The Landles Family

Ref. S11

We believe that Margaret Landles, the wife of Robert Smart (Ref. S1), Sheena’s 3 x great-grandfather, was the Mary Landless who contracted an irregular marriage  with Robert 8.5.1794 at Coldstream Bridge toll house.  Both parties were said to be from Belford parish, which is where our couple’s eldest child was baptised.  See further explanation in Ref. S1.

Margaret Smart nee Landles died 11.12.1848 at Humbleton Mill, Wooler of “dyspepsia & old age” and was said to be 78.

If this correct she would have been born in 1770. We think it is reasonable to say that Margaret’s father was the George Landles of “Belford Mill”, who had a daughter of that name baptised at the Warenford Presbyterian Church (near Bamburgh) on 26.6.1770, the birth being eight days earlier.  If the family were Presbyterian that might suggest a Scottish origin, by the way.

We have seen two younger siblings for Margaret, i.e. John, baptised 21.1.1772 (born 21.11.1771) and Ann baptised 20.11.1773 (born 11.11.1773).  We also note that a George Landless of Belford contracted an irregular marriage at Coldstream Bridge 20.3.1794, the bride being Elizabeth Cleghorn of Chatton.  We might speculate that he was an older brother of Margaret and his example was something she followed seven weeks or so after him.

Another significant fact item is the gravestone in Belford churchyard which records the death 24.5.1792 of Margaret, wife of George Landles of Crag Mill, aged 60, with George dying 12.12.1805, aged 75. Given that Margaret Landles-Smart’s first child was born at Crag Mill, we think that these must be her parents.  So far, however, we have not found the marriage.

Also, the only George “Landles” baptised in Britain around 1730 is 2.3.1731 at St Andrews and St Leonards, Fife, the son of George Landles and Agnes Fleemingston.  No other baptisms of this couple seen.  There was a George Landels baptised at the same place 8.3.1687, the son of Thomas Landels and Helin Pryde.

March 2019