from Millicent Craig

During the Dalton Annual Gathering and Meeting in Preston, England in July 2004, one of the special activities was a visit to the ancient home of the de Hoghton family, Hoghton Tower. One connection between the Daltons and the de Hoghtons occurred with the marriage of Elizabeth Dalton of Thurnham and William de Hoghton in 1683. From the story that follows, there was another yet unknown connection some 180 years later.

The DGS has visited the Tower several times but this was the first time that the group was escorted by the current resident of the estate Sir Bernard de Hoghton and who recounted the tale of the auctioned paintings. He knew that there had been several paintings by the old masters Renoir, Van Dyke etc. that had belonged to the estate home and was curious about their whereabouts. After years of searching, a sale of the paintings was found on the microfiche/microfilm records of Christie's Auction House. The paintings had been sold for 300,000 pounds sterling by a Dalton and the money was used to support the Confederate war machine in America's Civil War. In today's market place, the 12 paintings are worth a billion pounds.

The Cotton Famine - 1862-1863

As early as the 1670's cotton weaving via handloom was noted on the Hoghton estate and an 1824 directory shows that a small number of textile workers, cotton spinners, weavers and calico printers were conducting their business operations from Hoghton Tower.

In America, English investors established the tobacco and cotton plantations in the southern colonies where slave laborers reduced the costs of production and resulted in profitable operations. Investment in Alabama was heavy. In England, the textile industry was growing dramatically and the American plantations became a stable source of raw cotton. Hundreds of cotton mills employing thousands of workers sprang up in Lancashire and in the Northern Counties. Manchester and Blackpool were significant centers. Raw cotton was processed and sent to other mills where it was woven into cloth, dyed, etc.. Apparel and textile necessities emerged as finished goods and were shipped back to America (and to other parts of the world). Southern grown cotton was to play a major role in the English economy.

During the Civil War the powerful Union Navy blockaded the Southern ports and shipments to England and other ports of the world ceased immediately. Not only did the economy of the Confederacy collapse but the domino effect was felt all over England, There was little raw material to keep the small cotton mills operating whereas the large mills had stockpiled in anticipation of the war. Hundreds of mills shut down and thousands of workers were unemployed. In England there was little alternative employment. Poor Laws for relief were slow in enactment and conditions were dire. Hundreds suffered starvation and even death.

Financial Support for the Confederacy

England was divided on whether to support the North or the South. Some favored the big, brawny military of the North to win the war. Others favored the Confederacy for a number of reasons. Insuring the cotton source was important but there were other political and economic reasons that existed. Those who were supporters of the Confederacy believed it would be easier to deal with a Southern republic that was comprised of landed aristocractic gentlemen who were more like themselves. Thus they floated millions of dollars in loans with a cotton collateral..

The following excerpts from a British and an American newspaper sum up the financial situation.

The Economist, March 21, 1863, p. 309

"It may appear somewhat startling that the Confederates should be able to borrow money in Europe while the Federal Government has been unable to obtain a shilling from that usually liberal and enterprising quarter. But the ...risk... of never being paid at all, in case the South should be subdued and re-annexed... is so slight that, of itself, it need not deter any man from sharing in an 8 per cent loan."

New York Times, April 28, 1865

It is now greatly to be regretted that the rebel loan put on the market in England two years ago was not greater in amount... Following General Lee's surrender... we may safely expect to hear by the next mail that most of the great Yorkshire and Lancashire cotton speculators have been sacrificed on the "Confederate cotton".

Dalton's Motivation?

Is this the scenario that prompted the sale of the paintings for a Confederate loan? Dalton's gamble may be viewed by some as sheer folly. Who was he and who did he represent? How did he have access to the paintings? Was he acting for a consortium with much higher stakes? There may be an answer in English banking or financial records. Or perhaps there may be some indication in the Confederacy records of Alabama. It has taken the de Hoghton family approximately 140 years to learn the disposition of the missing masters. How long will it take to unravel the remainder of the story?

Editor's note: For a comprehensive overview of England's investment in the U. S. Civil war and the scheme of repayment through cotton, go to the Claremont College web site : http://econ.ClaremontmcKenna.edu

from Millicent Craig

John Dalton, DGS Editor and Manager of the Dalton Annual Gathering and Meeting in Preston, Lancashire, England (July 9/10, 2004) focused attention on nearby Thurnham Hall, the ancestral home of a Dalton branch stemming from the 16th Century.

Thurnham History

On Saturday evening July 9, 2004 members of the Daltons Genealogical Society were honored with an after dinner talk by a Mr. J. Hoghton (un related to the Hoghton Tower Daltons). Mr Hoghton, not a Dalton, has immersed himself in the history of the Thurnham Daltons from the time he was a small boy. As a young lad he often viewed the dilapidated structure that was Thurnham Hall and wondered about its history and significance. Through the years he researched its history and became friends with the Dalton occupants who lived there both before and after the rebuilding of the Hall.

Mr. Hoghton probably knows more about the Thurnham family and their social life than any other living individual. His talk will be covered in depth in the Fall issue of the DGS Journal.

One of the interesting aspects of the talk dwelt on the 50 or more boxes of documents that were taken from the Hall and deposited in the Public Records Office in Preston. He has sorted through the documents, many of which dealt with social niceties of the times.

After his talk, I asked Mr. Hoghton whether there was any indication in the records of a Thurnham Dalton who emigrated to America or anywhere else. Mr Hoghton thought for a moment and replied that there was no such mention. The only emigrating Dalton we are aware of at this time is Jane Dalton who married Rowland Thornbrough.

In America there are many Daltons who believe that they are descended from the Thurnham line and they may well be. The Thurnham line is a branch of the Bispham Daltons. The Croston line of Daltons is descended from the Bispham line. In the Gene Pool of the Dalton International DNA Project is the matching DNA of two Daltons from the Croston line. If you are descended from the Thurnham Daltons your DNA should match that of the Croston Daltons. The DNA of the Croston Daltons differs markedly from the DNA of any other line. If you believe that you are descended from the Thurnham Daltons then please consider DNA testing and confirm your ancestral lineage or learn whether you are actually descended from another line. Millicenty@aol.com Millicent Craig, Coordinator Dalton International DNA Project.

Dinner At Thurnham

A surprise treat was arranged by John Dalton for members who wished to gather and have dinner at the Hall. About 20 of us decided to visit on Sunday evening, July 10, 2004. For those who had never visited Thurnham this was a special occasion. It was the first visit of my family and they were especially impressed by their connection to Thurnham Daltons through their Croston ancestry. Well done John!

On 21 May 1901 Standlee Vincent Dalton was born in Harwood, Missouri. His ancestry stems from Hawkins County, TN and VA. In his line are two Timothys who are also present in the lines of other DGS members.

At 103 years of age Mr. Dalton is part of an exclusive group. In the U. S. there are approximately 40, 000 Americans who have reached 100 years of age and far fewer who have reached 103. Longevity is a characteristic in some Dalton lines and genes play an important role. Standlee enjoys a most eventful life and some of his achievements will be covered in DGS Journal 41, Fall 2004.

Family History

Mr. Dalton's earliest records of note begin with his great grandfather, Timothy Dalton b. 3 June 1803 in Hawkins County, TN. He was the son of Timothy and Sarah Dalton. (It is believed that William Dalton was Timothy Sr.'s father but not proved). Timothy married Susanna Kelly, daughter of Jonathan Kelly and Patience Spencer. Susanna was born on Feb 11, 1807 in Harlan County, Kentucky.

According to Mr. Dalton's records, the younger Timothy lived along the same road and three or four families from his father, Timothy. In Hawkins County they were located south of the Holston River and near the Sullivan County line. Between 1829 and 1834 Timothy's father died and the younger Timothy moved to Lee Co., VA. About 10 miles south of Big Stone Gap is Dryden, VA and a short distance south of Dryden was the Dalton home.

Elderly Joseph Spencer was an uncle of Susan Kelly Dalton. the wife of Timothy who signed a 200 year lease with Joseph for about 200 acres of land in "poor valley". In the terms of the lease, Timothy would furnish Joseph with his needs for the rest of his life. He lived to be 110 years of age and his wife lived to be 100 according to their headstones in a cemetery near their home. The Dalton cemetery is on a hill included in 50 acres of land adjoining the 200 that Timothy leased.

Timothy and Susanna Kelly Dalton, Standlee V. Dalton's great grandparents.

Their eight children are as follows:

1. Rebecca

Rebecca, b. 11 Aug 1828, Hawkins Co., married Andrew H. Stewart b. Washington Co., VA; Rebecca d. 1869, likely in Lee Co., VA. This family is in the 1870 Census of Rocky Station, Lee Co., VA, P. O. Jonesville. Their eight children were b. in Lee Co., VA as follows: William age 20; Susan 19; John 17; Timothy 14; Sarah E. 11; Isaac 6; Patience A. 3; Johnathan, 5 mos.

2. Thomas

Thomas, b. 29 Nov 1829, Hawkins Co. TN, married Catherine Collingsworth, Lee County, VA died 26 Dec 1911 in Laurel County, KY. The family had seven children according to the 1870 and 1880 Censuses. In 1870, six children were listed and the first four were born in VA; Samuel 17, Isaac 13, Rebecca 11, and Susanna 8. Between 1862 and 1864, the family moved to Kentucky and were enumerated at Traveller's Rest in Owsley County in 1870. Two of the children were born in KY; General age 6; Mary Jane age 3. In the 1880 Census, Nancy 9 was listed as b. in Kentucky and the family was living in Raccoon, Laurel County.

In the 1900 Census of Laurel County, Raccoon Township, Thomas was 70 years of age and Catherine was 64. Also living there was his son General, his wife Marilla J., and their five children; Flora 12, Leata 10; Samuel 8; Lily 4; and Dewy 8 mos.

3. Sarah

Sarah, b, 11 Feb 1832, in VA, married Albert F. Cope, Civil war Union Soldier, d. 20 Jul 1913 in Walker, MO, Vernon Co. Cope was b. in North Carolina c. 1836. According to the birthplaces of the children and the places of enumeration, this family moved several times.

By consulting the 1870 and 1880 Censuses, daughter Rebecca b. c. 1855 and son William W. b. c. 1857 were both born in VA. Susan b. c. 1860 and John b. c. 1864 were both born in KY. The next child, Margaret was b. in Illinois about 1867; Jasper b. c. 1869 in Missouri. Two children were b. in KY - Alba and James c. 1873. The family was enumerated in Precinct 1, Clay County, KY, P. O. Manchester according to the 1870 Census.. Zilla or Lillly was b.1879 in MO. Sarah reportedly had 11 children but the above were the only ones located.

4. Patience

Patience, b. 10 Oct 1834, Lee Co., VA, mar. John C. Pennington who was b. in Harlan Co., KY about 1841. The Censuses list four children born in Lee Co.; James M. c. 1862; Andrew c. 1864: Lavina J. c. 1865 and Susan c.1867. By the 1880 Census, Andrew J, was married (age 18) and living next door with his wife Rebecca, age 16. In the 1910 Census John C. Pennington was still living at the family home at Yokum Station in Lee County.

5. Johnathan

Johnathan, b.25 Jan 1837, Lee Co., VA, mar. Rebecca Gilley . b. Oct 1838 in Lee Co., VA. Rebecca was the daughter of John W. and Julia Ann Gilley. They resided in Walker, MO, Vernon Co. Johnathan was a farmer and a Baptist and he and Rebecca are buried in Harwood, MO. They are the grandparents of Standlee.

6. Isaac

Isaac, b. 7 Aug 1840, Lee Co., VA, d. as a Civil War Soldier, single. Proof of which of two Isaacs in the Confederate Army has not been established. Family legend states that Isaac was wounded in action and pulled into a shady area by his comrades while they continued in the battle. When it was over, they returned to find that Isaac was gone.

7. Mary Jane

Mary b. 5 Oct 1842, Lee Co., VA. No records are available for Mary Jane.

8. Martha J.

Martha J., b.18 Dec 1845, Lee Co., VA married William H. H. Ely who was also b. in Lee County. According to the 1870 Census William was 28 years of age and the couple had one child, Lavina or Lovina, b. 1868 in Lee County. No other record for this family was found.

According to family history, the Elys moved to Oklahoma, a village located near the Kansas line

Johnathan and Rebecca Dalton, Standlee V. Dalton's grandpatents

The children of Johnathan and Rebecca Gilley Dalton were born in VA and TN.

1. Mary 1, b. 11 Jan 1868 in Lee County d. 26 Feb 1902, 3 miles south of Harwood MO. She remained single.

2. Martha, b. 25 March 1869 in Lee Co., VA, married Jasper McCrary. Martha d. 24 July 1951 in Kansas City, MO.

3. Margaret Alice, b. 31 Jul 1871, Lee Co., VA, married Jerd Wilson, and divorced.

4. Thomas Jackson, b. 17 Oct 1874 in VA,married Mary Collier on Nov 11 1897 in Harwood, MO. He died in Hays KS while visiting on 19 April 1946 and is buried in Harwood, MO.

Thomas Jackson Dalton was the father of Standlee.

5. Emily, b. 16 March 1876. According to the 1930 Census, Emily was b. in TN. She remained single and d. 28 August, 1941 in Walker, MO. In 1930, Standlee's only living sibling, brother

Claude age 25, was living with their aunt Emily in Walker, MO.

Editor's Note. If you recognize this family as part your family, or if you can add to the ancestry through your records, please be in touch.

Lancashire AGM

The Daltons participated in another successful meeting and gathering at Lancashire in July 2004. A few highlights are listed in this issue of "Daltons in History" and an extended summary will be available in the Fall DGS Journal. The September 2004 issue of "Daltons in History" will contain a pictorial of the Dalton group and their activities.

AGM in Ireland

In 2005, the Annual Gathering and Meeting of Daltons will be held in Ireland on July 30 and 31.

Plans and details of the Program will be announced as they are set. A number of interesting alternatives are being explored and will appear in the Fall Journal. For those traveling from abroad it is not too early to make reservations using frequent flyer miles. A suggested time frame is to allow a week prior to the above date in the event that you will want to partake in some pre-meeting genealogically-related activities. You will also want to allow time to research your family on your own.

All interested parties are invited to attend. It is also a great opportunity for all newly discovered genetic cousins with Irish roots to meet for the first time and to compare their research activities.

AGM in America

A date for the first AGM to be held in America has been set for October 6 (registration), 7,and 8 2006. October 9th is Columbus Day in the U. S. and will allow the Americans an extra day to return home. By October, the foliage will be turning and the weather will be comfortable in NH/MA where the gathering will take place. A 'Week-end in Colonial America" will not just highlight the early Dalton settlers of Hampton, NH (1635) but will also focus on the five or so groups of Daltons who make up the North American membership of the DGS. Several members have already volunteered their services and as a committee evolves we will be calling for additional assistance.

To reach Newburyport, MA and Hampton, NH by air, travel can be through Boston. If you are near a hub of Southwest Airlines you may prefer an alternative destination, the Manchester, NH International Airport. In either case, it is about a 45 minute drive to Newburyport.

Copies of the Dalton Book, Part I

There are a few copies of "The Dalton Book" available in England. It was researched and written by Mrs. Frances Edith Leaning (1871-1959) and published in limited edition. In 1999, it was re-published by the Dalton Genealogical Society and is a well documented account of a line of Lancashire/Yorkshire Daltons beginning with Sir Robert de Dalton in 1284. If interested please contact John Dalton, DGS Editor for more information. JohnDalton78@hotmail.com.

As participation in the Dalton International DNA Project increases so do the chances of making a match with genetic relatives. Here are a few events that have occurred within the past month.

1. DGS member Bill Dalton Phillips located a descendent of Henry M. Dalton potential relative of the Dalton Gang brothers. The DNA of this fifth cousin has been deposited in the Dalton Gene Pool and the relationship between the two lines will be either confirmed or denied.

2. Irish Cluster #2 now has a fourth participant match by a Canadian with three American/Irish Daltons.

3. Cumbria, England Daltons please note that the DNA of a fifth cousin of the English atomic scientist, John Dalton has been added to the Gene Pool.

4. A descendent of the two Timothys, (VA, KY, VA, KY, MO, KS) has been entered in the Gene Pool. See preceding article "Ancestry Standlee V. Dalton" for full details.

If you are connected to any of these lines, or other lines that have been mentioned in the previous months,, you may want to inquire about participation in this project. E-mail the Project Coordinator, Millicent Craig - Millicenty@aol.com For more details click on Dalton International DNA Project.

Primitive Methodists

Americans in particular have Dalton ancestors who were designated as Primitive Methodists and their search for the origin of their ancestors has been quite fruitless. They are a branch of the Wesleyan Methodist church and were first organized in Staffordshire, England in 1807-1808. From Staffordshire they moved northward to the counties of Durham, Northumberland, etc. There is a large collection of Methodist Registers, including Primitive that are listed on a web site and the archivist may be contacted. http://www.thenortheast.com/archives/

Newfoundland Census

DGS member, Dianne Jackman of Newfoundland sends the following information. At the Provincial Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador there are Census records dating from 1675 to 1945. In 1836, 1845, 1869, 1872, 1891, 1901, 1911, 1921, 1935 and 1945 official censuses of the entire island were taken. Only 1935 and 1945 and parts of 1911 and 1921 census have survived in nominal form. The web page for the Provincial Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador is: http://www.gov.nf.ca/tcr/

At the National Archives of Canada the following Census records are available for Newfoundland: 1691 & 1693 - nominal returns listing all members of the household; 1704 - returns listing heads of families only; 1921, 1935 & 1945 - nominal returns listing all members of the households. Plaisance only (present day Placentia, Newfoundland) 1671 & 1673 - nominal returns listing all members of the household; and 1698, 1706 &1711- returns listing heads of families only. The web page for the National Archives of Canada is: http://www.archives.ca

Dalton/Bostick Slaves

A family history web site in Illinois shows how history is taught to children through the actual restoration of historical sites. In Murphysboro, Jackson County not all of the homes are the sites of wealthy residents but of many less fortunate. One example is the two-room batten-board home built by Samuel Dalton in 1887. He was a former slave and veteran of the Civil War. Ten years later he built a shed to serve as a kitchen and this home contains the artifacts of typical African American life of the post Civil War period.

The Bostick family is related to a line of Daltons and also veterans of the Civil War, having served in the Union Navy from 1863. The four brothers Stephen, William, Dudley and Hardin were born slaves in Tennessee. Three of the brothers formed the Bostick Settlement south of Murphysboro that attracted more former slaves.

During the month of July 2004, two new files were added to the Republic of Ireland section of the Dalton Data Bank. In addition, a descendency file was added to the section of South Africa.

Ireland

County Kilkenny

This is the largest compilation of County Kilkenny Daltons that is available anywhere. There are over 300 Births, 250 Marriages and 200 Deaths in this file. The land entries from Griffith's Valuation and Tithe Applotments number well over 250. To assemble this data, DGS member Mike Dalton of Oregon has extracted from several sources including microfilms and microfiche. This data base of 1500 surname entries is 10 times greater than the original under the section for Ireland.

County Longford

The County Longford file contains over 100 Dalton Births, 50 Marriages 60 Deaths and over 60 entries from Griffith's Valuation and Tithe Applotments. DGS member Mike Dalton who updated this file has entered many details from microfilm records. Check for overlaps with adjoining counties. There are over 500 surname entries and can be easily browsed.

South Africa

Durban

Although there are many Daltons in South Africa, available data is scarce. A lengthy Descendency Chart of George Dalton was submitted by Eira Makepeace of of Bristol, England and has been added to the Data Bank. Her e-mail address is: Eira@Makepeace.net George Dalton was born in York, July 1840 and the likely son of Christopher and Milcah Lownsbrough Dalton. This chart was also sent to the DGS Archives.