish ponds, which were fed by a reservoir near the Park House, Kiltonthorpe, Kilton Lodge, together with all these improvements around the castle, which are now no more.

In the history of France, the First Republic was founded on 22 September 1792 during the French Revolution. The First Republic lasted until the declaration of the First Empire in 1804 under Napoleon, although the form of the government changed several times. This period was characterized by the fall of the monarchy, the establishment of the National Convention and the Reign of Terror, the Thermidorian Reaction and the founding of the Directory, and, finally, the creation of the Consulate and Napoleon's rise to power.

Then passing down Cattersty Creak, where many a cargo of smuggled goods have been delivered here, is a very choice place. The last I remember in this place is that Tom Webster strangled himself by carrying gin tubs round is neck. Once more I stand on Skinningrove duffy sands, where I have seen it crowded with wood and corf rods for the North by the said Wm and John Farndale. But what crowds of horses, men, and waggons, when the gin ship appeared in view. Our friends had no dealings with those Samaritan gin runners, yet they had great dealings at Skinningrove seaport, both in export and import, as well as supplying the hall of F Easterby Esq., with corn, wheat, oats, beans, butter, cheese, hams, potatoes &c, &c, and once, a year at Christmas – they balanced accounts, over a bottle of Hollands gin, and after eulogising each other, the squire would rise and say, “Johnny, when you are gone, there will never be such another Johnny Farndale”. Here lived the King’s officer, in the high season of gin running, but I knew of few captures; he wished to live and die in peace, and the revenue received little from his services. Near Skinnngrove are the Lofthouse iron mines, Messrs Pearse, lessees. Above is the grand iron bridge standing on twelve massive pillars, 178 feet high, which spans the cavern from the Kilton Estate to Liverton Estate, the first and grandest in all England. Lofthouse, and their long famed alum works, which has been the support of Lofthouse for ages gone, but now discontinued. How well I remember my school days when we faced all weather through Kilton Woods, and how I respected my masters – the Rev Wm Barrick, Mr Wm King, the great navigator, and Captain Napper, steward to the works. The popular Midsummer Lofthouse fair was the only fair we children were allowed to attend.

“Johnny,” said the Squire, balancing the books over a bottle of Holland’s Gin, “When you are gone, there will never be such another Johnny Farndale.”

1791

Johnny Farndale seems to have moved to How Hill Farm also on the Wharton Estate at Kilton on 1791. This was just over 83 acres for which he paid £66 9s 8d in 1791. (Tithe Returns)

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1791…………………..£5 8s 2d (Brotton Church Rates)

1792

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1792…………………..£3 5s 2d (Brotton Church Rates)

1793

 John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1793………………………3s 3d (Brotton Church Rates)

1794

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1794…………………..£3 3s 1d (Brotton Church Rates)

1795

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1795…………………..£3 3s 1d (Brotton Church Rates)

John Farndale, signed the Kilton Accounts for the Disbursement of money to the poor in 1795. He donated £3 7s 0d in 1798; £6 2s 11d in 1800; £11 14s 6d in 1801; £3 3s 4d in 1803; £3 3s 0d in 1804 (Brotton PR).

1796

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1796………………………3s 4d (Brotton Church Rates)

John Farndale, signed the Kilton Overseers Accounts in 1796, 1797, 1798, 1800 and 1802. (He was paid 2s 6d in 1802)

1797

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1797………………………6s 1d (Brotton Church Rates)

1798

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1798………………………3s 4d (Brotton Church Rates)

1799

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1799………………………3s 4d (Brotton Church Rates)

1800

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1800………………………3s 3d (Brotton Church Rates)

1801

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1801………………………? ? (Brotton Church Rates)

Under the terms of the Defence Act of 1801 Parish Constables were required to put in returns showing what could be contributed to help in the defence of the Realm in the event of a French attack. Schedule 1 listed men between 15 and 60 who could fight; Schedule 2 listed equipment and schedule 3 listed those who could help in some other way. John Farndale Senior (FAR00143) of Kilton is listed as being able to provide; 2 oxen; 11 cows; 11 young cattle and colts; 32 sheep and goats; 9 pigs; 1 riding horse; 4 draft horses; 2 wagons; 2 carts; 26 qtrs of wheat; 48 qtrs of oats; 2 qtrs of barley; 10 qtrs of beans and peas; 19 loads of hay; 25 loads of straw; 20 sacks of potatoes. (Brotton PR, Muster Rolls Cleveland).

1802

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1802………………………6s 7d (Brotton Church Rates)

1803

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1803………………………5s 9d (Brotton Church Rates)

1804

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1804 with Will’m Farndale 6s 3d (Brotton Church Rates)

1805

John Farndale, paid Church Rates at Kilton at the rate of 2d in the £ and 4d per house. In 1805 with Will’m Farndale 9s 5d. (Brotton Church Rates) This was his last payment.

1807

John Farndale, of Kilton Thorpe was buried in Brotton Old Churchyard on 27 January 1807. He was aged 83. He had lived for 18 years after the death of his wife and outlived four of his eight children.

His Memorial Stands in Old Brotton Churchyard: “Erected to the Memory of John Farndale who died 24th January 1807 aged 83 years. Also Grace his wife who died 3rd May 1789 aged 56 years.”

John Farndale’s gravestone in Brotton (photographs taken by Richard Farndale in 2016):

The Will of John Farndale read:

“In the Name of God Amen. I John Farndale, of Kilton in the County of York, yeoman, being weak in body but of sound disposition, memory and understanding, do this day, the twenty second day of January in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seven, make, publish and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in the manner following.

First, I give and bequeath unto my son John Farndale the sum of Thirteen pounds: also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Grace Francis, the wife of William Francis, the sum of Thirteen pounds: also I give and bequeath unto my said daughter Mary Franklin the sum of Thirteen pounds: and all the above said legacies shall be paid at the end of twelve months next after my decease.

All the rest, residue and remainder of my money, goods, chattels and personal estate whatsoever as I may die possessed of after my just debts and funeral expenses are discharged, I give and bequeath unto my son William Farndale whom I likewise make and appoint my said son William Farndale sole executor of this my Last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have to this Last Will and Testament set my hand and seal the day and year first above written.

Signed by John Farndale

Witnesses, William King, Ralph Newbigin

(Brotton PR, Memorial Records, Yorkshire Wills)

John Farndale of Kilton - August 1807, Skelton, Will, (Borthwick Institute, Document reference vol.151, f.465, Index reference 1804011809050097.tif/22, Record set Prerogative & Exchequer Courts Of York Probate Index, 1688-1858).