William Bigge
William Bigge | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1707 |
| Died | Template:Death year and age |
| Occupations |
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William Bigge (1707–1758) was an English legal professional, estate proprietor, and coal mine owner.
Life
The son of Thomas Bigge, he held the position of one of the Six Clerks within the Chancery. The Bigg's Estate Act 1709 (8 Ann. c. 23) pertained to the inheritance of his grandfather, William Bigg(e), a Newcastle upon Tyne attorney, facilitating the transfer of the estate to his father.
Bigge possessed the manor of Little Benton and fulfilled the role of High Sheriff of Northumberland during 1750–1751. By the late 1730s, he controlled coal mines located at Little Benton, Heddon-on-the-Wall, as well as East and West Heddon.
In the early 1750s, acting on behalf of Charles Brandling, then underage, Bigge acquired land near Hunslet, Yorkshire, connected with the establishment of Middleton Colliery. Additionally, he contributed to the construction of the Military Road, which terminated at Heddon-on-the-Wall; his brother Edward served as solicitor to the Commissioners responsible for this undertaking.
Bigge undertook expansions at Benton House and purchased estates in Witton and Coldcoats. He passed away at Benton House on 30 June 1758.
Family
On 29 January 1736, Bigge wed Mary Clarke, heiress to Charles Clarke of Ovingham, reportedly bringing him a dowry of £25,000. Through this marriage, he acquired lands formerly belonging to a cell of Hexham Priory, along with estates at Ovington and Stannington, Northumberland. Their four sons were:
- Thomas Charles Bigge, their firstborn;
- William Edward Bigge, who remained single and inherited Brinkley (Brenkley) property from his uncle Edward Bigge;
- Charles Clarke Bigge, who died in childhood;
- John (deceased 1797), whose holdings were inherited by John Thomas Bigge, son of Thomas Charles Bigge.
His siblings included Edward, who died unmarried; Thomas, married to Elizabeth Rundell, sister of jeweller Philip Rundell; and Grace, spouse of Sir Robert Carr. Two other sisters never married.