| Description | Includes deeds for Beverley and Brigham 1659-1743; Coniston 1614-1835; Ellerby 1705-1798; Etherdwick 1608-1759; Fisholme 1683-1827; Goxhill 1776; Dagger Lane, Hull 1750; High Street, Hull (Wilberforce House) 1685-1829; Land of Green Ginger, Hull 1716-1723; Preston 1610-1814; Riplingham and South Cave Ings 1716-1755; Sculcoates 1789; Swine 1678-1681; Thornholme, Nafferton parish 1692-1836; Wansford 1773; Markington, Wallerthwaite and Ingerthorpe, North Yorkshire 1624-1813; Fossgate, York 1678; Highwood Hill, Hendon, Middlesex 1695-1748; Sudbury, Suffolk [1695]; Oxenwood, Titcomb, and Shalborne, Berkshire and Wiltshire 1738-1765; Efenechtyd, and Llanvoorog, Denbighshire, Wales 1730. Also contains wills 1718-1775; settlements 1755; rentals 1778-1827; tenancy agreements 1811-1828; valuations 1806-1833; accounts and vouchers 1782-1836; Acts of Parliament 1756-1826 and miscellaneous records 1738-1838. |
| AdminHistory | The Wilberforce family has its origins in the village of Wilberfoss, near York, during which time the surname was identical in spelling to the village 'Wilberfoss'. Around the mid-sixteenth century the family moved to Beverley. Then in the early eighteenth century William Wilberfoss, grandfather to the famous emancipator, moved to Hull where he worked as an apprentice to John Thornton, merchant. It was at this time that William changed the spelling of the surname to 'Wilberforce'. After the death of John Thornton, William bought his house on 25 High Street, Hull, which became known as Wilberforce House. The family was successful in importing and exporting at Hull, and accumulated a great deal of wealth. William's son, Robert, was made a partner in the business, and in 1759 Robert had a son, William, with his wife Elizabeth. This was their third child and only son. William was born at Wilberforce House on 24 August 1759. He was free from any financial constraints because of substantial inheritances from his father, grandfather and uncle, which included a number of farms and lands in the East Riding. This enabled William to pursue a successful career in politics, during which time he was a close ally and friend of William Pitt the younger, whom he had met at Cambridge University. William's most notable achievement however was leading the abolition movement in Parliament that eventually brought about the end of the slave trade in 1833. |