Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Middleton, Joshua
MIDDLETON, JOSHUA (1647–1721), quaker, born in 1647, at Darlington, was one of the Silksworth (Durham) Middletons, a younger branch of the Middletons of Belsay Castle, Northumberland. His fifth direct ancestor, Gilbert Middleton, was mayor of Newcastle in 1530. His father, John Middleton (so called in the marriage register, but Gurney in his pedigree has Joshua), was a strict presbyterian, and brought him up with much care. He, however, early joined the quakers, who had attracted at that time many families of importance in the northern counties. Soon after joining the society, Middleton became a minister, and travelled in many parts of England and Scotland, entertaining also at his house Thomas Story [q. v.] and many other travelling friends. He lived first at Raby, near Staindrop, Durham, and afterwards at Newcastle, where he died 27 Jan. 1720–1.
The ‘Testimony’ of his quarterly meeting speaks of his good example and ‘care of the churches.’ He was of a peaceable spirit, useful in healing differences.
Middleton married Dorothy, daughter of Timothy and Katherine Draper of Newcastle; she died 27 June 1688. He married secondly, on 9 Sept. 1697, Jane Molleson of London, daughter of Gilbert Molleson of Aberdeen, and sister of Christian Barclay, wife of the apologist. Middleton's eldest son, Joshua, married Isabella, daughter of John Doubleday of Alnwick Abbey, Northumberland. A second son, John, was burned to death in the Cross Keys Inn, Gracechurch Street, London, he being a lodger there at the time (Smith, Catalogue, ii. 175). A daughter Elizabeth married Peregrine Tyzack of Norwich. Through his youngest daughter, Hannah, Middleton became the ancestor of the Gurneys, Hoares, Frys, and a host of other quaker families. She married, on 21 July 1713, at Norwich, Joseph Gurney of Keswick Hall, Norfolk, brother of John Gurney (1688–1741) [q. v.] Hannah Middleton Gurney was a woman of extraordinary beauty. Her portrait was painted by Richard Houston [q. v.], who published a print (1746?) entitled ‘The Fair Quaker,’ which became extremely popular as a typical illustration of the costume of the Society of Friends.
[J. Gurney Bevan's Piety Promoted, London, 1811, pp. 306–10; Life of Thomas Story, Newcastle, 1747, pp. 585, 596, 657, 666, 690; Gurney's Record of the House of Gurney (printed for private circulation), London, 1848, pp. 556–61; Smith's Cat.; marriage register at Devonshire House.]