Grewelthorpe
a North Yorkshire Village
Branfoot John. born 1795
Letter from Jo Boutflower. Feb. 2020.
Hello Barbara,
I have recently begun researching my family history and found that my great x 3 grandfather was born in or near Kirkby Malzeard. He was John Branfoot, born 1795. His mother was Elizabeth Branfoot and her parents, John and Dorothy (nee Walker) lived at Foulgate Nooke where John was a charcoal burner.
I was particularly struck by the entry on your website about methodism because John, after an apparently dissolute youth, became a primitive methodist preacher. He married in Guisborough in 1821 and then seems to have travelled around the north east (and possibly the north west). He met a sad end in a railway accident and was buried at Sunderland.
John’s life before his arrival in Guisborough is a bit of a mystery and it would be interesting if anyone knows any more about the Branfoots. His mother, Elizabeth, may have married a John Smith of Skipton/Gargrave in 1796.
I’m also interested in the history of Foulgate Nooke. I know there is a present day Foulgate Nook Lane but I imagine, given the name and John senior’s trade as a charcoal burner, it wasn’t a very pleasant place once upon a time.
I’ve written a little more about John on my blog at https://myfamilyandothertrees.blogspot.com/2020/01/john-branfoot.html?spref=tw
Regards,
Jo Boutflower.
John Branfoot 1795-1831.
Report in the York Herald on 5th March 1831.
Report of the inquest in 1831.
The Sunderland infirmary where John died.
Part of the history of the chapel where John started preaching.
1821. A description of John preaching.
JOHN BRANFOOT Born 1795. Died 1831. Married on 26 Nov 1821 at Guisborough to Hannah Sturdy of Lofthouse.
They had 5 children. John born 1823. William born 1826. Richard born 1827. Joseph born 1829. Betsy born 1831.
John (abt1823-1903) – a blue manufacturer who went bankrupt in 1864
William (1825-1902) – a coal fitter. Brought up in Sunderland he became a prosperous businessman with interests in coal and shipping. He was active as a PM lay leader and preacher.
Richard Sturdy (1827-1909 ) – a clerk
Joseph (1828-1861) – a shipwright
Betsey (1830-1897) – married Thomas Greenfield, a Primitive Methodist minister, in 1877
Hannah earned a living as a grocer after the death of John.
John died on 26 February 1831.
Last update Nov. 2025.