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Ann Walker Stansfeld (née Sutherland)
Ann Walker Stansfeld (née Sutherland) was Ann Walker’s niece, Elizabeth & George’s youngest daughter. She signed her name as Annie in letters and was identified as such in some other documents. So, I will be referring to her as Annie in this blog. Early Years Ann Walker Sutherland was the 6th child of Capt. George M and Elizabeth Sutherland (née Walker), was born on 17 September 1837 and baptized the following month in Scotland.1 Anne Lister first mentioned her in her diary entry of 1st October 1837, when Ann Walker received a letter from her sister Elizabeth announcing her birth: “…dinner at 6 ¾ – coffee read the newspaper –…
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Robert Parker, Esq
Robert Parker (1798-1856) had a long and successful law practice in Halifax. This is an overview of his life and some of the clients he worked for. Early Years Robert Parker was the second son born in 1798 to Alexander North and Margaret (née Butler) Parker at Houghton Park, Lancashire England.1 His brother Alexr North Parker was born in 17952 and died in 1807.3 On 9th June 1815, at 17 years of age, Robert Parker became an articled clerk (an apprentice) to attorney Richard Nicholson of Ripon for five years. The document reads in part: “And during the same term the said Richard Nicholson is to teach and instruct the…
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My Dear Miss Walker
Many of us have wondered if Ann Walker maintained contact with any of Anne Lister’s friends after Anne’s death. We have three letters from Mrs Mary Jane (Marsh) Duffin to Ann, written in 1842. Mary Jane Duffin (née Marsh) was baptised in York in 1770. She was Mr William Duffin’s second wife, marrying him in 1826. William Duffin, who died in 1839, was Eliza Raine’s guardian and a friend of Anne Lister’s. Mary Jane Duffin died in 1855.1 Some readers of this blog will recognize Miss Marsh/Mrs Duffin from many of Anne Lister’s early diary entries. Anne, Ann & Mrs Duffin In Anne Lister’s diary entry for 25th April 1839,…
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Hipperholme Grammar School Clock & the Shibden Hall Connection
Did you know that Ann Walker & Anne Lister subscribed toward the Hipperholme Grammar School clock in 1835? According to Anne Lister’s diary entry of 31 July 1835, both women contributed to the new clock. “…then A- off to Cliff Hill – I wrote the last 2 lines of page 129, the whole of the last page and so far of this – then had Messrs. Charles Robinson and Henry to solicit subscriptions to the Hipperholm school clock – the trustees put down £10 and Mr Warburton £5 and A- desired that I should put down her name for £10 – I said I was glad they had gained her…
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Kirkstall Abbey
One of the best preserved 12th-century monastic sites in England. Visited by Ann Walker and Anne Lister in 1835. Gentleman Jack Anne, of course, describes the visit in her journal[1], mentioning that “A[nn] and he set off for the abbey about ¼ hour before me – I there at 10 55/..” (adding that “A[nn] & Mr B[rown] had not chosen their station“). Anne’s narration starts off with “Three very good kisses last night” – although actually, the day’s diary entry opens with “\5|4?” – “no kiss“. Anne also describes her route to the Abbey from their inn, the Star & Garter. It’s no longer an inn, but the building that…
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ANN’S LEGACY AUCTION
In order to raise money for Brighouse Central Foodbank for our annual fundraising to continue the legacy left in Ann Walker’s will, there are two unique items on auction. See the bottom of the blog for how the auction will run. ANNE LISTER QUILT This is a handmade quilt (with pole sleeve for wall hanging) called “Miss Lister of Shibden Hall” made in California by Gen McGarvey, a member of the Gentleman Jack fandom. It is 180cm x 180cm. This is an ideal gift for a fan of Anne Lister and Gentleman Jack. WALKER TAVERN “PUB SIGN” This is a professionally printed square sign (70cm x 70cm on 4mm Correx…
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The Inquisition of Ann Walker
By Ian Philp (Friends of St Matthew’s Churchyard) It is well known that Ann Walker was found to be of unsound mind in 1843. This short article looks only at who were the jurors at the hearing, and then what we know of how much it cost to look after her. The hearings were called “Inquisitions” meaning an enquiry, rather than an imitation of an earlier religious institution. The process began with a petition to the Lord High Chancellor. When this was granted, a jury would be required, and solicitors briefed. From records in West Yorkshire Archive Service, Calderdale, we do know Ann Walker attended the hearing , along with…
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William Priestley Letters
Believe me to be My dear Sir Your’s [sic] most truly W. Priestley . Reading someone’s letters cannot only bring them to life, but also shed light on their personality as well as their relationships with other people. We will look at some excerpts of letters, written by William Priestley, that span from 1823 to 1834. His letters are interesting to the reader because they are quite detailed, with a touch of gossip. William and his wife Eliza Priestley played a significant role in Gentleman Jack series one, which portrayed them as rushing to Scotland to rescue Ann Walker and bring her back to Halifax. That storyline was for drama…
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Politics in Gentleman Jack Season 2, Episode 5
By Bethany Drysdale For many American viewers watching episode 5, the subject of 1830s British politics might seem a bit overwhelming. It helps to understand what was happening within the political culture of the United Kingdom and how it compares to our own system in the United States. I will attempt to sort out some of the bigger ideas presented in the episode and explain them in their real life context. It is important to consider the time in which Anne Lister lived and worked. She was progressive in some ideas, but very conservative in others. This leads us, as viewers, to see a different perspective of her in the…
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John Walker Jnr (1804 – 1830)
By Caroline Maillard, Martin Walker & Deb Woolson Family John Walker Jnr was born to John Walker and Mary Edwards in 1804, while they were living at Cliffe Hill in Lightcliffe, and was the youngest of the five Walker children. His elder siblings were William (died at 21 days in 1798), Mary (died a teenager in 1815), Elizabeth (b.1801), and Ann (b. 1803). John was baptised on 28th November 1804 at St. Matthews Church.1 The Walker family’s wealth was derived from land ownership, marriage settlements and textile manufacturing. John Walker Snr had inherited land & money from his father, William Walker Snr, in 1786. In 1809, upon the death of…
