The Hudson Family of Oakwood

I was contacted recently by James Hudson from New Zealand who is descended from the Hudson family who had strong links with the area and church in the 19th Century. I asked, and was given permission, to write a short history of the family during this time.

The Hudsons - motto 'Pax In Bello' - Peace in (the midst of) War - can trace their linage back to Sir William Hudson, Vicar of Tickhill (or Tekehill as then) near Doncaster from 1506 to 1532 - but our story starts with Edward Hudson 1777-1862 (born Howden, buried in St John's Crypt, commemorated on brass plaque inside church on North wall). Edward made his substantial fortune from his seed business in Leeds although in the 1841 census (kindly transcribed by Nev Hurworth) he is also described as an Oil Merchant. Edward bought the 'King's Mill' at Swinegate in Leeds from Edward Ferrers in 1815 for the sum of £31,000. The ownership of this mill conferred on the owner the mediaeval title of 'Soke' or 'Soake' of Leeds - and entitled him to 1/16th of all wheat and 1/32nd of all malt milled in the Leeds area. Certain groups of people were exempt from this tax, primarily descendants of the Knights Templar e.g. Templenewsam - and as a sign of exemption a cross was to be prominently displayed on the building. The tax was clearly very unpopular and was challenged in the courts and eventually withdrawn by act of parliament in 1839 when Edward was paid £13,000 in compensation - paid for in 4 annual payment by 'assessment' on the inhabitants of Leeds - not likely to improve his popularity. Edward married Georgina Thomas (daughter of Faithful Thomas, Governor of Carlisle Prison) in 1803 and they lived at Ladywell House, more recently known as Newton House, situated on what is now known as Newton Court. It is not known when Georgina died or is buried but circa 1835 Edward married again - to Susannah Watson - who died in 1871 age 81 and is buried in the Crypt.

Of Edward's and Georgina's 5 children, 2 have stronger links to St Johns - Robert 1804-1863 (buried in St John's Crypt, commemorated on huge memorial inside church on North wall) and Henry 1811-1891 (buried in South Graveyard, commemorated in South Sanctuary window). Robert was a JP, Church Warden at St John's 1844-1862 and treasurer of the Alms Houses for the same period. Robert married Elizabeth Hirst (1811-1889, commemorated on Robert's memorial, buried in Crypt) in 1833 and they lived at 'The Acacias' (situated next to Ladywell House), more recently known as Oakwood Hall and containing a small mental health unit. In the 1861 census Robert's occupation was described as 'Seed crusher employing 77 hands and Colliery owner employing 419 hands'. Of their 10 children, the last, Ernest, was born in 1858 (when his mother must have been aged 47! ). James from New Zealand is a direct descendant of Ernest. Unlike his father and grandfather, Ernest did not add to the family fortune and was described as a 'Gentleman of Means' - later shooting with the then King (probably Edward VII) at Sandringham.. This story almost didn't get any further as Ernest narrowly avoided being on the train that was destroyed in the Tay Bridge disaster of Dec 28th 1878.

According to the 1841 Census, Henry, age 30, was still living with his parents - obviously not just a modern situation!. Within 5 years however he had married Margaret Ann Harland (1821-1860, commemorated with middle North Transept window at St John's). Henry was a Woollen Merchant by trade and also a JP like his father. In the 1871 census Henry was recorded as living at Oakwood House off Horse Shoe Lane, now Sabourn Court on Oakwood Lane. Two of his 10 children also have inscriptions at St John's - Edwin, Lieutenant Royal Engineers, who died 1870 age 21 and is mentioned on the same inscription as his mother's - and Arthur (1854-1887) who is buried in the South Churchyard.

To bring the story up-to-date, although Ernest's son Lionel owned the 1st Rolls Royce in Darlington, his generation was the end of the landed gentry as 60% was taken in death duties. Lionel's son Robert (James' father) had the distinction of serving aboard HMS Exeter in the hunt for Bismarck.