.My direct line can at present be traced back to Simon Spensley who died at Carperby, Wensleydale, in 1743. Most of the Spensleys in my branch have been involved in agriculture. A repetition of christian names appear as in the other branches, with Simon and Ralph being the main ones.

My direct line is as follows:-

Simon -d.1743, m. ?, Carperby

Simon - d.1789 Carperby, m. Ann Airton of Swineside, Coverdale 28 Jan 1754 Coverham,

Simon - m. Anne Temple Oct. 1773 Aysgarth

Ralph - 1778-1858 , m. Margaret Metcalfe 29 March 1813, d. 27 Jan. 1858. Margaret's family were from Thoralby.

Simon -1814 , Carperby., m. Ann Metcalfe 23 Oct.1837,Aysgarth., d. 20 Aug 1892 at Tullis Cote, nr. Wensley. Ann's family can be traced back to Metcalfes at Nappa in the 1600s.

Christopher - b. 1857, m. Sarah Collier at Wensley., d. 1930, Leyburn. Christopher was a farmer and cattle dealer. Sarah's parents were John Collier (see below), a sailor, and Sarah Jordan. As the youngest son, Christopher would be the one most likely to have to seek work off the home farm. Following his marriage, he became a cowkeeper in Liverpool as did many other Dales' farmers. The 1881 census shows him in Rockwood Street, West Derby, with wife Sarah.
During his time there, Christopher would keep a number of cows in a city dairy, selling fresh milk to the local population. Freshly calved cows would be sent from the home farm in Wensleydale by rail. He remained in Liverpool until at least 1886, after which he returned to Wensleydale and farmed at Harmby House. He also lived for a number of years at St. Matthew's Terrace in Leyburn.
Christopher & Sarah had 11 children, of whom 2 died as infants.

Albert Ernest Spensley, my grandfather, was the eldest son of Christopher & Sarah. He was born 28 May 1881 in Liverpool, but lived in the belief he was a year older than this, resulting in the wrong date on his tombstone. He lived in Castle Bolton and was shepherd for his uncle Metcalfe at Castle Bank. In 1903 he married Annie Preston. Annie was born at Whaw in Arkengarthdale, d/o William Preston & Jane Ann Birkbeck.