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Ann’s Mourning of Anne
This blog seeks to show the ways in which Ann Walker explicitly and implicitly mourned her wife after her death in 1840. She would not have been able to grieve in the way we would expect a widow to do so due to the lack of acknowledgment and acceptance of the true nature of their relationship within wider society. These facts are based on primary resources found in the archives. Anne’s Death and Ann’s Return Anne Lister died in September 1840 while travelling with Ann Walker in Kutaisi, Georgia, then part of the Russian Empire. Although it is not known exactly what Anne Lister died of, letters found by a…
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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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Ann Walker’s Fundraising Appeal
Continuing the charitable tradition begun by William & Ann Walker Ann Walker’s Will Ann wrote her final will in 1841[1]. It was proved in May 1854, shortly after she died. Apart from several specific bequests and legacies, her entire estate was left to her nephew Evan Charles Sutherland. Evan was, in fact, the secondary beneficiary: in the will Ann specified her eldest nephew, George Sackville Sutherland, as the primary beneficiary. But as “little Sackville” had died in 1843 (between the date of Ann’s will and her death) the estate passed to Evan. The will was worded as follows: “To the use of my nephew George Sackville Sutherland and his assigns…
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Remembering Ann’s Relatives
In remembrance of the relatives of Ann Walker who served in the two World Wars. “They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.” Descendants of Ann’s cousin Mary Priestley and William Henry Rawson Many of Ann’s Rawson relatives, all direct descendants of her first cousin Mary Priestley, served during both World Wars. And, as far as we know, all of them survived. Frederick Philip Selwyn Rawson (1891-1947) – Cousin 3x removed Son of of John Selwyn Rawson.Grandson of Frederick Edward Rawson.Great-grandson of Mary Priestley &…
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Elizabeth Mackay Sinclair Wemyss (née Sutherland)
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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…
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Catherine Worsley née Rawson (1803-1885) : a short biography
By Ivana NikaTwitter: @Ivana_Nika Catherine Rawson and Ann Walker spent three weeks in each other’s company in September 1832. Their families were related but we don’t know when exactly they became friends; their joint trip to the Lake District is the only one we know of so far. Catherine’s father, Stansfeld Rawson, had in 1829 begun building Wasdale Hall, his residence in the isolated neighbourhood of Wastwater lake in the heart of today’s Lake District National Park. The two young women may have gone there to distract themselves from the sometimes monotonous lives they led at home. They were both 29 at the time. ***** This engraving of Wasdale Hall…
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Elizabeth Mackay Sinclair Wemyss (née Sutherland)
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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…
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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…
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Elizabeth Mackay Sinclair Wemyss (née Sutherland)
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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…
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Elizabeth Mackay Sinclair Wemyss (née Sutherland)
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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…
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Elizabeth Mackay Sinclair Wemyss (née Sutherland)
