• Guest Blogs

    Ann Walker’s Coat of Arms – A Quest for Social Standing?

    By Lynn Shouls 25 February 2022 In 1832, when Ann Walker made a chance reacquaintance with neighbouring landowner Anne Lister, she was a single woman of considerable means. By that time, Anne had mingled with the aristocracy for several years, but had come to realise that she could not aspire to the riches or the status necessary to be fully accepted into their world (Whitbread 2020, 301). She decided that Ann Walker could fulfil her desires and financial aspirations, and began to court her that year. On Easter Sunday in March 1834, Ann and Anne took communion together in church to solemnise their commitment to one another.  In 1842, Ann…

  • Ann’s People

    Samuel Washington

    By Deb Woolson Early Years Samuel was born and baptized in 1797, the youngest of the five children of Esther (née Mann) and James Washington. The Washington family were tenants in a home owned by Ann’s grandfather William Walker, which would have then passed on to Ann’s uncle, and James was the bookkeeper for the Walker business per his death notice in 1839. Sam’s mother, Esther, died in 1842. In 1822, prior to his marriage, Sam was mentioned in the History, Directory & Gazetteer of County of York with his occupation being listed as schoolmaster & land surveyor.1 Where he was schoolmaster is unknown to date. Marriage Sam married Hannah…

  • Ann's Places

    The Piece Hall – Halifax Landmark

    A short blog on the events at the Piece Hall in Halifax and the connection to Ann Walker and Anne Lister. In 1779, the Piece Hall in Halifax was built on land donated by John Caygill, a wealthy merchant, replacing the original Cloth Hall of 1572. It was designed by Thomas Bradley with a large courtyard surrounded by over 315 small rooms on three sides, north, south and west. Due to the slope of the ground, there were three levels on the eastern side that taper to two levels to the west. Cloth piece trading, 30-yard length fabric, would take place every Saturday for two hours of each week. Ann…

  • Google Map of some addresses Ann Walker visited in London
    About Ann

    Ann Walker’s 5 Days In London

    By Diane Halford (Updated 18 July 2021 – Acre Lane relatives) This blog follows the footsteps of Ann Walker’s 5 days in London from 8th – 12th June 1834, finding out more about the places she visited, and what the buildings (if they still stand) look like in July 2021. You can read Ann’s entire diary entries at the Diary Comparison Portal 8th June 1834 “left at 1.10 [gap] arrived at 26 Dover St. ½ past 6 oclock could not be taken in –  rooms bespoken by Mrs. Hawkins at 13 Albemarle St. rooms up 3 flights of stairs at the rate of 7 guineas per week …” West Yorkshire…

  • Diary Comparison

    Wednesday 4th June 1834

    dearest very poorly. bad bilious headache. gave up lodgings left Mrs. Bewley’s 3.10 called at Dr. Belcombe’s, he, out of town. received sketching case from Mr. Browne, & proposal for 5 or 6 weeks sketching excursion by giving up convent – I declined it as not feasible this year  Left Kettle & stand at Cattle & Barber’s to be cleaned by them & sent to Dr. & Mrs. H[enry] Belcombe the following day. called at Mr. Duffin’s. Mrs. D[uffin] not at home. Left York 3.30 o’clock. At Tadcaster 4.30 forwarded by coach to Leeds a parcel to Miss Atkinson containing heads in wax of celebrated Personages. Ferrybridge 6.30   at…

  • About Ann

    Ann’s Education

    By Ivana Nika Twitter: @Ivana_Nika Blog: https://sex-lies-and-boiled-milk.tumblr.com/ Ann’s and Elizabeth’s Education Nothing is known of Ann Walker’s early education. By the time Ann and her siblings were born, their parents could have afforded to provide them with decent schooling opportunities. In 1809, when Ann was 6, her father John inherited a substantial sum of money from his older brother which improved his children’s prospects for life. The family moved to Crow Nest where Elizabeth, Ann and John (and their sister Mary born in 1799, died in 1815) spent their childhood. It is not known (yet) if Elizabeth and Ann attended any kind of school that existed in Halifax or surrounding areas…

  • Ann’s People

    Delia Elizabeth Rawson

    If you’ve watched Sally Wainwright’s television drama Gentleman Jack, Season 1, episode 3, you would have seen Delia and her mother, Elizabeth Rawson, call on Ann Walker at Crownest while Anne Lister was there. Here’s the transcription of Anne’s recollection of that visit. Anne Lister Diary 27 September 1832 off to Lidgate at 7 ½  - along the high road and at Lidgate at 8 – Miss Walker ready to see me, and breakfast almost immediately – sat talking about an hour over the breakfast table then adjourned to the other, and were just going out about 12 ½ when Mrs Stansfield and Miss Delia Rawson called (from Gledholt near…

  • Ann’s People

    Delia Priestley Edwards of Pye Nest

    By Caroline Maillard Image above from Historic EnglandDate: 1900 – 1934 Location: Pye Nest, Sowerby Bridge, CalderdaleReference: BB71/02769 Type: Photograph (Negative)https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/photos/item/BB71/02769 Birth and early Life Delia Priestley Edwards was born in Skircoat, West Yorkshire on 25th February, 1807. She was the eldest daughter of Henry Lees Edwards, a wealthy woollens manufacturer, and Lea Priestley (cousin of William Priestley). Delia and Ann Walker were first cousins; Ann’s mother Mary was the sister of Henry Lees Edwards.1 Henry Lees Edwards’ close connection to the Walker family resulted in his being named a joint trustee, along with William Priestley, of Ann Walker’s affairs after her brother John died.2 Delia had seven brothers and…

  • Ann’s People

    John Snaith Rymer

    A short biography of Ann Walker’s solicitor, John Snaith Rymer. By Ashleigh KobevkoTwitter: @adneydrt Early life and career John Snaith Rymer was born on 5th December 1806 in Wolsingham, Durham to Christopher Rymer and Jane Watson. The family moved 270 miles to London when Rymer was a boy.1 Rymer became a prominent Solicitor and on July 23rd 1853 was appointed to be a London Commissioner to administer oaths in the high court of Chancery by the Lord Chancellor. During his career, Rymer was a partner at the well-established firm Murray, Rymer & Murray and later Rymer, Murray, Rymer & Jackson. He married Sally ‘Emma’ Underhill in Kent on 2nd September…

  • About Ann

    Ann, Family and Shibden Hall

    Extracts from Ann Walker’s journal June 1834 – February 1835 describing Ann, family and her life at Shibden Hall By Ivana Nikahttps://twitter.com/Ivana_Nikahttps://sex-lies-and-boiled-milk.tumblr.com/ We can enjoy reading Ann Walker’s journal covering the year when her relationship with Anne Lister took a serious turn. They took the sacrament together at Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate in York on 30th March 1834 to seal their union. In the summer of the same year they travelled through France and Switzerland as part of their honeymoon trip. Ann Walker recorded this trip in her journal; she noted down many small moments of happiness and personal excitement in seeing the ancient sights of Europe, and experiencing adventures…