Hi Rob
I have just come across and was very interested to see your reply to Matthew Carr.
You may be able to help me. My 3x Great Grandfather John Carr (1753 – 1829) lived as a child at Dotland Farm, and is described on his daughters wedding certificate as a ‘native of Hexham’. However, there seems to be a gap in the baptism records of Hexham Abbey between 1749 and 1754 both in the typed indexes in the Newcastle Central Library and the microfilmed originals in Northumberland Archives at Woodhorn. All his younger brothers and sisters are there, but there is a gap where he should be, which frustrated both my Great Grandfathers and my Great Uncles researches.
Some years ago, I thought I had found a record of his baptism, in a Roman Catholic church in Hexham, but I have since lost the reference. I don’t know whether your work on the parish records would cover this, but I would like to confirm his heritage if I can.
The Richard I say I was interested in lived over a century earlier was born in 1631 in Whickham, and moved to a farm, Le Lee, in 1647 with his partner (later wife) and their baby in 1647 – he was only 16! Le Lee was owned by a James Carr, who is identified as a glover, though he might have farmed it as well, and had been handed down to him from several generations of Carrs. Le Lee was then held by Richard and several generations of Carrs afterwards before they moved to neighbouring Dotland Park. The links of taking over the farm, and having the same surname convinces me he must have been related – but how I have yet to determine! If he is the same Richard I mentioned in my reply to Matthew Carr, he would have been a cousin of the James Carr holding Le Lee (and his birthdate might be earlier, meaning there is no scandal as I suggest above!) which would just about clinch it.
Any light you can shed on these conundrums would be much appreciated!
Best wishes
Tom Carr