Matthew Wells

was pretty certain the father * of MARY ANN WELLS (1854-1927) and great-grandfather of WILLIAM HENRY FLUEN (1906-1969).

MATTHEW WELLS was the eldest son and child of CHRISTOPHER WELLS (1792-1830) and Ann Watson (born in all probability about 1792 in North Yorkshire), who married in Coxwold, North Yorkshire on 04. or 05. July 1822.

NOTE: Coxwold village is located within the North York Moors National Park. It is situated 18 miles north of York. The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book as part of the Yalestre hundred by the name of Cucvalt. The lord of the manor at the time of the Norman invasion was Kofse, but passed to Hugh, son of Baldric. The manor passed at some time later to the Colville family. The village name is derived from Saxon words Cuc, meaning cry and valt, meaning wood. Since 700 AD, Coxwold has had a church on the site at the top of the hill. The present church (picture) was built in 1420 in the Perpendicular style with an unusual octagonal west tower and is dedicated to St Michael.

CHRISTOPHER WELLS & Ann Watson had children:
(1)   John Wells (1822-1892); shoemaker & Elizabeth Holmes (1814-1894)
       1.1   John Wells christened in Scruton, Yorkshire on 19. Sept 1844 & Annie Dunn
              1.1.1   Louisa A Wells born abt 1871, Barnard Castle, Durham
              1.1.2 Florence M Wells born abt 1876, Barnard Castle, Durham
       1.2 Eliza Ann Wells christened in Scruton, Yorkshire on 03. Jan 1847 & Henry Bearpark Parnaby
              1.2.1   Robert Wells born abt 1871 in Scruton, Yorkshire & Frances Weatherhill
              1.2.2   James Wells born abt 1875 in Scruton, Yorkshire & Mary Ann Kemp
              1.2.3 John Wells born abt 1879 in Scruton, Yorkshire
              1.2.4   Matthew Wells born abt 1883 in Scruton, Yorkshire
NOTE: Her children were all born out of wedlock, father unknown. She did not marry before 28. Dec 1889 in Ainderby Steeple.
       1.3 Matthew Wells christened in Scruton, Yorkshire on 06. May 1849 & Tamar Johnson
1.3.1 John Robert Wells born abt 1873, Romanby, Yorkshire
                 1.3.2   Mark Wells born abt 1877, Durham, County Durham
              1.3.3   Matthew Wells born abt 1879, East Witton Without, Yorkshire
              1.3.4   Mary Wells born abt 1881, East Witton Without, Yorkshire
              1.3.5   Thomas Wells born abt 1882, East Witton Without, Yorkshire
              1.3.6   William Wells born abt 1883, East Witton Without, Yorkshire
              1.3.7   James Wells born abt 1884, East Witton Without, Yorkshire
              1.3.8   Annie Wells born abt 1888, East Witton Without, Yorkshire
              1.3.9   Henry Wells born abt 1890, East Witton Without, Yorkshire
       1.4   Robert Watson Wells christened in Scruton, Yorkshire on 19. May 1851 & Ann Rymer & Elizabeth Neesam
              1.4.1   Martha Wells born abt 1892, Osmotherley, Yorkshire
              1.4.2   Minnie Wells born abt 1898, Osmotherley, Yorkshire
       1.5   Louisa Wells christened in Scruton, Yorkshire on 25. Dec 1853
       1.6   (John) Mark Wells christened in Scruton, Yorkshire on 11. Nov 1855
(2)   MATTHEW WELLS (1822-1866) & Elizabeth Alton (1818-1867)
       2.1   Christopher Wells (1845 - 1899) & Isabella Ingleson (1850-1891)
       2.2   Elizabeth Wells born 1849 in Bedale, Yorkshire
       2.3   Thomas Wells (1851 - 1919) & Elizabeth Ann Bussey (1852-1914)
       2.4   MARY ANN WELLS (1854-1927) & CHARLES JOHNSON (1850-1894)
       2.5   Jane Ann Wells born abt 1859 in Leeming, Yorkshire - North Riding
       NOTE: While Christopher and Elizabeth Wells were born in Kirkby Fleetham, Thomas and Mary Ann Wells were born in Bradford.
(3)   Mary Ann Wells born 1824
(4)   CHRISTOPHER WELLS (1827-1890) & Jane Johnson (1827-1852) & Catherine Donnelly (1833-1877)
       4.1   Elizabeth Wells christened in Thirsk, Yorkshire on 21. Apr 1849 & (first name unknown) Gibson
NOTE:   The marriage certificate of MARY ANN WELLS identifies CHRISTOPHER WELLS as her father, but it is rather unlikely that it was him.*

MATTHEW WELL's father, CHRISTOPHER WELLS was born 1792 in Scruton, Yorkshire and died 1830 in Ainderby Steeple, Yorkshire. He was the son of Matthew Wells (1749-1835) and ANN TAYLOR (1748-1807), who married in Bedale, Yorkshire on 20. Nov 1774.
NOTE: SCRUTON is a village and parish in the wapentake of Hang East, and liberty of Richmondshire. It is 5 miles W of Northallerton and 4 miles NNE of Bedale. There is a church, dedicated to St. Radegund (picture).

ANN TAYLOR's family can be traced back to the 17th century, when the Taylors were Yeomen in Ryther, Cawood, Yorkshire - West Riding. Having been free men, who owned their own land, they were at best prosperous and wealthy enough to employ some servants and farm labourers. But it cannot be classified as established knowledge concerning this family.
NOTE: "RYTHER, a parish-town, in the wapentake of Barkston-Ash, liberty of Pontefract; 5 miles SE. of Tadcaster, 7 from Selby, 12 from York, 13 from Pontefract. Pop. including Ossendike, 335 ..." (Source: GENUKI 1820)

ANN TAYLOR's father, Richard Taylor born 1726 in Ryther, was a carpenter in the area of Scruton though, where he died age 56. Her paternal grandmother was Elizabeth Clapham born 25. Dec 1700 and christened at St Peter's parish church of Leeds on 08. Jan 1701. She was the daughter of FRANCIS CLAPHAM (1663-) of Hunslet and Elizabeth Porter (1663-1708), who married in the same parish church on 23. Jan 1683. Her father is said to be a direct descendant of the CLAPHAMS OF BEAMSLEY.

* Details about his paternity can be found on the page 'MARY ANN WELLS'.