John Langstaff (1622 - 1694)

Born 1622 in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, England

Ancestors

Husband of Jaine (Dickson) Langstaff — married 12 Aug 1645 in Auckland St Andrew, County Durham, England

Descendants

Died 26 May 1694 at about age 72 in Middlestone, County Durham, England

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Biography

Known as the QUAKER CONTRACTOR OF BISHOP AUCKLAND.

See Transcriptions of George Blundell Longstaff's book, "The Langstaffs of Teesdale and Weardale." by Carole A M Johnson - Carole Johnson

http://hcr1945.wixsite.com/longstaff-talltrees/part-7

Pedigree No. 26 - Langstaff of Whitby - See Pedigree No. 1
This pedigree is partly founded on Bills, Answers and Depositions in the Suits of Langstaffe v. Farside and Langstaffe v. Langstaffe. - See Appendix XII., p. clxxix, etc.

Notes

Became a Quaker in 1654; prosecuted 1660-1678; worked for Bishop Cosin , 1664 - 1671.
See Biography Pages 52 - 90 of "The Langstaffes of Teesdale and Weardale." - Author George Blundell Longstaff.

Excerpts from George Blundell Longstaff's book, "The Langstaffs of Teesdale and Weardale."
John Langstaffe, "The Quaker Contractor of Auckland"

No illusion is made in either the Mens or the Womens books to Johns wife, but the Quaker Register, tells us that Thomas, son of John and Jane Langstaffe of Auckland was born on the 20th of the third month 1655. According to the same Register, John Langstaffe of Middleton, died on the 26th of the fifth month 1694 and proved on the 25th of January, 1695/6 is printed in extenso at the end of this chapter. This document is in itself, evidence that he died a Friend; in it he expresses a desire that his "friends in the truth" will bury him by the body of his deceased wife, in his "owne buryinge place at Bpp.Auckland." 
The Minutes directly mention two of his younger sons, Thomas and Bethwell [or Bothewell] ,and their wives, they were both married according to the rites of the Church. 
Thomas certainly left the Society as early as 1679. Bethuel would appear to have left it about the same time, but in 1699 his widow, Ann, applied to Stockton Meeting for legal assistance, in reference to some property, in connection with which matter, John's eldest son, Abel is mentioned. 
This is the last notice we have of a member of the family in the connection with the Society of Friends*. But history has preserved quite another aspect of John Langstaffs life. 
During the Commonwealth in 1647 or soon after, the Parliamentary Commissioners sold the "very stately Manor House, called the Castle or Palace of the late Bishop of Durham, situate in Bishop's Auckland, with two chapels to it, one over the other, built with stone and covered with lead," etc.; to Sir Arthur Haslerigg of Noseley in Northamptonshire, for £6102 8s. 11 1/2d. The purchaser at once began to construct for himself a mansion-house within the court of the Castle. 
In 1660, at the restoration, John Cosin was appointed Bishop of Durham, and in 1662 he set about restoring the chapel and carrying out various works in the Palace, in the course of which he demolished Sir Arthur Hasleriggs new Mansion House.

"The first journey of Anne Audland in the work of the ministry was into the County of Durham; and being engaged in preaching to the people in the town of Auckland on a market day, she was arrested and imprisoned. She continued preaching to the people from the window of the jail, declaring the truths of the Gospel, she being seriously engaged for the welfare of immortal soul. Several persons were very much affected by her testimony, and towards evening she was freed from her prison and John Langstaffe a man of considerable eminence in the neighbourhood," was so reached by her ministry, that he voluntarily accompanied her to prison, and on her release took her to his house. His wife however, offended at her husband's conduct and apparent change, received him and his guest with language which showed her disapproval. Anne, unwilling to stay where she was not wanted, withdrew to seek shelter in the fields, for the night. But Anthony Pearson, a respectable person, of Rampshaw, conveyed her to his residence. She continued her journey, to the spiritual benefit of many; and when she believed her allotted service was accomplished, she returned home.
1654 is approximately the date of John Langstaffe's conversion. Anne, daughter of Richard Newby of Kendal, co. Westmorland, was born in 1627. "About the year 1650 she was married to John Audland, and in the beginning of 1652 they were both by the Ministry of G. Poz, convinced of the truth he preached; and in the next year they began to preach that Doctrine to others; for which in the following year [i.e. 1654] she was committed to prison in the town of Aukland in the County of Durham, where she had opportunity to speak to people through the window, which she did so pathetically that some were affected by her testimony; and after being released she travelled up and down the Country, etc."

Most unfortunately the first Minute Book of the Raby Monthly Meetings of the Society of Friends is lost, but through the kindness of Mr. Arthur Saunders and other Darlington friends, I (George Blundell Longstaff) have been permitted to print in Appendix 11, a very interesting series of extracts from the existing books. From these we learn that John Langstaff was an active and prominent member from 1671 to 1694, the year of his death. From the criminal records of the county, we know that meetings of the Quakers took place in his "mansion house at Bishop Auckland." While the Minute Books prove that the regular Monthly Meetings, were held in his house at Shakerton from 1671 to 1673. From 1675 onwards they were held "att Raby"
George Fox was born at Drayton, Co. Leicester in 1624. He first preached in 1648 at Manchester, His followers were first called Quakers in 1650. Fox says ( Journal)" This was Justice Bennet of Derby, who first called us Quakers, because I bade them Tremble at the word of the Lord". He died in 1691.
The Dicksons of Dixons of Raby, Henknowle and Cockfield, so often mentioned in Minute Books are ancestors of the writer. It is almost certain that John Langstaffs wife was Jane, daughter of Peter Dixon of Aukland. There was, a few years earlier , a Peter Dixon of Raby, so that it is not impossible that three Quaker Dixons, who were so intimately associated with John Langstaffe were his wife's kinsfolk.

Sources

• The Langstaff's of Teesdale and Weardale - Author George Blundell Longstaff.

See Pedigree No. 26 - Langstaff of Whitby - and Pedigree No. 1.

This profile is part of the Longstaff Name Study.