Son of David Stow, father of William Stow and husband of Anne Selby

David was born c.1653 and was of  Melkington, Co. Durham.

He was granted the freedom of the Borough of Berwick-upon-Tweed in 1664.

David married Anne Selby, the only daughter of Oliver Selby, of Beal, Co. Durham on 21^st September 1680.

David and Anne had the following surviving children, all baptised at Holy Trinity, Berwick-upon-Tweed:

Richard Stow. Baptised on 14^th July 1682 in Berwick-upon-Tweed; granted freedom of the Borough of Berwick on 23^rd July 1703 and was Alderman from 1709-1712. Richard married Mrs Margaret Coulson on 26^th August 1708 at Stannington, Northumberland and they had eight children. He died in 1744

George Stow. Baptised 6^th April 1684 in Berwick-upon-Tweed: granted freedom of the Borough on 2^nd May 1707 and was Mayor in 1701. He married Sarah Watson on 26^th June 1715 at Tynemouth, Northumberland and they had at least four children, of whom:

Fenwick Stow of Melkington was baptised in Berwick on 5^th November 1716.  He was granted freedom of the Borough in 1737 and was Mayor in 1746, 1751, 1737 and 1764.  He married Margaret Watson in 1737, the daughter of Thomas Watson and Margaret Clerke.  Margaret Watson’s sister, Elizabeth, Married William, third Baron Lisburne, whose son, the Earl of Lisburne was a great friend of William Johnston Temple. Margaret Watson was buried in Berwick on 18^th November 1745. Fenwick then married Anne Forster – the licence dated 1^st November 1748. They had six children. Anne was buried in Berwick on 20^th February 1793 and Fenwick died on 3^rd August 1782. The tomb of Fenwick and his family in Holy Trinity Churchyard, Berwick.

Here lies the body of Fenwick Stow of Melkington, son of George & Sarah Stow, who died August 13th 1782 aged 66. 

Also, Ann his wife who died 26th February 1793 aged 65.

Here lies also the remains of Mary McDougle heir and daughter. She died 1st February 1810 aged 50. Also Rear Admiral Stow late Alderman of the Borough son of Fenwick and Ann Stow who died 15th December 1826 aged 72

Also Margery Graham, their daughter and widow of James Graham, who died September 20 1828 aged 70

The burial register of Holy Trinity church reveals that Mary McDougal was the wife of John McDougal, Merchant

John Scott's "Berwick upon Tweed" records that Fenwick had been speculating in grain futures.  In the summer of 1767 he had heard that there had been crop failures in Spain and Italy and "ordered my friends in America to purchase me about 20,000 Qrs of wheat which I ma now assured by New York Mail will be executed. I likewise purchased 5 or 6 ladings of Rye at Danzig which are sailed to markets. The purpose of all this is that I am disappointed of £5,000 - which I did not expect and cannot raise in this country soon enough to answer my end".  He went on to express his readiness to pledge his estate against a loan.  His appeal was unavailing and his bankruptcy was announce in the London Gazette in August 1768.  It must be assumed that Ann Stow, his cousin and wife of William Johnston Temple had given £1,100 to Fenwick to invest and was consequently owed. Fenwick sough sanctuary within the Abbey of Holyrood - a right enjoyed by insolvent debtors

George died on 6^th January 1767 and was buried in Berwick-upon-Tweed on 26^th January.

David Stow baptised in November 1690 in Berwick-upon-Tweed

William Stow born 1692

Anne Stow baptised 30^th June 1695 in Berwick-upon-Tweed

John Stow baptised on 6^th October 1698 in Berwick-upon-Tweed

David was Mayor of Berwick-upon-Tweed from 1701-1703.

David died in 1733 at the age of 80. He was buried in Berwick-upon-Tweed on 16^th January 1732/33

The source of information was a Family Tree headed “Stow of Melkington”, within John Scotts’ book  “Berwick-upon-Tweed  -  “The History of the Town and Guild” 1888.

Parish Registers