A HISTORIAN has launched a community appeal to help research the nephew of a man sentenced to death before being retrieved at the very last minute.

Researcher Norman Abbot visited St Edmund’s Church, in Sedgefield, looking for references to William Farquharson.

Farquharson studied in the Durham area and lived with Dr William Wrightson, a surgeon from the town in 1772.

Mr Abbot has undertaken extensive research into the Farquharson family – an important family on Upper Deeside in Aberdeenshire who were based near Braemar.

William Farquharson, the nephew of Jacobite supporter Francis Farquharson of Monaltrie, was being tutored at the time by the Reverend William Longstaffe, the vicar of Kelloe, who may also have lived in Sedgefield.

Francis Farquharson was captured at Culloden, imprisoned in London and sentenced to death for treason – but was later freed.

Sedgefield residents are being asked to turn detective and help with research into the family.

Mr Abbot said he would love for residents to come forward if they can help identify Wrightson’s or Longstaffe’s place of residence in the Sedgefield area.

The researcher would like to discover the house on the north side of Old Elvet in Durham where Francis Farquharson lived with his wife, Elizabeth Eyre – who is commemorated in a fine monument in St Oswald’s Church, in Durham.

Previously Mr Abbot did a leaflet drop in Durham to try and identify the house but was unsuccessful.

Anyone with information can email Mr Abbot at naxa4402@gmail.com