When Ralph Coulson died in 1792, the cottage and land passed to his 3rd son Michael Coulson. Michael had married Ann Catton of Fangfoss in 1773 and moved from Stutton, first to White Quarry house and then to White Hall, both in nearby Hazlewood, where he farmed. The cottage and land was let out to tenants. Around this time it is known that a John Parker occupied the cottage. Michael moved, likely in 1798, to live in the North Milford in adjacent Parish of Kirkby Wharfe.

Michael and Ann had at least seven children between 1774 and 1784 and they were all baptised at Tadcaster Parish Church. Their eldest son, another Michael, was baptised on the 14th March 1775. Michael Coulson Senior died aged 53 of Palsy on the 10th October 1799, his will written on 30th September of that year allowed his widow, Ann, to reside in one of his houses at Stutton with furniture for two rooms.

Extract from Will of Michael Coulson 1799

In the name of God Amen... I Michael Coulson of North Milford in the Parish of Kirby Wharfe in the County of York Gentleman being weak in body but of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding, praised be God for the same; do make this my last Will and Testament in manner following, that is to say, I give device and bequeath all.........................
and direct that it shall and may be lawful to and for my said dear Wife to occupy and live in one of my houses at STUTTON and which is now in the possession of John Parker for and during the term of her natural life without paying any rent for the same in case she my said wife shall so think proper I further give and bequeath to my said dear wife one Bed Bedstead and Bed and household furniture as shall be sufficient to furnish two rooms......

Ann died seven years later on the 21st April 1807. Following Ann's death the cottage and the land passed to her three sons Ralph, Michael and William with Michael Junior eventually taking sole control. A deed from 21st of April 1809 records this transaction and notes the property as:

part and of concerning all those four dwellinghouses or tenements with the outbuildings, gardens, orchards and premises thereto adjoining and belonging.......and which said dwellinghouses, outbuildings, lands and premises are situate lying and being within the township of Stutton in the Parish of Tadcaster in the County of York.

In 1738 John and Charles Wesley founded a Christian movement which quickly became known as Methodism. They preached that salvation was possible for every believer, and that communion with God did not need the intervention of a priest. At first this was part of the Church of England but in 1784 it broke away and formed a seperate Church. The history of Methodism within the Tadcaster district can be traced back to 1745. In April 1759 John Wesley visited Tadcaster and preached to "a well-behaved congregation in a garden" again in August he visited and this time "distant thunder did not lessen the number of his congregation". Michael Coulson Junior joined the Methodist Church and is listed as a member in 1798. Initially Methodist Meetings were held in the open air but around the turn of the nineteenth Century they started to build Chapels or convert building for use as Preaching Houses.


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