and Sanderson connections
Researching Sanderson ancestry in Bradfield is confused, by the fact that a number of families became Quakers over several generations. George Fox, the founder of Quakerism, began his spiritual quest in Britain in the 1640s.
The first Sanderson entry in the (Pontefract meeting book), was for the birth of John Sanderson to Ralph in 1655, this family obviously took to the new way of living and thinking at an early stage.
As a result the individuals disappeared from Bradfield parish records, occasionally reappearing later on. They may appear in other records, such as the Hallamshire Cutlers Apprentice Records. They also left wills, some of them were rather wealthy.
I have generally ruled out the Quaker family references, as I have never considered them to be my branch, but it may have been, that when any of these branches returned to parish records, they may have become my ancestors, and the fact that I have dismissed them, is the reason for the gap in my ancestral line.
Quaker registers on the whole were well kept and concise, however Quakers often travelled many miles to their meetings, and may have used one of several meeting places, although probably generally preferred one in particular. So searching all the meeting groups for records can be confusing, and I am just gettingthe hang of it!
The Sanderson Quakers of Bradfield, appear to have belonged to the Wooldale, High Flatts and Midhope meetings. (which I believe to be under the Pontefract group).
Sanderson in Quaker records
Pontefract births 1646 – 1816 (Date of birth)
02.08.1655 John, son of Ralph of Middop. This child also was entered in the Bradfield baptism register October 1655
26.01.1657 Francis son of Ralph of Middop This child also was entered in the Bradfield baptism register 24/3/1656 (disowned 1687)
18.10.1659 Joseph son of Ralph of Middop. 29/12/1660 This child also was entered in the Bradfield baptism register
High Flatts births
by this point the family must have completely cut the ties with the Parish church.
27.09.1661 Josias son of Ralph of Middop
17.04.1664 Joshua son of Ralph of Middop
27.11.1668 Elizabeth dau. of Ralph of Middop
07.09.1702 Mary dau. of Joshua of Middop.17/11/1702 Entered in Bradfield Baptism registers.
04.09.1704 John son of Joshua of Middop. 9/6/1704 Entered in Bradfield Baptism registers.
13.02.1706 Elizabeth dau. of Joshua of Middop.15/4/1706 Entered in Bradfield registers.
12.06.1715 Ann dau. of Joshua of Middop.
30.07.1751 Mary dau. of John of Middop.
27.04.1753 Martha dau. of John of Middop.
20.03.1755 John son of John of Middop.
30.03.1757 Joseph son of John of Middop.
29.12.1758 Hannah dau. of John of Middop.
27.10.1760 Sarah dau. of John of Middop.
Quaker – Sanderson burials 1657 – 1776 (Pontefract) RG 6/1389
10.05.1682 John Sanderson, son of Ralph of Middop.
18.10.1696 Ralph Sanderson of Middop. (burial date 01.11.1696)??
Will p1 Will p2 Will p3 Will p4
16.04.1702 Elizabeth Sanderson of Middop. (burial date 08.05.1702)? Presumed wife of Ralph above (Elizabeth Burgess)
30.11.1703 Sarah Sanderson wife of John (burial date 14.03.1703)?
19.01.1720 John Sanderson, son of John Sanderson of Tagstones*. High flatts. Will of John of Haggstones 1707. Presumed Father of this John
21.11. 1740 Joshua Sanderson of Middop.
27.01.1758 Joshua Sanderson son of John Sanderson of Middop. High Flatts. (burial date 19.08.1758)?? Aged 68.
Brighouse – Halifax: Quaker Sanderson -Marriages 1661 -1832
03.07.1701 Joshua Sanderson and Grace Hague (father Edward Hague of Halifax).
Balby Sanderson – Quaker Marriages 1655 – 1768
30.03.1706 John Sanderson of Bagstones* in Worrall and Ann Birley of Hope, married in the house of John Bentley in Bradwell. Will of John of Haggstones 1707.
* Likely to be Haggstones/ Taggstones