Silloans is within a British Army Training DTE Otterburn, see this leaflet
Ephraim Anderson 1780-1867
Matthew 1784-1867, our direct ancestor, had a brother called Ephraim 1780-1867 who was baptised in Harbottle non-conformist chapel. Ephraim moved about 8 miles south from his family home at Barrow Mill, Alwinton to farm at Silloans, Rochester, near Otterburn in Redesdale. The move probably happened in 1807 on his marriage to Isabel (sometimes Isabella) Richardson. Isabel’s brother James Richardson was at Silloans for 1841, 1851 and 1861 censuses, being described as a ‘proprietor of lands’. Silloans appears to have been owned by the Richardson family, see Silloans: History below.
Ephraim must have been successful as he was included in the 1832 poll book. His qualification for voting in parliamentary elections was “occupier of farm above 50l [£50] annum rent”. This meant that after the 1832 Reform Act Ephraim was one of 18% of the total adult male population allowed to vote.
Ephraim and Isabel had no offspring and James Richardson died a bachelor so when Ephraim died he bequeathed the farm, or at least his share of the farm to James and Isabel’s nephew John Richardson Bolam. John died two years and his brother James farmed at Silloans until he died when his estate was valued at £5,296. See The Bolam Family page including their connection to the Richardson’s.
Images and details of Ephraim’s will are on Matthew’s siblings page.
Prior his move to Ireland, during the 1841 and 1851 census John Anderson 1811-1874 was living at Silloans. John, the eldest son of Matthew and Jane Anderson was their only offspring to be baptised at nearby Birdhopecraig Presbyterian (Scotch) chapel. In 1851 Margaret Stokoe, soon to marry John Anderson and move to Ireland was servant at Silloans. Ephraim’s will included “my nephew John Anderson, son of my brother Matthew Anderson receives £200″.
Silloans: History, old leases probably pre-Ephraim
Notes on archives showing the Richardson family’s interest in the property. It is unlikely that the Matthew and George Anderson were from our family.
Source: https://archive.org/stream/proceedings00sociuoft/proceedings00sociuoft_djvu.txt
Rhode Island Historical Society Collections, xin, no. 2. From an anonymous donor (per Mr. Joseph Oswald, secretary): A bundle of documents, on parchment, relating to land in Redesdale, of which the following is a list :
1741, April 29. Bargain and sale between (i) William Hedley of Harwoodhead, gent., and Mary his wife, and (2) Edward Laing of the Hill, Northd., gent., of the messuage known as Silloans in Elsdon parish.
1741 , April 30. Release between the same parties and of the same property.
[1742] Trin. term, 15 Geo. n. ‘ Fin al’agreement ‘ (and copy) between Edward Laing, plaintiff, and William Hedley and Mary his wife deforc 18 .
1793, July 18. Probate of the will of John Richardson of ‘ Allenton ‘ Northd.
1794, May 6 Lease for a year, between (i) George Anderson of Horton, Northd., and Matthew Anderson of North Shields, butcher, his eldest son and heir apparent, and (2) James Bower of Fawdon, Northd., and John Bower of Avenue head, near Seaton Delaval,
farmer, of the sixth part of the said messuage, &c., at Silloans known as ‘Twelve penny worth,’ late the estate of Matthew Anderson of Birdhope Craig, farmer, the father of George, and in the occupation of John Charlton.
1794, May 7. Release made between the same parties of the same. [Proc., 3 ser. ix.] 31
1795, June i. Lease for a year between (i) Ralph Nicholson of East Nook, Elsdon par., gent., and Robert Byers of Donaghadee, co. Down, Ireland, and (2) Henry Nicholson of East Nook, yeoman, several parcels of land at Blackburn, otherwise Silburn, in. the
possession of James Richardson.
1795, J une 2. Conveyance, between the same parties, of the same premises.
1795, June 10. Probate of the will of Thomas Richardson of Alwinton.
1797, Jan. 4. Lease for a year, between (i) the Rev Caleb Dixon of Cox Close, co. Durham, clerk ; (2) Thomas Dixon of Crosby gill, Westmorland, farmer ; and (3) James Richardson of High Allenton, farmer, of farmhold, &c., known as Silloans.
1797, Jan. 5. Release between the same parties of the same premises.
1797, May n. Lease for a year, between (i) Henry Nicholson the younger ; and (2) James Richardson the younger and John Richardson of Allenton, yeomen, of J part of Blackburn, otherwise Silburn township, at a quit rent of zd. to the duke of Northd. for his manor of Ridsdale.
1797, May 12. Release between the same parties of same property.
1797, May n. Lease for a year, between (i) James Bower late of Fawdon, but then of Newbiging, Northd., and John Bower of Avenue head, near Seaton Delaval, farmer ; and (2) James Richardson of Allenton, Northd., farmer, of the undivided sixth part in messuages, &c., called Silloans, being the portion known as ‘ Twelve penny worth.’
1797, May 12. Release between the same parties of the same.