The Coxon Connection  with Thrum Mill, Rothbury

Researcher: Stoker Wilson. April 2009.

William Coxon, (c 1772- 1844)
William (my 3x Gt. Uncle) is the first recorded ancestor at Thrum Mill. Son of William Coxon (1736-1824), my 4xGt Grandfather, he was born at Overgrass Mill some 3 miles NE of Longframlington. According to Lois Saleeba he lived and worked at the Thrum from 1807, probably from about the time of his marriage to Elizabeth Grunson. His family was born at the Thrum, and he died there in 1844.

Born at Thrum:-
Ann Coxon, 1807, married John Snowdon.
William Coxon 1808, married Ann Gray.
Susan Coxon 1809.
Elizabeth Coxon c 1812, married John Thompson.
Jane Coxon, 1814, married William Orr, and then Joshua Tennant.

William Orr, (c 1815 -1845)
William Coxon’s daughter, Jane, (1814-1887) married William Orr in c 1843. Soon after the marriage William died, according the family gravestone in Rothbury churchyard on 11th April 1845. It is not known whether William Orr was a miller at the Thrum, but there was short period between the death of Jane’s parents in 1844 and William’s death in 1845 when he may have taken over.

Born at Thrum:-
John Orr, c 1844, Married Mary Graham. Went as Miller to Snitter.
William Orr, c 1845. Died immediately after birth.
William Orr, c1846, married Sarah Young.

Joshua Tennant (c 1824-1890)
Jane soon remarried to Joshua Tennant in about 1850, and Joshua became Miller at the Thrum until his death in 1890. His records at the Thrum can be traced in the censuses of 1851, 1861, 1871 and 1881.

Born at Thrum:-
Jane Ann Tennant, 1855.
Joshua Tennant, c 1858

William Orr (1846- after 1901)
William was Jane’s son, and grandson of William Coxon (1772-1844). William lived at the Thrum most of his life, first as the stepson of Joshua. He appears to have taken over as Miller after Joshua’s death in 1890. He can be traced through the censuses of 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891 and 1901. So far I have not ascertained the date of William’s death, and at the time of writing the 1911 census is not available for Northumberland. He therefore lived at the Thrum for over 45 years. There is anecdotal evidence that he was there until 1925.

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