During 2020-21 a small group of volunteers worked on the Men and Carts documents (Q/S/B/90/3 to Q/S/B/90/12) that can be found in the Quarter Sessions’ records. In 1798, fear of invasion by the French led to the drawing up of lists of names of men between the ages of 15 and 60 who were eligible to serve in the militia [army reserves]. The lists also recorded the number of waggons, carts and cart horses available “for the removal of Dead Stock, and conveying Soldiers and their Baggage …” Over 280 lists for towns and villages across Northumberland survive.

The volunteers indexed these documents, making lists of the names of men (and a small handful of women). The indexes are now being added to the main Northumberland Archives catalogue and staff have worked behind the scenes to attach scans of the documents. So, you can now search for a name in the catalogue and see a copy of the document that it appears in. They could be really useful for family and local historians.

This work was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of their Cultural Recovery Scheme. During the lockdown, we thought a lot about how we could keep contact with volunteers. We know that volunteering is important to a lot of people and offers a whole range well-being benefits. The work was done remotely; none of the volunteers came into the office, but we did have regular Zoom chats for a bit of social contact!

Having run this pilot project, we see the potential of developing online volunteering. Our volunteers told us that they enjoyed being able to work at their own pace, from their own homes. Remote volunteering also means that people who can’t make it to our Woodhorn or Berwick offices can still do something that engages the mind and helps the archives.

Some of our volunteers were inspired to dig a little deeper by the information that they found in the documents. The following was written by Irwin, one of our volunteers:

Gentlemen and Carts

While indexing Chirton township I came across the name A.M.Lawson de Cardonnol Esqr. with 1 cart and 1 horse. I was Intrigued with the ‘de’ in the name and the ‘Esqr’ [esquire] – obviously a Gentleman, not just a lowly worker.

A little research on the internet revealed the name Adam Mansfeldt de Cardonnel-Lawson. He was born Adam Cardonnel in 1746/7 to Mansfeldt Cardonnel (1696/7-1780) of Musselburgh and his wife Anne (daughter and heir of Thomas Hilton, County Durham). He was also a great-nephew of Adam de Cardonnel (secretary to the Duke of Marlborough). The family were Huguenots who had fled France after the St Bartholomew Massacre in 1572.

Although Adam had a medical education and practised for some time as a surgeon in Edinburgh, his circumstances allowed him to spend a lot of time in the study of antiquities and numismatics [coins]. He was a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and the author of several books.

In 1791 he succeeded to the estates of his second cousin Hilton Lawson at Chirton and Cramlington. He reverted to the Huguenot name “de Cardonnel” and eventually added Lawson.

In 1796 (not 1798 as stated in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography) he served as High Sheriff of Northumberland – the person who would, when necessary, command the raising of the Posse Comitatus – as stated in the heading of the pages which we have been indexing!

Amongst the papers of the Dunn family (NRO 02988/23) is correspondence relating to Henry Percival, former butler to William Dunn of Bath House, Newcastle upon Tyne, who was tried and sentenced for stealing and pawning various items of silver plate.   

The evidence heard at the trial came from four different pawnbrokers based in Newcastle; William Wilson, John Garrett, Thomas Cook and Israel Jacobs as well as William Dunn and the arresting officer.  Percival had received money when items were pledged, some of the items were sold when the pledge was subsequently forfeited i.e., the item not collected within the allotted pledge time.  Each pawnbroker said that Percival had claimed the right to pawn the items either by saying they belonged to his father or by giving a false name.  William Dunn gave evidence confirming that Percival had been his butler and house servant for 5 years and as such had the keys to the pantry.  Percival was arrested in the pawnshop of William Wilson; and did not say anything when charged.  Following Percival’s arrest, Dunn had examined the pantry to compile a list of missing items and found the pawn tickets.  Items of silver plate that were missing included silver tongs, dessert spoons, teaspoons, a cream jug, teapot and dishes.  A number of the original pawnbroker receipts are amongst the Dunn family papers. 

The ‘Newcastle Guardian and Tyne Mercury’ newspaper reported the outcome of the trial in January 1860.  Percival pleaded guilty. The court reporter condemned the conduct of the pawnbrokers for not making sufficient enquiries into the ownership of the items stating that the thefts would not have occurred if more care had been taken.  Percival was told that he had taken advantage of a confidential position with a generous master.  On 4^th January 1860 Percival was convicted of the offence ‘Larceny by Servant’ and sentenced to 4 years. 

The England and Wales Criminal Register confirms that he spent 3 years, 3 months and 5 days in prison, moving from Newcastle Gaol to Millbank, Pentonville, Portland and Portsmouth during this time.  His conduct was very good other than being caught with a piece of tobacco in his cell whilst at Portland gaol in March 1861.  He was discharged on license on 8^th April 1863. 

Correspondence survives amongst the papers from Percival to William Dunn whilst he was imprisoned and following his release.  Whilst held at Newcastle Percival wrote describing the situation of his wife and his 5 children, who had moved to York hoping to open a small confectionary shop. He asked for help stating that “my wife was as innocent as yourself of my misconduct”.  After his release he again wrote asking this time for outstanding wages from November 1859, and later for kindness to be shown so that he would be able to earn an honest living.