Person Page - 122

     William Wootton Abney was christened on 31 August 1780 at Castle Gate Meeting House in Nottingham, England, son of Edward Abney and Hephzibah Need.¹

On 13 August 1803 William was promoted from cornet to lieutenant of the Royal Horse Guards blue. He was later promoted to captain and was the heir to the Measham Mansion.²

William married first Elizabeth Richardson on 8 April 1806 in Fulford, Yorkshire, England. She was the daughter of W. Richardson, Esq. of Fulford House, Yorkshire. He was a banker on 1 January 1816 in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England. `The London Gazette mentioned him as becoming partners with James Maltby in the Mansfield Bank. The partnership continued until Abney's death in 1822.

William Wootton Abney died on 18 May 1822 in Fulford, North Yorkshire, England, at age 41. He was buried in Fulford Cemetery, Fulford, North Yorkshire, England.

     As of 1786, Elizabeth Richardson lived at Fulford, Yorkshire, England.

Elizabeth married an unknown person , son of Edward Abney and Hephzibah Need, on 8 April 1806 in Fulford, Yorkshire, England. She was the daughter of W. Richardson, Esq. of Fulford House, Yorkshire.

Elizabeth Richardson appeared on a census, enumerated 1841, in the household of her daughter Catherine Elizabeth Abney in Vicar Lane, Beverley, East Riding, Yorkshire, England. She was enumerated as 50 years old, born 1791 in Yorkshire.

Elizabeth Richardson appeared on a census, enumerated 1851, in the household of her daughter Catherine Elizabeth Abney in St. Mary, Beverley, East Riding, Yorkshire, England. She was listed as William Travis Sandys' mother-in-law, age 65. Born Fulford, Yorkshire.

Elizabeth Richardson died on 1 September 1855 in Derby, Derbyshire, England.¹

     Rev. Edward Henry Abney, son of William Wootton Abney and Elizabeth Richardson, was born on 22 September 1811 in Fulford, Yorkshire, England.¹ Edward graduated in 1833 from Exeter College, Cambridge, England.

Edward married Catherine Strutt on 31 January 1833 in Duffield, Derbyshire, England.²

Edward received his ordinations as deacon 16 Nov 1834 and priest 6 Dec 1835. He was appointed curate of York Holy Trinity Micklegate 16 Nov 1834.³ He was was appointed vicar of St. Alkmund's in 1841 in Derby, England. He lived in a Regency mansion on Burton Road until 1866, when his son inherited the family estate at Measham. He then retired there in 1886.¹

Edward was a pioneer in the use of photographs to record topography when the "art-science", as Richard Keene later called it, was in its infancy. Always a welcome guest at the nearby Markeaton Hall, he was introduced to Francis Mundy's brother-in-law, William Henry Fox-Talbot, of Lacock Abbey, Wiltshire. Fox-Talbot was not only married to Mundy's sister, Constance, but was only the second man (the first British person) ever to take and fix a photographic image. He had managed this only two years before the Abneys moved to Derby. Edward quickly became enthusiastic about his friend's new invention and the two of them took to touring the countryside, photographing the scenery and old buildings, using Fox-Talbot's "Talbotype" method.

By 1850, with the improved calotype process available, Edward was sharing his knowledge with two young enthusiasts, John Alfread Warwick, then a junior signalling manager on the Midland Railway, and Richard Keene, a printer and print seller in Iron Gate. Within the decade these two had founded the Derby Photographic Society and, by 1860, had taken Abney's teen-aged sons, William and Edward, under their wings.Warwick also taught William all he knew about telegraphy, his railway specialty.

Rev. Edward Henry Abney died on 13 May 1892 in Derby, Derbyshire, England, at age 80.¹ He was buried in St. Peter's Churchyard, Littleover, Derbyshire, England.

His obituary appeared 18 May 1892 in the The Belfast News-Letter, published in Belfast, an unknown place . Deaths - 13 May at The Firs, Derby, the Rev. Canon Edward Henry Abney. M. A., prebendary of Lichfield Cathedral, aged 81 years. [Note: prebendary was a a canon of a cathedral or collegiate church whose income originally came from a prebend, Latin for pension.]

     Catherine Elizabeth Abney, daughter of William Wootton Abney and Elizabeth Richardson, was born on 28 February 1810 in Fulford, Yorkshire, England.¹

Catherine Elizabeth Abney was baptised on 15 March 1810 in Fulford, East Riding, Yorkshire, England, daughter of William Wootton Abney and Elizabeth Richardson.¹

Catherine married Rev. William Travis Sandys on 6 August 1835 at the Parish Church in Measham, Derbyshire, England.

Catherine Elizabeth Abney appeared in a newspaper article 14 August 1835 in the The Hull Packet and East Riding Times, published in Hull, an unknown place . MARRIAGES -- On yesterday week, at the parish church at Measham, by the Rev. Edward Henry Abney, B. A. of Exeter College, Oxford, the Rev. William T. Sandys, M.A. Vicar of St. Mary's, Beverley, to Catherine Elizabeth, only daugther of the late William Wootton Abney, Esq. Royal Horse Guards Blue, and sister of William Wootton Abney, Esq. of Measham Hall, Derbyshire.

Catherine Elizabeth Abney and Rev. William Travis Sandys appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1841 in Vicar Lane, Beverley, East Riding, Yorkshire, England. The household was listed as William Sandys, 35 (1806); Catherine Sandys, 26 (1815); Edwin Sandys, 3 (1838); Elizabeth Abney, 50 (1791); William Wilson, 30 (1811); Ann Coupland, 20 (1821); Rachel Jimmison, 30 (1811); Martha Pattison, 30 (1811), and Ellen Brown, 20 (1821).

Catherine Elizabeth Abney and Rev. William Travis Sandys appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1851 in St. Mary, Beverley, East Riding, Yorkshire, England. The household was listed as William Travis Sandys, Vicar of St. Mary's and St. Nicolas, age 48 (1803); his wife Catherine E. Sandys, age 40 (1811); daughter Catherine M., 6 (1845); daughter Harriet J., 4 (1847); daughter Frances Anne, 2 (1849); mother-in-law Elizabeth Abney, 65 (1786), widow; house servant George Exelby, 24 (1827); ladies maid Mary Bate, 30 (1821); nursemaid Jane Day, 21 (1830); and cook maid Ann Masterman, 28 (1823). All of the servants were unmarried.

Catherine Elizabeth Abney and Rev. William Travis Sandys In 1867 trustees were appointed under their marriage settlement. The parties of the first part were Rev. William Travis Sandys formerly of Beverly, now of Burton Coggles near Grantham county Lincolnshire and Catherine Elizabeth, his wife. Parties of the second part were their sister in law Helen John Sinclair Abney of Measham Hall Derby, widow; Right Honorable Sir Andrew Buchanan, ambassador at the court of Russia; Helen's brother, James Buchanan of Craig End Castle county Stirling, esquire; and Edward Buchanan of county Middlesex, esquire. The parties of the third part was Rev. Charles Peach of Duffield county Derby and Arthur Walker of Edinburgh, esquire. in 1867 in Yorkshire, England.

Catherine Elizabeth Abney died on 12 January 1887 at age 76.

     Edward Abney, son of Edward Abney and Hephzibah Need, was born in 1788 in Measham, Derbyshire, England.

Edward married Ellen Rose Holden on 10 December 1822 at All Saints in West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England. She was the daughter of Hyla Holden, Esq. of Wednesbury, in the county of Stafford. They were the parents of three daughters, Hephzibah Constance, Ellen Clarke and Albreda de Wiveleslie Beatrice Abney.^1,2

Edward saw military service as an ensign in the 52nd Foot.

Edward Abney died on 2 September 1839 in Aldridge, Derbyshire, England. He was buried in St. Peter's Churchyard, Swepstone, Leicestershire, England.

Edward Abney appeared in a newspaper article 11 September 1839 in the The Derby Mercury, published in Derby, an unknown place . DEATHS -- At his residence at Aldridge, on Monday the 2d instant, after a lingering illness, borne with Christian fortitude and resignation, Edward Abney, Esq., second son of the late Edward Abney, Esq. of Measham Hall, in this county, and formerly Captain in the 52nd Light Infantry.

     Ellen Rose Holden was born on 26 October 1807 in Guat Barr, Staffordshire, England.¹

Ellen Rose Holden was baptised on 12 December 1808 at Saint Martin in Birmingham, Warwickshire, England.¹

Ellen married Edward Abney, son of Edward Abney and Hephzibah Need, on 10 December 1822 at All Saints in West Bromwich, Staffordshire, England. She was the daughter of Hyla Holden, Esq. of Wednesbury, in the county of Stafford. They were the parents of three daughters, Hephzibah Constance, Ellen Clarke and Albreda de Wiveleslie Beatrice Abney.^2,3

Ellen Rose Holden died on 22 March 1888 in Chateau de Painthon, France, at age 80.¹

     Elizabeth Abney, daughter of Edward Abney and Hephzibah Need, was born on 16 December 1782 at Penn Lane-Independent in Melbourne, Derbyshire, England.

Elizabeth married Henry Walker Esq. on 8 September 1806 at Measham Hall in Swepstone, Derbyshire (now Leicestershire), England. He succeeded his father in 1815 as Lord of Blythe Hall. He was magistrate and deputy-lieutenant in county Nottingham and served as sheriff.^1,2

Elizabeth Abney died on 9 February 1850 in Clifton Park, Yorkshire, England, at age 67.

     Henry Walker Esq. was born on 3 February 1785 at Blythe Hall in Nottingham, England.¹

Henry married Elizabeth Abney, daughter of Edward Abney and Hephzibah Need, on 8 September 1806 at Measham Hall in Swepstone, Derbyshire (now Leicestershire), England. He succeeded his father in 1815 as Lord of Blythe Hall. He was magistrate and deputy-lieutenant in county Nottingham and served as sheriff.^1,2

     Sir William de Wiveleslie Abney K. C. B., son of Rev. Edward Henry Abney and Catherine Strutt, was born on 24 July 1843 in St. Alkmund, Derbyshire, England.¹

William married first Agatha Matilda Smith on 4 August 1864 in Beverley, East Riding, Yorkshire, England. She was the daughter of Edward William Smith.² Young William developed an early interest in photography through his father, a close friend of pioneering English photographer, William Henry Fox-Talbot. William attended Rossall School, the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich and joined the Royal Engineers in 1861, with whom he served in India for several years. Thereafter, and to further his knowledge in photography, he became a chemical assistant at the Chatham School of Military Engineering.

Abney was a pioneer of several technical aspects of photography. His endeavors in the chemistry of photography produced useful photographic products and also developments in astronomy. In 1874, Abney developed a dry photographic emulsion, which replaced "wet" emulsions. Abney also introduced new and useful types of photographic paper, including in 1882 a formula for gelatin silver chloride paper. His pioneering work lead to the development of color photography and the instant Poloroid print.

He conducted early research into the field of spectroscopy, developing a red-sensitive emulsion which was used for the infrared spectra of organic molecules. He was knighted in 1900 for the body of his scientific work.

William Abney invented the "Abney Level", a combined clinometer and spirit level, used by surveyors to measure slopes and angles.

William married second Mary Louisa Mead on 3 December 1889. She was the daughter of Edward Nathaniel Mead.

He inherited Measham Hall from the estate of his cousin William Wotten Abney, following the death of his widow, Helen, in 1893.

Sir William de Wiveleslie Abney K. C. B. died on 3 December 1920 in Folkestone, Kent County, England, at age 77. He was buried in Christ Church Graveyard, Folkestone, England.

     Nathan Leslie Duncan was born on 6 January 1909.¹

Nathan married Bessie Gertrude WATTS, daughter of John Henderson Bradford WATTS and Mary Etta Nabors, in 1930 in Bibb County, Alabama.²

Nathan Leslie Duncan and Bessie Gertrude WATTS appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 15 April 1930 in Eoline, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as Nathan Duncan, a 21-year-old farmer, and Gertrude Duncan, his 18 year old wife. They were married in 1930. They were renting their farm and lived next door to William and Annie Duncan. Nathan was not a veteran.²

Nathan Leslie Duncan and Bessie Gertrude WATTS appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 15 April 1940 in James, Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as Nathan L. Duncan, a 31-year-old farmer, and B. Gertrude, his 28-year-old wife. Their children were; Virginia M., 9; Nathan M., 6; Midear, 5; and Izoma D., 2.³

Nathan Leslie Duncan died on 5 October 1993 in Centreville, Bibb County, Alabama, at age 84.⁴ He was buried in Pondville Cemetery, Bibb County, Alabama.

     Ann ABNEY was baptised on 1 February 1655 at St. Mary de Castro Church in Leicester, England, daughter of Phillip ABNEY and Anne (?).^1,2,3

     John ABNEY was baptised on 7 June 1657 at St. Mary de Castro Church in Leicester, England, son of Phillip ABNEY and Anne (?).^1,2,3

John married Tabitha Bennett on 23 November 1682 in Sapcote, Leicestershire, England. She was the daughter of John Bennett of Braunstone.^4,5 He was an alderman of Leicester in 1687. He was a pewterer by trade and admitted a freeman 3 May 1679. He was appointed chamberlain in1684, bailiff in1685 and a churchwarden of St. Martin's in 1687.^6,4

On 26 April 1699 John Tapper of the Forest of Leicester, butcher, for £30 leased and released to John Abney of Leicester, pewterer, a messuage in the Parish of St. Nicholas, Leicester, near the Shambles Lane and now in the tenure of Rowland Marlour, also a close in the late disafforested Forest of Leicester containing 9 acres lately purchased of one John Stafford.⁷

On 9 Sep 1699 John Tapper of The Forest of Leicester, yeoman, and John Abney of Leicester, pewterer, leased for one year to Gustavus Haws, clerke for the Rector of Ailston, for £60 some property near a street called the Shambles Lane now in the tenure of Rowland Mariour, also a close in the late diforrested Forest of Leicester, containing 9 acres now in the tenure of John Abney, provided that if Tapper and Abney shall pay Gustavus £61 on the 9th of March he agree to transfer the premises to whomever they shall appoint.⁸

John ABNEY was elected mayor of Leicester in 1700.⁹ He eventually retired into private life, and having taken up his residence outside the borough, was eventually discharged from the corporation in September 1712. He settled at Braunstone.

John Abney of Leicester, pewterer, on 18 March 1704 mortgaged property to William Mansfield of Loughborough, innholder; and Rev. John Alleyne, B. D., rector of Loughborough. The property contained 4 cottages and a shop, in St. Martin's, Leicester, in the Saturday Market, Women's Market, and Corn Wall, occupied by John Abney, John Watson, Edward Sutton, William Davenport, and Richard Chard, recently purchased by Abney from Tyrringham Stephens and John Goodall; and a croft (1/2 acre), in St. Mary's, Leicester, in Southgate Street, recently purchased by John Abney from Robert Annis. Rent was a peppercorn. To be void if Abney pays Mansfield 169 pounds.

John ABNEY, gentleman, left a will dated on 18 July 1714 in Baunstone, Leicestershire, England. It mentions a house in South Gate at Leicester. The will was proved at Leicester11 September following, by Tabitha Abney, his relict.¹⁰ He was buried on 23 July 1714 in Braunstone, Leicestershire, England.⁶

     Mary ABNEY was baptised on 16 July 1648 at St. Mary de Castro Church in Leicester, England, daughter of Phillip ABNEY and Anne (?).^1,2 She was also known as Maria.

     Elizabeth Cook was born between 1760 and 1765 in Virginia.

Elizabeth married Capt. William ABNEY, son of George ABNEY and Unity Meredith, circa 1780.

Elizabeth married second Jeremiah Burnett Sr. after 1807 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. His first wife was Lurena Gentry, daugther of Hezekiah Gentry and Catherine Reynolds.

Elizabeth Cook and Lark ABNEY were the administrators of Jeremiah Burnett Sr.'s estate on 1 January 1818 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.

Elizabeth Cook died on 1 August 1820 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.

     Mary Helen Pope ABNEY, daughter of William ABNEY and Bathsheba POPE, was born on 1 April 1812 in Edgefield (now Saluda) County, South Carolina.¹

Mary married William Scurry circa 1830 in South Carolina.²

Mary Helen Pope ABNEY died on 3 December 1884 in Batesburg, Edgefield (now Saluda) County, South Carolina, at age 72.^1,3

     Dr. William S. BURT, son of William BURT and Martha Elizabeth Eelbank, was born circa 1805 in Halifax County, North Carolina.¹

Dr. William S. BURT was named an heir in the will of his aunt, Mary Davis, his mother's sister, on 30 June 1809 in Halifax County, North Carolina. She left him some land and a mill in Northampton County, North Carolina. The will was probated in August 1815.^2,3

He was probably the male age 16 to 25 listed in the household of his father, William BURT, in the 1820 Federal Census of Halifax County, North Carolina.⁴

Dr. William S. BURT appeared on the 1820 Federal Census of Capt. James Berry's District, Putnam County, Georgia, 1 male 16-25 [William] and 1 female 16-25 [Martha]. They had no slaves.

William married Priscilla M. Williams on 23 May 1823 in Northampton County, North Carolina. They moved to Tennessee in 1833.⁵

Know all men by these presents that I Wm. S. Burt for and in consideration of a relinquishment made to me bearing date 22nd day of December 1823 by Henry Garrett and Maria Louisa his wife of all their right title interest and claim to Lot No. 70 to Lot No. 87 and to Lot No. 88 lying and being in the Town of Halifax belonging to the estate of Wm. Burt dec'd have [remised?] released and relinquished and by these presents forever quit claim unto the said Henry Garrett and Maria Louisa his wife all my right title and interest to the tract of land and premises situate lying and being in the County of Halifax on the Marsh Swamp belonging to the estate of Wm Burt dec'd whereon the said Hnery Garrett and Maria Louisa now lives and I the said William S. Burt do by these presents do hereby [remise?] release relinquish and quit claim unto the said Henry Garrett and Maria Louisa his wife all my right title interest and claim of and to the said tract of land and premises. In witness whereof I the said Wm. S Burt have hereunto set my hand and seal this 22nd day of Dec 1823.
Signed: W. S. Burt
Wit: Richard Eppes, attested 12 Dec 1825.⁶

Dr. William S. BURT received property from Mary Gilmour on 13 May 1827 in Halifax County, North Carolina. Mary Gilmour of Halifax Co., NC to William S. Burt of same town and state aforesaid, for one dollar, seven slaves, to wit: Alphonzo, John, Harriet and her four children [S?]andy, Henry, Allan and Harvey, to secure payment of certain debts, whereas Ann [Pasteur?] has become security for said Mary Gilmour in the Newbern Bank at Halifax for sum of five hundred dollars... etc.
Signed: Mary Gilmour, registered 16 Aug 1827.⁷

Dr. William S. BURT bought land from Harrod Scott on 18 May 1827 in Halifax County, North Carolina. Harrod Scott to William S. Burt, both of Halifax Co., [mortgaged] a dark bay mare and sorrel colt three years old, one [cart?], his sows, his bed and furniture, four chairs, [?], plate and dishes; Harrod Scott to repay William S. Burt sixty-five dollars and the interest before first day of January next.
Signed: Harrod Scott (his mark), Wm. S. Burt
Wit: Edmund. B. Freeman, 23 May 1827.⁸

     Priscilla M. Williams was born on 12 February 1803 in Northampton County, North Carolina.¹

Priscilla married Dr. William S. BURT, son of William BURT and Martha Elizabeth Eelbank, on 23 May 1823 in Northampton County, North Carolina. They moved to Tennessee in 1833.¹

Priscilla M. Williams died on 14 January 1884 in Fayette County, Tennessee, at age 80.¹