Close Family Tree

Looks as though mother Betty was pregnant when she married.

Living at Kirkby Stephen, Westmorland. Builder.

Also present are father Joseph, sister Elizabeth and John Hutton Close, his son from his first marriage.

Living with wife Margaret and son John at Kirkby Stephen, Westmorland. Grocer and Master Builder.

Kendal RO: WD DF/Box19/11 Letter from William Close to Mr. Heelis:

Kirkby Stephen 1856 July 10th

Mr Heelis

Sir I was at Brackenslack yesterday measuring the Carpenters work that has been done by Yanrah[?] of Sleagill he will most Likely be bringing his Bill soon., The money that you have Previously advanced from him will be to take of [sic] his Bill.

Jaro[?] Morans has commenced with the Hulls[?] etc I hope they will get forward with their work.

Dadgran has got the High Barn slated, the Little old stable at the end of Barn and the Painting work wants doing yet he had told Johnathan that he would come soon and get it done.

You Obedient Servant
William Close

Living with wife Margaret at Kirkby Stephen, Westmorland. Grocer.

Joseph's eldest son spent some time in Leeds before moving to Crosby Garrett and then to Kirkby Stephen. At various times and in various places he was described as a joiner, master builder, an architect and grocer. For a time he was employed by W. Dent of Flass House as clerk of works.

In 1829 he built Stobars Hall at Kirkby Stephen and later the Wesleyan Chapel, The Temperance Hall, extensions to the parish church and Chamley Hall at Warcop. He was also interested in geology and his large collection of fossils and specimens was given to the Kendal Literary & Scientific Institution after his death.

William was married in 1828 to Isabella Hutton and they had one son John Hutton Close.

Isabella died two years later and their son died aged 24 in 1852. William had married again in 1850 to Margaret Richardson, a widow with three daughters. In his will of 1863 he left pieces of furniture to his brother Anthony, sister Mary Barker and nephew William Close, son of Anthony. The Old Quarto Family Bible went to George Close, the eldest son of his brother Anthony.

William also requested that he should be buried with his son John and first wife Isabella but due to a new health law his wish was not granted and he was buried in Kirkby Stephen Cemetery. When writing about his death, his cousin John "Poet" Close, said William "had been like a father to him".

Summary of Will of William Close of Kirkby Stephen, Architect & Grocer, Estate under ú200. Drawn 9 Aug 1862 Proved 12 Sep 1863 Wit, John Harrison & Charles Stephenson. Executor - wife Margaret Close.

To brother Anthony Close û Old writing desk & book case

To sister Mary Barker - Old Buffet

To brother AnthonyÆs eldest son û Old Quarto Family Bible

To brother AnthonyÆs son William û Portable writing desk

To wife û Houses, shops, outbuildings, lands, furniture, stock, moneys etc. If worth more than ú200 then ú100 to Margaret Potter daughter-in-law [at that time meant = Step-daughter] on her motherÆs death. Remainder at disposal of wife.

Obituary in the Kendal Mercury 18th October 1863.

KIRKBY STEPHEN. THE LATE MR. WILLIAM CLOSE, ARCHITECT AND GEOLOGIST

For many years the late Mr. W. Close, of this town, was an architect and builder; a man of great talent, and superior powers of mind. He was for some time employed by W. Dent, Esq., of Flass House as clerk of the works, when that gentleman built his splendid mansion, and we may here remark that StobarÆs Hall, the Temperance Hall, the Wesleyan Chapel, and a part of our Church, with Chamley Hall, or Warcop House, at Warcop, was built by Mr. Close. In his leisure hours he was fond of geology, and has left behind a rare and valuable collection of fossils, and other specimens of the curiosities appertaining to this science; and was preparing a new work with maps and drawings on the rocks and mountains of this locality, when death suddenly took him away. On a visit a short time ago in Kendal to Miles Thompson, Esq., the architect, Mr. Close was kindly introduced by this gentleman to several of the distinguished men o that town û Mr. Gough, and others, who gave him a hearty welcome. His loss will be deeply felt in this town by all the gentry who employed him, to whom he was endeared by his agreeable manners, and undoubted skill.