The Minor Family of Somerset

Halifax Antiquarian Society, 1925, "Excursion to Ovenden" Page 9
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"Phoebe Oates was the widow of old James Oates of Marsh Hall o
r Lands Head in Northowram who was the son by a former marriag
e of Agnes, wife of Thomas Fourness of Shelf Hall. She was als
o the daughter of James and Mary Dickenson of Northowram."
"The Dickensons were staunch supporters of Heywood and Phoebe di
ckensonis recorded as one of the members of Heywood's firs Nonc
onformist Church.
Her marriage with James Oates took place in 1655, when she was 2
6 years of ageand he was 60."
"In 1653 the Commonwealth passed a new Marriage Act under whic
h banns might be published in the market place and the ceremon
y might takeplace before a Justice of the Peace. The widding r
ing was dispensed with, being considered a relic of Popery.
Such marriages were known as Commonwealth Marriages and the marr
iage of Phoebe Dickenson to James Oates was a Commonwealth marri
age, as was also her marriage to Joseph Fourness.
Of this first marriage, Heywood tells a curious story which alth
ough it has quite recently appeared in the Society's Transaction
s is too good to miss here. He says:
'James Oates of Lands Head had many children, James, Joshua, etc
., but they were all dead when I first came, only the eldest ha
d left one daughter, Esther Oates, whom Samuel Lister of Shibde
n Hall had newly married, and because they were ancient they ha
d made account she must have all, so bargained not for portion
. But in process of time Mr. Oates' old wife died, and he marrie
d his servant maid, one Phoebe Dickenson, by whom he had a son a
nd a daughter, then died. Mr. Lister sued the widow for a porti
on. She answered suit, but at lastmarried Joseph Furnace of Ov
enden. He composed the business, gave her abovea thousand poun
ds. Mr. Furnace had by her-that was Mrs. Oates-six children,so
ns and daughters. They are extraordinary rich worth above a tho
usand ayear. His wife hath a stranged disease above seven year
s of prodigious trembling by fits and now hath lyen specially ei
ght weeks. I was an eye witness of it, December 31, 1774. Stra
nge stories are told as occasion of both but Iam not credulous
. James Oates and his sister live with their mother.'
IBIDpage 95
"Mrs. Phoebe Furness, Sload, bequeathed to daughter Martha, he
r daughter, wife of John Dunn, reversion to Joshua Dunn, son o
f Martha. Martha andJoshua have sold to Mathew Smith."..
"Mrs. Phoebe Furness, three messuages, called Cockhill, Peat-Pit
ts and Fletchers, bequeathed to Lydia her daughter, wife of Joh
n Martin."
"John Furness conveyed to Nathaniel Priestley a messuagecalle
d Doughty Lands, 1 called Ryecroft and 2 closes near the commo
n above."
John Furness, 1 messuage in Upper Bradshaw, conveyed to James Ri
ley
JohnFurness, 1 messuage called Clough, to Timothy Mitchell
John Furness, 1 messuage called Little Brackenbed to Samuel Thre
apland."
"John Furness, Crosses Farm to Luke Hoyle."
"John Furness, one messuage in upper Bradshaw Row to ThomasIbbo
tson."
"John Furness, one messuage in Upper Bradshaw Row to Joseph Wils
on."
"John Furness, Gorton to Ely Dawson."
"John Furness, Cobble Bank to Jos. Dawson.