Whilst the History books are full of Slater men who have made contributions to society, especially in America where a Samuel Slater began a huge textile business in the 18^th Century, thus far, nothing has come to light that indicates any connection with Royalty or political power. 

Nor have I been able to discover at what point the Cumbrian ‘Slater Family’ were able to become land owners (in Cumbria– the modern name being Cumberland) in their own right.  For that, it would be necessary to know the politics of the times when many of the tenant farmers took action againsttheir landlords (frequently the Earls and Barons of the area) and couple this with the religious fervours (Catholicism versus the ‘Church of England’ – or Anglican or Episcopalian as we know it), the lootings, destruction and political manoeuvres, not to mention the movements between counties.

But, let us progress with the little I know.  (Your story is welcome, please).  Send it to me as a word document  to riddelldna@gmail.com  and I shall place it here.

Once upon a time there was a young man by the name of Jonathan SLATER who was born in 1722 to a comparatively well heeled English farmer by the name of Jonathan SLATER and his wife Jane.  (Jane’s surname was Clark and she was the 2^nd wife of Jonathan senior.  His first wife (Anne) had died the year before Jonathan Junior was born.)  Jonathan Junior was Jonathan and Jane’s first son and was born at their farm by the name of ‘Parkergate’ which is near Bassenthwaite Village in Cumberland, England. 

The 1841 Census shows a 70 year old woman by the name of Grace SLATER living at Mireside, but also on that property was a POSTLETHWAITE family, described as Agricultural Labourers.  Perhaps this meant the old lady lived in the big house with a cottage housing the ‘workers’?

Here are some interesting snippets found in my research.

NEW COURT. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6.

Fourth Middlesex Jury, beforeMr. Common Sergeant.

1753.

JAMES SLATER was indicted for stealing, on the 21st of April, 3 sovereigns, the monies of Charles James Heslop , his master .

CHARLES JAMES HESLOP . I am a publican , and live in Church-passage, Jermyn-street ; the prisoner was my pot boy . On the 21st of April, about six o'clock in the evening, I gave him three sovereigns to get change in the neighbourhood - he went out; I saw him no more till the 21st of July, when he was in custody.

BENJAMIN WEBB . I am beadle of St. James'. I met the prisoner on the 21st of July; Itold him I wanted him - he said he had seen        hismaster, and made all right; I said he must go to his master; as we went he said it was not true, that he had seen his master, and begged I would not take him to him - he said he was drunk when he did it.

The prisoner put in a petition for a lenient sentence.

GUILTY . Aged 19. - Transported for Seven Years .

No, I have not checked to see if this youngster was sent to the New Hebrides or to Virginia or Canada… (Neither Australia nor Norfolk Island was in operation at this time although there was one expedition to Africa which ended up being a disaster - all men died!)

In family tradition of the day, Jonathan, as the eldest son, inherited Parkergate at age 16 when his father Jonathan died in 1738.  It wasn’t until 1761 at age 39, that he married 37 year old Mary PEARSON (of the ‘Halls’).  Jonathan and Mary had 5 children, the eldest of whom was John, born 1762. John, at age 31 married 28 year old Grace MITCHINSON in 1793 and they had 8 children.  Their eldest son died at age 14 and so their 2^nd son, Joseph at age 13 then inherited the Parkergate Farm. 

Joseph, at age 23 married 17 year Elizabeth DOBINSON in 1820 who had (according to 1851 English Census) been born at Bridekirk in Cumberland.  Phyllis assumes she is the daughter of a local land owner but Bridekirk is many, many miles to the West.  So perhaps they met at a time she was visiting relatives in the district.  [The 1841 Census shows a 50 year old Farmer by the name of Fletcher DOBINSON (with wife Ann and children in the Bassenthwaite district) and he had a number of Agricultural Labourers housed on his property‘Farhouse’.  Perhaps he was her brother?]

Joseph and Elizabeth had 10 children, 4 of whom left England:-

John    (1820– 1836) – died as a teenager

William (1822 – 1875) – to Carlisle & set up Biscuit  Factory

Mary   (1824– 1840) – died as a teenager

Thomas (1826– 1896) – emigrated to NZ

Joseph (1829– 1903) – remained in England

Jonathan (1832 – 1874) – remained in England

Henry  (1834 – 1906) – emigrated to Australia

James (1836 – 1886) – emigrated to Australia, then to NZ

George            (1840– 1893) – emigrated to Australia, then to America

Elizabeth(1841 – 1910) – remained in England