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• 1. Beyond the family tree
• 2. The Armstrong family
• 3. Rise and fall
• 4. Family turmoil
• 5. Above the law?
• 6. Starting your own research
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Family turmoil

Given Thomas's turbulent career and ability to make enemies, it seemed that a speculative trawl of legal records at TNA might bear fruit. It was found that his mother-in-law, Jane Allison, had brought a lawsuit against him into the Court of Chancery in 1772, and her bill of complaint provided a vivid portrait of family betrayal.

According to Jane's statement, her husband Charles had disappeared at sea and was presumed drowned. Thomas was left as executor of the will, and Jane and Charles's daughter, Alice - who was also Thomas's wife - was the main beneficiary.

'Chief among Jane's complaints was the fact that the signature on the will appeared to have been forged ...'

Thomas acted quickly to obtain a grant of probate for Charles's will and ruthlessly administered its terms. Jane claimed she had been 'threatened and frightened' by two constables brought round by Thomas to recover Charles's goods. Chief among Jane's complaints was the fact that the signature on the will appeared to have been forged, and bore a similarity to Thomas's handwriting.

Then Jane's plight worsened. In 1780 the legal records show she travelled to London to continue the case. In her absence Thomas brought a counter-action against her, and while in London she was found guilty of contempt of court in Newcastle for failing to answer the charge. On her return she was thrown into the common county prison at Morpeth. Her fate is unknown.

Legal material such as this often provides accounts of family disputes but can also contain detailed family relationships and evidence in the form of wills, family pedigrees or other miscellany. Searches by name can be made via TNA's online catalogue, TNACAT.

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Published: 2004-09-13